New Sepura products adopted by Met Police - NOT amateur radio

In a previous life (well it feels like that, having been retired for almost 11 years!) I worked for Sepura. Their latest products have been adopted by the Met Police, which must be good news.

Sepura specialises in TETRA terminals with an emphasis on public safety users.

See

https://www.sepura.com/news/metropolitan-police-service-invests-in-sepura-tetra-terminals-in-force-wide-refresh

10m FT8

After a few minutes calling CQ (2.5W) I am now on 10m FT8 RX only. I have been active on 10m for about an hour. So far, no 10m spots here today.

I see John EI7GL has spotted a couple of Europeans on 10m FT8 today.

UPDATE 1600z: Still no 10m FT8 spots here today. Soon be time to QSY. I think I'll try 160m FT8 RX (1.840MHz USB) this evening and overnight.

472kHz WSPR

Disappointing.

472kHz WSPR overnight

In all, I copied 7 stations with my best spot (again) being LA2XPA (1310km). My best distance on TX (10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground was just G4ZFQ (203km). In all just 5 stations spotted me. As I said, disappointing.

XBS Telecom discounts IC7300

Every month, I get an email from XBS Telecom in France (I think). At the moment they have discounted the ICOM IC7300 to 1079 Euros until the end of March. This is with VAT and warranty.

See https://www.xbstelecom.eu/shop/en/

Sunspots - Tuesday March 12th 2019

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN 11. A=3 and K=2.

472kHz WSPR

Apart from about 20 minutes on the East Cambs 2m FM net at 2000z on 144.575MHz, I have been on 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP, 20% TX, 80% RX) most of the evening. My best spot this evening (10mW ERP from here) is G4ZFQ (203km). As usual, I am on the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

Underwhelmed - NOT amateur radio

For a few weeks my wife has wanted to see the daffodils at Hare Park, Chippenham, Cambs. Today we went.

A few weeks ago there was a splendid carpet of snowdrops. The daffodils were disappointing; several clumps had no buds. Although there were daffodils in flower, there were far fewer than we expected.

2m FT8

Somehow, I suspect I lost internet connection to PSKreporter maps as there were quite a few 2m FT8 stations spotted in the last few hours that did not get uploaded.

10m FT8 RX

As of about 0930z, I QSYed to 10m FT8. With solar conditions not looking too great, this is more in hope than anything. I expect to be monitoring 10m FT8 RX until dark.

Comparing my results with John in southern Eire, I think my 10m results could be significantly improved with a change of antenna. Another job!

UPDATE 1121z: Just one station spotted so far on 10m FT8 RX. This was G4HZW (212km).

UPDATE 1200z: 2E0YSO (33km) also spotted.

UPDATE 1155z: G3ZSE (71km) also spotted. No DX here currently.

UPDATE 1711z: No further 10m FT8 RX spots here. I'll stay on a bit longer, then QSY to 630m WSPR (10mW ERP).

Sunspots - Monday March 11th 2019

Solar flux is 70 and the sunspot number 11. A=5 and K=1.

What hope?

Earlier I was in Bury St Edmunds so I popped in to W.H.Smith which is one of the bigger UK stationers. They carry a selection of hundreds of different magazines in this store. I looked and looked, but failed to see even 1 radio related magazine. If you want magazines on PCs, tattoos, trains, etc, no problem. Casually find a radio mag? No way! Without the casual interest caused by someone browsing a radio magazine, there is little hope for the future of our hobby.

There is little hope for RF engineering too. Over 11 years ago I recall interviewing someone for an radio design job. This person had a good honours degree in a communications related subject, but I knew more at 14 than this person. Needless to say this person did not get offered a job. Frankly, I was appalled. Hundreds of CVs were read, but a tiny handful had any idea.

No, RF engineering is in crisis. In general the magic is no longer there for young people today. People who had good RF design skills are retiring or have already retired. People can no longer chance upon radio magazines or amateur AM QSOs as we once did as youngsters. Yes, times change. However, the future of RF design is in deep trouble, in my view.

Still on 2m FT8

So I stayed on 2m FT8 RX overnight and am still using 2m FT8 RX. Since turning 2m FT8 RX on late yesterday afternoon a total of 36 stations spotted. In just the last few hours 11 stations in 4 countries already spotted. At the moment, the best DX spotted on 2m FT8 RX is GI6ATZ (479km).

UPDATE 1700z: Now 46 stations in 7 countries in the last 12 hours on 2m FT8 RX with best DX DL2AKT (761km).

Stations so far spotted today on 

2m FT8 RX with the omni antenna

UPDATE 1906z:  Now 54 stations in 7 countries spotted in last 12 hours on 2m FT8 RX.

