For a change, I am on 10m QRP FT8. The band is very busy.
Stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today
UPDATE 1317z: 28 stations have spotted my QRP and 411 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX (see map).
28 Jan 2023
10m QRP FT8 (Saturday)
Ely Cathedral in the mist - NOT amateur radio
You can see why they call this "the ship of the fens". This photo was on social media recently.
Apparently there are hardly any foundations. Remember, there were no JCBs when this was made in medieval times. It is the only medieval wonder of the world in the UK I think.
Ely cathedral is built on high ground above what was once marshy ground. Hence the name "isle of Ely".
27 Jan 2023
St John's College, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio
The bikes and posters (on the railings to the right and just out of the photo) are very Cambridge!!
AGMs and Zoom
Just now, I attended the Cambridge Radio Club (CDARC) AGM by Zoom. This was a hybrid meeting with some there in person and some remotely via Zoom. I no longer (if I can avoid it) drive at night.
As for previous lectures, the Zoom worked really well, including voting by putting a hand up.
This hybrid format really suits me as I can take an active part in club activities even though unable to get in. In the past we have had speakers and listeners across oceans.
OFCOM publications update
Every week OFCOM updates the data it holds on licences etc.. See the OFCOM website for details.
8m QRP FT8 (Friday)
A few moments ago I switched on the 8m FT8 QRP TX. This was about 1025z.
UPDATE 1840z: No spots today on TX and RX.
10m WSPR QRP TX (Friday)
My 500mW 10m WSPR TX was turned on at 0946z.
UPDATE 1006z: 3 spots from the Canary Is so far this morning.
Voltage dropping
In a few weeks' time (with a following wind) my QDX digital transceiver should arrive. With a 12v supply, there is a danger of the PA being badly over-rated and failing. Most of my gear runs from a 13.8V, so it would be prudent to run the QDX from a lower supply voltage.
My easiest solution is a string of suitably rated diodes in the supply. I have 10 off 3A silicon diodes that should be here next week. I could drop 6V with these if I want, making the QDX run safely from 9.8V.
Fame? - NOT amateur radio
To my surprise, an email I wrote to the BBC regional programme "Look East" was read out on the programme last night. It was about our local bus service.
In the past, a couple of my photos have been used on the local TV weather forecasts, but this was a total surprise.
23cm beacon hunting
Last night I went beacon hunting on 23cm with my tiny indoor 2 element beam. I monitored GB3DUN on Dunstable Downs for several minutes. This is probably my best chance of copying a 23cm beacon.
Just occasionally there was a very brief signal that may have been this beacon. It was there for (at most) a second, then was gone. The direct path is very obstructed and my only real hope is by aircraft scatter. The impression I got was this was not aircraft. I have no idea if you get MS on 23cm.
Other beacons I also looked out for on my waterfall, but nothing was seen.
26 Jan 2023
Assembled QDX status?
The status of the queue of assembled transceivers from QRP Labs has not been updated since late last week.
Rally
The following rally has been notified to me: -
Sunday January 29th - Lincoln Shortwave Club Winter Rally, Market Rasen, LN8 3HT. Contact m5zzz@outlook.com .
As always, it is worth checking before going a long way.
8m QRP FT8
My 8m FT8 on 40.680 MHz was turned on at 0952z.
UPDATE 1625z: Just G0HVQ (181km) spotting my QRP and nobody spotted on 8m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1925z: QRT. No further spots.
10m 500mW WSPR TX (Thursday)
My QRP 10m WSPR beacon was turned on at 0952z.
UPDATE 1000z: Just local G4KPX (14km) spotting me so far.
UPDATE 1610z: 17 stations spotting my QRP (see table).
UPDATE 1922z: 18 stations spotted me today. QRT soon.
10m FT8
With sunspots again good, 10m is again coming into its own. It is quite easy to copy stations on every continent in daylight now on 10m. More people are using FT8 now. This is a digital modulation that is even better than CW, handling and decoding very weak signals. It has already shown that the 10m band is "open" when many leave it.
