Sunspots - Monday October 14th 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the SSN 0. A=2 and K=2.

Return to 472kHz WSPR

At about 1815z, I returned to 472kHz WSPR using my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Already I have been spotted by 4 stations with the best spot being by F5WK (364km).

Fridge - NOT amateur radio

For some reason people have a fascination with looking in the fridges of other people.

Ours is as boring as most are!

Web SDRs

Even if your local noise level is high, you can still take a look at the HF bands by using a web based SDR RX. A good place to start is http://www.websdr.org/ . This has links to many SDR receivers around the world, so you can even listen to the bands as if you were elsewhere on the planet.

Webpage about 2m FT8

On my main website is a page about 2m FT8.  This mode has transformed 2m.  There is probably less SSB and CW operation, but every day, irrespective of conditions, DX that was previously unimaginable with QRP becomes possible. Almost without fail my QRP is copied at any time in Cornwall and Northern Ireland. This seems more like "flat band" tropo than aircraft, which would only work at certain times.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/2m-ft8

80m chirps?

Southgate News has a report from the IARU about odd chirps that have recently appeared on 80m.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/october/mysterious-chirps-in-80m-band.htm

2m FT8

Although I have been on 2m FT8 overnight there are no spots yet this morning.

UPDATE 0935z: So far 24 stations in 6 countries spotted on 2m FT8 with best DX being DK1FG (815km).

UPDATE 1205z: A recent 2m FT8 CQ (2.5W to the big-wheel omni antenna) was spotted by 7 stations. G1BHM (355km) in Devon was worked. In all 33 stations spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE  1229z: As an experiment, I set the FT817ND to 500mW and called FT8 CQ. I  was still copied by 3 stations with the best being G1BHM (355km) in Devon. With 2m FT8, you definitely do not need high power or big beams!   On 2m FT8 RX, 35 stations spotted so far today.

UPDATE 1326z: Now 37 stations spotted here today on 2m FT8 RX with the big wheel.

UPDATE 1712z: Now 58 stations in 8 countries spotted so far today using the FT817ND and the big-wheel omni antenna. The maps shows the stations so far received today on 2m FT8 RX.

Richard Dawkins - NOT amateur radio

Richard Dawkins is now 78. In his lifetime he has expressed some extreme views and termed religions as outdated or similar. I have admit to agreeing with many of his views.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Dawkins

Mechanical TV in the 21st century

When TV first appeared it was a 30 line mechanical system pioneered by John Logie Baird. These days there are still 30 line TV enthusiasts, although now PCs can be used to do line conversion and reception.

See https://www.taswegian.com/NBTV/forum/
See also http://www.tvdawn.com/background/

The mystery of consciousness - NOT amateur radio

All humans are conscious beings who can contemplate our pasts and futures. We do not know about other animals.  As it is highly likely we evolved from animal species, it highly probable (at least) some animals are conscious and aware of themselves as we humans are.

In all the vastness of our observable universe, we are here on this planet at this time.

At some point in the future we may be able to explain what consciousness is. For now, it remains a total mystery. Is it linked to our physical body?

Sunspots - Sunday October 13th 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the sunspot number still 0. A=13 and K=3.

2m FT8

OK, I admit it. I am lazy!

As it saved unplugging the lead from my SignaLink USB to the rig, I went on 2m FT8 using the FT817ND rather than the FT991A, so power was 2.5W. Even so, my brief FT8 CQ was spotted by 5 stations with best being GI6ATZ (479km) in N. Ireland at -16dB S/N. G7RAU (461km) in Cornwall seems to spot me every time! I should try with 100mW to see if he still spots me!

On 2m FT8 RX the best station spotted here was G1BHM (355km). Again, I am just using the big-wheel omni antenna.

UPDATE 1528z: Now 19 stations in 6 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX in the last few hours.

UPDATE 1606z: Now 22 stations in 6 countries spotted so far this afternoon on 2m FT8 RX. My very recent 2.5W FT8 CQ was again spotted in N. Ireland and Cornwall. I am sure the 43 element at G7RAU must help!

2m FT8 RX so far today.

UPDATE 2002z: Now 37 stations in 8 countries spotted in the last 5 hours on 2m FT8 RX using the FT817ND and the big-wheel omni antenna. Best DX today on 2m FT8 RX is DK6JU (529km).

Summer migrant birds - NOT amateur radio

At the end of September we visited our son near Canterbury. There were plenty of young swallows overhead getting ready to migrate south. Already most of the summer migrants have flown south. By now most have gone. It will be March or April next year before we see them again.