Elder son now 43 - NOT amateur radio

Our elder son is now 43, which seems scarcely believable. Where did those years go? The photo shows him with his children and my wife singing "happy birthday to you". We did not have 43 candles, so 1 had to do!

Sunspots - Sunday March 10th 2019

Solar flux is 71 today and the SSN 11. A=5 and K=1.

2m FT8

After the total failure on 70cm FT8, I have QSYed to 2m (144.174MHz) where at the moment I am calling CQ (2.5W to the big-wheel omni antenna). I see my CQ is being spotted by G8TTI (186km). So far, 8 stations are spotting me with best DX GI6ATZ (479km).  My 2.5W to the omni is being spotted in 3 countries already! The sad thing is 70cms could be as good on FT8.

UPDATE 1630z: Now RX only on 2m FT8. 4 stations in 3 countries spotted so far today on the big-wheel 2m omni antenna.

UPDATE 2132z: Now 21 stations in 5 countries spotted since early evening. Best DX spotted is DL3TW (655km).

UPDATE 2225z: Now 29 stations spotted on 2m FT8 this evening.

Stations spotted here this evening on 2m FT8 

with the big-wheel omni antenna.

Returning summer migrants - NOT amateur radio

Slowly, the summer bird migrants are returning. Already in Devon there are wheatears, sand martins and swallows. At first just the odd one, whereas by mid April, many will be commonplace once again.

Tree trunk - NOT amateur radio

This was seen on a walk a few days ago. I love the patterning.

Overnight on 160m FT8 RX

Not a bad night with 7 North Americans and 7 Caribbean stations spotted on 160m FT8. Best DX spotted was AA7A (8369km) in New Mexico. In total, 332 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX in the last day.

Stations spotted on the earth-electrode "antenna"

 in the ground on 160m FT8 here overnight.

70cm FT8 RX

Ever hopeful, I am on 432MHz FT8 RX for the first time. I am monitoring 432.174MHz USB with WSJT-X. I shall be on all day using the 2m big wheel which matched well on 70cm and is omni-directional (well it is on 2m!).

Using this antenna I can usually work stations over 100km away with 5W SSB on 70cms. First 70cm switch-on was 0921z. A brief 2.5W CQ at around 1000z got no spots.

UPDATE 1529z: Still no 70cm FT8 RX spots. From the PSKreporter map it looks like 70cm FT8 is quite popular in Japan.

UPDATE 1544z: Unless I get any 70cm FT8 RX spots in the next 20 minutes or so, I am giving up and QSYing somewhere else. I knew it would be hard, but nothing at all. This is sad, as I suspect 70cms would be a good aircraft reflection band and good tropo band. FT8 with its concentration of activity and 15 second periods would be ideal.

UPDATE 1604z: Total failure, with not a single 70cm FT8 spot all day. Now QSYing to 144.174MHz FT8 RX.

Sunspots - Saturday March 9th 2019

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 11.  A=5 and K=0

160m FT8 RX

For a few hours, I have been on 160m FT8 RX.  So far, 158 stations spotted here with the first North American being WU1ITU (4831km).

70cm FT8 in Western Europe (including UK)?

Although I have tried FT8 on 160, 80, 60, 10, 6 and 2m I have never tried this mode on 70cm. I have no idea at all about activity levels or frequencies. I can imagine this band is pretty good for aircraft scatter and probably quite good on tropo. I'd hazard a guess that 70cm FT8  might be as good as 2m (or even better) given decent levels of activity. In reality, I expect 70cm is much, much quieter than 2m FT8.

If you know anything about this mode on 70cm please let me know. I am happy to sit on 70cms FT8 all day and all evening, mostly RX. For antennas I'd either have to use my 2m big-wheel horizontal omni (not ma bad match on 70cm) or my V2000 vertical. For aircraft reflection, the V2000 is proably better, although not for tropo.

Newmarket - NOT amateur radio

This is our "local" town where we do most of our food shopping. Considering it is world famous as the home of racing, it is actually quite an average sort of place that could do far more to make it look better.

There are lots of short people (jockeys) and drivers of "Chelsea Tractors" who own studs or racehorses or train these.

Considering the wealth some of these people must have, I am quite surprised Newmarket isn't a really splendid town. The photo shows Newmarket High Street on an average weekday.

10m FT8 RX

For about 30 minutes now, I have been on 10m FT8 RX. Not unexpectedly, no spots.

UPDATE 1232z: 3 spots so far. 2 are UK spots and 1 from Germany. Best DX spotted so far today is DO4SH (533km).

Overnight on 160m FT8 RX

In all, 456 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX here in the last day. Although I can hardly believe I am saying this, last night was "average" with just 3 North Americans and 2 Caribbean stations spotted here with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Best DX spotted here was KV4FZ (6764km) in the US Virgin Islands.

