SSB out-of-band?

There is an interesting piece on Southgate News about transmitting out of band. This is particularly important on 60m where the allocations are very small. The important thing is that the dial frequency may be in band but some of the modulation may not be! 

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2021/january/how-far-you-can-turn-the-dial-when-transmitting-ssb.htm#.YCEkAyuTLrc

Snow in Kent - NOT amateur radio

 

They have had plenty of snow in Kent as the photo shows.

You can see they are having fun!

Snow in Burwell - NOT amateur radio

At last in this cold snap we had snow overnight and there are slight snow flurries now. 

This winter is proving colder than for several years and this is the second "proper" snowfall. It is much worse to the east of us. 

At least the children can go sledging and build snowmen. These are rare treats nowadays here.

15m FT8 QRP (Monday)

Shortly, I shall go on 15m FT8 with 2.5W and the tiny indoor loop. 15m seems a good compromise at the moment: open more than 10m, but the loop is still OK.

UPDATE 0940z:  Gear turned on. Much to my surprise, already my 2.5W has been spotted in Finland on TX and I have spotted 5 stations on RX. This is after 8 minutes!!

UPDATE 1112z: 2 spots of my QRP TX so far.  On RX, 46 spots as far away as Australia. The furthermost is VK8NSB (13781km).

Sunspots - Monday February 8th 2021

 Solar flux is 73 and the SSN 0. A=21 and K=1.

2m FT8 QRP (Sunday)

At 1655z I QSYed from 15m to 2m FT8 QRP using 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far this evening, I have been spotted on TX by 5 stations in 2 countries after just a few minutes. On RX 5 stations spotted here. It is now 1708z.

UPDATE 1940z:  So far today, spotted on TX by 16 stations with the furthermost being EI2FG (565km). Every day I seem to be spotted by EI2FG. Although this could be aircraft reflection, this seems to be too random. I still find it amazing that with simple, QRP 2m gear and an omni-directional antenna, these sort of ranges are possible every single day.

No snow.....yet - NOT amateur radio

Although we have snow to the east of us, there is no snow here yet. I expect we will see some this week, although it often manages to just miss us.  Snow looks nice for a few days, but icy pavements can be a fall hazard best avoided.

UPDATE 2000z:  Still no snow here.

Quantum RX

Southgate News has a piece on some army research into quantum receivers that can look at the entire 0-20GHz spectrum in one go.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2021/january/new-quantum-receiver.htm#.YB_2lyuTLrc .

Hare Park Chippenham - NOT amateur radio

 

This is another view of Hare Park, Chippenham, near Cambridge last week. 

This is definitely the best snowdrop display in the area.

15m FT8 QRP (Sunday)

It is now 0950z. About 30 minutes ago I turned on my 2.5W FT8 15m QRP to the tiny i has spotted ndoor loop on the shack windowsill. Just 1 spot on RX of 4X1WW (3644km). Nobody has spotted my QRP TX.

UPDATE 1014z: Now 9 stations spotted on 15m FT8 RX with the furthermost V51WW (8080km) in Namibia. Nothing yet spotted of my 2.5W on TX.

UPDATE 1200z:  26 stations spotted on RX. Nobody has spotted my QRP on TX.

UPDATE 1553z:  Just a single spot on TX of my QRP (from the Azores) and 75 stations spotted on RX today. 

Sunspots - Sunday February 7th 2021

Solar flux is 73 and the SSN 0.  A=7 and K=3.

70cm FT8

It is almost a year since I tried (successfully) 432MHz FT8. In many ways, 432MHz might be better for scatter modes than 144MHz. 

There are activity periods once a month (2nd Wednesdays) that I should try. 432.174MHz is where to look. The next is February 10th 1700-2100z.

See http://www.ft8activity.eu/index.php/en/ .

Salcombe - NOT amateur radio

As a child I grew up in Salcombe. 

It was years before I realised that the dappling on the schoolroom ceiling was the sun on the water. We took it all for granted. 

2m FT8 QRP (Saturday)

At 1457z, I QSYed to 2m FT8 QRP using 2.5W and the big-wheel. 2m rarely disappoints whereas 10m FT8 here was dreadful today. Just a couple of local spots of me so far on TX and no spots yet on RX.

