Amaryllis - NOT amateur radio

We have several amaryllis plants this winter including one from last year which was in the garden which seems to be growing again. It is now in the kitchen. There are no buds yet.

The one in the lounge is now doing really well with plenty of flowers on it, as the photo shows.

These are amazing plants and great fun in the winter.

UPDATE 1935z: There appears to be a bud on last year's plant.

70cm UKAC last evening

For the first time in a while, I did not go on 70cms in the activity contest. We had guests and I thought it best not to disturb them. Usually I only stay on for about 30 minutes and I come way down the scores because of my QRP and totally unsuitable antenna (a 2m halo!).

10m FT8 RX

I stayed on 10m FT8 all night rather than disturbing guests. So far, no spots since yesterday. I have recently checked clock is synced to internet time.

UPDATE 1032z: No spots yet today on 10m FT8.

UPDATE 1152z: Just a couple of Gs spotted so far today on 10m FT8.

Sunspots - Wednesday February 14th 2018

Solar flux is 75 today and the sunspot number 20. A=3 and K=0.

70cm UKAC activity contest

Although it is unlikely I'll be able to operate because of having people staying, tonight is the February 2018 leg of the 70cm activity contest. This started at 2000z and goes on until 2230z.

Going, going, gone!

Reading Southgate News today I see that Sony is getting out of shortwave radios. As far as I know, Sony is the first Japanese manufacturer to leave HF. Sadly, I am sure others will follow including some of the big players in the Amateur Radio market.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/february/sony-likely-to-cease-production-of-shortwave-radios.htm#.WoLtvUx2vIU

10m FT8

As conditions look promising today, I am on 10m FT8 RX. Of course, we need activity as well as conditions.

UPDATE 1033z: Just G4HZW (210km) spotted so far.

UPDATE 1249z: G4CJC (74km) spotted. Only G spots today so far. No F layer, No Es.

UPDATE 2100z: No further 10m spots.

QRP Club Rendezvous

As the QRP Club has its own group these days, I tend not to publicise these sessions.

RV

When:
Tuesday, 13 February 2018
12:00am to 1:00am
(GMT+00:00) Europe/London

Where:
14060 +/- 

Description:
12.00 UTC QRP Rendez-Vous
14060 +/-

Sunspots - Tuesday February 13th 2018

Solar flux is 78 today and the sunspot number 26.  A=4 and K=1.

Chippenham Park

Yesterday we took our son, his wife and their children to Chippenham Park, near Cambridge. There were loads of snowdrops out as well as aconites and just a few daffodils.  Our grandson was fascinated by the ice on the lakes: he spent much of his time finding sticks to throw on the frozen water.

472kHz WSPR RX overnight

The shack PC lasted on battery power until after 0500z this morning, which is impressive. In all, 21 unique stations spotted, again all EU and none from the USA.

472kHz WSPR RX

At about 2110z, I returned to 472kHz WSPR RX from 6m. The shack PC is on battery power which should be OK until breakfast. If there are any decent USA openings overnight, I have a reasonable chance.

UPDATE 2127z:  So far 11 uniques spotted, which is encouraging.

UPDATE 2208z:  Now 13 uniques.

Bouvet Island DXpedition - back on again?

According to Southgate News the plans to visit Bouvet Island may be resurrected.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/february/bouvet-dxpedition-rebooted.htm#.WoG4aUx2vIU .

6m FT8 RX

For about 15 minutes I have been on 6m FT8 RX. As yet, no spots.

UPDATE 1550z:  No spots since switch on.

UPDATE 2037z: Just a spot of G0JSV (54km) today. Still monitoring 6m FT8.

472kHz WSPR RX last night

My best night yet this season with 21 unique stations spotted. Again, all were EU and not a single USA station. I have yet to spot a single station outside of Europe with the earth-electrode "antenna" at this QTH. The shack PC was on batteries and this stopped just after 0300z.

