630m QRP WSPR (Saturday)

 My 630m 10mW ERP WSPR has been spotted by 8 stations so far.

70cm

Years ago, there was plenty of activity on 70cm FM simplex. I had one of the first synthesised amateur rigs in the country. It was an FM321 based on the Australian UHF CB rig, the FM320. With an indoor UHF TV yagi and 4W much DX was worked on FM. It was very good.

These days, there is little activity apart from in contests. The map shows the contacts made with 10W SSB and my 2m omni antenna in a recent activity contest.

Openings on 70cm were localised, and often tropo openings were more frequent than on 2m. These days, with FT8, amazing distances can be covered. It is a great pity 70cm is so under-used.

Reach - NOT amateur radio

 Today we did a nice walk around the sleepy village of Reach. There has been a fair here since 1201.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

14 stations spotted my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. As on the previous night, the furthermost was Norway.

View of our back garden - NOT amateur radio

This is the view out of the window of our back garden. My shack has probably the best view down the garden.

Spooky - NOT amateur radio

 Most mornings I get an email from Amazon recommending certain things. Clearly this is done with an algorithm based on what you have looked at or bought.  This means "big brother" knows all about your browsing and buying habits.

It is sobering to think of all the sites (and governments) that have a host of data on all of us. Big brother indeed.

6m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

Once again, I am on 6m FT8 with my 2.5W and V2000 vertical omni antenna. At 1005z, 7 English stations have spotted me. On RX 3 English stations have been spotted.

The impression I am getting is that activity on 6m has picked up. Perhaps people are expecting some Es or TEP?

UPDATE 1014z: Still 7 English spots of me.

UPDATE 1456z:  16 stations have spotted me, including one in Sweden.

UPDATE 1857z:   19 stations have spotted me today. QSYing to 630m QRP WSPR shortly.

10m QRPP (Saturday)

Although I think spots are very unlikely today, I am again on 10m WSPR with 500uW (0.5mW). No spots at 1001z.

UPDATE 1421z:  It pays to set expectations low. Two spots of my 500uW (0.5mW) when I was not expecting any! I shall remain at 500uW on 10m WSPR all day.

Sunspots - Saturday March 16th

 Solar flux is 129 and the SSN 49.  A=8 and K=0.

630m QRP WSPR (Friday)

As is my usual pattern, I have QSYed to 630m WSPR with my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

UPDATE 1935z:  4 stations in England have spotted me. 

UPDATE 2030z:  6 stations have spotted me so far this evening (see table).

In praise of Amazon - NOT amateur radio

Amazon is like Marmite, the UK yeast spread. Some absolutely hate Amazon thinking it is killing independent bookshops. On the other hand one may order a book in seconds and it is on your doorstep or in your postbox the next day.

For 2 weeks, I have been trying to buy my sister-in-law's new children's book from multiple bookshops in Cambridge without success. I saw it was available from Amazon and it was here next day.

Retail is changing and nothing will stop this. Like many, I enjoy going into a physical bookshop and leafing through a book. However, the convenience of online shopping is very compelling.

Fixing that 8m dipole

My PL259 plugs have arrived. The 50 ohm coax and everything needed to replace my 8m dipole is at hand. Erection should really be trivial, but ladder work is far harder these days.

Until my TX permit expires early next month I hope to use 2.5W. After that I may try 10mW ERP 8m WSPR which does not require an 8m TX permit in the UK. As long as people are monitoring, much of Europe should be possible.  Tests at similar powers have reached the USA on 10m WSPR. One of the issues on 8m is there are far fewer monitors than on 10m.

This would be an interesting test. Sadly, the attenuator would also be in circuit on RX too making the RX deafer.

I guess some local tests would be useful to ensure all is well. At the moment I am unsure what callsign to use for these 10mW 8m tests.

Anglesey Abbey, near Cambridge, yesterday - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows Anglesey Abbey, near Cambridge, yesterday where we went for a walk with friends we met at university in 1967. 

It was very muddy and mild. Someone told me that as the planet warms, we can expect more clouds and more rain in the UK. Certainly we have had a lot of rain in the last few years.

