Sunspots - Tuesday July 20th 2021

Solar flux is 83 and the SSN 45.  A=7 and K=3.

OFCOM statement

OFCOM has committed to make innovation the heart of UK wireless future. 

I hope this means access to more spectrum for serious radio amateurs interested in real radio science. See the OFCOM website. 

Would not access to some spectrum on a shared, non interference, basis be a good idea?

Switzerland - NOT amateur radio

This, I think, is Lake Geneva. It was posted by a friend on 365project earlier. They have had quite heavy rain there in the last few days.

10m WSPR TX

I keep forgetting that when I am on 6m FT8, I can go on 10m WSPR TX as this uses a different antenna. As of 1014z, I am on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW, 100%, but randomised frequencies. 

So far, spotted by HB9TMC at -7dB S/N (strong). This was at 1026z.

UPDATE 1613z:  33 stations have spotted me today so far (see table).  A pretty good day.  Es has been good today.

UPDATE 1925z: Now 37 stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR with the furthermost spots (5) by FY5KE (7110km) in South America.

6m FT8 RX

Since about 0845z, I have been on 6m FT8 RX. It is now 1004z. So far 103 stations spotted on RX. 

UPDATE 1030z:  So far this morning, 116 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX with the V2000 vertical omni antenna. Good Es.

UPDATE 1326z:  So far today, 167 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX. Most are by Es.

UPDATE 1915z: 479 stations so far spotted on 6m FT8 RX today with the V2000 omni. Nothing transatlantic here.

10m FT8

Once again, after a brief session on 2.5W TX (11 spots of my TX, but no QSOs), I am RX only. So far (at 0730z) 41 stations spotted.

UPDATE 0740z:  67 stations spotted 10m FT8 RX. This looks like a mix of Es and F2.

2m activity contest (UKAC) results

 The results have been published by the RSGB. I am still in the same position in the low power section.

Masks in England - NOT amateur radio

 Today, July 19th, is supposed to be "freedom day" in England when most Covid-19 laws end. 

It was interesting that going to the bakers this morning, nothing had changed. All customers and staff were wearing masks and still only 2 customers inside at a time. From the BBC Breakfast Time it looked like Manchester airport was quiet.

Now, of course, there will be some stupid, selfish people that will go mad. Hopefully, enough people will remain sensible to keep Covid-19 infections low enough.

Personally, I wish the government had mandated wearing of masks in shops and public transport. This is about protecting others and, ultimately, freeing society. By being selfish now, people are probably endangering freedoms later.

Sunspots - Monday July 19th 2021

Solar flux is 80 and the SSN 42.  A=4 and K=2. 

40MHz experimental station in the USA

According to John's blog there is an experimental station WL2XUP active in the USA on the 8m band. As time progresses a bigger antenna and more power are planned.

Is this the first of many?

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/ .

Herd Immunity? - NOT amateur radio

With regard to the current Covid-19 pandemic, it looks like the English government is (again) trying for herd immunity. 

This was last tried briefly in spring 2020. There is little doubt that cases will rise, but hopefully most cases will be mild. This time around, many have been fully vaccinated. Many have had the disease and recovered. Antibodies could be much higher than spring 2020.

This is a gamble. It may not work, but it might.

Whatever happens, we cannot "go mad". The virus is still here and new variants could be imported from abroad.

I wish the English government would abandon self isolation and replace this with daily testing. This seems a far better way, with far fewer economic impacts and just as safe.

FT817

The FT817/818 has appeared in a few guises, but Yaesu has totally "missed the boat" with regard to a really competitive replacement. 

It is still a decent radio, covering all the HF bands, 6m, 2m and 70cm with all modes. It may be used at home or out portable, but some quite small changes could transform it. 

My feelings are that Yaesu has lost its way and become, at best, a follower rather than a leader. I have owned several Yaesu radios since the 1970s. I really hope they "get on their game" soon.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/commercial-rigs/yaesu-ft817nd

Runner beans - NOT amateur radio

As an experiment this year, I am growing runner beans. These were planted in a shady spot and I quite expected them to fail, or be eaten by the Muntjac Deer.  

Actually (as the photo shows) thay are doing pretty well. In a month they have shot up and are now in the sunlight most of the day. The flowers are attractive and there are already some runner beans appearing. 