Sunspots - Monday February 12th 2018

Solar flux is 77 today and the sunspot number 24. A=3 and K=2.

CSG Shop

This is Latvian online shop, but I have heard some good reports of it, although I have not (yet) used it myself. They do some good GPS kit as well as 2.4 and 5.8GHz ATV modules.

See http://www.csgshop.com/

Back to 472kHz WSPR RX

About an hour ago I returned to 472kHz WSPR RX. So far, 9 unique stations spotted. I shall remain on until the shack PC battery turns off, which should be in the early hours.

UPDATE 2115z: Now 12 uniques spotted.

They're back - NOT amateur radio

Most of my blogs have seen visits way up today. I am sure these are not people with a sudden all absorbing interest in the things I write about. Whatever, I hope they enjoy their visits and then head off to somewhere else. Most probably bots doing a regular trawl for vulnerable sites.

So far, I have had no problems, but if this or my other blogs disappear or suddenly behave oddly you will know why.

10m FT8 RX

Today, this should be quite good for this part of the solar cycle, but a lot will depend on 10m activity. So far, I have been active for about 30 minutes and spotted nothing at all.

UPDATE 1425z: Just a couple of Gs spotted so far today. Very disappointing.

UPDATE 1634z: Now 5 G stations and nothing else today.

Stock market jitters? - NOT amateur radio

Stock markets around the world seem to want to tumble.

This may be a correction (and relatively short lived) or the start of a prolonged downturn with interest rates rising after a very long period of historic lows.

Some of our children have no idea of the sorts of interest rates we paid on our mortgages. At one time (1992?) UK interest rates reached 15%. Today, it is borrow, borrow, borrow as money is cheap. These days may be ending.

Overnight on 472kHz WSPR RX

Last night, 20 unique stations spotted. This is quite a good number.  Again, all were EU stations with none from the USA.

Sunspots - Sunday February 11th 2018

Solar flux is 78 today and the sunspot number a respectable 35. A=6 and K=0.

472kHz WSPR RX

After a really disappointing day on 10m FT8 RX, I have returned to 630m WSPR RX. Already 8 unique stations spotted with best DX EA5DOM (1525km). I am still using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

UPDATE 2010z: Now 12 unique stations so far spotted this evening.

UPDATE 2306z: Now 18 uniques this evening.

The "real" FT818 FCC type approval

It appears the FT817nd replacement (the FT818) has been granted FCC approval. Details are sketchy and all my information so far is second-hand. It would be good to see information on the Yaesu site. Expect heavy discounting of the FT817nd to clear shelves in readiness for the FT818.

See http://radioaficion.com/news/yaesu-ft-818/

No mention of it on the Yaesu (Japan) site http://www.yaesu.com/jp/en/products/index.html#

10m FT8 RX

Have been on 10m FT8 RX for about an hour. DO1MBV (721km) is the only station spotted so far.

UPDATE 1750z: No further 10m FT8 spots here today. Soon be time to QSY to 630m WSPR RX. I'll wait until after tea time.

Freesias - NOT amateur radio

Freesias, with their fantastic scent, brighten up dull winter days. Even with the remnants of my cold, I can still smell these.

472kHz WSPR RX overnight

With 20 unique stations spotted overnight (all EU) on the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, this was a pretty decent evening and overnight session. I shall probably try again tonight.

Despite the wide spread of EU stations, I have yet to spot any USA stations on the earth-electrode "antenna" on this band. This surprises me as the earth-electrode "antenna" seems to out-perform my compromise Marconi.

Next season, I shall definitely be trying an E-field probe on MF and LF receive.

Micro sized UHF transceiver

If you are after a truly miniature transceiver maybe this will fit the bill? It is also sold via Amazon, but when I looked it said "currently unavailable".

