OFCOM has been consulting about commercial drones. It is aware that they are getting bigger and better with longer ranges, so it has worked out a licencing regime for those controlling them. See the OFCOM website for details.
OFCOM has also updated the data it holds on us.
Don't ask me why, as I do not know, but there is a small uptick in Es propagation in mid-winter. Do not be too surprised to copy Europeans on 10m and 6m, and possibly 4m too. I think Es can remain good until the end of January (ish). Remember that Es can occur at any time of year but is most common in the northern hemisphere in May, June and July.
FT8 can be good for this as even very short openings are caught and FT8 is well monitored. As you know, Es signals can be very strong.
As my 2m antenna was already connected to the rig, I am on 2m QRP FT8 this morning with 2.5W to the big-wheel omni antenna. Already spotted by 5 stations with the furthermost G4RAA (333km) in Devon.
UPDATE 1139z: 6 stations spotted on RX in 4 countries. My own 2.5W has been spotted in 2 countries (6 stations with the furthermost GI6ATZ (479km) in Northern Ireland.
As it is the Geminids MS shower, I am on 144.360 MHz MSK144 RX using the 2m big-wheel omni antenna. I am hoping to copy some DX on 2m, probably early morning. I am told this is the best place to look.
At the moment (1611z) I am on 10m FT8 RX. It seems wide open to North America. I was going to go on 8m FT8, but for some reason the SWR is very high.
For several days over the last few weeks I have been doing tests with local stations to see if 10mW ERP 8m WSPR could be copied locally. In the end, 6 locals were able to get the signals and as far as I know they all used antennas that were not cut for 8m!!
My conclusion is that 10mW ERP WSPR beacons would definitely cover the local area. My own interpretation of UK ISM rules is that anyone may legally transmit beacons at 8m in the ISM band as long as they meet the technical requirements and IR2030 without a licence. With Es conditions such beacons will be copied in Europe occasionally.
My local tests have now stopped.
Currently, I expect to be on 10m QRP (5W) quite a bit next year. Possibly I may also try 15m FT8. I find voice QSOs hard these days. Many people are moving to FT8 now. Around sunspot maximum, working the world should certainly be possible with QRP 10m FT8.
If you look carefully at the photo, you may be able to see them starting to gather.
As you can see, still cold here - minus 4 degrees Celsius mid morning.
This movie dates from the late 1890s and shows a snowball fight. It is believed to be the first movie of a snowball fight ever made.
This peaks in the next few days. Starting tomorrow I hope to be on MSK144 on 8m. The best times are early morning, I think. So I shall be on 24/7.
As my PC will be tied up with my QRP 8m local tests, I will be on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW from the W5OLF beacon. I expect to be on from 0900z.
Today is the last day of my 10mW ERP 8m WSPR tests locally. The TX is due to be turned on again at 0900z. 6 locals have copied me with 10mW ERP even with non resonant antennas.
My reading of the UK ISM rules suggests that anyone may operate 10mW ERP beacons without a licence, with callsigns not legally needed (or make one up) as long as the technical requirements and IR2030 are both met. For beacons, that do not result in a product going on the market, self declaration is fine. If you are in any doubt, seek your own legal advice. I honestly think OFCOM cannot really be bothered as we make them no money!
UPDATE 0931z: Been on 10mW ERP TX since 0858z (40% TX). No spots.
UPDATE 1445z: There has been speculation on the 8m io group just why the FCC and OFCOM seem so dead against allocating even the tiniest amateur band at 8m with heavy restrictions. The answer in many countries may well be the military have the last word and want to keep people off. This is pure speculation, but it would make sense. Secrecy rules probably saying so right out!
Tonight was the 70cm activity contest organised by the RSGB. After just a single contact I gave up. Activity seems lower than it was although I only use 10W pep and the 2m omni big-wheel antenna.
Speech contests are hard work these days for me and the shack was quite cold. The 70cm FT8 activity contest tomorrow evening is a bit easier for me.
Every day, I get a news briefing in my email. This is quite useful if you are short of time. It takes just a few moments to read and contains the essence of what you need to know to keep up-to-date. It is written by someone who used to write for "The Week".
As far as I can tell, it is fairly neutral.
WSPR can be monitored in the lounge which is warm. I can be in the shack in seconds if there is any issue.
When the weather is more normal, I shall spend more time in the shack.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/shack .
Yet again (since 0858z) I am on 10m WSPR with my 500mW TX beacon. It is now 0930z and the usual spots from the Canary Isles have been received.
UPDATE 1938z: 14 stations spotted today on 10m QRP WSPR.
My 10mW 8m beacon was turned on again at 0900z. G4WSZ (11km) seems to be getting me stronger. I wonder if Steve has changed something?
UPDATE 1325z: G4WSZ (11km) has been consistently been spotting my 8m 10mW WSPR beacon a few dB above the minimum detectable.
UPDATE 1448z: G1NHG (5km) is also spotting my 8m 10mW WSPR.
My 500mW TX beacon was turned on at about 0900z.
UPDATE 1204z: 3 unique stations spotted.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