Stations spotted on the earth-electrode "antenna" 

in the ground on 160m FT8 RX in the last 24 hours

Sunspots - Friday March 8th 2019

Solar flux is 70 today and the sunspot number 14. A=8 and K=2. So far this month the SSN has been better than last month which was dire.

160m FT8 RX

For about an hour, I have been on 160m FT8 RX. As usual loads of Europeans already spotted.

UPDATE 2158z: Absolutely loads of Europeans on 160m FT8 RX this evening. Best DX spotted is 4F6FO (3964km) in Azerbaijan.

UPDATE 2218z: 215 stations spotted so far this evening on 160m FT8 RX.

10m FT8

For the last hour or so I have been on 10m FT8. After a brief CQ (2.5W) I have been RX only, but only G4XYT (93km) spotted. No spots of my CQ call.

Grumpy old man - NOT amateur radio

As I read somewhere that the UK food chain Greggs was doing very well, I thought I'd check out their menus and prices.

Wouldn't you have thought that their menus would include prices? I looked and looked and was unable to find any prices!! Lots of stuff about contents, but I was totally unable to find prices. If this is obvious please accept my apologies. In the meantime, they will not be getting my business.

See https://www.greggs.co.uk/

UPDATE 1517z: I have looked again, but still cannot find any information on their prices. If it is there, it is far from obvious. Surely this is stupid.

Successful amateur VLF TX tests from Poland

Transmissions from Poland at 8.27kHz VLF have been received in the UK. The antenna used was a long baseline earth-electrode "antenna".  From my own experiments with far shorter baselines, I know such structures work.

See https://klubnl.pl/wpr/en/index.php/2019/03/03/nadawcze-proby-z-dipolem-ziemnym-w-zakresie-vlf/

Rally

Sunday 10 MARCH : GRANTHAM ARC RADIO AND ELECTRONICS RALLY

Grantham West Community Centre, Trent Road , Grantham, Lincs NG31 7XW. Doors open 9.30am to 3pm, admittance £3. There will be trade stands, and RSGB bookstall and Special Interest Groups. Catering is available on site. Contact Kevin Burton, G6SSN, 07793 142 483, rallyinfo@garc.org.uk.

A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

BREXIT - NOT amateur radio

The deadline for the UK to leave the EU is very, very, near. The EU is clearly (for now) tabling "take it or leave it" options, but the current deal has little chance of getting through parliament.

What many (most?) in the UK want is control over who lives and works here and the UK elected parliament having the final say over our laws. It is in the EU's interest to strike a good deal that works for the EU and the UK. If they don't strike a deal both sides will be hurt.

In my view the EU wants to punish the UK. No, both sides need to grow up and compromise. Mrs May, UK Prime Minister, seems to be impotent and lacking the will to come to a deal that will meet the goals of both sides.

Overnight on 472kHz WSPR

In a word - disappointing.

In all, my 10mW ERP WSPR from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground was spotted by 4 stations with best DX DK2DB (685km). On RX, I spotted 10 stations with best DX LA2XPA (1310km).

 

472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP) overnight

472kHz WSPR RX here overnight

Sunspots - Thursday March 7th 2019

Solar flux is 72 and the sunspot number 14. A=8 and K=2.

472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP)

For over an hour now, I have been on 472kHz WSPR (20% TX, 80% RX, 10mW ERP). What surprises me is how few UK stations appear to be active on 472kHz WSPR TX. At the moment it appears there are only two of us!

Surely my ultra-simple system proves that with WSPR you do not need big antennas or high power. Several spots already on RX and TX. I shall be on overnight. As usual, I am using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

Amateur radio survey

You may be interested in this survey: http://www.radiosoth.org/ .  I believe it has been done for several years. Obviously, the more people that are surveyed, the better.

It took me about 5 minutes to answer the questions. Most are tick boxes, so simple to fill in.

New Zealand wines - NOT amateur radio

Next week, my wife and I are giving a talk at our local wine group on New Zealand wines. We are certainly no wine experts and, to be honest, we are "winging it" on NZ wines.

We visited the country in 2009, not long after we retired.  It is without doubt the most beautiful place we have ever been to, helped by having a population way smaller than the UK. If you can go, I recommend it.

I think they had 4M people when we went. They speak English and drive on the left like in the UK. With Skype video contact with one of our sons it felt like just next door.

We were in Christchurch exactly 2 years to the very day before the big earthquake struck the city. New Zealand is a great place to visit, although perhaps not to live if you like old churches and culture.

Greylag Geese - NOT amateur radio

In the UK, greylag geese are the geese of farmyards. These two were spotted yesterday at Stow-cum-Quy near Cambridge.