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/2017-New-Mini-Transceiver-ANYSECU-KBL-A8-Two-way-radio-Walkie-talkie-Red-Color-UHF-400/1759260_32837238033.html

See also
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/2Pcs-LEIXEN-VV-109-UHF-400-480MHz-USB-MINI-Radio-Transceiver-Small-Sized-Useful/282834195560?_trkparms=ao%3D1%26asc%3D20170803111724%26meid%3Dba290b48893244f89e6d4044f1ab657b%26pid%3D100508%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26%26itm%3D282834195560&_trksid=p2045573.c100508.m3226

Sunspots - Saturday February 10th 2018

Solar flux is 77. Sunspot number is 23. A=5 and K=2. This is the highest flux and sunspot numbers for some time and bucks the trend towards the next minimum.

Return to 472kHz WSPR RX

After a break, I returned to 472kHz WSPR RX at about 1950z. Quite a few spots already including some stations I have not seen before this season. As before, I am still using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. There would seem to be far more stations on MF WSPR than on LF WSPR.

UPDATE 2020z: So far, 11 unique stations spotted.

UPDATE 2310z:  For a while I have the shack PC on charge, so I can go on 472kHz WSPR RX overnight with a low noise floor. I'll put the shack PC back on battery power for the overnight period.

Fewer rallies?

On Southgate News I read about there being just one Kempton rally this year rather than two.

The organisers mention several reasons, but our hobby is going to change as people die and fewer young people enter the hobby. At one time, it was a chance to see, maybe buy, a glossy new radio. These days many do this online, checking reviews and downloading brochures.

I have cautioned before, but I think we'll see fewer new radios, fewer magazines and less activity in the next 10-20 years. As I have said before, I hope I am proved very wrong.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/february/kempton-rally.htm#.Wn3I70x2vIU

A REAL FT818???

It seems there may be a real FT818 coming to replace the FT817.

I have no facts, so this could all be wrong. From what this hints at, I am underwhelmed. The replacement should have been launched in 2013 (latest) and not on the way down to the biggest lull in solar activity in a very long time. Any replacement will have to have some real killer features.

Unless this is a real success, I could see Yaesu go out of business. As a Yaesu fan since the 1970s I hope I'm wrong. In recent years though they have been timid followers rather than leaders in my view. Others may see things differently, but look at the FT991A, hastily launched to try to win business back from the ICOM IC7300.

See http://qrpblog.com/2018/02/yaesu-ft-818-details-leaked-ft-817nd-replacement/

10m FT8

After a disappointing evening on 136kHz with just G3XDV (61km) spotted on OPERA and nobody on WSPR, I have QSYed to 10m FT8 RX.

No spots as yet, although I only turned the rig and PC on about 10 minutes ago.

UPDATE 1027z:  F5RD (681km) spotted.

UPDATE 1247z: A couple of Gs to the west of London spotted, probably off the aircraft stack for London Heathrow?

UPDATE 1645z: No further spots since this morning on 10m FT8 here. With promising solar numbers (relatively!) I was hoping for better. I'll give it an hour or so then probably QSY to 472kHz WSPR RX.

UPDATE 2030z: Doh! Since before teatime I was trying to receive 10m FT8 with the RX off! Stupid boy! I turned off the PSU when I was soldering wires to my 472kHz preamp and forgot to turn it back on again. I feel so stupid.

Amaryllis one year on - NOT amateur radio

We have several amaryllis plants this year including this one which was very successful last winter. Over the summer we did all the right things, but since October it refused to grow and just froze. My wife put it in the garden expecting it to rot and die.

I noticed a few weeks ago that it was still going, so I replanted it and brought it back inside again. Since then it has started to grow again, although we'll have to wait and see. It would be great if it took off and flowered.

Sunspots - Friday February 9th 2018

Solar flux is 78 today and the sunspot number 22. A=4 and K=1.

136kHz RX

As 10m and 6m were quiet, I have QSYed to 136kHz RX on WSPR and OPERA.