Network radios

At the moment we are at sunspot minimum and conditions on the higher HF bands are poor. If you look, there is still some DX there, but it is much harder to find than a few years ago.

Conditions will soon start to improve, but in the meantime some will turn to network radios. These look like typical 2m or 70cm rigs, but use the internet to connect.  They can be useful to connect to distant repeaters via Echolink.

Portable network radios have antennas, PTTs and batteries and look and feel like conventional radios. Although I have owned a network radio for over a year, it hardly ever get used. They may appeal to some.

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

Extinction Rebellion - NOT amateur radio

There is no doubt in my mind that the climate IS changing.

The overwhelming evidence points to man having a great influence, although that matters less than changing habits to minimise the impact of rising temperatures. Renewables are now far cheaper than they were.

In the UK, there was criticism over recent actions by Extinction Rebellion activists causing disruption in London. As in HK, activists risk alienating the very people they seek to influence. Certainly climate change is now being talked about. A year ago it was talked about far less.

I am not sure what I think. What is needed is a big change in transport, heating, food and other things across the world. This will involve subtle changes brought about by gradually persuading people to change habits. In my mind this will happen. I just hope this happens soon enough.

Recovering lawn - NOT amateur radio

Today it is a wet miserable autumn day. In summer 2018 a lot of our grass died in the heat. I reseeded the bare patches and the lawn has largely recovered. This summer was nothing like as hot and dry as 2018. Any remaining bits will be reseeded.

The light strip is because I put down too much feed. Hopefully this will recover over the winter.

To Norway again on 472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP)

So far this season my QRPP WSPR from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground on 472kHz has reached Norway on every occasion. Overnight LA8AV (1035km) spotted me 4 times! He must have a very low noise level. The table shows the results overnight.

Sunspots - Saturday October 12th 2019

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN 0. A=8 and K=2.

Another Beatles recording? - NOT amateur radio

Looking back, I was one of the rare people who saw the Beatles live on stage. This was in 1964 in Torquay before they became really famous.

It is just possible that the two remaining Beatles could make a recording together. Back in 2017, Ringo and Sir Paul appeared on Twitter together.

My wife did her teaching practice in a junior school where some of the Beatles went. She also helped at Strawberry Fields and banked on Penny Lane.

Return to 472kHz WSPR

After a few days' break, I have returned to WSPR on 472kHz. As before, I am using about 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. I am on RX 75% of the time and 25% on TX. After the initial TX period, no spots.

UPDATE 2128z: 3 spots on RX so far.

UK VHF/UHF-only beginners licence?

Southgate News has a piece on a possible "beginners licence" to encourage VHF/UHF activity. This would be non-technical and with restrictions on power and bands. Certainly a casual look at our VHF and UHF bands would suggest these are not well used and maybe we should be encouraging use of these bands. Back in the 1980s, these bands were busy.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/october/new-uk-entry-level-licence-proposed.htm

Bill's - NOT amateur radio

Back in the summer we had a bad experience at Bill's in Peterborough. Bill's is a big cafe chain and they usually quite good.

I wrote to explain our disappointment and they offered us a free meal for 2 in the Bill's in Cambridge. We went there for lunch today and they worked hard to make amends. The service and the food were fine.

Of all the places to eat in Cambridge our favourite is still Cote Brasserie, They offer good fixed price menus of either 2 or 3 courses. Every month they vary the menu.

Non-scientific research - NOT amateur radio

As I was in Cambridge today, I felt compelled to carry out some research.

As I stood outside a shop in Cambridge today I observed the use of mobile phones by young people. Older people tend not to use mobile phones as much. My method was to observe male and females who were walking alone. My highly scientific methodology was to count the number of males and females using mobile phones. Some were listening to music, some were texting and some were surfing. I guess some were even using it as a phone!

In the time I counted 16 males and 13 females on their mobile phones.

Conclusions? My feeling is that as many males as females were using their mobile phones. The sample size was really far too small.  A year ago, there were far more females than males using mobile phones. A year ago I concluded the females were saying, "go away as I am not available". Today I guess younger people are using them to connect, although I have no evidence.

20m FT8 RX with the tiny indoor loop

As 10m was dire here yesterday, I decided to try 20m FT8 RX using the tiny wire loop on the back of the rig indoors. I made the switch yesterday afternoon.  In the last day, 618 stations on 4 continents spotted.

Sunspots - Friday October 11th 2019

Solar flux is 66 and the SSN=0. A=6 and K=2.