Return to sailing ships? - NOT amateur radio

In a bid to reduce carbon emissions, we may see a return to sailing ships. 

I guess some sort of hybrid propulsion is likely with use of the wind in open seas. The advantages of wind would be less pollution and lower transport costs.

6m QRP FT8 (Friday)

So far, at 1453z, my 2.5W 6m FT8 to the V2000 omni antenna has been spotted by 8 English stations. Here, on RX 10 stations have been spotted with the best Germany.

6m FT8 RX today

UPDATE 1714z: 10 stations (all in England) have spotted my QRP 6m FT8 and I have spotted 16 with the best northern Spain. Even well outside the Es season, I manage to spot stations in mainland Europe.  Not sure of the propagation mode. The map shows the stations received here on 6m FT8 today.

Rallies this Sunday

The following rallies have been notified to me. I always recommend checking first if going any distance to avoid disappointment.

Sunday March 17th - Callington Radio and Electronics Rally, Callington, Cornwall, PL17 7BD.  Contact alastair.kerr1@btinternet.com 

Sunday  March 17th -  Grantham ARC annual  Radio and Electronics Rally, Grantham.  Contact rally@garc.org.uk .

Sunday 17 Mar - Pencoed & District Amateur Radio Club Radio Rally, Bridgend, CF32 9NY. Contact Leuan Jones on 07791709691.

630m WSPR overnight

My 10mW ERP 630m WSPR from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground was spotted by 14 stations (see table) with 12 spots from Norway.

10m QRPP WSPR yesterday and today

Amazingly, my 500uW (0.5mW) 10m WSPR was spotted once in the Canary Is. yesterday. I honestly was not expecting this. I left my beacon running more in hope than any real expectation.

It is on now and just been resynced to internet time, so I am again on 10m WSPR with just 500uW (0.5mW).

UPDATE 1425z:  No spots today with QRPP WSPR!

Sunspots - Friday March 15th

 Solar flux is 127 and the SSN 88. K=8 and A=2.

6m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

 My 2.5W FT8 to the V2000 vertical omni antenna is on. At 1022z, 5 English stations spotted me.

10m QRPP WSPR (Thursday)

As 500mW 10m WSPR yesterday was so easy, I returned to 500uW (0.5mW) today. Judging by yesterday, I might have got one spot at 500uW. SSN is slightly better today, so we will see!

Sunspots - Thursday March 14th

 Solar flux is 128 and the SSN 86.  A=9 and K=2.

70cm FT8 activity contest

70cm FT8 RX

 At the moment I am 70cm FT8 RX only, although I shall probably try to work some locals later with 2.5W and the 2m big-wheel omni antenna.

UPDATE  2020z:   Plenty of stations active. I think these are normal conditions on 70cm FT8. Imagine if I had a beam!

70cm QRP FT8 TX

UPDATE 2106z: I am surprised where my 2.5W to the omni reaches on 70cm FT8.

King's College Chapel, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

We walk here most Tuesdays and rather take it for granted. Some people travel half way around the world, at great expense, to see it. 

As locals, we can see it for free. Cambridge has many fine buildings.

6m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

My 2.5W 6m FT8 to the V2000 vertical omni is now on. So far, just one English station near Oxford has spotted me.

UPDATE 1645z:  12 stations in England and Wales have spotted me. 8 stations have been spotted here.

10m 500mW WSPR (Wednesday)

 This morning, I am again running (for me!!) QRO i.e. 500mW WSPR. After just a few minutes, DX spots of me received.

UPDATE 1650z:  So far today 16 stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 1715z:  34 stations have spotted me today.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

 

Overnight, my 10mW ERP 630m WSPR was spotted by 15 stations with the furthermost southern Germany.

Sunspots - Wednesday March 13th

Solar flux is 127 and the SSN 56. A=4 and K=1.

70cm activity contest

Yesterday was the 70cm leg of the RSGB organised activity contest (UKAC). I was on for only about 45 minutes with my 10W and 2m omni big-wheel antenna. 5 stations were worked.

USA puzzle - NOT amateur radio

The USA puzzles me. 

This November they go to the polls, but the contest for president is likely to be between two very old men. One is facing a host of charges and the other will be 81!! 

