8m activity this Es season

A feeling shared with another on 8m is there are fewer people on 8m this Es season than last. This is a great pity, especially with Belgium about to release an amateur band at 8m.

However, it looks like many of the "old gang" have already been worked (or FT8 reports exchanged) with them. This being the case, I think this Es season I shall concentrate on 4m and 10m FT8 instead, unless conditions suggest I should get on 8m.

With some exceptional distances being worked on 6m, there is little else I shall learn this Es season on 8m, and I think radio science will not be advanced much on 8m unless there are many more stations active. I was hoping we would see lots of stations operating on 8m TX under ISM rules. This does not appear to be the case sadly.

Great Powers in the 21st Century - NOT amateur radio

There is little doubt that China is already growing into a great world power. The USA sees this growing dominance as a threat.

In my view, there is room for both. Already, Europe and the USA buys lots of goods from China. If the supply of semiconductors from Taiwan was disrupted, the whole world would suffer.

Behind all conflicts is insecurity.  

Russia feels (illogically) threatened by the west. China feels threatened by the USA. The USA feels threatened by China.

Why can't we get along in peace? We all need to invest heavily in alternatives to fossil fuels and not waste our money on blowing each other up!

Lunch - NOT amateur radio

 

As my wife was out with old school friends, I had a pizza for lunch. I added some ham and mushrooms.

8m QRP WSPR (Saturday)

 For a change, I am on 8m QRP WSPR. I am on 40.680 MHz (DF about 1550 Hz, Tx 20% of the time) running 2W. 

UPDATE 1305z:  Just one spot by HC02 in Portugal.  Back on 8m QRP FT8 again now.

8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

 My gear was turned on at about 0800z. I am on 40.680 MHz FT8 (DF about 1950 Hz, TX first). With strong Es already in Europe, I am hopeful.

UPDATE 0930z: No spots of me.

UPDATE 1304z:  After a period on WSPR, I am back on FT8.

8m amateur band in Belgium

Although I have no data yet, I gather, after much lobbying, the Belgian authorities are releasing some spectrum at 8m for radio amateurs. At this time, I repeat, that I have no details. If correct, this is great news.

10m QRP WSPR (Saturday)

My 10m 500mW W5OLF TX WSPR beacon was turned in just before 0800z. So far,  no spots.

UPDATE 0925z:  Plenty of 10m Es this morning. The map shows my unique spots so far today. Map is from http://wspr.aprsinfo.com/ .

UPDATE 1333z: 16 unique stations have spotted my 10m QRP WSPR today.

OFCOM crappery

Way back in early April I wrote to OFCOM to request a simple change to my 8m T&I licence. They wrote back to say they were very busy, but I have still not received an answer. The answer would have taken about 90 seconds in an email.  I am sure that if I was talking about 6G I would have got an answer back in just minutes!!

No, basically we do not matter much and it shows.  My own view of OFCOM is they could not care less about anybody unless they can generate money. 

Is this the future? Deregulation and go ahead, but you must not cause interference to services that generate money.  As mentioned before, I can see a day coming when all non-licenced operation is combined and we can use any CB, amateur radio frequencies and ISM frequencies without a licence. Amateur radio generates no money, so why care?

The Es season is already well through.  Perhaps I should go ahead anyway and seek forgiveness later!

BTW, OFCOM updates the data it holds every week. See the OFCOM website for the latest.

New Yaesu HF QRP Transceiver?

Does anyone have any idea if Yaesu is planning to launch a new HF QRP radio as a proper replacement for the FT817?  The FT818 is a joke.

One has been overdue for many, many years and I fear they have lost their chance. They now have an SDR platform and surely could do this. 

With the right features and form, it could still be a winner. I would certainly consider one. As time progresses, they are facing yet more competition from ICOM, Elecraft and various Chinese offerings.

This is their very last chance!! If one is not forthcoming very soon, I fear it is curtains for Yaesu in the Amateur Radio Service.

UPDATE 1314z:   I think Yaesu has blown it (yet again). Initial reports from Hamvention suggest nothing. If they had anything at all (even a non working mock-up) they would have shown it. I give them 3 years in the Amateur Radio Service market before they are out, possibly less at this rate. I am a great Yaesu fan, but in recent years their marketing has been unbelievably poor. If I was in charge, the entire marketing department for amateur radio would have been sacked as totally incompetent.

Sunspots - Saturday May 20th 2023

Solar flux is 165 and the SSN 155.  A=9 and K=4.

Dayton Hamvention - Ohio, USA

This is probably the biggest ham gathering in the world. Many (who can afford it!) like to go there to see the gear and meet old friends. It is on this weekend. 

It is often the place where new rigs are launched. You can imagine the panic in many labs in the run-up!  As yet, I have not (yet) seen any major announcements, but this is the place to do it.

See https://hamvention.org/ .