10m WSPR TX beacon now ON

The 10m 500mW WSPR beacon has now been turned on. This is on TX 100%, but the frequency is randomised. No spots yet.

UPDATE 1655z: No spots.

UPDATE 1835z: Still no spots, so QSYed to 136kHz RX.

6m MSK144 RX and 10m WSPR TX

Although I am on 6m MSK144 RX, I may well turn on the 10m WSPR TX beacon as conditions look quite promising. I can do this as I use a different antenna and the beacon does not need a PC.

UPDATE 1354z: No spots.

UPDATE 1650z: GM4FVM (428km) spotted very strongly (+10dB S/N) earlier this afternoon.

Sunspots - Thursday February 7th 2018

Solar flux is 77 today. Sunspot number is 20. A=4 and K=1. This is the highest sunspot number for some time.

Sydney Sussex Collee, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

This is another view of Sydney Sussex college in Cambridge. I pass this every Tuesday and Wednesday. Cambridge is filled with ancient and beautiful buildings.

Commradio CTX-10 transceiver

Although shortly to be available in the USA, I am not sure if this will be available in Europe which needs CE approval. It is a very small 10W QRP radio that can be set at 1, 5 and 10W. In the USA it will sell for $999.

The CR1a receiver has been available for some time. There are quite a few YouTube videos of this.

See https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamhf/6010.html .

136kHz WSPR RX and OPERA RX

At about 1920z I QSYed to 136kHz RX from 50.280MHz (6m) MSK144 RX.  As yet, no spots.

6m MSK144

Yet again, I am monitoring 6m MSK144 on 50.280MHz. Most days this produces spots from several European countries. The main propagation at this time of year is random meteor trail reflections. Signals are brief, but often strong.

UPDATE 0904z: No spots as yet.

UPDATE 1410z: S59SV (1280km) in Slovenia spotted strongly this lunchtime.

UPDATE 1615z: GM4FVM (428km) spotted strongly this afternoon.

UPDATE 1702z: No further 6m MSK144 spots since the GM.

Sunspots - Wednesday February 7th 2018

Solar flux is 75 today. Sunspot number is 17. A=5 and K=1.

Low cost advertising - NOT amateur radio

My wife reminds me that it is possible to advertise in the programme for the upcoming Cambridgeshire Choral Society (CCS) concert in early April. This programme is widely seen and rates are very reasonable indeed. £50 for a full page. £25 for half page. The booklet is A5.

Should you wish to advertise please contact me in the first instance. More details are on the CCS website. This is your chance to reach many for very little.

See www.cambschoral.org.uk .

Optical Communications

One of my favourite things before my 2013 stroke was experimenting with optical communications. I had some success with "over the horizon" weak signals.  No sign of the red light was visible, yet it could be detected miles away non line of sight (NLOS) with a laptop. These days I am just too wobbly to do this.

As I have said before, test gear is easier than microwaves and all the kit can be made in a shed for very little money. This is an area rich for experiments and right at the frontiers.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/optical .

Watch Falcon Heavy lift-off live - NOT amateur radio

I gather this has been delayed a bit. Not sure why this was. At some date this could take people to Mars. Chances of a successful launch are not brilliant, although I hope it works.

You can watch the launch live at  https://www.engadget.com/2018/02/06/spacex-falcon-heavy-launch-livestream/

UPDATE 2128z: Well, it looks like a successful launch.

2m UKAC tonight

Being the first Tuesday of the month, tonight is the 2m leg of the UKAC activity contest organised by the RSGB.

"This contest takes place on Tue 6-Feb-2018 20:00 UTC
The rules for the contest can be found here
You canlist/edit your contest alerts here

Regards, 
RSGB CC"

UPDATE 2120z: 5 QSOs before I stopped with 5W and my big wheel. If I had stayed longer, I would have worked far more.

OFCOM - Communications Monthly Jan 2018

More not to be missed stuff from OFCOM.

See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/3D9001E53370CA822540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C