If you are after a simple 10m FT8 RX that is effective and does not tie up "the big rig" how about my 10FT8R receiver? This is very simple and low cost, but works well.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/10ft8r-rx .
Plans (Thursday)
Later, I hope to go on 10m WSPR QRP TX with my 500mW beacon and 8m FT8 QRP. I may also see if I can detect any 23cm beacons with my 2 el beam indoors.
Kingsbridge Estuary - NOT amateur radio
This photo of where I come from in Devon was on social media a little while ago. This not actually an estuary. It is actually a ria, a drowned river valley. One of my favourite walks was between Salcombe (bottom left) and Kingsbridge (top). It took me about 90 minutes then. It would take me hours now, if at all!
25 Jan 2023
Ukraine war - NOT amateur radio
The war in Ukraine is almost 1 year old. What a total waste of everything!
I hear now that Germany and the USA are sending tanks. I am sure we in the west, as well as people in Russia, are not being told the whole truth. This often happens in wars.
Russia is paranoid about its security, but at the same time invading a neighbouring country is not the answer. More countries (Finland and Sweden) want to join NATO. If these countries were attacked or any NATO country, the reaction would be devastating.
In the end I very much hope some sort of peace can be found. It seems to me that the elements of this must include:
- No nation to be invaded by neighbours.
- Russia gets guarantees that nobody ever intends to invade it.
- Sweden, Finland and Ukraine do not join NATO but have their security guaranteed by NATO.
- Russia has access to Crimean ports for its Navy.
- Sanctions are lifted with guarantees of good conduct after a fixed period.
- Both Ukraine and Russia do not apply war crimes against each other.
8m - is 10mW ERP legal for beacons without a licence in the ISM band?
Recently, I was asked this question. If it is, many more UK stations could get on 8m. It is my firm view that 10mW ERP is enough to get into southern Europe from the UK in good Es conditions by WSPR. It might even be possible rarely with FT8. Local tests have proved to me that well over 17km is possible locally, even without 8m antennas at the RX end.
Now, I am no legal expert, so you will have to seek your own legal advice. In different countries, different regulations will apply, so it is your duty to ensure legal operation.
My interpretation is WSPR beacons without a licence are legal in the UK in the ISM bands as long as the technical requirements and IR 2030 are met. This means 10mW ERP. Interference must not be given and must be accepted.
This is NOT the Amateur Radio Service, but is arguably very much amateur radio!
This is what OFCOM said when I asked:
"The use of licence-exempt apparatus is authorised under exemption regulations, with set emission powers and other criteria. This is in order for it to be available to all users with minimal risk of disruption or interference.
The limits, including maximum power levels and whether airborne use is permitted, are set out in the UK Interface requirement IR2030. If apparatus being used for testing meets the relevant technical criteria and complies with IR 2030, then a licence will not be necessary. Please note that some frequency bands which may be licence-exempt in other countries, such as the USA, may not be so in the UK and only the frequency bands listed are eligible for the exemption of qualifying apparatus.
In some circumstances we may be able to authorise the test or development of non-compliant radio apparatus under an Innovation and Trial (I&T) licence. However, this generally will be under conditions that are sufficiently remote, shielded or otherwise unlikely to affect other users. I&T is not intended for the operational use of radio apparatus, such as for the monitoring / control / telemetry of other apparatus, where a licensed or exempt authorisation is already generally available. Even if it were the radio apparatus itself that is under test or development (in excess of normally permitted limits) we should emphasise that, as described above, it will not be possible to grant an operational permission for its future deployment and use."
10m QRP WSPR TX (Wednesday)
My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon was turned on at 1406z. So far, no spots.
U3A course - late on radio
As I am in Cambridge for my University of the 3rd Age lecture on the Bank of England history, I will be late on the radio today.
2200m in 2013
One of my Facebook memories today was this photo of my 2200m tests. Apart from a very brief TX last year I have not been on that band on TX for many years.
24 Jan 2023
Cold winter? - NOT amateur radio
It is odd to think that not many months ago we were too hot in bed! Come May we can expect blossom, summer migrant birds and warm days again.
