New Elecraft CW rig

 Jason Woodman has passed on this data on new Elecraft CW rig.

"Elecraft has announced a new hand portable CW transceiver KH

Self contained rig idea for SOTA/POTA. Covers 40M - 15M up to 5w.

KH1 Hand-Held, 5-Band Transceiver (Rig only $549.95)

Package:     

    KH1 Hand-Held, 5-Band Transceiver
    KHATU1 Antenna Tuner
    KHPD1 Keyer Paddle
    KHLOG1 Logbook Tray w/mini-ballpoint pen
    KXBT2 rechargeable Li-Ion battery
    KHIBC1 Internal Battery Charger
    ES20 Custom zippered carrying case.

   Total cost $1099

"NOTE:  We currently cannot ship the KH1 to any EU country.  The KH1 is currently not CE certified."

More info on KH1: https://elecraft.com/products/kh1-edgewood-package "

I agree with Jason - expensive. Presumably there is VAT and import duty to consider when they get CE approval eventually.  A nice rig.... if you can afford it. Personally, I am disappointed there is not (I think) an FT8/WSPR option.

Separately, I was sent a You Tube link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc5P2rhpUpo. There are several videos on YouTube.

Sunspots - Monday October 23rd 2023

 Solar flux is 119 and the SSN 48 . A=8 and K=1.

630m QRP WSPR (Sunday)

For this evening and overnight, I am on QRP 630m with the earth electrode "antenna" in the ground. So far 9 stations have spotted me.

8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

 My 2.5w FT8 to the low dipole was turned in about 0930z. So far, no spots on TX or RX. 3 stations spotted in continental Europe plus on "QSO" with EA1TX (1240km). Not sure they have legal access to 8m.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Sunday)

 My 500mW WSPR TX beacon was turned on about 0930z. 8 stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 1623z: The impression I am getting is that there are more stations on than last year. Already today my 500mW has been spotted by 28 stations.

Covid-19 - NOT amateur radio

After all this time, both my wife and I tested positive for Covid-19 this morning. The irony is we had Covid and Flu booster jabs about 11 days ago! 

Symptoms are different between us, but we would best describe it as a heavy cold. and a hacking cough. We are also tired. My wife has also lost here sense of taste and smell.

Sunday plans

Probably on QRP 8m FT8 and 10m 500mW WSPR TX during the day, switching to 630m QRP WSPR after dark. 

630m QRP WSPR overnight

Just UK stations spotting me overnight. 9 stations spotted my 10mW ERP with the furthermost GM0UDL (659km).

Sunspots - Sunday, October 22nd, 2023

 Solar flux is 123 and the SSN 65. A=22 and K=1.

630m QRP WSPR (Saturday)

My usual pattern in to QSY from 8m FT8 to 630m WSPR after dark.  On 8m, I have little chance, whereas on 630m I am one of the very few in the UK on 630m WSPR.

UPDATE 1715z: Just spots by 2 stations so far on TX . On RX a couple of stations spotted with the furthermost PA3GSH (396km). 

UPDATE 1838z:  G6AVK (78km) has spotted me 3 times this evening.

UPDATE 2125z: 5 stations have spotted me this evening.

Late flush - NOT amateur radio

 

Our roses have had one late flush. They were battered by the wind and rain these last few days.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Saturday)

My 10m QRP WSPR beacon was turned on about 0909z. No spots yet.

UPDATE 0935z:   3 stations have spotted me today.

UPDATE 1417z:   5 stations have spotted me.

8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

My 2.5W to the dipole was turned on at 0909z. So far, just local spots. 

UPDATE 1622z:  S50B (1220km) in Slovenia has also spotted me.

UPDATE 1639z:  Judging by results on 10m, I do not think 8m F2 conditions have been exceptional.  With my QRP, I think conditions have to be very good.

Batson Creek near Salcombe - NOT amateur radio

This is near where I come from in South Devon. 

630m WSPR overnight

 

Last night I was spotted by fewer stations. OH1LSQ was absent. 

Sunspots - Saturday October 21st 2023

 Solar flux is 126 and the SSN 56. A=8 and K=4.

Cambridge Grand Arcade - NOT amateur radio

This shopping centre is all indoors and has been open for many years. I walk through here frequently. 

OFCOM reminder

 There are quite a few new publications on the OFCOM website. Also, they update the data they hold on licences etc every week. See the OFCOM website for details.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Friday)

 

My QRP 10m WSPR beacon was turned on at about 0900z. So far, at 1028z, spotted by 12 stations.

630m QRP WSPR overnight - amazing!

Yet again, I was on 630m WSPR with my 10mW ERP  from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Results continue to amaze me. OH1LSQ (1733km) seems to spot me most nights.

8m QRP FT8 (Friday)

My 2.5W and dipole was turned on at about 0900z. Just local spots at 1019z.

UPDATE 1355z: On TX still just local spots. On RX ZR1ADI (9777km) spotted again.