More UK rallies

Sunday 13 OCTOBER : HORNSEA AMATEUR RADIO RALLY

Floral Hall, Hornsea HU18 1NQ. Doors open at 10am with admission being £2 with under 14s free. There will be trade stands exhibiting radio equipment, computers etc. The Bring & Buy will be run by Hornsea ARC. There will be an RSGB book stand. Hot and cold food will be available in the café. See latest information on www.hornseaarc.co.uk or contact Les, 2E0LBJ on 01377 252393 or by email lbjpinkney1@hotmail.co.uk.

13 OCTOBER 2019 (NEW VENUE) : HOLSWORTHY RADIO RALLY

Holsworthy Leisure Centre, Well Park, Western Road, Holsworthy, Devon EX22 6DH. There will be Traders, a Bring & Buy and catering will be available on site. The venue has separate disabled access via the Traders side door entrance. A club steward will be on duty in the car park. Doors open 8am for Traders and 10am for visitors. Email Howard, M0MYB at holsworthyarc@gmail.com [https://www.qsl.net/m0omc/].


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

Extinction Rebellion - NOT amateur radio

I am not sure what I think about this.

It seems to me to be totally wrong if the UK government is subsidising fossil fuels when we should be doing all we can to persuade people to adopt "carbon neutral" solutions for everything. If we are even to meet carbon neutral by 2050 targets then people really have to change. This is not optional. This means eating less red meat and adopting energy saving methods in all new homes.

At the same time the Extinction Rebellion protests may turn people off. This is a hard one, but I think the duty of government is to encourage habits to change.

Electric cars will be the norm when they are less expensive and ranges better. This alone is not enough. The Prime Minister of the UK is wrong when he labels protesters as "crusties". We are seeing really concerned people of all shades protesting.

BREXIT rabbits? - NOT amateur radio

Unless there is a metaphorical rabbit about to be pulled out of a hat, I think the UK Prime Minister is about to see the total annihilation of the Conservative Party and a General Election. At the moment I think a BREXIT deal seems unlikely.

We are in totally uncharted waters in the UK and no-one knows what the next few weeks will bring.

The Yaesu FT7 HF transceiver

This was the first HF rig I bought, back in 1979. It was 10W on all the then HF bands. With it I worked all over the world on 10m QRP SSB using simple antennas (CB half wave vertical or wire dipoles). It was a very good radio.

It was never used mobile. These days more bands are possible in about a fifth of the size. It was sold to a friend in Cambridge many years ago.

It had a very quiet (non-synthesised) VFO. As I recall it only covered parts of 10m. The later FT7B had more power and full 10m coverage. This is the best rig I have ever owned.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/ft7 .

10m FT8 on the indoor loop

For a change, I am trying the small magnetic loop (mounted on the back of the rig) on 10m FT8. Initially I called CQ but now I am RX only. So far, no spots, although I am not too surprised.

UPDATE 1225z: Still no spots on RX or TX.

Sunspots - Thursday October 10th 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the sunspot number 0. A=6 and K=2. Still bouncing along the bottom of the cycle.

2m FT8 RX - the last day (and night)

For most of the last day, I have been monitoring 2m FT8 RX. 28 stations spotted in 5 countries in the last 24 hours..

BREXIT non-deal - NOT amateur radio

At the moment the rest of the world must look at the UK as a right bunch of idiots. It seems highly improbable we will get a deal in the next few days and most must look on us as a bunch of dimwits.  It is hardly surprising as we look like a bunch of turkeys voting for Christmas.

Yes, we want the EU to reform and, yes, the EU is terrified of the institution falling apart if others see us getting a good deal. At the moment I see both the UK Parliament and the UK people deeply split over BREXIT. Healing these wounds could take years. UK politics feels fractured.

At one time we would have compromised. This seems very unlikely.

RSGB Convention

11-13 OCTOBER : RSGB CONVENTION

Kent's Hill Park Training and Conference Centre, Swallow House, Timbold Drive, Kent's Hill Park, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK7 6BZ.

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

2m FT8

Since returning home, I have been on 2m FT8 calling CQ initially (10W to the big-wheel omni).

4 stations spotted me (no QSOs) with best DX being a spot by G7RAU (461km) in Cornwall.

On 2m FT8 RX just 1 G station spotted.

UPDATE 1542z: Now 11 stations in 5 countries spotted on 2m FT8  this afternoon.

UPDATE 2018z: Now 26 stations in 5 countries spotted this afternoon and early evening on 2m FT8 RX.

Thetford - NOT amateur radio

Thetford is about 24 miles away from where we live. It is a mix of old sites, like Thetford Priory shown in the photo, and 1960s houses and shops, a result of Thetford being a London overspill town.