10m WSPR TX (500mW beacon)

As yesterday (when I got no spots!) I am again on 10m WSPR TX (500mW, 100%, randomised frequencies) as the antenna is available. If I get any spots it will be a miracle. I am not expecting much. First TX period was at 0740z.

UPDATE 0905z: No spots.

UPDATE 1827z: Well there's a surprise! Still no 10m WSPR TX spots today. Soon time to QSY, but I am not sure (yet) where to, either 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP) or 1.84MHz FT8 RX.

2m FT8 RX

At the moment, I am still monitoring 2m FT8 RX. So far, 6 stations in 3 countries spotted with best DX spotted GI6ATZ (479km).

UPDATE 0908z: Now 7 stations in 4 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1057z: Now 11 stations in 7 countries spotted today so far.

UPDATE 1412z: Now 26 stations in 7 countries spotted so far today on 2m. Best DX is DK1FG (815km).

UPDATE 1820z: Now 43 stations in 7 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX.

Sunspots (at last!) - Wednesday March 6th 2019

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 14 (yes some sunspots!). A=5 and K=1.

OFCOM Communications Monthly - February 2019

OFCOM has updated it monthly report on communications.

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

As the antenna is free, I am on 10m WSPR TX (100% TX, 500mW, randomised frequencies). Although I have been active all morning, not a single spot received, although I am not too surprised.

At sunspot minimum, there is little activity on 10m sadly, and I suspect not too many are on 10m WSPR. Although WSPR is better with weak signals, I suspect many are now using FT8 instead with its 15 second TX periods rather than 2 minutes for WSPR.

UPDATE 1830z: No 10m WSPR spots all day.

Pancakes - NOT amateur radio

As today is Shrove Tuesday, we had pancakes, as is the tradition. My wife had sweet ones and I had savoury ones.

2m FT8 - amazing!

Despite running just 2.5W to an omni antenna, yet again my CQ is copied in Cornwall! Best DX on TX (2.5W) is G7RAU (461km). I suspect this is normal tropo as it never seems to fail. On RX, 9 stations in 3 countries spotted with best DX GI6ATZ (479km).

UPDATE 1400z:  Now 25 stations in 8 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX with best DX GM4JTJ (520km).

UPDATE 1826z: Now 44 stations spotted with best DX F6APE (551km).

UPDATE  1935z: Now 67 stations in 9 countries spotted here on 2m FT8 RX with just an omni antenna in the last day!!

UPDATE 2200z: Overall, 74 stations in 9 countries spotted on 2m FT8 in the last day.

Electric cars - NOT amateur radio

Like flat screen TVs and digital cameras, I think there will be a sudden "tipping point" when we wonder with amazement at internal combustion powered cars running on petrol or diesel.

Assuming we can achieve genuine ranges of 300 miles or more between charges, then this will remove the charging anxiety that currently goes with electric cars, unless all your driving is on local trips to the shops.

We are not there yet. I do not know how far off this point is. It could be 5 years or 25 years. I guess it depends on battery research and price. I hope it comes in my lifetime.

I know some national radio societies are concerned that induction power transfer could be a source of radio noise pollution. I suspect home charging will help reduce this.

HIV treatment coming? - NOT amateur radio

A UK patient with HIV who also has cancer is reportedly showing no detectable traces of HIV after undergoing stem cell treatment. I believe this the second reported stem cell success in the battle against HIV/aids. A proper treatment may still be some years away, but there is hope. Already drug treatments have changed HIV/aids to a condition that some people live with rather than die from.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-47421855 .

Overnight on 160m FT8 RX

Well, last night was better than previous nights with 6 North Americans spotted and best DX spotted being V31MA (8300km) in Belize.

Stations spotted here on 160m FT8 overnight 

with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

UPDATE 1012z: Nothing spotted in last few hours, so I shall probably QSY to 2m FT8 RX and just leave the 10m WSPR TX beacon running.

2m activity contest this evening

A reminder that as this is the first Tuesday of the month it is the monthly UKAC 2m activity contest organised by the RSGB. It starts at 2000z and lasts for up to 2.5 hours, although I rarely manage an hour here with my poor voice!

There is always lots of activity and no compulsion to send in an entry. It is friendly and a good chance to work a few new squares.

I usually operate with 5W and an omni antenna and often work 200km in flat conditions. If you are in western Europe and rarely use SSB, this is worth having a go.

UPDATE 2102z: In the end 6 QSOs (well within an hour of operating) with best DX G4RUL/P (172km) on the south coast.

Sunspots - Tuesday March 5th 2019

Solar flux is 70 and the sunspot number stubbornly at zero still.  A=7 and K=2. Me thinks we are well and truly at the very bottom of the solar cycle.