In the background are wild flowers and "our" windmill (due to be repainted soon).

As you can tell, apart from a few tomatoes, I am not a great vegetable grower, although next year I might try a few more things.

Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio

This collage was taken in the herbaceous garden at nearby Anglesey Abbey. This is at its best now. Shortly, it starts to turn and look "tired".

10m FT8 (Sunday)

Apart from a very brief spell on TX with 2.5W (7 spots of my TX), I am RX only. I went on about 0635z. So far today (at 0845z) 231 stations spotted on RX. Most seem to be by Es. It looks like Es is good today.

UPDATE 0944z:  316 stations spotted (see map).

UPDATE 1512z:  814 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX so far in the last 12 hours.

Shack

Since we moved to this QTH almost 8 years ago, I have a dedicated shack for building and operating. Often I monitor FT8 on a different PC in the lounge.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/shack

Lockdown easing in England - NOT amateur radio

 On Monday there is a significant easing of Covid-19 regulations in England. The government is gambling that although cases will rise, many people will not die or be hospitalised.  Sensible people will still wear masks in crowded places to safeguard other people whilst idiots will be idiots. I can understand why this is happening, but disappointed that the government is not going for "quick wins" by mandating mask wearing in shops and public transport. This has widespread support. 

In the absence of this, let us hope that enough sensible people wear masks to stop infections rising putting younger people at great risk.

I saw this on Facebook:

"When I wear a mask in public and in the shops, I want you to know that...

🔵 I'm educated enough to know that I could be asymptomatic and still give you the virus.

🔵 No, I don't "live in fear" of the virus; I just want to be part of the solution, not the problem.

🔵 I don't feel like the "government controls me". I feel like I'm an adult contributing to security in our society and I want to teach others the same.

🔵 If we could all live with the consideration of others in mind, the whole world would be a much better place.

🔵 Wearing a mask doesn't make me weak, scared, stupid or even "controlled". Makes me caring.

🔵 When you think about your appearance, discomfort, or other people's opinion of you, imagine a loved one - a child, father, mother, grandparent, aunt, uncle or even a stranger - placed on a ventilator, alone without you or any family member who is allowed at his bedside.

🔵 Ask yourself if you could have helped them a little while wearing a mask".

Sunspots - Sunday July 18th 2020

 Solar flux is 77 and the SSN 53. A=4 and K=1.

RadCom article

The August RadCom has my article about the 10FT8R receiver for 10m FT8. It is very simple but works well. I hope it gives you some ideas.

It would make a nice winter project. Ideally it needs a PCB. It should cost very little. With low cost GQRP Club crystals it is also suitable for 10m WSPR. I was surprised by how much WSPR there was on 10m. 

Clematis - NOT amateur radio

This is growing over our garden fence from a neighbour's garden. I am not complaining! 

St Ives, near Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

Many people in the UK know of St Ives in Cornwall where the G7 recently met. Few are aware of the other St Ives near Cambridge. 

The run from Cambridge to St Ives on the guided bus goes past lakes and is very attractive. Sit back and enjoy the run. Of course, if you are a UK Old Age Pensioner with a bus pass this can be totally free!

St Ives has some great history and is a good place to visit. This photo was posted on 365project earlier today by a friend.

10m FT8

After a brief period on TX with 2.5W QRP  (I worked one F) I am now 10m FT8 RX only.  It is now 0920z and 51 stations received.

All being well, I hope to let Richard G3TFX have my 10m multi-mode Lincoln President II on indefinite loan. This is thanks for all his hard work on my antennas. It is so long since I used this that I forget how to use it!

UPDATE 2029z:  374 stations spotted so far on 10m FT8 RX including North and South America, the Caribbean and St Helena (ZD7) The furthermost was YV1SW (7862km).

New strimmer - NOT amateur radio

 After several years of good service, my strimmer packed up, so I bought a new one. Firstly the supplied written instructions needed a degree or PhD in astrophysics to follow. I gave up and looked on YouTube for an instruction video from the manufacturer. 

I watched many many times. These were better, but not by much. The last stage was adding the steadying handle. What the video failed to explain was that you had to pull something at the same time!

In all, I was not at all impressed. My last strimmer came assembled and just worked.

