Solar flux is 168 and the SSN 159. A=10 and K=2.
22 Sept 2023
21 Sept 2023
UK Prime Minister on climate change targets - NOT amateur radio
Yesterday, the UK Prime Minister announced that some climate change targets were being pushed back 5 years. With high interest rates and high cost of living costs, many are struggling. However, I think this is a backward step. It is true that some technologies are not yet there. Storage of renewable energy and cheaper (non-lithium) batteries for electric cars come to mind. As far as I know there was nothing on home insulation that would reduce costs with any fuels.
If the UK is to lead in renewable energy, this needs serious investment, not pandering to Tory backbenchers and fossil fuel companies.
Before this is likely to be a serious issue, I shall be dead. However my children and their children will suffer the consequences. Better renewable energy storage, solid state batteries and better ranges on cheaper electric cars are all likely. Carbon capture may help.
Overall, I am disappointed. There is so much more that can be done. Make no mistake, this really is an existential threat to the whole human race. We ignore this at our peril.
Hopefully, technology will help and there will be a mass transition away from fossil fuels, but this is far from certain.
Upcoming rallies
The following rallies are due. I always advise contacting to check details are correct. All are on Sunday September 24th (Sunday coming).
- Hack Green Military Surplus and Military Radio Hangar Sale, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 8AL. Contact coldwar@hackgreen.co.uk.
- Bury St Edmunds Radio Rally, Roughham Tower, IP32 7QB. Contact rally2023@Bsears.co.uk .
- Weston Super Mare Radio Society 8th Radio and Electronics Rally, Worle, BS24 7DX. Contact westonradiosociety@gmail.com .
- Biggleswade Swap-meet and auction (BVWS), Biggleswade, SG18 8JH . Contact Jezzer3@hotmail.com .
What IS it? - NOT amateur radio
I am sure there is a much more rational answer.
472 kHz WSPR
This autumn, I intend to try 472 kHz WSPR again. I had a problem last season which prevented me TXing. Once again I shall be using my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Probably RX only at first to check activity. I might try RX only tonight.
UPDATE 1925z: When using the shack PC WSPRnet asked me to log in again and enter my password, which I cannot recall, so I am getting a new one. I may try 472 kHz WSPR RX tomorrow night instead.
UPDATE 1956z: It works! I had the wrong username (now corrected), so I am monitoring 472 kHz WSPR. So far, G1GKN (54km) spotted using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.
UPDATE 2013z: Furthermost on 472 kHz WSPR RX is DC0DX (467km).
UPDATE 2130z: After late evening in previous years 472kHz WSPR has not been productive. As this is my first time on the band for some time, I may let the RX stay on overnight to see what is spotted.
8m QRP FT8 (Thursday)
All morning I have been on 40.680 MHz FT8 with my 2.5W and dipole. At 1133z no spots on RX or TX.
UPDATE 1434z: Still no spots.
10m 500mW WSPR TX (Thursday)
Since about 0830z, my QRP 10m WSPR TX beacon has been on the air.
UPDATE 1952z: 10 stations spotted my 500mW WSPR beacon today with the furthermost in Antarctica.
20 Sept 2023
1980s "shack"
8m QRP FT8
My 2.5W to the dipole was turned on at 0854z. No spots after 25 minutes.
UPDATE 1748z: Disappointing, with no spots on TX or RX all day.
10m QRP WSPR TX
My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon was turned on at 0854z. After about 20 minutes just spots from local G4KPX (14km).
19 Sept 2023
Montenegro blog - NOT amateur radio
Last week we enjoyed a holiday in Montenegro. As it is easy to forget, I created a blog to help me remember what we did!
Back home - NOT amateur radio
Yesterday, we flew home from Montenegro. It more or less on time. It was a good holiday, but too many steps!
10m QRP WSPR TX
As I am back home I am on 10m WSPR TX with my 500mW beacon. Just G4KPX (14 km) spotting me.
Back on 8m
As I am now back home, I am back on QRP FT8 on 8m.
UPDATE 1136z: Spotted by WESSEXSDR (266km). It looks like this is aircraft reflection.
18 Sept 2023
More countries on 8m?
It is rumoured that E51 (Cook Is) is trying to gain access to the 8m band.
I very much hope that many more countries will try (and be granted) limited access to the band. We are approaching sunspot maximum and if more countries asked for, and were given, access even for a limited time, we could really contribute to radio science.
There will be times in the next few years when the MUF will just exceed 41 MHz. If you are asking your PTT for limited access, these are my suggestions:
- 40.680 - 40.685 MHz (just 5 kHz in the ISM band)
- 10W ERP
- Narrow digital modes (e.g. FT8, WSPR, CW) only
- Secondary only
- By NoV or equivalent (i.e. you have to ask for access)
- Aim is mainly for propagation research.
- Access for 12 months (around sunspot maximum)
- Strictly no interference.
17 Sept 2023
National Park in Montenegro - NOT amateur radio
My 100mW 10m WSPR beacon in 2012
A very long time ago, I built a tiny QRP WSPR beacon for 10m. These were the results. I think it is still in a drawer somewhere. As I recall this was at this time of year on the climb to the peak of solar cycle 24.
Truth? - NOT amateur radio
I am concerned that we are fed a line by the media that may not be the truth. This we know happens in Russia, but it also happens in the west too. Often we don't realise.
The changing nature of amateur radio
Have you noticed the change? Repeaters are often quiet for hours and there is less SSB and CW activity. FM simplex QSOs apart from nets and skeds are almost never heard. More people use FT8 to work DX. In the past people used amateur radio for chatting, but this can be done worldwide with video more easily with the Internet and smartphone or PC. Most now use amateur radio in a different way. I am not saying it wrong as I am as guilty as anyone! But the logical consequences are clear.
16 Sept 2023
4m disappointing
Earlier this year I went on 4m FT8 both before the Es season and during the Es season using my FT-710 that I owned at the time.
Overall, I was disappointed. Yes, when there was Es DX could be had. However when there was no Es activity was poor.
Vesuvius 2017 - NOT amateur radio
This photo shows a brooding Vesuvius in 2017. We visited Pompeii in 2017. What stuck me most was how similar life was back then. Yes, there were differences, but I did not expect to see takeaway shops for example, nearly 2000 years ago!
In the mountains - NOT amateur radio
We also went on Lake Skadar and had lunch on an island.
OFCOM reminder
Every week OFCOM updates the data it holds on licences. There are several new publications too. See the OFCOM website for more information.
Where I grew up as a child - NOT amateur radio
Salcombe, where I spent my childhood, is to the left of this photo.
15 Sept 2023
F2 and 8m
Last winter my 2.5W 8m FT8 was copied "across the pond" on several occasions. This season should be at least as good. We may even see some E-W F2 openings on 6m FT8. The F2 season should start in earnest in the next few weeks.
Budva harbour, Montenegro - NOT amateur radio
There is something relaxing about watching boats bobbing up and down in the water. This was yesterday.
AI (artificial intelligence) - NOT amateur radio
Until this year most would not know what AI meant. In the last 9 months this has changed and most are aware of what it means.
In the next 20 years it could have a profound impact on all of us.
14 Sept 2023
Rally
The following rally has been notified to me. Please check details are correct before travelling any distance.
Saturday September 16th - Angel of the North ARC Rally. Bensham Gateshead, NE8 4LH. Contact anarc.club@gmail.com.
Experimentation
One of the aspects of our hobby that I have most enjoyed is experimentation. It doesn't cost much, is fun, and all can do it.
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