We liked it, although many of the shops are "to let" or charity shops. It felt more like a Sunday than a busy week day.

In 20 years' time what will our high streets look like?

472kHz WSPR overnight

Another good night. Every time I have been on 472kHz WSPR recently (10mW ERP) my QRPP has been spotted up in Norway. Last night it was spotted by 2 stations in Norway.

Stations spotting my 10mW 

472kHz WSPR overnight

Sunspots - Wednesday October 9th 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the SSN 0. A =5 and K=3.

Best DX yet on 70cm SSB in the UKAC

Despite using 10W SSB to the 2m big-wheel, I still managed to reach the Isle of Wight this evening. This is my best DX yet in the RSGB cumulative contest on 70cm.

The map shows the 5 QSOs this evening. I was only on for less than an hour because of my poor voice.

Brennan BB1 radio+ - NOT amateur radio

To me, this looks like a killer device. It allows you to collect loads of audio and access internet radio stations. It even has a TFT screen so you can watch YouTube videos. It looks good too. Prices look competitive too.

See https://www.brennan.co.uk/itemcontent.php/content/newbrennan

Plonker

Yesterday, I went on the 2m East Cambs net. One regular had said he could not make it, but G3TFX, local to me was on. He was 52 rather than the usual 59+. Later he said he had a chat with G7LEU. Richard was puzzled why I was so weak. He wondered if I was running milliwatts.

Later I found out why! Although I had connected the antenna adaptor (PL259 to BNC) I forgot to connect the antenna! So G3TFX was 52 even without an antenna!

Next time I shall try to remember the antenna.

Church flowers - NOT amateur radio

We must have a dedicated band of helpers at our local church putting out the flowers. These were the flowers in one window on our walk yesterday.

Good 472kHz WSPR session again

In the last session, spots from 14 stations received, many of these being multiple times. In some cases it is the same station  using different receivers, but I have been spotted in Norway by Jan LA3EQ (769km) on every recent occasion! Yet again, I was copied far more often than I received others, despite the noise floor here being low. This suggests fewer stations are TXing at the moment.

472kHz WSPR spots received in the last session using 10mW ERP 

(at most) and the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

UPDATE 1458z: I have been on 472kHz WSPR all day. G1GKN (99km) has been a consistent signal on RX all day. G3YPP (105km) has been spotting me all day. in North Norfolk.

UPDATE 1639z: So far 22 stations have spotted my QRPP signal on 472kHz WSPR. Best DX was 2 spots by LA8AV/1 (1035km).

Sunspots - Tuesday October 8th 2019

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN 0. A=6 and K=2.

Metaphysics - NOT amateur radio

As we get older, I guess it is natural to think of our finality. My own death could be later today or in 30 years' time. It is hard to think of simply not being.

If we look on ourselves as just evolved and successful animals why should we have anything after we die? The simple truth is not one of us knows.

There seems little doubt that the religions of the world are all struggles to find meaning in our lives. As I have said many times, there is so very much that we do not, indeed cannot, understand.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaphysics

Norwich Cathedral - NOT amateur radio

We love Norwich and go there quite often on the train from Ely.

Norwich Cathedral is one of the finest in England. It is Norman (nearly 1000 years old) and many of the stones used to build it came all the way from Normandy in France by boat. The photo shows one of the fine windows.

HF conditions

At the moment the higher HF bands are not in good shape. There is DX there sometimes, but it is not as easy to find as at the sunspot maximum. At the moment we are at solar minimum and it will be a few years before bands like 10m really spring back into life.

The video shows how good 10m can be in case you have forgotten! This was recorded in 2012.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/hfcondx

Walk around the village - NOT amateur radio

Most days we try to do a short walk.

According to my phone, we have walked 2.68 miles today. On the walk we bumped in to several friends and the rain held of.

We are home again.

Good session on 472kHz WSPR

Overnight was a good session for me on 472kHz WSPR. Running (at most) 10mW ERP from my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, I was spotted by quite a few stations (see photo). Notice that LA3EQ (769km) copied me multiple times!

472kHz WSPR TX last evening 

and overnight (10mW ERP)

472kHz WSPR RX last evening and overnight

UPDATE 1928z: A couple of spots by stations in the Netherlands this evening, but nothing yet from Norway. I am not sure if LA3EQ is on tonight. As last night, as many stations are spotting me (actually more) than I am spotting others. It suggests my ERP is a bit higher, but measurements suggest not. Perhaps more stations have better RX set-ups?

Sunspots - Monday October 7th 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the SSN 0. A=5 and K=1.