Sunspots - Monday August 7th 2023

Solar flux is 174 and the SSN 97.  A=4 and K=2.

Muntjac deer - NOT amateur radio

These are deer the size of large dogs. They are an introduced species and they are getting bolder. This one just stared at us, then calmly walked into the sweetcorn. They can be a real pain in the garden when they eat flowers.

Amused me!! - NOT amateur radio

This was on Facebook earlier. It made me chuckle. I guess the label was created by someone who doesn't know English. 

Afternoon walk - NOT amateur radio

 Later, we hope to go on a walk in the village. It is an area called "Paulines' Swamp". It is a nature reserve created some years ago in memory of the wife of a well known village person.

The YouTube video is a view of our village, taken with a drone.  Pauline's Swamp is just visible after 2 mins 10 secs at the very top. If you did not know, you would not know!  Our house also on near the windmill.

More European Es

Following on from my post yesterday and Jan's comment, I am finding plenty of 6m Es today.

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

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Sunday)

 My 10m WSPR beacon was turned on at about 0830z. So far today, no spots of me. It is now 0851z.

UPDATE 0932z:   My signal has been received in Finland by OH6BG (1718km). This could be Es or F2 I guess.

UPDATE 1913z:  8 unique stations have spotted my QRP 10m WSPR today. QRT soon.

6m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

My 2.5W to the V2000 vertical omni antenna was turned on at about 0830z.  So far, spotted just by Gs. 1 G spotted on RX.

UPDATE 0955z: My signal has been received in Portugal. Es? 10 stations have been spotted here as far away as the Canary Is..

UPDATE 1104z: 13 stations have spotted me as far as Portugal and Spain and 23 stations have been spotted here so far.

UPDATE 1740z:  30 stations have spotted me (see photo).

UPDATE  1925z: 88 stations spotted. Furthermost ZS6WN (8931km). I really hope this is genuine. Does anyone know? QRT soon.

UPDATE 2107z:   ZS6WN had lots of spots in Europe and none in South Africa. He looks like a pirate in Europe? I may be wrong, but am naturally suspicious.

G3USB Richard

Many years ago whilst driving around the lanes of Devon I worked G3USB/M on 2m FM. I used to work with him in old Pye days. After a period of inactivity, he is now on the air again from 26km away. He has spotted me several times recently on 6m FT8.

I checked QRZ.com but could not see an email address. If anyone has this I'd be most grateful as I should like to get in touch.

Sunspots - Sunday August 6th 2023

Solar flux is 176 and the SSN 100. A=36 and K=1.

European Es - is FT8 making the season longer?

Traditionally, the Es season in the northern hemisphere peaks around May, June, July. It is now well into August and I am wondering if more people are "staying around" on 10m and 6m FT8 than before? 

In the past, many people took a look, heard nobody, so QSYed to a lower band. With FT8 a band can be monitored very easily and signals can be fleeting and weak. It is my thought that brief peaks in Es occur far more often than we think. FT8 might just be the key that "unlocks the door".

Today, as an example my 2.5W to a vertical omni has been spotted widely in Europe (96 stations at 1442z) on 6m FT8. Openings may only be fleeting and weak, but that can be enough. With more power and a beam just imagine what could be possible.

Pixies and Micro80 transceivers

At one time you could buy Pixies kits for 40m CW very cheaply from China with free airfare. It may still be possible. 

The Pixie transceiver was derived from the Micro80. Both have severe limitations, especially on RX. Nonetheless, they work and can be a very low cost introduction to the hobby. I have built both in the past.

You may be amazed that something this simple actually works.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Saturday)

So far (at 0926z) just spots from G4KPX (14km).

UPDATE 1027z: 3 unique stations spotting me. There is some Es.

UPDATE 1307z: 23 stations have spotted me today. Mostly Es in Europe.

Free G3XBM book reminder

A reminder that my free PDF G3XBM Project Scrapbook is at issue 5. 

I meant to include details of how I accessed the world DMR network with just an Android phone (no hotspots, DMR portables or dongles needed), but I forgot, so this will have to await the next edition!

See  https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/book

6m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

My 2.5W to the vertical omni V2000 was turned on about 0850z. So far, (at 0905z) just 3 UK spots of me and nobody on RX.

UPDATE 1030z:  8 stations spotted on RX and 13 stations have spotted my 6m FT8 QRP. There is some Es.

UPDATE 1310z:  67 stations across Europe have spotted my 6m QRP FT8 today.

Politics - NOT amateur radio

Isn't it amazing that Mr Trump is so popular in the USA? It is surprising that a nation so vast cannot find a young, sharp, intelligent potential president. It looks likely both candidates will be older than me and I retired 14 years ago!

In the UK the leaders of the major political parties are younger. I am so glad we live in a democracy and can change parties every few years. Some policies need long term agreements like health and social care.

