My 10m WSPR TX beacon was switched on just after breakfast. So far, spots from the Canary Is..
UPDATE 1635z: 29 spots of my QRP 10m WSPR beacon.
6 Oct 2023
8m QRP FT8 (Friday)
At the moment, I am on 8m QRP FT8 with my 2.5W and dipole. Just local spots by G4WSZ (12km).
Fixing the 630m antenna current meter
As reported yesterday, it appears I have a fault with my antenna current meter. Today I must find the fault. I shall go on 630m WSPR TX tonight. I'm finding fault finding and soldering harder these days.
5 Oct 2023
Christmas comes early? - NOT amateur radio
In the Cambridge M&S store I was appalled by this blatant attempt at commercialism. Even though it is only October 5th they are trying to tempt Christmas shoppers. To me, the Christmas period does not start until early December at the earliest. The sign says "Christmas Market this way". Bad humbug.
630m WSPR TX (Thursday) - back on transmit!
I checked the transverter oscillator was working and power was being produced into a dummy load, but there is no current showing in the antenna current meter. Maybe the fault is with this?
So, I tested the transverter connecting it directly to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground (no matching transformer). Every TX period I received 4-7 spots per TX period. My ERP is at most 10mW, probably far less.
Furthermost was 209km.
10m QRP WSPR TX (Thursday)
My 500mW 10m WSPR TX beacon was turned on at about 0800z. At 0824z, no spots.
UPDATE 1635z: 21 stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR today. There were fewer USA stations spotting me.
8m QRP FT8 (Thursday)
At about 0800z, I turned on my gear on 40.680 MHz.
UPDATE 0824z: Just spots by local G4WSZ (12km) so far.
4 Oct 2023
630m WSPR RX (Wednesday)
UPDATE 2141z: 6 stations have been spotted so far this evening.
Tree cutting day - NOT amateur radio
8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)
My 2.5W was turned on at about 0800z. No spots.
Looking at the reports local G4WSZ is getting, I think his system is about 3-4dB better than mine. He is getting better reports from South Africa. This could be several things: more sensitive RX, better/higher antenna, antenna directivity. Whatever, I hope Steve spots many more.
10m QRP WSPR TX (Wednesday)
My 500mW WSPR TX beacon was turned on at about 0800z. No spots yet.
UPDATE 0829z: It helps if you look for spots of my TX signal on WSPRnet and not signals on RX!! I had forgotten I was on 630m WSPR RX last night. Switching to spots of my TX, there are 3 spots (Canaries and a local).
UPDATE 1148z: As we are having some tree work done, I have turned off the PA and disconnected the antenna for the 10m WSPR beacon. Once this work is done, I shall reconnect these. 4 stations spotted me this morning (see table).
UPDATE 1725z: After the tree surgery was completed, I reconnected my 10m WSPR TX beacon and antenna. Just FY5KE (7110km) spotted me additionally.
3 Oct 2023
2m activity contest (UKAC)
Tonight is the 2m monthly activity contest (UKAC) organised by the RSGB. After 4 QSOs with my 10W and omni (and poor voice!) I gave up! Conditions seemed up, but with my QRP it was too hard.
630m WSPR RX (Tuesday)
Once again I am on 630m (472 kHz) WSPR RX with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. So far, just the usual stations spotted.
UPDATE 2015z: In the last 2 weeks 13 stations have been spotted as the table shows.
Anglesey Abbey earlier - NOT amateur radio
Promising HF conditions today
UK high speed trains - NOT amateur radio
What a shambles!!
In the UK we started a new infrastructure rail project (HS2) to connect the capital London with Manchester and Leeds. Over time, this project costing billions of pounds was way over budget.
Officially, the UK government has still to make a final decision, but, after cancelling the extension to Leeds from Birmingham, it now looks like the line from Birmingham to Manchester will also be cancelled or shelved.
The high speed line from Birmingham to London terminates on the edge of the city and it will actually take longer to get from Birmingham to central London using the high speed line costing billions than on existing trains!! What a cock up!!
