Solar flux is 231 and the SSN 121. A=25 and K=2.
11 Nov 2024
10 Nov 2024
QDX digital transceiver
This digital-only transceiver from QRP-Labs is really tiny. It can produce 5W, but I have added diodes in the power lead to ensure the RF PA is working without being stressed. This reduces the power out still further, but makes very little difference.
Watery sun - NOT amateur radio
Tomorrow should be sunny when this "anticyclonic gloom" moves away.
The photo shows our churchyard earlier.
Plums - NOT amateur radio
We have had a very mild autumn so far with little sun or rain.
6m QRP FT8 (Sunday)
My QMX+ on 6m was turned on about 0945z. At 1033z, I have been spotted by 12 English stations.
Looking at https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ it looks like I could be spotted in mainland Europe.
I am less hopeful of being spotted "across the pond" today on 6m FT8.
UPDATE 1220z: Spotted by VK9CV (11514km) on 6m QRP FT8. I think he is genuine. 40 stations spotting me on 6m FT8.
UPDATE 1624z: 55 stations have spotted me today on 6m QRP FT8 TX. No North American spots. I suspect the E-W F2 MUF has to be exceptionally high for this to be possible, especially with QRP.
UPDATE 1651z: QRT on 6m.
10m 500mW WSPR (Sunday)
My QRP 10m RX beacon was turned on at about 0945z. So far a single, strong spot in Germany.
UPDATE 2010z: 77 stations have spotted my 500mW QRP with the furthermost Brazil over 10000km.
9 Nov 2024
6m USA - not today I suspect!
It looks like I am seeing no 10m WSPR spots today from the USA, so I very much doubt there will be any F2 6m propagation "across the pond" today.
This is where FT8 is so useful. It works with weak, fleeting signals and is well monitored. If it even briefly opens on 6m, we would know about it. This is why this mode will be good on 10m in the quiet years.
8m ISM band
It shows the activity 40.66 - 40.70 MHz in the ISM band. I expect if we looked in Europe we would see much the same.
Clearly the ISM band has other users! Those that permit operation 40.66 - 40.70 MHz have to accept this.
Where is the sun? - NOT amateur radio
Basically we have had cloud, mist and fog with no sun at all. NE Scotland has had good weather by contrast.
As this photo from a friend on 365project shows, they have had better weather in the Faroe Islands.
Oscar 100 (lack of) activity
As you know I try to take a very unscientific peek at narrowband activity on this geosynchronous satellite. My last peek was about 0950z today, which is a Saturday. Activity levels remain disappointingly low.
10m QRP WSPR (Saturday)
My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon has been on since about 0730z. So far, multiple spots by EA8BFK (2880km) as usual, but nobody else.
6m QRP FT8 (Saturday)
8 Nov 2024
10m 500mW WSPR (Friday)
As I am on 6m FT8, I put my QRP W5OLF 10m WSPR beacon on. Plenty of spots from North and South America received. See table.
UPDATE 1718z: 50 stations have spotted me today.
6m QRP FT8 (Friday)
My QMX+ is initialising.
Someone kindly suggested it might be due to slow charging of capacitors in my PSU. I tried simply plugging in the power lead to the QMX+ with my PSU well and truly at the correct voltage, but this made no difference. After a time it just initialised. I suspect it is something to do with the way the microprocessor initialises, but I am no expert.
Anyway, the QMX+ in now on 6m FT8 and, so far, just 17 English stations are spotting me at 1540z.
ISM bands
It surprises me that more use of some ISM bands is not utilised for beacons. In many countries around the world this is licence free with a very low ERP, yet we know worldwide coverage is possible.
Some countries require the use of type approved equipment, although I am unsure if in some countries you can type approve by yourself that you comply.
It seems an easy route for many. Certainly a few have done this on the 13m and 8m ISM bands with great success.
When my 8m TX permit expires next year, this is the route I propose to take here in the UK, where OFCOM has indicated its approval.
President Trump - NOT amateur radio
In January, Mr Trump becomes US president for the second time.
He has won the popular vote and the Electoral College. There is little doubt he has gained a mandate from most in the USA. Clearly the majority in the USA back him. For those in the USA his policies and promises "ring a bell".
Yet the odd thing is I have met not one (really not one in hundreds) outside of the USA that likes him. Most say he is unpredictable, a liar and thinks only of himself.
I remain puzzled why he is so popular. Perhaps his promise of "the American dream" rings true with the majority in the USA? It is the American people that choose their leader by democratic means, not me.
However, there are issues on a global scale that need his input as the most powerful man on the planet. No longer can the USA live in isolation. The world is very much interconnected.
Amaryllis - NOT amateur radio
They start as bulbs, but can grow very big with lovely, large flowers after about 6 weeks.
You are left wondering how such huge flowers and stalks can come from that bulb!
We grow several each year, slightly staggered so they are not out at the same time.
Often, if the leaves are left to dry and die, they are good for more than one season.