The way we elect people in the UK can probably be improved. The important thing is that we use our vote. There are good people and bad (sadly) in all political parties in all nations.

Oscar 100 narrowband activity

My last peek was late afternoon in Europe on a weekday.  To my surprise there was more activity than I expected. At this stage, I would have hoped for even more activity.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

Sunspots - Saturday August 5th 2023

Solar flux is 171 and the SSN 122.  A=13 and K=6.

2m activity contest - August 1st

As I was out last Tuesday, I only managed a few minutes at the end. Furthermost was a QSO with a portable station on the Isle of Wight. I was running 10W to the big-wheel omni antenna.

Front garden - NOT amateur radio

Every spring and summer we plant bedding plants in the border under our lounge window. The photo shows how they look at the moment.  Come October they get replaced by winter flowering plants.

OFCOM publications

A reminder that OFCOM has a number of new publications and it updates the data it holds on licences every week. See the OFCOM website for details.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Friday)

Since I am on 6m FT8, I am on 10m WSPR TX with the 500mW TX beacon. So far, 3 unique spots from Germany.

UPDATE 1248z:  20 unique stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR TX.

UPDATE 2013z:  21 stations have spotted me today. QRT shortly.

6m QRP FT8 (Friday)

My gear (2.5W to the V2000 vertical omni) was turned on about 0700z. So far, I have been spotted by 13 stations across Europe at 0738z.

Spots of my QRP 6m
FT8 TX at 1608z

UPDATE 1608z:  72 unique stations have spotted my 6m QRP FT8.  On RX, 46 stations have been spotted. 

UPDATE 2015z:  QRT soon. 77 unique stations have spotted my QRP today. 

Virtual ham radio

Although I own a "network radio", I am not a great fan.   Using an app called Droidstar, I can access to the DMR network across the planet. Effectively, all you need is an Android phone. Mine has a PTT and looks just like a VHF handheld

There are radios that use systems like Echolink. These use the internet, but the final link can be to, for example, a distant repeater. I have had chats with someone in a car in Australia. It is novel.

Some systems e.g. Hamsphere and CQ100 use the internet entirely. No traditional ham radio is involved. 

If you are unable to erect antennas e.g. in a care home, such systems might allow you to keep in contact with fellow hams. At the moment, I am not a great fan. In the future I might be pleased to use these.

See https://qsonet.com/programs.html .

Sunspots - Friday August 4th 2023

 Solar flux flux is 163 and the SSN 124. A=6 and K=0.

Radio Constructor

When I was much younger, we seemed to have lots of radio magazines. This was before the age of video games and the internet when radio still seemed like magic. Sadly, there are far fewer magazines on sale. In the future we could expect even fewer.

One of my favourites was a UK magazine called Radio Constructor. Before my time it was, I believe, an A5 sized publication, but it was always A4 when I got it. Sir Douglas Hall often featured articles for some very clever circuits. He was not a radio professional. I think he was a diplomat. Nonetheless, he was a very clever man. One of my school friends knew him and said he was a very nice man.

Radio Constructor ceased publications a long time ago, but is still available as PDFs online.

See https://worldradiohistory.com/Radio_Constructor_Magazine.htm .

Kind visitors - NOT amateur radio

 

A few weeks ago, we had a visit from old friends. They kindly brought us this house plant as a gift. It is doing well.

Hidden disabilities (yet again) - NOT amateur radio

Sorry to post about this yet again, but it is a matter close to my heart. 

A good proportion of disabled people have "hidden" disabilities. At first sight, many would say "they are faking it" and there is nothing wrong. They look perfectly normal.

Speaking from personal experience. I get exhausted very easily and my voice is very poor. In shops, and even to my own wife, I have to repeat myself several times to be understood. When others around me are chatting, I want to join in, but know I shall have to repeat myself, so I remain silent. Life is very frustrating at times. Compared with many, I am lucky. Others have it far worse than me.

All I am advocating is do not judge others. They may have a hidden disability either physical or mental. Also, it is very easy to patronise. Whatever our state is, we want to do what we can. There is nothing worse than being treated as an idiot when not. Many with hidden disabilities have very high IQs.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Thursday)

I remembered! Whilst on 6m, I can use my 500mW 10m WSPR TX beacon. So far, just G4KPX (14km) spotting me.

UPDATE 1610z:   19 unique stations spotting me today (see table).

UPDATE 2047z:  Now QRT.  28 stations spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR today with the furthermost F61695 (9729km).

6m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

At about 1000z, I decided to try 6m QRP FT8 with my 2.5W and V2000 vertical omni. There is already some Es on RX and my QRP has been spotted by just 2 Gs so far.

Stations spotting my 2.5W
6m FT8 today to 1613z

UPDATE 1628z:  67 stations have spotted my 2.5W QRP and 79 stations have been spotted today on 6m FT8. Still plenty of Es on 6m FT8.