Sunspots - Friday October 20th 2023

 Solar flux is 129 and the SSN 39.  A=10 and K=2.

Rally

The following rally has been notified to me. In view of the weather warnings, I strongly advise checking before travelling.

    Sunday, October 22nd, Galashiels, TD1 3JX. I do not have contact details.

Quote from "The Knowledge" today - NOT amateur radio

In the UK, Mrs Thatcher was the first women Prime Minister. She had very definite views about what had to change. She was very strong in UK politics. She was in charge of the Conservative government. Many hated her and she has a lot to answer for.

This appeared in "The Knowledge" today.

Quoted

“If you have to tell people you are powerful, it means you aren’t.” Margaret Thatcher

Fan vaulting - NOT amateur radio

Being local, we can go into King's College Chapel in Cambridge for free whenever we want. 

People travel across the planet to see it. The fan vaulting is the best example in Europe I believe.

Look Down! - NOT amateur radio

We have been walking through the Grand Arcade in Cambridge for years.  Only recently had we noticed that the floor tiles have lots of fossils in them. I expect many thousands besides me have just walked on and never noticed.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Thursday)

 At about 1245z, my QRP 10m WSPR beacon was turned on. So far, just G4KPX (14km) spotting me.

UPDATE 1422z:  11 stations have spotted my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon this afternoon.

Living in the moment - NOT amateur radio

As recent events have taught us, we have no idea what is just around the corner. More than ever we must enjoy the now. We spend a lot of time worrying about the future and not enjoying the now. Yes, we have to keep an eye on the future, but it can consume us in lots of unnecessary worry too.

8m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

 As the storm risk seems low, I turned on my 2.5W 8m FT8 to the dipole at 1245z.

UPDATE 1304z:  2 stations have spotted me - 1 local G4WSZ (12km) and one in Spain EA3ERE (1153km).

UPDATE 1400z: Spotted in South Africa by ZR1ADI (9777km). He called me, but conditions had changed and we were unable to complete. Still, this was the first time I have been spotted in the Southern Hemisphere on 8m.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

10 stations spotted my QRP WSPR on 630m overnight including (yet again) OH1LSQ (1733km) .

Thunder risk (Thursday)

 Although I think the risk of thunderstorms this morning is low, I am taking no chances. I shall be out until lunchtime, so I have disconnected, antennas, PSUs and plugs from the mains to minimise risks of static build-up causing damage. So, I am not on ANY band this morning.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/#m=oss;t=3;s=0;o=0;b=;ts=0;  .

Sunspots - Thursday October 19th 2023

 Solar flux is 135 and the SSN 54. A=9 and K=2.

630m QRP WSPR (Thursday evening)

 

My QRP has been on this evening. The map shows where I have been spotted. 

AI - I HATE it!!! - NOT amateur radio

At one time you could speak with a human. 

I have just wasted 90 minutes of my life trying to ask my SIM only service provider how to transfer numbers when I upgrade my mobile phones. After 3 humans and several AI robots, I have given up. 

All I wanted to know was how? A human could have told me in 60 seconds.

Maybe I shall go somewhere else?

630m WSPR TX overnight

Last evening and overnight I was on 630m WSPR TX with my home-designed transverter into the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. A few years ago the measured ERP was 10mW. The transverter produces about 12W into a 50 ohm load. 17 stations spotted me (see table) with OH1LSQ (1733km) spotting me 9 times!

10m QRP WSPR TX (Thursday)

My 500mW 10m WSPR TX beacon has been on this morning and already (at 1054z) spotted by 11 stations (see table).

UPDATE 1143z:  Spotted by 60 stations.

UPDATE 1805z: Spotted by 65 stations today.

8m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

 My QRP 8m FT8 was turned on this morning. G4WSZ (12km) has spotted me on TX and I have spotted ZR1ADI (9777km) on RX.

UPDATE 1640z:  5 stations have spotted me with the furthermost ZF1EJ (7761km)

Sunspots - Wednesday October 18th 2023

Solar flux is 137 and the SSN 57. A=3 and K=2. 

Disinformation - NOT amateur radio

One of the troubles in wars is disinformation.

You simply do not know what to believe as each side modifies claims to suit their propaganda. It is always worth being somewhat skeptical and checking the facts from several sources.

On the face of it, it would seem Israel created a huge blunder by bombing a hospital in Gaza. If true, this looks totally stupid and tragic with innocent men women and children killed in hundreds and many maimed. The Israel IDF is now claiming it was not them.  Clearly Israel is traumatised by recent events, but this is unbelievably stupid and a war crime, whoever is responsible.

It would be better to drop food and water, rather than bombs.

630m QRP WSPR (Tuesday)

 At 1742z I QSYed to 630m WSPR.  So far, spotted by 6 stations, all in the UK. 

UPDATE 1945z:   3 stations spotted on RX with the furthermost DF4PV (597km) and 7 stations have spotted me with the furthermost GM3YXM (425km). It is very pleasing to be back on 630m WSPR TX. Last season, I was RX only.