In my honest view, this is a last chance for some manufacturers including Yaesu. If they "miss the boat" they may never, ever, get another chance.  As the average age of radio amateurs increases and many become SK, the outcome could be bleak for many manufacturers and dealers.

UPDATE 2010z: Well Dayton has been running for several hours and I have not yet heard any announcements about new rigs.

OFCOM and eLoran

OFCOM is consulting on eLoran which may operate 90-110 kHz. I do not thinks this will cause issues with the Amateur Radio Service. The consultation is open until July sometime and your input would be welcomed.

8m QRP FT8 (Friday)

My 8m QRP FT8 has just been turned on (40.680, TX first period, DF about 1950 Hz). No spots yet.

UPDATE 1052z:  Still no spots. I get the distinct impression there are fewer people on 8m FT8 than in the last Es season. Unless things change soon, I may concentrate on 10m FT8 instead this season.

UPDATE 1434z:  one spot of me by EA3ERE (1153km). Es definitely. Spotted in 4 countries so far this Es season.

UPDATE 1550z: Now spotted by S50B (1220km).

UPDATE 1718z:   3 stations have spotted my 8m QRP FT8 today. Es at last.

10m 500mW WSPR TX

Although the QRP beacon has just been turned on, already spots from 4 unique stations. These look like Es and F2.  A very promising start today.

UPDATE 1047z:  6 unique spots of my QRP 10m WSPR so far today.

UPDATE 1200z:  8 unique stations have spotted me this morning on 10m QRP WSPR as the map shows.

UPDATE  1440z: 19 spots of my 10m QRP WSPR so far today. Once again, the furthermost is F61695 (9729km) on Reunion Is in the south Indian Ocean.

UPDATE 1805z:  27 stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR today. Es back with a bang!

SMD parts

Few radio amateurs  have the tools to solder SMD parts. As time progresses, SMD parts will get progressively smaller and discrete parts rarer. Some sort of SMD capability will become essential for experimenters.

In many ways SMD parts are better. Without leads they become more predictable in RF circuits. With leaded parts, lead inductance can be significant, especially at VHF and above.

The smallest SMD parts are now 0.25mm x 0.125mm!! Good job I am retired.  😁

Imagine a sneeze!! Oh b****r.  😆😊

Es - promising?

A quick look at https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ suggests that European Es could be promising later. My current plan is 8m QRP FT8 and 10m 500mW WSPR TX, with 8m WSPR later. Things will be turned on later this morning.

If 8m is disappointing and few stations are active this Es season, I shall probably QSY to 10m FT8 next week. If the Es looks really good, I shall go on 8m again and on 4m FT8.

My 8m "experiment" was to find out how effective a very simple QRP station could be. For this lots of monitors are needed. Sadly, I think there are fewer people on than in the last Es season, at least so far. I was hoping 8m would be busy with WSPR and FT8 beacons from stations without a licence operating under ISM rules.

UPDATE 1446z:  Good Es today in central Europe!

4m - underused

Yesterday I went on 4m for the activity contest and on FT8.

My conclusion is 4m is underused, at least outside the Es season. If you are thinking about getting on 4m you might be disappointed. 

Sunspots - Friday May 19th 2023

Solar flux is 151 and the SSN 121. A=3 and K=0.

6m FT8 (Thursday)

Quite late (1945z) I QSYed to 6m FT8.  Just 5 Gs spotting me. 

Stations spotting me on
6m FT8 this evening

UPDATE 2045z:  15 Gs have spotted me so far this evening. I am using the V2000 vertical omni antenna. It is interesting that these stations across England can spot my 20W to the vertical V2000 omni antenna. I guess this is  the normal range that can be expected.

4m FT8 (Thursday)

Whilst waiting for the 4m activity contest to start I went on 4m FT8. G3WCS (223km) spotted me pretty well. even though I was using the low 8m dipole via the auto-ATU in the rig.

After proving the rig/antenna worked OK on 4m SSB, I have returned to 4m FT8. At the moment just G3WCS is copying me.

UPDATE 1951z:  When I checked back on SSB activity later, I could copy few stations, so I went back to 4m FT8. Just G3WCS spotting me, so I QSYed to 6m FT8.

8m QRP WSPR (Thursday)

At about 1550z, I changed to 8m WSPR. I am running 2W on 40.680 MHz (20% RX, DF about 1550 Hz in the WSPR window). Already spotted by HC02 (1808km) in S.Portugal quite well. Nobody spotted on RX. I shall probably be on until about 1845z.

UPDATE 1724z:  8 spots so far from HC02. Getting weaker now.

Rallies

The following rallies are due this weekend. I always advise checking before going far.

Sunday May 21st - RetrotechUK. Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Coventry, CV8 3FL. Contact jezzer3@hotmail.com

Sunday May 21st - Dunstable Downs Radio Club Annual Rally, Luton (No postcode or contact details given).

