Sunspots - Thursday February 23rd 2022

 Solar flux is 152 and the SSN 100.  A=6 and K=3.

South Devon - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows the view looking from Slapton towards Start Point. 

QDX transceiver

There was a good review of this in a recent QST. Mine is still showing as "being collected". QDX is a QRP, multi-band HF digital transceiver available as a kit or ready built from QRP Labs. It looks like these come from the west of Turkey.

See https://www.qrp-labs.com/images/qdx/QST_QDX_Review.pdf

Shack

Since moving to this QTH nearly 10 years ago (doesn't time fly?) I have a dedicated shack. 

SSB and FM operation require me to be in the shack, whereas FT8 and WSPR may be monitored on a different PC in the lounge. 

I usually sync to internet time early morning (just using Windows 10) and I can pop in the shack (which I do often) in seconds.  Although I sometimes re-sync later in the day, I am not convinced this is really needed.

Although I have a separate bench for building, my poor fine motor skills mean it is rarely used these days, sadly.

The photo shows me looking at birds in the garden as the shack probably has the best view.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/shack .

Oscar 100 narrowband

My most recent peek at this geosynchronous satellite last night was worse than last time! Activity was pathetic. My most recent look was at 2220z on a Wednesday evening. There were just 2 stations only active. 

My only recommendation is just don't bother. By now, I was expecting it to be busy, whereas it is seriously under-used. As mentioned before, people (well a few) enjoy the challenge of getting active, then lose interest. 

My own view is this is just too hard for the "appliance operators" of today. If one of the big manufacturers offered a rig (they won't as Japan and the USA are outside the footprint of the satellite), things would be different as "black box" operators could chat with much of the world without big beams and linears and with a small, fixed antenna. Don't tell them they can do this for free on the Internet!😀

What will happen? Things will carry on as now and activity might pick up as solar activity wanes. What is needed is a low cost add-on to enable appliance operators to get on the satellite using their main rig.

People happily shell out huge amounts for linears, beams and towers. None of these would be needed.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

Crouching down - NOT amateur radio

 

One of the issues with getting old is crouching down. If you get down, it is hard to get up! However, we have an answer - grandsons! At their age they have no problems with hips or knees, so we ask them to take a photo. Problem solved.

Old pals - NOT amateur radio

We have known these friends since university days in the 1960s. My wife and I are in yellow.

This was at nearby Anglesey Abbey with a complete stranger kindly taking the photo.

Simple regen RX

Quite often I get asked how simple can you make a receiver that gives useful results. 

Of course the simplest of all is a crystal set that does not even need a battery. 

The simplest circuit that really works well is probably the one shown. I even adapted this into a 1 FET 80m transceiver. The RX works well on AM, SSB and CW.  By changing the tuned circuit, it will work on different bands. As a transceiver my main issue was netting the RX onto the TX frequency.

There are plenty of similar circuits on the Internet.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/80m-or-40m-regen-rx .

10m QRP WSPR TX (Wednesday)

Testing with the 500mW beacon started at about 0940z. It is now 1000z and, so far, 2 unique stations spotting me. No surprises.

UPDATE 1019z: 4 unique stations spotting me.

UPDATE 1420z: 13 unique stations have spotted my QRP today.

UPDATE 1621z: 19 unique stations have spotted me today. Certainly the station in the Canary Is could have copied me on microwatts at times if his noise floor was low enough. Pretty sure than 10mW ERP 8m WSPR (legal, I think, in the UK without a licence in the ISM band for beacons) could reach surprising distances at times.

8m QRP FT8 ( Wednesday)

 Testing began at about 0940z. No spots yet today.

UPDATE 1414z: It seems "crossing the pond" is almost daily at the moment on 8m FT8, even though the ERP is about 1W when the rig get hot!! Just spotted by FG8OJ (6670km). 

UPDATE 2142z:   On 8m FT8 RX today my system spotted G9PUV and EI2IP.  I am surprised that I do not copy many more. At some point, I need to check the 8m sensitivity. This would involve a trip to a nearby amateur with a calibrated signal generator. It would not surprise me if it was several dB deaf on 8m. Even so, I have still copied S.Africans and Caribbean stations several times.

SPRAT back issues

All the back issues of SPRAT are available on a flash drive. It is cheaper for GQRP club members. It is very low cost and well worth it. There are years of projects on it. Look for "SPRAT on a stick". 

Many times I have said that if all magazines had to go, SPRAT would be my last. This is incredible value. 

See  https://www.gqrp.com .

Sunspots - Wednesday February 22nd 2023

 Solar flux is 161 and the SSN 106.   A=16 and K=2.

Tulips - NOT amateur radio

These are colourful flowers in the spring. Sometimes they are floppy and an aspirin in the water makes them stand up again. I have no idea why! My wife likes flowers in the house.

QDX coming

This morning, I had an email from QRP Labs and the carrier saying that my QDX is on its way. It is due this week. It covers 20-10m at 5W FT8.