UPDATE 1835z: 1 QSO so far. 12 stations have spotted me on TX and I have spotted 28 stations on RX.

UPDATE 1947z: 17 stations have so far spotted me on QRP TX and 30 stations on RX. I am still puzzled by some of the very long paths: every day I seem to be copied in EI at great range: this seems far too random to be aircraft reflection, so I wonder if FT8 allows some other sort of scatter to be possible even with QRP.

UK cranes (birds) - NOT amateur radio

At one time, centuries ago, these large birds were quite common in the UK. Then there were none. 

In the last 40 years some were re-introduced and numbers have steadily climbed, especially on wetland reserves. 

A few years ago we saw about 10 from a train window in the fens.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crane_(bird)

See https://community.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/b/biodiversity/posts/wetland-success?utm_source=notes_on_nature_210206&utm_medium=email&utm_term=&utm_content=13&utm_campaign=notes_on_nature

Anglesey Abbey yesterday - NOT amateur radio

 

This photo shows part of nearby Anglesey Abbey yesterday. We go for walks there most weeks.

10m FT8 QRP (Saturday)

At 0919z, I turned on my 10m FT8 QRP using 2.5W and the tiny indoor loop. No spots yet. 

UPDATE 1020z:  No spots.

UPDATE 1405z:  Just a single spot on RX of EA1SA (1025km) on RX and no spots on TX. So far today, pretty pathetic.

Sub 9kHz amateur DX

One of my Facebook memories today was this photo of my sub-9kHz reception of a station in Germany. In all I spotted 5 European amateur stations sub-9kHz before my health got in the way. 

UK Covid-19 vaccinations - NOT amateur radio

In many ways, the UK can (rightly) be castigated for it handling of the pandemic doing too little, too late. 

On vaccinations it is a different story and thanks to a national effort the vaccination target could well be met. The graph shows the cumulative first doses.

Sunspots - Saturday February 6th 2021

 Solar flux is 73 and the SSN 0. A=6 and K=0.

2m FT8 QRP (Friday)

As 10m FT8 today here was awful, I QSYed to 2m FT8 with 2.5W and big-wheel omni antenna at 1824z It is now 1847z, I have been spotted by 11 stations with the furthermost being EI2FG (565km) again.  On 2m FT8 RX, 2 stations (both G) have been spotted.

UPDATE 2122z:  22 spots of me on 2m FT8 TX this evening. 24 stations spotted on RX with the furthermost DF9YF (559km). I must remember to turn things off when I go to bed! 1 QSO.

New radios

IC-705

Some people just have to buy the latest radios. Some of us buy new radios infrequently. At the moment there seem fewer radios on the market at a price I can justify.

If I was buying a radio for the future I would probably consider the IC-705 from ICOM or the more expensive FTDX10 by Yaesu.  These are sold by the major dealers.

FTDX10

Neither are what I really want either as a result of price or bands. I am a dedicated QRPer and 10W would be fine.  As I said earlier in the week, the FTDX10 does cover 4m, but does not cover 2m and 70cm. The FTDX10 does have an internal auto-ATU, whereas the IC-705 does not. The IC-705 does have a few things not on the FTDX10 such as Bluetooth and GPS.

I guess one question is how often would these features be used? 

My ideal radio? IC-705 with 4m and an internal auto-ATU at a lower price.

No meat lunch - NOT amateur radio

Probably I would be described as a flexitarian. I like meat, but could live without it, but thought I would try a no-meat lunch partly as one granddaughter has decided to go vegan. I cooked a pasta dish which I found great. 

2m FT8 overnight

Usually, I turn off my 2m FT8 gear overnight. Last night I forgot! 

Although 6 stations were spotted here, no-one spotted me. From this I assume most who monitor did as I should have done and went QRT overnight! Really, being on overnight is a waste.

10m FT8

In a few moments I hope to turn on my 10m FT8 QRP gear using 2.5W and the tiny indoor loop. It is now 0950z.

UPDATE 1600z: Just a single spot on RX of an Italian and nobody has yet spotted me on TX.  In summary - poor! One PA was spotted, but not uploaded to PSKreporter for some reason.