If it goes wrong, I have no idea how to disassemble it to return under guarantee as most assembly steps assumed you waited for a click. Perhaps you need a PhD in theoretical physics for that!

I assume this too was made in China by slave labour and is designed to fail just after the guarantee expires.

VLF 10 years ago

Ten years ago I was very active on VLF. The photo shows the earth mode signal 6km away with 5W. 

Lockdown painting - NOT amateur radio

One of our friends in Australia has been using the lockdown periods to paint.  She is very talented.  The attached is an example of her work. 

Sunspots - Saturday July 17th 2021

Solar flux is 75 and the SSN 35. A=4 and K=1.

IC-705 firmware upgrade

ICOM has announced that the firmware for the IC-705 has been upgraded to v1.26.

See https://www.icomjapan.com/support/firmware_driver/3343/

Yaesu cashback

The latest MLS "Something for the weekend" video has news of the Yaesu cashback offers. They have some great deals and a free PSU on some models.

10GHz homebrew

Confession time: I have done very little on microwaves.  My excuse is that, in such a diverse hobby, one cannot do everything. 

Instead, I did some work at 481THz optical with results far exceeding expectations. Test gear was easy to make as was all the actual operating kit.

Many have accessed microwaves with very low cost modules obtainable online. With many of these, the microwave engineering is minimal or non-existent. Many have experimented with ATV at 5.6GHz and 10GHz this way. Several have made wideband FM transceivers at 10GHz this way.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/homebrew/10ghz .

OFCOM annual 2.1GHz licences

OFCOM has made proposals for annual licences for 2.1GHz spectrum. See the OFCOM website for details.

Summer of love 1968 - NOT amateur radio

As this month we celebrate 50 years of marriage, I thought I'd share this photo of my wife in 1968. 

This photo was taken in Liverpool when I was at university. I think it is on the steps of the Anglican Cathedral.

End of the Es season?

Yesterday, I spotted far fewer stations across Europe on 6m FT8 RX and I had fewer stations spotting me on 10m WSPR TX. Now, this may just be a blip and there might be Es openings for some while to come. I have had 6m QRP SSB QSOs with Sweden in September.  Es openings can happen at any time, but are most common in late spring and early summer.

If this follows the usual pattern, we can expect fewer openings in the months ahead. When good, signals can be strong, but we can expect fewer openings. This is why WSPR and FT8 are so good: there are lots of people monitoring all day long and people are looking in a fairly narrow chunk of the band. 

In the peak months Es can transform 10m and 6m with the bands wide open for hours on end.

I suspect 10m and 6m openings by Es are far more common. Maybe with FT8 and WSPR will make such openings more obvious.

UPDATE 0750z:  Just 3 stations spotted so far today on 10m FT8 RX and only 1 outside the UK.

Shetland Isles - NOT amateur radio

This image appeared on 365project yesterday posted by a friend. It is a scene from the Shetland Isles. 

These islands are the furthermost northerly part of Scotland. They are often bleak and windswept with few trees.

10m FT8 (Friday)

After a very brief period on 10m FT8 TX, I am on 10m FT8 RX. So far today, 1 spot at 0550z on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1115z:  230 stations spotted. 

Stations spotted today
on 10m FT8 to 1450z

UPDATE 1450z: 345 stations spotted including several in the USA and Canada. See map

Sunspots - Friday July 16th 2021

 Solar flux is 74 and the SSN 22. A=10 and K=2. 

Matt cartoon - NOT amateur radio

Everyday, the BBC website has the front pages of the UK's newspapers. One of these is the Daily Telegraph. I just love the Matt cartoons which are invariably a reflection  of current affairs.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-57844734 .

See https://www.telegraph.co.uk/ .

Shores of Lake Erie, Canada

This photo was on 365project earlier today. It is on the shores of Lake Erie in Canada. It was posted by a friend I follow.

472kHz transverter breadboard

This was some years ago breadboarding my transverter for 472kHz in the back of the garage in the old QTH. 

More walk - NOT amateur radio

This collage summarises our walk earlier. The sun was shining. 

We went around the sleepy village of Reach, near Cambridge.

Walk earlier - NOT amateur radio

 

As it was supposed to be hot today, we did an early walk. It is now cloudy! This butterfly obliged by sitting still as we took its photo. Most fly away just at the moment the shutter is about to close!  😞

10m WSPR TX 500mW (Thursday)

Since breakfast I have been on 10m WSPR TX. So far (at 0950z) I have been spotted by 14 different stations.

