Whatever next!! ? - NOT amateur radio

"Evolving the AdSense ecosystem"

What the heck does this mean? I received this in an email today. Why can't they just say what they mean in plain English instead of this meaningless drivel?

OFCOM and fees for 412MHz spectrum

 OFCOM has announced the future fees for spectrum at 412MHz. See the OFCOM website for details.

Phlatlights

In 2012, I bought several of these from the USA. My intention was to use these very powerful LEDs in my experiments with 481THz light communications over the horizon having had great success with QRSS over the horizon with far less powerful LEDs. 

Then I had my stroke and I was just too wobbly for field work. They are still in the shack drawer! It would be great to use these as I am sure much further non line-of-sight would be possible.

10m FT8 RX

At about 0810z I turned on 10m FT8 RX. No spots yet.

UPDATE 1044z:   It helps if you connect the antenna!! For the first 2 hours I had forgotten to connect the antenna! I was surprised to get no spots in the first few hours. I then connected the antenna and got 5 spots with the furthermost A92AA (5069km).

UPDATE 1132z: 16 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX with the furthermost  PY2XB (9599km) in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

UPDATE 1318z:   36 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1905z: 124 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX. 10m is really getting back in its stride as a great DX band.

137kHz transverter

 

This photo, taken about 10 years ago, shows my 137kHz TX transverter. I still have it...... somewhere.

See  https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/2200m-137khz-transverter .

Dalham - NOT amateur radio

This was the nearby village of Dalham some years ago. It is filled with thatched cottages. It is located not far from Newmarket, the home of horseracing.

Yesterday on 10m FT8 RX

10m has changed from a quiet marginal band to a great daytime DX band. Yesterday 248 stations spotted on RX from all over the world. 

Sunspots - NOT amateur radio

 Solar flux is 85 and the SSN 22.  A=8 and K=1.

Soon be winter, brrrr - NOT amateur radio

A few days ago, I cut our front lawn. The nights are already getting darker sooner. 

We have already switched to "winter mode". 

8m NoV submitted to OFCOM

My online application for a time and power limited access to the 8m band is with OFCOM and the RSGB. OFCOM has acknowledged receipt. No doubt it will take months to process. I hope it is successful.

I note that the OFCOM NoV application form has a tickbox to say the RSGB approves. I guess without this they immediately reject it.

Burwell 2015 - NOT amateur radio

 

This was the sky over our village in 2015. It was a FaceBook memory yesterday. 

I was commenting yesterday that we have had very few swallows (birds) this summer, but swifts seem as plentiful. It would appear swallows are more localised. At this rate we could see no swallows within a few years.

10m FT8 RX (Wednesday)

At about 0745z, I turned on 10m FT8 RX. So far,  no spots.

UPDATE 1222z:  59 spots on RX so far with the furthermost ZS6RHL (9089km). Most propagation on 10m now appears to be by F2.

Mappa Mundi - NOT amateur radio

 

Yesterday, my brother went to see this in Hereford Cathedral. It is one of the oldest maps in the world. 

Sunspots - Wednesday October 6th 2021

 Solar flux is 82 and the SSN 27. A=5 and K=2.

2m activity contest (UKAC)

 This evening, I went on 2m SSB with 10W and the big-wheel omni antenna. I was on for about 30 minutes. GD was heard, but not worked. I stopped early because of my poor voice after working 6 stations.

10m FT8 RX

 

Late this afternoon and this evening, I have been on 10m FT8 RX. 34 stations spotted today (see map).

Coasters and placemats - NOT amateur radio

 

We recently bought some placemats and coasters as shown in the photo.

OFCOM updates

 As usual, OFCOM has updated its "Communications Monthly" with the latest statistics it holds.  See the OFCOM website for details.

Sunspots - Tuesday October 5th 2021

 Solar flux is 84 and the SSN 29.  A=6 and K=3.

More Corpus Christi College, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

 

A few weeks ago I showed one of the quads at Corpus Christi College. This is another one.  I think I mentioned last time that this college was founded in 1352.