See https://qrp-labs.com/qdx.html .

UK winter 1947 - NOT amateur radio

The winter of 1947 was very harsh. This is a photo of my cousins outside their house. Some years later we lived a few houses down. In Salcombe, snow is rare.

8m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

Been on 8m FT8 early (since just before breakfast). So far, no spots today.

UPDATE 0955z:   Still no spots. OFCOM has confirmed that my new T&I 8m licence has all I asked for.

UPDATE 1639z:  7 stations have spotted my QRP 8m FT8 today with 4 being in the Caribbean. It seems that if the F2 MUF is high enough, I get spotted across the Atlantic even with QRP.   At one time to be spotted "across the pond" was magic on 8m, whereas now it seems quite commonplace.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Tuesday)

My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon was turned on before breakfast. It is now 0912z and all the usual reports including many from the Canary Isles, which I assume is F2 propagation.

UPDATE  1658z:  So far today, my 500mW WSPR has been spotted by 19 unique stations with the furthermost WA2N (6488km).

UPDATE 1837z:   22 unique stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR today.

Sunspots - Tuesday February 21st 2023

Solar flux is 160 and the SSN 135. A=8 and K=3. 

Woke - NOT amateur radio

Today I heard that Puffin books is sanitising Roald Dahl books so that they do not cause offence. Now, he was far from an angel, but kids love his books and do not need wrapping in cotton wool. 

In my view, the world is going stark staring mad!! 

Should we pull down the pyramids because they were built by slaves? Should many UK country houses be pulled down because money was made by slaves workers in the West Indies? Many street names in big cities were named after slave merchants.

I am all for a fair world, but where does this end? 

Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio

This path at nearby Anglesey Abbey is lined with snowdrops. On the trees, buds are appearing. It can turn much colder, but there are signs of spring all around.

New T&I 8m TX permit approved

Just heard from OFCOM that they have approved my T&I 8m permit for when mine runs out in April. I have asked for a provisional copy to check over. Assuming this is OK, it means I have broadly the same as currently until April 2024.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Monday)

It is now 0950z and I have been on since 0900z. Spots of me by a local and from the Canary Isles.

UPDATE 0959z:   4 unique stations spotting me now. Most are probably via F2.

8m QRP FT8 (Monday)

It is now 0945z and I have been on for about 45 minutes. So far, the only spot of me is by 4X1BG (3532km). Nobody has been spotted on 8m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1754z:   My own QRP 8m FT8 was spotted in Israel and Kazakhstan  I have spotted 5 stations including 1 in the USA and 1 in Canada.

Sunspots - Monday February 20th 2023

Solar flux is 169 and the SSN 112. A=7 and K=0.

Remember this?

If I remember correctly, this was a prize at our Liverpool University Amateur Radio Society (G3OUL) dinner one year. I think it was 1969.  It is possible the prize was the successor which was the Micromatic.

When I first came to Cambridge, Sinclair has small premises at 20 Newmarket Road.  

Sir Clive once asked me for advice on antennas!

Talking of G3OUL made me quite nostalgic, so I did some Googling!

See https://www.radiomuseum.co.uk/g3oul.html .

Useful archive online

A recent posting on an IO group reminded me of this most useful archive on radio history.

See https/worldradiohistory.com

Chocolate boxes? - NOT amateur radio

These cottages are in the delightful village of Dalham, not too far from us. 

Today, I guess these well kept thatched cottages are owned by the wealthy who can afford them. In the 1800s, they were probably worker's hovels.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Sunday)

Been on for about 30 minutes (it is now 0945z) and, so far with the 500mW 10m WSPR beacon, 3 unique stations have spotted me. No surprises!

UPDATE 1156z:   7 spots of me so far today. USA also spotting me again.

UPDATE 1615z: 29 unique stations have spotted my 10m 500mW WSPR today with the furthermost being FR1GZ (9724km).

8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

Only been on for a short while, but been spotted by 4X1BG (3552km) and I have spotted G4APG (88km).

UPDATE 1008z:  A reminder that I believe anyone in the UK may legally put 10mW ERP beacons on without a licence on the 8m ISM bands as long as the technical requirements and IR 2030 are met. As encouragement, an Australian 8m WSPR beacon at 5mW was copied over 5000km away! See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/2023/01/successful-low-power-tests-on-40-mhz.html . It would be good to see many WSPR beacons on 8m this Es season. 

UPDATE 1150z:  ZS6OB (9099km) spotted on 8m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1238z: 4X1BG (3552km) has again spotted me and I have spotted this station too on RX. The map shows the stations spotted here this morning on 8m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1454z:  Spotted by 2 stations in the Caribbean on 8m QRP FT8. Amazing! When the rig gets hot, the power drops to 1W ish.

UPDATE 1512z:  Several stations were copied on 8m FT8 RX today, that were not reported to PSKreporter.  I am unsure if PSKreporter does not report in a QSO or it was a problem with my internet. G9PUV, G8BCG and another Eire station seen today. Probably F2 backscatter.