What puzzles me is why the presidency is likely to be a contest between these 2 when surely there are younger people who could do the job better? 

Also I cannot understand why Mr Trump is so popular when everyone (really everyone) I have spoken to outside of the USA hates him!

It bothers me that the biggest economy in the West, and the nuclear trigger, will be in the hands of a potentially doddery old man.

Does this say a lot about the USA?

630m QRP WSPR (Tuesday)

My 10mW ERP WSPR from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground has been spotted by 6 stations with the furthermost EI0CF (602km).

Bridge Street, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

There are many fine buildings in Cambridge. Often these are associated with the university. Many that are not college buildings are owned by a college. I am not sure if this one, which dates from the 1500s, is owned by a college.

See  https://capturingcambridge.org/centre/bridge-street/15-16-bridge-street/.

Is the world alright? - NOT amateur radio

Most mornings we watch BBC Breakfast with news every 30 minutes. Yesterday they spent ages on the photo for Mother's Day by the Princess of Wales. Today, we had lots about pet insurance.

Meanwhile, we have conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine and elsewhere. These were not even mentioned! Switching to Al Jazeera we heard plenty about the rest of the world.

Now Al Jazeera is biased, but just listening to the BBC, one could be forgiven for believing all is well with the world.

Sorry, but the only way to get news is to get it from multiple sources and not just one.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

My 10mW ERP WSPR was spotted by 18 stations overnight. Furthermost was Norway. 

Have a laugh - NOT amateur radio

This photo was sent to me by Steve G1KQH last night. It made me chuckle.

The serious point is many very old people are unhappy with smart phones, apps, online banking etc.  They are used to speaking with a human being!

At one time, for example, I could go into my local bank and speak to the manager.  Now you get connected to an overseas call centre and treated as a number. I am sure I am not alone in absolutely hating call centres on the far side of the planet. 

Do you also get thoroughly fed up being told "your call is very important to us" and please press button "x" if you want this service or "y" if you want this?  One of the worst is AI when you have to say something! With my poor voice I often have to repeat.

Every day we get further and further from real contact with human beings!

6m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

My 2.5W to the V2000 vertical omni antenna is on. One English station spotting me at 0742z.

UPDATE 1036z:  I was wondering why I was getting no new spots on 6m FT8.  When I looked, the rig was flashing "hi SWR". The PL259 was not making proper contact. Since connecting it tighter, I am getting spots (see map)!

UPDATE 1402z: 12 stations have spotted my QRP FT8 with the most distant EA7P (1770km).

Stations received
on 6m FT8 today

UPDATE 1525z:   On RX, some stations in Europe.

UPDATE 1916z: 15 stations have spotted my QRP FT8 on 6m today.

10m QRP WSPR (Tuesday)

 As solar conditions seem to be on the wane (although still quite good), I think it unlikely that my 500uW WSPR be spotted, so I shall return to 500mW today. 

Funny how this seems really high power now!

UPDATE 0736z: Changed to 500mW 10m WSPR and already spotted locally.

UPDATED 1040z:  At 500mW WSPR it is far easier! Plenty of spots from across the world.

UPDATE 1208z: Plenty of spots from the USA with 500mW 10m WSPR today.

UPDATE 1444z:  26 stations have spotted me today.  For just 500uW to have worked I would have needed these spots to be -3dB or better. As far as I can see, even if the RX noise was very low, it would have been very unlikely.

UPDATE 1515z:  30 stations have spotted me today. Map from WSPR rocks by VK7JJ.

UPDATE  1938z:   43 stations have spotted me. It's too easy!!

Sunspots- Tuesday March 12th

 Solar flux is 127 and the SSN 56. A=4 and K=1.

630m QRP WSPR (Monday)

My 630m QRP WSPR (10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground) was turned on at about 1730z. So far, 4 stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 2157z: So far this evening, 10 stations have spotted me (see table).

10m 500uW (0.5mW) WSPR (Monday)

My QRPP 10m WSPR signal is on again. 

UPDATE 1706z:   No spots all day. I have definitely concluded that 500uW 10m WSPR only works when (a) conditions are very good, and (b) the RX noise floor is low.