Several questions are begged. Why did they not start in the north where the need was greatest? If they knew it was going to be over budget why do it at all? Why stop the Birmingham to London leg where it does at the London end?
For a very long time the current government has refused to say it is going to cancel the northern extension. I guess they are trying to think of some good words to say.
In my view, this has done serious, long-term, damage to the UK and the ruling Conservative party.
8m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)
My 2.5W FT8 was turned on at 0804z. So far, just a spot of me by local G4WSZ (12km). Although I spotted ZR1ADI (9777km) yesterday, he was not able to copy my QRP. I live in hope!
UPDATE 1042z: G3WCS (223km) spotted.
10m 500mW WSPR TX (Tuesday)
My QRP 10m WSPR TX beacon was turned on at 0804z this morning. No spots yet. I guess the stations in the Canaries have not yet fired up.
UPDATE 0820z: Spots from ODESSA and EA8/DF4UE.
UPDATE 1518z: 34 spots of me with many from North America. Also spotting me was J41PAN a special call from Greece to celebrate operation from Paneio Mountain.
UPDATE 1941z: 47 stations spotted me today including 2 spots from Antarctica.
Ely Cathedral - NOT amateur radio
Ely is about 20 minutes away from us by car. The cathedral, which is very old, dominates.
Plans for Tuesday
I shall try 8m FT8 QRP again and 10m QRP WSPR TX as the antenna is free with the beacon.
Village cottage - NOT amateur radio
This cottage was extended some years ago. The new part matches the old very well.
2 Oct 2023
630m WSPR RX (Monday)
At 1920z, I turned on my 630m WSPR RX using my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.
Lightning stops play
Just now, we had a lightning flash and clap of thunder. Judging by the time delay, I would imagine it is 10km south of here.
If it looks like the risk is going away, I shall probably reconnect things.
See https://www.lightningmaps.org/#m=oss;t=3;s=0;o=0;b=;ts=0;Inertia
Maybe it is because I am retired? Maybe it is because I am old? Maybe it is related to my 2013 stroke?
Whatever the reason, I am always very tired and get exhausted very quickly. Jobs that would have once taken a few minutes take ages. As examples I have had an SDR and a tiny spectrum analyser for ages and they have still to be used. My 630m transverter that needs fixing still needs fixing.
It is as if there is no urgency. Perhaps this is a good thing. There is always tomorrow...
Working Russian stations
If you are old enough, you will remember working lots of stations in the old USSR. We were able to share our hobby on equal terms with people who were really the same as us.
I feel the same now about Russia. I hate that they invaded Ukraine, but I hope that via amateur radio we can all share our common humanity. Incidentally, one of my old neighbours was Russian and nicer person you could never meet. Since leaving work, I have had regular contact with a Russian who has always been the same.
Windmill Maintenance - NOT amateur radio
Our hedge is in the front of the photo.
8m QRP FT8 (Monday)
My 2.5W and dipole was turned on at 0700z. So far just local G4WSZ (12km) spotting me.
UPDATE 1350z: ZR1ADI (9777km) again spotted. Sadly he has not spotted my QRP!
10m 500mW WSPR TX (Monday)
My QRP 10m WSPR beacon designed and made by W5OLF is on again with the PA on!! It was turned on at 0700z. So far, spots from local G4KPX (14km) and the Canary Is..
UPDATE 1509z: 25 stations have spotted me. Many are in the USA.
Tristan da Cunha
Years ago I was fascinated by this remote island in the South Atlantic. I have heard it on 20m SSB, but never worked anyone on Tristan.
630m WSPR RX last evening
No further stations were copied after midnight. I hope to fix the transverter this week.
1 Oct 2023
630m WSPR RX (Sunday)
As usual, I am on 630m WSPR RX. So far (at 0730z) 3 stations spotted.
UPDATE 2107z: 5 stations spotted.
The next solar maximum?
According to my favourite site for solar data, the peak of solar cycle 25 is still November 2023, which is just next month. The data was only updated today.
Solar conditions could still be good for several years yet.
St Ives (Cambridgeshire) - NOT amateur radio
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