23cm webpage added
As you know, I am using the transverter from SG Labs which looks well made. Several people have these and are pleased.
Yesterday was my first ever 23cm QSO.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/23cm .
UPDATE 1406z: I tried to see if there was any sign of the 23cm beacon on Dunstable Downs GB3DUN on 1296.890 MHz. Nothing at all was spotted despite moving the antenna around to try to detect it, perhaps by a reflection off something. From here, this path is well obstructed. I assume it is on the air. The Martlesham beacon GB3MHZ on 1296.830 MHz is on the wrong side of the house, so I think I have no chance. I shall have a go though later.
Sunspots - higher than expected?
Some years ago, some were predicting a Maunder minimum with years without sunspots.
On present showing, the current solar cycle is looking to exceed the last one. My favourite site for solar data is still expecting the peak late this year, which is early. With many months still to go to the peak, things are promising.
10m 500mW WSPR TX (Tuesday)
Yet again, I am on 10m WSPR TX with my beacon. It is now 0940z and I have been on for about 10 minutes. So far today, spotted by no stations.
UPDATE 1446z: 12 unique stations have spotted me today.
UPDATE 1007z: So far, 2 unique stations are spotting my QRP. The distances look like single hop F2. (Canaries and Finland).
UPDATE 1125z: 4 unique stations spotting me.
UPDATE 1446z: 12 unique stations have spotted me today.
8m FT8 QRP (Tuesday)
At the moment I am on 8m FT8 QRP. It is now 0934z. No spots yet, although I have only just turned on.
UPDATE 1610z: 4 stations in EI and G have suddenly spotted my 8m QRP FT8 TX. I am wondering if this is aircraft reflection? Apart from this, just 1 EI spotted on FT8 RX this morning.
UPDATE 1616z: Since then, spots by 2 more at this time. This makes aircraft reflection even more likely. It looks like the position and Doppler made reception possible. I am not aware of aircraft reflection before now on 8m FT8.
23 Jan 2023
8m T&I permit renewal application with OFCOM
The application to get a new 8m permit to replace my current one (at great expense, which I think is utterly STUPID!!) is with OFCOM. There is no certainty of a new 8m permit, but I have essentially asked for the same as the last one.
If they reject it, I intend to WSPR with 10mW ERP in the ISM 8m band. Perhaps I should use the callsign OF3COM just to register my disapproval, HI.
My 8m FT8 was turned on late at 1645z.
UPDATE 1800z: Just S57A (1194km) has been spotted. Nobody has spotted my QRP today.
British politics - NOT amateur radio
It turns out that our one time chancellor (in charge of money) made an error with his taxes and has paid a very large sum to settle his mistakes. Our Prime Minister is married to a very rich woman who is worth millions (at least). There are many we just do not know about.
In my view ALL in high office must be above reproach. It is also important that they understand the common man.
You could be forgiven for thinking many in high office are not there really for the common good and are out of touch with many.
At one time, those in high office had very high standards and went into politics with high levels of integrity. These days many enter politics for totally the wrong reasons.
Being wealthy is not a crime. Being out of touch with the common man is sad.
QDX - creeping up
At Christmas, I ordered a QDX digital transceiver, ready built, covering 20m-10m from QRP labs. As it will be ready built and cased, there is a waiting list.
My place in the queue is getting better. I shall wait patiently!!
Hans makes some great kits.
23cm SSB sked (Monday) - success!
At 1430z today, I have a sked with G6UW/G3ZAY on 1296.3 MHz SSB. Martin is in Cambridge (far side). At the moment, I am still using the 2 element test antenna indoors pointing out of the shack window.
UPDATE 1535z: We made it! This was my first ever QSO on 23cms. No great DX, but so important to me. This proves the 2W 23cm transverter works on TX and RX, but I must get a better antenna for /P work later in the year.
10m QRP WSPR TX (Monday)
In a few moments, I am about to switch on my 500mW W5OLF 10m WSPR beacon.
UPDATE 1100z: 5 unique stations have already spotted my QRP (see chart).
UPDATE 1547z: 16 unique stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR today.
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