Oscar 100 activity

Every few weeks I give an update on activity through the geosynchronous satellite Oscar 100. I take a peek at the narrowband transponder by looking at the Goonhilly based web SDR. Today I looked at 0930z on a Friday morning. As there are fewer Europeans, there is probably less activity than at a weekend. Activity levels were quite low, but greater than I was expecting. There is still plenty room.

Southgate News reports on the first activity from Indonesia via the satellite.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2021/january/first-qo-100-satellite-contact-from-indonesia.htm#.YB0S0vGTLrc

Hare Park - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows some of the masses of snowdrops at Hare Park yesterday. At a guess I'd say there are over 1 million there. It is the best array of snowdrops  have ever seen.

Grand start - NOT amateur radio

Pretty sure this photo has been on before but I get amused telling my friends that I was born in a stately home! At the time this was a nursing home and we lived in a council house. 

Sunspots - Friday February 5th 2021

 Solar flux is 74 and the SSN 0. A=7 and K=2.

2m FT8 QRP (Thursday)

 As 10m FT8 have been abysmal here today, I shall be QSYing to 2m FT8 shortly using 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna.

UPDATE 2046z:  So far this evening I have been spotted on 2 FT8 QRP TX by 18 stations in 4 countries. Furthermost is EI2FG (565km). It seems every evening my 2m FT8 QRP TX reaches EI and GI. 5 stations spotted on RX and no QSOs.  ON6LEO (392km) has called me a few times, but we did not complete the QSO.

Kingsbridge - NOT amateur radio

Kingsbridge, Devon is where I lived in my teenage years. 

Kingsbridge is at the top of the estuary and Salcombe at the other end. 

Snowdrops - NOT amateur radio

 

We saw plenty of snowdrops this morning. They are a sure sign of hope for better days ahead. 

According to the UK Met Office spring starts March 1st which is only a few weeks away.

10m FT8 QRP (Thursday)

At about 1247z, I turned on 10m QRP FT8 with 2.5W to the tiny indoor loop. No spots yet.

UPDATE 1535z: No spots here all day. 

UPDATE 1807z:  No RX spots here today, but just a single spot of my QRP by M0NKR (27km).

UPDATE 1842z:  Just 1 late spot of EA5ASQ (1367km) on 10m FT8 RX. Overall today, pretty poor.

Collapsing White Cliffs of Dover on video - NOT amateur radio

One of the UK's icons are the "White Cliffs of Dover".  Apparently these are receding at about 12 inches a year because of erosion. They are made of chalk, hence the white.  A recent fall was captured on video. Quite spectacular footage.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-55931406

Hare Park Chippenham near Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

 

The photo shows Hare Park, Chippenham near Cambridge  earlier. 

The snowdrops here are stunning.  The grounds are only open at certain times of the year.

Early optical experiments

One of my Facebook memories today was this photo of my 481THz optical beacon tests in daylight over a 1.6km line of sight path. Later I did much further at night "over the horizon". For the avoidance of doubt, that was 20dB S/N - so very strong. 

Sunspots - Thursday February 4th 2021

Solar flux is 74 and the SSN 11. A=14 and K=3.

FT991A versus FTDX10

About 18 months ago, I bought a Yaesu FT991A.  I thought about part-exchanging this for an ICOM IC-705 as a dedicated QRP man. 

Since then the 100W Yaesu FTDX10 has launched. This does not have 2m or 70cm, but does have 4m and an auto ATU. It is more expensive. For 2m and 70cm my FT817ND is probably fine.

Knowing my luck, just after I bought an FTDX10, they would launch a QRP version!

For now, I may just stick with what I have unless I get a very tempting offer.

Google storage - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday I had a confusing message from Google saying that after June 2021 Google Photos is now included in my 15GB free allowance. Obviously, this is Google trying to get you to buy more storage.

What I am unclear about is this: usually I store my photos on Google Photos not in their original size but smaller (as Google allows) so the storage is totally free. My question is is this still free?