UPDATE 1525z:  5 stations have spotted my QRP 8m  FT8 today, including 3 in the Caribbean. I think FG8OG (6670km) in Guadeloupe may be a new country for me on 8m?

UPDATE 1543z:  It must be an issue with uploading to PSKreporter (delay?) or at my end as VA2CY clearly spotted calling CQ. He is on my screen several times , but not showing on PSKreporter.

UPDATE 1557z: WW1L (4976km) has spotted me on 8m FT8 this afternoon. Even with a very low ERP, I am still being copied "across the pond" many times.

UPDATE 1621z:  Now RX only on 8m FT8.

Kingsbridge NOT amateur radio

Not sure when the photo was taken, but it looks over a hundred years ago. This is where I was brought up as a teenager. I ate at the Shambles in the photo just last year. It used to be a coffee bar in my youth. 

Sunspots - Sunday February 19th 2023

 Solar flux is 167 and the SSN 109. A=6 and K=0.

First steps

Looking back, I noticed this photo that shows my first setup on 600m. Later we got an allocation at 630m.

10m Tenner Transceiver

This was created before the last sunspot peak. Although many have migrated to FT8, nothing beats working DX on a simple transceiver that you have made yourself. 

Although you made not build this, I hope it gives you some ideas.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/10m-tenner-qrp-cw  .

8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

Been on 8m FT8 (TX first) for about 90 minutes. So far, 2 spots from Eastern Europe with the furthermost RA4FER (2992km). This is almost certainly F2 propagation.

UPDATE 1016z:  Not sure if there are now more people monitoring 8m FT8 or it is just that conditions are better so more people can copy my QRP. Until yesterday, there were very few reports of me from the east.

UPDATE 1218z:   When out shopping, I left the 8m FT8 on RX. 3 stations spotted as the map shows. Rig currently turned completely off.

UPDATE 1335z:  5 stations have spotted me today on 8m FT8. I am surprised by the results at this time of year. Most reports seem to be by F2. Rig turned on again.

UPDATE 1405z:  7 spots of my 8m QRP FT8 today including HI8SDR-2 (7062km), which is a new country and "across the pond" again. Now RX only again.

UPDATE 1845z:  My first copy of a station in North America on 8m FT8:  VA2CY (4965km). Now QRT.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Saturday)

It is now 1005z.  9 stations have so far spotted me. The majority look like F2 propagation.

UPDATE 1220z:  13 stations have spotted my 10m QRP WSPR beacon today. USA starting to spot me.

UPDATE 1342z:  26 spots of my 500mW QRP 10m WSPR. so far today.

UPDATE 1609z:   34 spots of me so far today on 10m QRP WSPR.

UPDATE 1636z:   37 spots so far today on 10m QRP WSPR.

Plans for Saturday

After breakfast I hope to be on 8m QRP FT8 TX on 40.680 MHz as well as 10m QRP WSPR TX with 500mW from the W5OLF beacon. There might be some F2 backscatter on 8m. 

Our church in Burwell - NOT amateur radio

This is a view of our village church in silhouette. It is mostly 15th century although some parts of the tower are Saxon.

Sunspots - Saturday February 18th 2023

 Solar flux is 343 and the SSN 86. A=6 and K=2.

Ukraine - NOT amateur radio

This "special operation" (in the West we call it war) is almost a year old. It seems President Putin was surprised by the reaction especially when the West did nothing when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. He probably thought he could just walk in and the war would be over in days.

I have nothing at all against the Russian people: they have been fed a line by state media. At the height of the cold war many Russians were worked on amateur radio and, in a small way, barriers were broken down. After all, they were just people like us.

This war has to stop. It will. Let us all hope that everyone is able to think it a victory. 

In the end, wars rarely solve problems. Most can be traced to earlier grievances. In the end, true justice for all is the only way.

FT-710AESS and 4m

Until today, I did not realise that 4m has to be enabled on this rig.  As it comes, both 70 MHz and UK 5 MHz bands have to be enabled. I thought these already were!

A very helpful phone call and email from Steve Venner at MLS explained how to do this (it was very easy), and I now have power on 4m. It is also meant to enable 60m UK allocations with the same mods although I have not yet checked.

I have still to test the rig fully. Steve is also checking the AESS functionality on the MLS demo rig. I must say, Steve was very helpful.

Apart from the AESS function, I am very pleased with the rig so far.

I traded in my IC-705, but have not yet received a credit on my card. I guess they have to check it all first. It is mint. It was a very good rig.

UPDATE 1529z: The 2m big-wheel and feeder does match on 4m (I am pleased to say) using the internal auto-ATU on the FT-710. No doubt a dedicated 4m antenna would be much better, but this is a start. I have not even started on the DSP and filter options! I hope to go on the 4m activity contest (March 15th) with this compromise antenna. I think this is a Tuesday.