10m QRP FT8 (Friday)
I think my SignaLink USB (or lead) has developed a fault after over 20 years. After a brief period on 10m WSPR with my beacon, I am on 10m QRP FT8 with the QDX. At 1031z, I have been spotted by 91 stations.
UPDATE 1415z: Spotted by 303 stations on 10m FT8 TX. See map.
The QDX is about the size of a pack of cards i.e. tiny.
Also, I am having issues booting up my QMX+ rig today. It keeps coming up with a dim display and not initialising.
Without the SignaLink interface or QMX+ I am unable to use FT8 at 8m or 6m, which is a pity. I suppose I could use the IC705 at 6m for FT8. At present I was using the QMX+ for 6m and the FT817ND (dealer modified) for 8m.
Black Friday - NOT amateur radio
This gets on my nerves. It is yet another way to get us to part with our money by extending the time during which we spend. In my view, this rarely really saves us much money. A few years ago we knew nothing of this nonesense.
7 Nov 2024
15m QRP FT8 (Thursday)
For a change, I am trying 15m QRP FT8 with my QMX+ transceiver. Within a few minutes I was being spotted by 48 stations and I had spotted 38.
The map shows the stations spotting my 15m QRP at 2150z. 223 stations have spotted me.
Almost forgot - 2m UKAC submission
Last Tuesday was the 2m leg of the RSGB organised activity contest (UKAC). Despite running 10W and an omni I submit my results, despite stopping on for very little time. Conditions seemed a bit "up".
The map shows the stations worked in 30 minutes.
Microwave meeting on Saturday in Scotland
The following is due this Saturday. Check before going far.
- Saturday November 9th - 12th Scottish Microwave Round Table, GMRT Museum of Communication, Burntisland, Fife. Contact gm4hwo@gmail.com .
Years ago (many!) I attended a Microwave Round Table at Martlesham in Suffolk. It was very good.
10m QRP WSPR (Thursday)
As my 10m antenna is free, I am on 500mW 10m WSPR TX with my stand-alone beacon. No spots yet.
UPDATE 1213z: Now being spotted by 32 stations with many in the USA.
6m QRP FT8 (Thursday)
At about 1110z I QSYed to 6m QRP FT8 with the QMX+. So far, just 11 English stations have spotted me.
UPDATE 1139z: Now spotted on 6m FT8 QRP by 21 stations including one in southern Italy.
UPDATE 1257z: My first 6m spots from the USA and Canada today with QRP FT8 were at about 1230z.
UPDATE 1427z: 50 spots of my QRP 6m FT8 today.
QMX+
At first the PC does not want to recognise the QMX+ so I have to do a reset. SSB is promised with a software release.
It works really well and has been copied "across the pond" on 6m QRP FT8 and around the planet on 10m QRP FT8. with simple antennas.
Lunch - NOT amateur radio
My wife goes in to Cambridge for her U3A so I prepare lunch . Avocado 🥑 with prawn.
10m QRP FT8 (Thursday)
My QMX+ has been on since just before breakfast. My QRP has been spotted by 140 stations (furthermost Japan) and I have spotted 284 stations (at 0900z) with the furthermost FK8HM (16470km) in New Caledonia.
UPDATE 0942z: 346 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX. The map shows the stations spotted here.
UPDATE 1032z: The map shows the stations spotting my QRP 10m FT8 so far today. Worldwide.
6 Nov 2024
USA Elections - NOT amateur radio
The people of the USA have voted and chosen Mr Trump again. I wish them well although I am quite surprised.
6m QRP FT8 (Wednesday) with the QMX+
Just after 1200z, I went on 6m FT8 with my QMX+ and V2000 vertical. At 1215z just English stations were spotted.
UPDATE 1730z: 53 stations have spotted my QRP FT8 today including several "across the pond".
10m QRP WSPR (Wednesday)
Change of plan!
For some reason my PC is not working with the SignaLink USB so I am just on QRP 10m WSPR TX.
UPDATE 1738z: 52 stations have spotted my QRP beacon.
5 Nov 2024
2m activity contest (UKAC)
A reminder that the November 2m activity contest (UKAC) is on tonight starting at 2000z. Although I usually submit an entry, there is no need to do so. Many just come on to enjoy the activity. Because of my poor voice and low power I do not stop on long.
See https://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?year=2024&contest=2mukac .
UPDATE 2038z: 4 stations worked with my 10W and omni, then I stopped as it was too hard with my poor voice. Best DX was GW1YBB/P. I have no idea (yet) how far this was.
10m 500mW WSPR (Tuesday)
UPDATE 1427z: 65 spots of me so far today. See table.
UPDATE 1534z: 75 stations have spotted my 10m QRP WSPR beacon today. Furthermost is F61694 (9729km) in the Indian Ocean.
8m FT8 RX (Tuesday)
As I am out this morning, I am on 8m FT8 RX only at the moment.
UPDATE 1436z: Now home I am on 8m QRP FT8 TX and looking for QSOs. Six stations have spotted me so far.
UPDATE 1454z: 8 spots of my QRP 8m FT8.
 |
| Stations spotting me today on QRP FT8 TX |
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