UPDATE 2055z:  Now QRT. 84 spots of my QRP. 98 stations spotted.

Rallies this weekend

 The following have been notified. I do not know where the BATC convention is! Always advisable to contact organisers first.

  Sunday August 6th - BATC Amateur TV convention CAT23. No contact or location given.

  Sunday August 6th - Kings Lynn ARC Club 33 (presumably a rally). PE30 4EL. Contact rally.klarc@gmail.com .

FT817 and successors

For over 40 years, I have been a great fan of Yaesu. In the past they were at the forefront of innovation in amateur radio.  Like many, I have been waiting for a real replacement to the FT817/818 family. The FT818 was a bitter disappointment as it still lacked most of the features people had hoped for. They still make some good products like the FT-710 which is SDR based.

My own view is that Yaesu has lost direction in the amateur radio market. Against many competitors they now look second best reacting to the market rather than being out front. Arguably the FT-991A and the FT-710 were reactions to the ICOM IC-7300. This is so sad as Yaesu definitely could lead the market. 

After many years, they seem to have lost the battle for the QRP market. ICOM introduced the IC-705 and the Chinese are appearing with some serious kit.

It is my view, hopefully wrong, that Yaesu will leave the amateur radio market before 2027. They will realise they can no longer make profits and go.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/commhercial-rigs/yaesu-ft817nd

In 2010 (yes 2010!!) I produced a wish list and Photoshop mock-up of what I was expecting for a possible replacement. Instead we got the real FT818, which was a total letdown.  What I was expecting in 2010 still largely holds, plus an SDR RX architecture. 

Sadly, I cannot see this ever coming.  Who would launch a new QRP portable after a sunspot maximum? We shall call this now the FT819, although I suspect this is now pipe-dreaming! 

Yaesu - very last chance!

These are the features expected:

• All mode 472 kHz to 1296 MHz with 5 MHz, 40 MHz, and 70 MHz.
• 5W RF (2W 1296 MHz).
• 3.5AHr LiPo battery (fast charging).
• Random wire auto ATU.
• SDR RX architecture.
• Full colour OLED display.
• RF speech processor.
• Digital ready.
• DSP noise reduction.

10m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

My gear was turned on shortly before 0800z. So far, my 2.5W to the Par end-fed has been copied in Finland. On RX 3 stations around Europe have been spotted. I suspect this is all Es.

UPDATE 0940z: 27 stations have been spotted and my 10m QRP has been spotted by 12 stations.

Sunspots - Thursday August 3rd 2023

Solar flux is 173 and the SSN 135. A=12 and K=2.

QDX QRP digital transceiver

 This tiny 5W digital transceiver is available from QRP labs. I was amazed how small it is. It is available in 2 versions covering the lower HF bands or the higher ones. Mine is the higher one. With WSJT-X and FT8, it has got me all over the world despite a low Par end-fed antenna. If you only want digital modes like FT8 and WSPR this really is all you need.

All Electric - NOT amateur radio

All the "Park and Ride" buses  in Cambridge are going green and will be electric. 

Bell bonkers - NOT amateur radio

My elder grandson (15) is mad on bell ringing. He has now rung in nearly 130 towers and 2 cathedrals (it may be more). Last night he rang a quarter peel in Newmarket.

See https://drive.google.com/file/d/1873O6zPsert2bTsPCLItIGJ2QtAf4pMW/view?usp=sharing.

Birds - NOT amateur radio

This photo of a stonechat (if it was on before, blame me!) was taken a couple of weeks ago on the Dee estuary near Liverpool. I spotted a swift yesterday, but I suspect the adults have started their migration southwards.

UPDATE 1630z:  5 swifts seen this morning. Young?

10m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

 My 2.5W QRP FT8 was turned on before breakfast. I was called by a station in Portugal when there was already widespread Es.

At 0830z 82 stations have spotted me (all in Europe) and I have spotted 50 unique stations.

UPDATE 1303z: 131 unique spots of me so far today. 

UPDATE 1702z: 261 unique stations have spotted my 2.5W 10m FT8 today.

UPDATE  2004z:  363 unique stations have spotted my 2.5W 10m FT8 (see photo). Furthermost 2-way QSO was with Brazil. Now QRT.

Sunspots - Wednesday August 2nd 2023

 Solar flux is 175 and the SSN 160.  A=9 and K=1.

Solar cycle peak this year?

My favourite site for solar data has just been updated. It still show the peak of solar cycle 25 as November 2023 with a peak of 144.2 (this is up slightly). This seems early, but it has been late this year now for a very long time. If so, conditions could still be good for several years to come. It is definitely worth watching 10m FT8.  I suspect 10m will remain open far more than we thought.

See https://www.solen.info/solar/ .