Solar flux is 151 and the SSN 142. A=6 and K=0.
13 Dec 2022
12 Dec 2022
10m WSPR QRP (Monday)
My 500mW TX beacon was turned on at about 0900z.
UPDATE 1204z: 3 unique stations spotted.
Continuing 8m ISM tests (Monday)
This morning I am continuing my 10mW ERP 8m WSPR tests simulating ISM rules.
UPDATE 2050z: G4WSZ (11km) has spotted my 8m WSPR 10mW ERP 88 times. I am disappointed that nobody else either managed to copy or did not try. I shall leave the 10mW ERP beacon on (0900-2300z) until Wednesday bedtime.
Snow - NOT amateur radio
Last night we had the most snow this year. This morning a very kind neighbour cleared our drive. I guess we have about 3cm of snow
11 Dec 2022
Plans for tomorrow
Starting tomorrow morning after breakfast my intention is to go on 10m QRP WSPR TX (500mW) with my W5OLF beacon and continue my 10mW ERP 8m WSPR beacon local tests.
Oscar 100 - still very quiet
Every few weeks I take a peek at activity on this geosynchronous satellite. Activity remains low, even on a late afternoon in Europe at a weekend. The photo shows activity on the narrowband transponder. In my view, this satellite is, sadly, a failure.
Shetland Islands (again) - NOT amateur radio
10m QRP WSPR TX (Sunday)
Once again I am on 10m WSPR TX with my 500mW W5OLF beacon. It is now 1103z and spots have been received from EA8 , 9H1 and OH, presumably by F2.
UPDATE 2230z: 12 unique stations spotted me today on 10m QRP WSPR TX.
Repeating local 10mW ERP 8m local tests
As someone missed my recent local ISM 8m tests, I am repeating them again with the WSPR signal appearing at 40.6815 MHz.
The callsign at 10mW ERP will be 8M3ISM.
UPDATE 1050z: The 10mW ERP 8m WSPR beacon is ON again. No spots yet.
UPDATE 1620z: G4WSZ (11km) has spotted my QRP 10mW ERP many times. He is using a low 6m dipole.
Bouvet DXpedition 2023
Next January (January 2023), there is supposed to be a DXpedition to Bouvet. This is in the South Atlantic Ocean and is the most remote uninhabited island in the world. It is owned by Norway. The callsign is meant to be 3Y0J (I think). DXCC chasers will be going mad to work this station. No doubt I shall stand back and leave them to shout! Can you imagine the pile ups?!! Somehow I can imagine those with big beams and big linears will be shouting very loudly! Let's hope the operators like wind, penguins and seals.
The photo attribution is the International Space Station crew, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bouvet_Island.
10 Dec 2022
Bah humbug - NOT amateur radio
At least, the lights cheer us all up at a dark time of the year. They say Christmas was originally a Pagan festival.
Frosty morning - NOT amateur radio
When I first came to Cambridge in the early 1970s, it was cold and frosty in the winter. Snow, when it occurred, usually lasted for several days. These days, snow is rare and frosts are infrequent. The climate is milder.
These last few days it has been exceptionally cold. The photo was taken a few days ago outside our bungalow. It is extremely cold (for us) at the moment, although we have escaped most of the snow.
Someone else to do 8m ISM tests locally
Another local ham is to do tests on the 8m ISM bands.
Once the weather gets better, he is doing some 10mW ERP tests (using his signal generator) to me across the fens. Hopefully I can receive him. He usually very strong on 2m FM with 25W. I think he erecting an 8m dipole for these tests. Antenna work needs better weather!
10m QRP WSPR TX (Saturday)
It is now 1002z. I am again be on 10m QRP WSPR with 500mW from my W5OLF beacon.
9 Dec 2022
Christmas visit - NOT amateur radio
10m QRP WSPR TX (Friday)
Once again, I am on WSPR QRP TX (500mW) with my W5OLF beacon. The usual spots from the Canary Is, that I assume are by F2. Yesterday, my QRP WSPR on 10m was spotted by 8 unique stations including the USA and Canada. Transatlantic spots are almost daily.
UPDATE 1609z: So far today, 11 spots of my 10m QRP WSPR.
Where I come from in South Devon
This is where I come from in South Devon. We have lived hereabouts for over 500 years for certain and probably for thousands of years.