4m UKAC tonight

 As you can tell, I seem to back losers!! A reminder that the 4m activity contest is on tonight starting at 1900z (8pm UK clock time). I hope to come on and maybe work someone. 

Oh look, there goes another flying pig! 😁

10m QRP WSPR TX (Thursday)

 On 10m QRP (500mW) WSPR TX. Spots look like local and F2 so far.

UPDATE 1058z:   Still 5 unique station spots of my QRP. Let's hope for some Es soon.

See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .

UPDATE 1537z:    It looks like we are seeing (at last) a widespread Es opening in Europe.

8m FT8 (Thursday)

At about 0805z, my QRP FT8 was turned on (40.680 TX first, DF about 1950 Hz). Some Es around, so a bit hopeful. See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .

UPDATE 1101z:   No spots.

See also: https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/8m-40mhz-spot-band/ for 8m spots.

UPDATE 1543z: At last, HC02 (1808km) is spotting my QRP 8m FT8. This is my first report for several days. We have decent Es propagation at last. Nobody else is spotting me sadly.

Kite (bird) seen again

20 years ago seeing a red kite from the kitchen window in East Anglia would have been unheard of. Then they were reintroduced around the country and they are a common sight near busy roads. Yesterday at breakfast we were treated looking out the window - a kite flying over nearby allotment gardens.

Look for the forked tail.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/red-kite/ .

European Es

Early indications suggest Es might be better today. 

See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .

My plan is to go on 8m FT8 (40.680 TX first, DF about 1950 Hz) again, as well as 10m WSPR QRP TX.

I hope to get some 8m spots again after a quiet spell!

Sunspots - Thursday May 18th 2023

 Solar flux is 138 and the SSN 106. A=4 and K=1.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Wednesday)

My W5OLF 10m WSPR beacon was turned on about 0905z. So far (at 0915z) no spots.

UPDATE 1541z:  Most of my spots today look like locals or via F2, with an absence of Es.

UPDATE 1600z: Some signs (at last!) of some Es.

UPDATE 1645z:  I am tempted to try with a much smaller ERP. I might try 10mW ERP and see what reports result. I need to make an external attenuator for the FT817ND. Maybe tomorrow. I cannot use my 10m WSPR beacon as it is pre-loaded with 0.5W and cannot be changed.

UPDATE 2120z:  QRT on a day when we did not see Es here. Well, maybe one Italian was briefly Es. In all, 8 unique station spots today.

8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

Not quite sure why, but I have a better feeling about today. 

My QRP 8m FT8 was turned on 40.680 MHz at about 0905z. DF is about 1950 Hz as usual and I am on TX in the first period.

UPDATE 1310z:  Still no 8m FT8 spots. Es has been poor and I was expecting better.

UPDATE 1804z:  Still no spots for days on 8m FT8. This is dire. It looks if my "better feeling" was a bit premature!

UPDATE 2121z:  QRT after another disappointing day.

Goldfinches - NOT amateur radio

These small birds seem to be the most common small bird around here. They can often be seen or heard nearby. They happen to be very colourful too. At a guess, they are the most colourful garden bird in the UK.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/goldfinch/ .

4m activity contest (UKAC)

Unless I have my dates mixed up, the RSGB organised 4m activity contest is this Thursday evening. Last month I forgot! It starts at 1900z (8pm UK clock time).

So far, I have been disappointed by activity levels on 4m, so I hope it is better  for the UKAC. Maybe more people pop up in the Es season. I live in hope.

Assuming I remember (must put alarm on, HI) I shall give it a go.

Norwich Market - NOT amateur radio

This was Norwich Market on Monday. They had interesting mushrooms and tomatoes on sale. 

Wednesday plans

My current plan is to go on 10m WSPR QRP TX and 8m QRP FT8. I am hoping the Es improves!! 

Devon lunch 2016 - NOT amateur radio

This was our lunch in 2016. Ivor Dewdney made the best pasties. I think they survived the pandemic. I can taste them now! 

What is reality? - NOT amateur radio

Several times in the last few months I have had very vivid dreams. These dreams were so vivid that I managed to confuse dreams and reality. The latest was of a hedge trimmer. In the dream, I could not remember getting it. Yesterday afternoon I looked in the garage to try to find it! Of course, it was not there.

Sporadic-E (Es)

So far, this has been a disappointing Es season. Things hopefully will change, but 8m has been very disappointing so far. By now, I was hoping for openings most days. 

UPDATE 1732z:  At the moment there seems to be a good Es opening in Eastern Europe. See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ for G7IZU's excellent website.

Sunspots - Wednesday May 17th 2023

Solar flux is 134 and the SSN 106. A=8 and K=1.

Distant Konik ponies - NOT amateur radio

We saw these in the distance on our a walk to Wicken Fen at the weekend. They are used to keep the grass short, naturally.

Cow parsley - NOT amateur radio

This field in Burwell is full of cow parsley at those time of year.