10m WSPR TX beacon (500mW into the indoor loop)

10m WSPR TX has just been turned on at 0840z. No spots yet.

UPDATE 1056z:  No spots received yet today on 10m WSPR.

Stations spotting me to 1920z

UPDATE 1920z:  So far today, 10 unique stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR to the indoor loop.

Oscar 100 (geosynchronous) update

Every few weeks I try to give an update on activity levels on Oscar 100. I do this by checking the online SDR at Goonhilly Down in Cornwall.

My latest look suggests that activity levels are still quite low. To be honest activity levels look lower than the last time I looked. This is not scientific, more of a quick look to see how things are going.

It seems to me that people enjoy the challenge of getting a signal through the device then lose interest.

UPDATE 0856z:  On the narrowband section there were only 2 active stations just now!  I am quite surprised how quiet things are. I bet if there was a "black box" ŧhere would be far more activity. These days there are few real experimenters sadly.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/

Even more ICOM IC-705 videos

Looking on YouTube I see there are loads of videos appearing about the IC-705. This is now on sale in Japan, so I can only look at the pictures as I speak no Japanese. Although I intended to give some links, I think it is better you look yourselves.

Passed the minimum?

My favourite solar forecast site still thinks we have passed the solar minimum and are on the up towards solar peak 25. It shows the minimum as most likely having occurred at the end of last year. They expect sunspot numbers to be approaching 20 by the end of the year. I hope they are right.

I have yet to see revised forecasts for the size of the next peak. A little while ago they were predicting the next peak would be of similar size to the last one. Normally, these predictions are revised once the next cycle starts.

See https://www.solen.info/solar/images/cycles23_24.png

Windmill sails in action - NOT amateur radio

For some reason, my G3XBM video channel has this video "unlisted". I shall change this. It shows the windmill next door with the sails turning.

For safety reasons both the local museum and windmill are currently closed.

2m activity contest (UKAC)

Stations worked last night on 2m SSB

Last night I managed 8 contacts in the low power section using 10W and the big-wheel omni antenna. After an hour I had had enough, although several workable stations were missed. Usually an hour leaves me exhausted. Several ONs and PA0s were heard plus one F.

Interesting that these are hard work in the UKAC sessions on SSB but easily worked on FT8.

Sunspots - Wednesday July 8th 2020

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=0.

10m FT8

A few moments ago I went on 10m FT8 instead of 6m FT8. The time is now 1423z. No Es evident and I am only being spotted by local M0HOJ (14km). I am running 10W to the indoor loop.

UPDATE 1430z:  Now some Es.  4 spots so far of me with 3 from southern Germany.

UPDATE 1737z:  9 stations have spotted my 10W to the indoor loop. Best DX was a spot by EA7D (1781km).

OFCOM updates

Every month OFCOM updates its Communications Monthly with the latest information. See the OFCOM website for more information.

BBC weather forecast - NOT amateur radio

Last Friday my wife booked for us to visit our nearby National Trust property. When she booked the BBC weather forecast full sun. When we left home it had already changed to light cloud. Now we are home it has changed again with a strong likelihood of rain soon. Honestly they really haven't a clue. Unless there is a big high pressure system it would appear their super computers do little good. Frankly they are a joke.

Fir Cones - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows some fir cones seen on our walk earlier.

Iceland - NOT amateur radio

Nine years ago we went to Iceland. We had a great time. Our abiding memories were the lupins everywhere and the pretty churches. The photo shows the one at Vik.

6m FT8

It is now 0710z.  My 6m FT8 gear has just been turned on with the usual 10W to the V2000 vertical omni antenna. So far just 8 G spots of me with no Es.

UPDATE 1100z: 40 stations spotted me on 6m FT8 TX this morning but no QSOs.

10m WSPR TX beacon

In a few moments I hope to turn on my 10m WSPR TX beacon using 500mW to the tiny indoor loop antenna.

UPDATE 1204z: 3 different stations have spotted me today so far.

UPDATE 1427z: Now trying 10m FT8 with 10W and the indoor loop.

Covid-19 teaparty - NOT amateur radio

Last Sunday before we clapped for the NHS we had a socially distanced teaparty on the green in our close. We all brought our own chairs and drinks.

Sunspots - Tuesday July 7th 2020

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN 0. A=5 and K=2.

Long hair - NOT amateur radio

Our 12 year old grandson insists on having long hair. My wife cannot stand it, but this is what he wants.

Although not quite a teenager, he is quite like one in many ways. I guess we are wasting time arguing with him about it.

6m FT8 RX

Most of the day I was on 6m FT8 RX. In all 259 stations spotted. Although southern Europeans were working USA and Canadian stations, nothing copied here.

Another IC-705 video

Now the ICOM IC-705 is being sold in Japan, more videos are appearing. My Japanese is non-existent, but we can just watch the pictures!

Near Salcombe - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows one of our favourite walks in Devon. It shows Snapes Point near Salcombe where I lived as a child.

10m WSPR TX beacon

Overnight I stayed on 10m WSPR TX using 500mW to the tiny indoor loop antenna. Just local G4KPX spotting me so far.

UPDATE 1950z: 12 stations have spotted me today on 10m WSPR .

70cm portable

This photo was a Facebook memory from 2013. It shows me operating 70cm portable with a homebrew 4el yagi antenna.

Sunspots - Monday July 6th 2020

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN 11.  A=10 and K=2.

Granddaughter reading - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows our granddaughter reading on the bed this morning.

Giddiness - NOT amateur radio

For the last 2 days, I have felt more giddy than usual. Since my stoke in 2013 I have always felt giddy. Others cannot tell, but all the time I feel as if I am about to fall. This weekend has felt worse.