UPDATE 1450z: It seems that after June 2021 what is free will no longer be for future uploads when the total allowance exceeds 15GB. See https://support.google.com/photos/answer/10100180. To me this is a way to get you to buy more storage. Clever marketing. 😣

No 472kHz TX this season

For the first time in many years, I have not been on 472kHz WSPR TX this year. 

Although the real reason is laziness, I blame it on not replacing the wire used on my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. 

Although my transverter puts out about 12W into 50 ohms, my measured ERP is about 5-10mW only. Despite this, I was copied up in Norway most nights last season on WSPR.

Others who have built the transverter have had transatlantic WSPR spots on 472kHz (630m). This is one of the most simple ways of getting on 472kHz TX. My "antenna" might not be the greatest, but it does work and the neighbours, and XYL,  don't even know it is there! 

I have also used the earth-electrode "antenna" on 160m, 80m and 60m with success. It should also work on 2200m TX although I have not tried this.

2m FT8 QRP (Wednesday)

It is now 1016z. A few moments ago I went on 2m FT8 with 2.5W and the big-wheel omni. At the moment I am about +14dB S/N on G0LRD's grabber. 

So far, 7 stations have spotted me with the furthermost being G7RAU (461km) on the Lizard. No QSOs yet. Nothing yet copied on RX. There are far more people monitoring than on TX. You are far more likely to be spotted than have a QSO. My technique is to call CQ and if anyone answers reply. I rarely hunt.

UPDATE 1055z:  6 stations (all G and GW) spotted on RX and 11 spots of my QRP TX. I am still puzzled by the propagation mechanism on these long paths: although this could be aircraft reflection (and some will indeed be), it seems to happen randomly, making this unlikely.

UPDATE 1348z:  18 spots of me on 2m FT8 QRP so far today.  I have to pinch myself to remind me that this is 2m VHF QRP with an ultra simple station. Every single day this is possible, not just in lifts.

UPDATE 1900z: 70 stations in 7 countries spotted. On TX 28 stations in 6 countries have spotted me. 1 QSO.

UPDATE 2235z: 167 stations spotted on 2m FT8 today. There was a contest on as were loads of stations! I counted 19 stations on at the same time in just 2kHz of band. As it was so crowded, I decided to stay RX only from 2000z. I have never seen the 2m FT8 slot so busy.

G0LRD 2m FT8 grabber

When monitoring my 2m FT8 signal on the grabber at G0LRD yesterday I noticed several times that the S/N was poor although mostly it was very strong. It turns out that David gets occasional local noise bursts that degrade the S/N.  This grabber is 26km away and very useful.

2m FT8 QRP last evening

The stations that spotted my 2.5W 2m FT8 to the big-wheel last evening are shown on the map. 

Village View - NOT amateur radio

This is a view across Spring Close meadows, Burwell, taken a few years ago. 

Online distance learning

Southgate News has details of an online training course leading to the full UK licence organised by the Bath club.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2021/january/online-distance-learning-course-for-full-exam.htm#.YBmj_fGTLrc

Sunspots - Wednesday February 3rd 2021

Solar flux is 73 and the SSN 12.  A=16 and K=3.

2m activity contest

Contacts this evening
on 2m QRP SSB

This contest called UKAC and organised by the RSGB starts at 2000z.  Unlike many contests, this is a very friendly one. Usually I run 10W and the big-wheel omni antenna and manage about an hour before my voice gives in! Activity levels are high. 

If nothing else, this is a chance to work a few new squares for 2021.

Tonight, activity levels were lower than I ever remember. After 3 QSOs, I gave up.

QSY to 2m FT8 QRP (Tuesday)

 As, for me, 10m has been very quiet now for some hours, I propose to QSY to 2m FT8 QRP using 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. As the RSGB cumulative 2m contest is at 2000z, I shall have to use SSB for a while instead. 

UPDATE 1904z:  I QSYed to 2m FT8 at 1855z. So far this evening, 5 stations in 2 countries have spotted my QRP.

OFCOM updates

Every month, OFCOM updates its statistics in its "Communications Monthly". See the OFCOM website for details.

2012 - NOT amateur radio

At the moment it is very mild here unlike in 2012 when it was cold and frosty. 

The photo was taken at nearby Anglesey Abbey on this day in 2012.