8m ISM research
OFCOM has still to come back to me about legal operation in the 8m ISM band and self certification if there is no intention to market a product and the intention is simply research. I expect their lawyers need to be consulted first!!
UPDATE 1616z: Bingo!!! A definitive statement from OFCOM if you comply with IR2030 you do not need to apply for a licence in the ISM bands. These are OFCOM's exact words
"If it is radio equipment intended for telecommunications research purposes it may be possible to obtain an innovation and trials licence from Ofcom.
You can find more details on this here: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/
If it conforms to the usage conditions laid down in IR 2030 you don’t need to apply for a licence. Regarding conformity of the equipment to other requirements, e.g. required for the marketing of products, or any potential liability to comply with those requirements, e.g. whether it is deemed as placed on the market / put into service, etc, isn’t something Ofcom can advise on.
Guidance on this aspect is published by the UK Government here: https://www.gov.uk/uk-market-
Will it catch on?
This photo was a FB memory from a few years ago. Bet you are filled with envy!! 😉
8 Dec 2022
OFCOM consulting on some changes to short range devices licence exempt rules
OFCOM is consulting on some changes it is proposing on its licence exempt SRD regulations. As far as I can see these affect some microwave allocations. This affects the Spectrum Licensing Regulations. See the OFCOM website for details.
EME
As pointed out in his earlier comment, John Regnualt, G4SWX, who is the RSGB's VHF manager, has directed us to a truly excellent website all about EME (earth-moon-earth) communication.
John is an expert on EME communication and got his 2m DXCC some years ago. As far as I am concerned this is really good experimental work, no doubt having spent some time optimising his EME station.
To have success in EME requires hard work and dedication. By comparison, I am a "fireside fusilier" in that I am gunner do this and gunner do that. It looks like John is not!!
QRSS or WSPR?
Although WSPR comes in several guises and speeds, I have no idea how QRSS (slow CW) compares with WSPR. Maybe Googling will tell me the answer.
For very low power (QRPP), one of these modes is probably better. WSPR has the advantage of being widely reported via WSPRnet. Certainly very slow WSPR is probably better than QRSS at reasonable speeds.
The answer is probably the same as, "how long is a piece of string?", but any pointers would be appreciated.
ISM rules?
Although I am pretty sure that in the UK people can use the ISM bands for research without a licence, as long as they personally ensure conformity to any technical requirements and IR2030, I have asked OFCOM to confirm this. I am awaiting a response. My thoughts are it is easier for OFCOM just to confirm this than ask, "is this legal?".
At 8m this means a beacon can not be more than 10mW ERP. We already know this can cover a local area well on WSPR and could probably be copied in Europe by Es.
What happens in your country is not known.
8m QRP FT8 (Thursday)
My FT8 on 40.680 MHz was turned on at 1003z. No spots. Running 2.5W to the low wire dipole.
10m WSPR QRP (Thursday)
My 500mW beacon was turned on at 1000z. No spots yet at 1006z.
UPDATE 1235z: 3 stations now spotting me. No USA yet.
2m FT8 activity contest
 |
| Stations on 2m FT8 RX last evening |
Yesterday evening was the 2m FT8 activity contest. I worked 2 stations, but over 50 were received here including EI, GI, ON and PA (see map).
The other map shows where I was spotted with 2.5W FT8 and the big-wheel omni antenna.
 |
| Stations spotting my 2.5W FT8 on 2m with the omni antenna |
Poster - NOT amateur radio
It usually has pictures of friends, grandchildren, sons etc. She has been doing these since 2012.
It is amazing to see how people change.
There are several companies we could use. You do the layout and upload digital images.
Arecibo dish
Sadly the antenna collapsed and will not be rebuilt.
7 Dec 2022
Geminids meteor shower
This normally peaks in mid December. Usually, the ionised trails result in enhanced VHF propagation during short bursts. MSK144 is often a good mode as signals may be strong, but short lived. Better equipped stations experience better bursts for longer.
This time, I may try 8m MSK144 during the shower.
See https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/everything-you-need-to-know-geminid-meteor-shower/ .
KST chat
Personally, I find this very useful.
When I remember, I share my current 8m activity so people know where to watch for me. 8m activity is on the 50 and 70 MHz chats.
I see others use it to arrange skeds.
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