6m FT8

Since finishing 2m VHF NFD, I have been on 6m FT8 with 10W and the vertical V2000 omni. Apart from a few minutes calling CQ (spotted by 5 stations) I have been mostly on RX. The best DX spotted was OZ1ALS (702km).

UPDATE 1419z:  Still just this one OZ spotted.

UPDATE 1630z:  11 stations in 4 countries spotted on 6m FT8 RX today so far. Not much Es evident.

VHF NFD

In all, I had 2 short periods on 2m VHF NFD.  8 stations were worked.  More could have been worked had I stayed on longer, but I was exhausted. In the end I was just giving away points.

10m WSPR TX beacon

Since about 0935z I have been on 10m WSPR TX beacon using 500mW to the tiny indoor loop antenna. So far no spots.

UPDATE 1352z:  Just spots by OZ7IT (853km).

SAQ reminder

Yesterday I reminded you about a special transmission from SAQ on17.2kHz VLF.  See yesterday's post for details.

Sunspots - Sunday July 5th 2020

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 12. A=7 and K=2.

Watching "Wind in the Willows" - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows our grandchildren watching the TV earlier.

VHF NFD

The 2m leg is Sunday July 5th. I have no idea about other bands. I shall try to come on briefly with my 10W and the big-wheel omni antenna.

SAQ test transmission

The historic 17.2kHz VLF CW alternator transmitter is making a special transmission this Sunday July 5th. This TX is almost 100 years old!

See https://alexander.n.se

10m WSPR TX (500mW to the tiny indoor loop antenna)

As is normal, I'm on 10m WSPR TX. Already quite a few spots. It is only 0950z and already spotted by 10 unique stations.

UPDATE 1800z : No spots since 1254z.

Breakfast - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows one of our grandchildren at breakfast.

6m FT8

Apart from a very brief CQ at 10W to the V2000 vertical omni, I have been on 6m FT8 RX. Plenty of EU Es spots.

Iceland - NOT amateur radio

One of my Facebook memories today was this photo of Iceland from 9 years ago. Generally we had very good weather and we really liked the place. An abiding memory was the lupins everywhere and the lack of cars in rural areas. We drove 120 miles and saw very few cars! Good job we didn't break down!

Sunspots - Saturday July 5th 2020

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=1.

Virtual Ham Expo

Southgate News has a piece about a virtual ham expo in August. 

I have been impressed with meetings and lectures using Zoom. The CDARC (Cambridge Radio Club) has had a series of Zoom lectures. These have all been very good. It has been good to "attend" these from the comforts of home. In my case it saved a 26 mile road trip, partly at night.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/july/qso-today-virtual-ham-expo.htm#.Xv8BjYjYq00

6m FT8

After a very brief period calling CQ with my 10W and the V2000 vertical omni (no QSOs), I am RX only on 6m FT8. So far, 97 stations spotted here and my very brief CQ was spotted by TR8CA (5820km) in central Africa.

UPDATE 1414z:  326 stations spotted here today so far with the furthermost being A45XR (5843km) in Oman.

Where I was brought up - NOT amateur radio

As a child I was brought up in Salcombe, Devon (see photo). At the time, I had no idea how lucky I was to live in somewhere so nice. I go back most years.

10m WSPR TX (500mW and the indoor loop)

For a few minutes now, I have been on 10m WSPR TX. Normally it takes about 20 minutes for the beacon to settle, so there is a small drift initially. I think this is the crystal warming. As yet, no spots. It is now 0907z.

UPDATE 0915z:  Amazing!  Already spotted by 7 unique stations!

UPDATE 1322z:   16 unique stations spotting me so far today, some very strongly too.

Cottage garden - NOT amateur radio

This cottage garden was seen on a recent walk. Although largely untended, it is filled with "cottage" plants and looks a picture.

1990s shack

One of my Facebook memories today was this photo of my gear in the mid 1990s. I had far more gear then than now!

Yesterday on 10m WSPR TX

In all, 28 unique stations spotted my 10m WSPR TX beacon using 500mW to the tiny indoor loop antenna. It was the best day this Es season.

Sunspots - Friday July 3rd 2020

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=1.

Rally News - on?

I just got this email this morning. It does not say it is cancelled. This a definite case when contacting the organisers makes sense before travelling.

As before, sorry if the background makes it hard to read on some screens, but this is how it comes to me.

4  JULY 2020 (Saturday) : STOCKPORT RS RALLY

New Venue: Bridgehall Community Centre, Siddington Avenue, Stockport SK3 8LX. New venue is ground floor only. Doors open 9.30am (traders from 7am). Admittance is £2.50 with under 16s free. There will be trade stands (tables cost £10 each), special interest groups and an RSGB Bookstall. Catering is available on site and locally. The venue is accessible by bus from Stockport town centre and mainline rail station More details from 07506 904422, info@g8srs.co.uk. www.g8rs.co.uk.

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

This morning's walk - NOT amateur radio

We did a 3.98 mile walk around the village earlier. Just after we got back it rained - we missed getting soaked by 10 minutes!

10m WSPR TX using 500mW to the tiny indoor loop

All morning I have been on 10m WSPR TX again.

UPDATE 1115z: 16 unique stations spotting me today with the best being OH1RJ (1655km).

OFCOM cooperation

Gosh!! Get back in your seats and try to contain your excitement and joy. OFCOM has announced it is to cooperate with the Competition and Markets Authority and the Information Commissioner's Office in a joint forum. More details on the OFCOM website. I bet you are as thrilled as I am!