UPDATE 1249z: 17 stations have spotted me today.

6m FT8 RX with the V2000 vertical omni (Thursday)

Since breakfast, I have been on 6m FT8 RX with the V2000 omni vertical. 61 stations spotted with the furthermost 9K2YM (4714km) in Kuwait.

UPDATE 1038z:  66 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX so far today.

UPDATE 1246z:  92 stations spotted.

UPDATE 1853z:   103 stations spotted. Season ending?

WSPR idea

 Jay, W5OLF, has asked me to forward this:

"At the end of last year I designed the Retro-WSPR exciter around an Adafruit Trinket microcontroller and a 74HC4060 counter chip (see photos below).  Retro- I guess because it is at a single frequency and you rely on up/down conversion to get it to the WSPR band you wish.  It uses only one chip besides the microcontroller that is a 4.194304MHz oscillator and buffer, which is the RF out square-wave, and a counter that counts down to a 256Hz clock.  The 256Hz clock is input to an I/O pin ‘software interrupt’ of a very simple Python program on the Trinket.  This provides WSPR symbol timing and 2min timing by counting the beats of this clock.  I have never heard anyone proposing such a design in that the WSPR symbol time interval is 8192/12000; if we divide numerator and denominator by 32 we get 256/375.  Thus if we count 375 beats of a 256Hz clock it is one WSPR symbol time interval.  The next trick is that the clock at 4.194304MHz also is modulated with its mean frequency preserved - for long-term good timing - with the WSPR symbols by slightly changing the VCC to the counter chip (it takes very little voltage change to increase the frequency by 5Hz) using the A/D converter pin from the microcontroller.  This setup puts out a 0Hz drift WSPR signal with average low delta-t drift for months once the oscillator is adjusted to the correct parameters and the crystal ‘aged’; although, it is only the exciter. 

Now the next question is the up/down conversion circuitry which I have not experimented with personally but would use standard gilbert cell IC and transistor amplifiers and bandpass filtering.  If any of your readers of your blog want to experiment with doing this I can provide a unit or PCB and crystal for shipping postage only as well as emailing the software to them.  The I2C interface is brought out from the Trinket micro and can easily be used to initialize a SI5351 board to an up/down conversion frequency to feed into the mixer.  Please feel free to post this email on your blog.

73’s, Jay, W5OLF"

Antennas mended

Thanks to the efforts of Richard G3TFX, my antennas have been mended.

I now have my V2000 and endfed halfwave for 10m re-erected at full height again with new coax cables. In the past I could have managed to do this, but I feel so giddy that ladder work is all but impossible.  

Richard has worked tirelessly in the true spirit of amateur radio.

Oscar 100 activity

 

Every few weeks I try to give an update on activity levels on the narrowband transponder on Oscar 100 using the on-line SDR at Goonhilly Down. 

The most recent peek was last evening in Europe. Activity levels were moderate, certainly not busy. 

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/  .

Sunspots - Thursday July 15th 2021

 Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 23.  A=14 and K=2. 

Pass it on - NOT amateur radio

“Pass the parcel. That's sometimes all you can do. Take it, feel it, and pass it on. Not for me, not for you, but for someone, somewhere, one day. Pass it on, boys. That's the game I want you to learn. Pass it on.” 

This famous "pass it on" quote from "The History Boys" by Alan Bennett resonated with me. 

In the end this is what all of us has to do. We pass on our experiences of life to children, friends and colleagues. Not one of us is perfect, but we must strive to pass on what makes the world better to those around us.

Bellbind - NOT amateur radio

At this time of year, bellbind flowers look great. 

 

Sadly this plant can strangle garden plants. 

It is also known as bindweed.

ICOM IC-705

This QRP radio has been on sale now for several months and is proving very popular. It has its own battery pack (5W) or can run off an external PSU (10W).  

Although I have had mine for several months now, I have only scratched the surface of what it can do.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/commercial-rigs/icom-ic-705 .

Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

 

We live quite close to the university town (or is it a city?) of Cambridge. Usually visitors come from all over the world to see what we can see every day for nothing. It is all too easy to take it for granted.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/non-amateur-radio/cambridge .