See https://www.corpus.cam.ac.uk/ .

2m activity contest (UKAC) Tuesday evening

As I was away, I missed the last one, but hope to be on Tuesday evening. Usually I run 2.5W to my omni big-wheel antenna for about an hour.  It is organised by the RSGB. Friendly and fun. Not like an HF contest!

See https://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?year=2021&contest=2mukac .

10m FT8 RX

 Since about 1315z, I have been on 10m FT8 RX using the simple 10FT8R receiver.

So far, just 1 station spotted at 1322z on PSKreporter maps - a local G0VQH (13km).

UPDATE 1342z: 5 stations spotted so far on 10m FT8 RX with the furthermost EA8AXT (2996km).

UPDATE 1712z: 40 stations spotted today with furthermost 4X4OQ (3615km).

UPDATE 2126z:  QRT.

Corruption - NOT amateur radio

Some secret papers have just been leaked. They seem to confirm that many politicians the world over are corrupt. All along, I have thought how few are in politics for the greater good. Whatever a politician says, do not believe it! This seems to be the message. Sad. There is some explaining to be done.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-58783460 .

Museum cafe duty (Sunday afternoon) - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows me on duty in our local museum cafe yesterday with my grandson before he returned home. My wife and I share duties. The museum is just across the road from us.

See https://burwellmuseum.org.uk/ .

Yesterday on 10m FT8 RX

In all, 89 stations were spotted on 10m FT8 RX with the 10FT8R yesterday. 10m is definitely moving more towards an F2 DX band again.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/10ft8r-rx .

Sunspots - Monday October 3rd 2021

Solar flux is 86 and the SSN 38.  A=6 and K=2.

8m NoV application

Having heard nothing extra, I propose to complete and submit my 8m NoV application tomorrow. Let's hope this is successful. 

A reminder, OFCOM now does NoVs online and wants a sketch of the proposed antenna and ERP to ensure public safety. I would be amazed if this is an issue.

10m FT8 RX (Sunday)

 At about 0845z, my 10FT8R was turned on on 10m FT8 RX. No spots yet after 5 minutes.

UPDATE 1100z:  7 stations spotted, with furthermost IW8PQ (1928km) in Italy.

UPDATE 1235z: 13 stations around Europe spotted so far on RX.

UPDATE 2110z:   87 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX.  QRT.

Little Walsingham - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows Little Walsingham in Norfolk, UK. We stayed here a few years ago. 

Walsingham has been a pilgrimage destination for centuries.

20FT8R or 15FT8R anyone?

Whilst playing with the 10FT8R something occurred to me. With FT8, oscillators only have to be stable over 15 seconds. Many free running HF oscillators are far more stable than this even long term.

So, I think the crystal can be replaced by a just a tuned circuit making this receiver work on any HF FT8 frequency. All that really matters is reasonable long term stability and good short-term stability. All that's required is to scale the RF tuned circuit (one tuned circuit) and set the oscillator to half the FT8 frequency needed. I have not tried this but cannot see why it should not work.

This may work as high as VHF where I have made free running oscillators work even on 2m.

Do not be afraid to experiment! 

This should make the whole receiver very low cost indeed. It would not surprise me if many can make the entire RX for less than the cost of one coffee out.

Nearly gone - NOT amateur radio

Summer has gone and it will soon be time to put in bedding plants to give winter colour. The plants at the front of the house still look OK, but are now past their best. This was the scene yesterday morning.

Sunspots - Sunday October 3rd 2021

 Solar flux is 87 and the SSN 25. A=8 and K=2.

Night Off

472kHz WSPR RX beckoned this evening, but I decided to watch TV instead. Funny how it suddenly seems to have gone dark at night and we have moved into "winter mode".

10FT8R 10m FT8 RX

This weekend, I want to try my simple 10m FT8 RX with 14.037MHz crystals. 

As a benchmark, I want to try first with the original design, then swap crystals but without the toroid near the crystal. I should be able to net the crystal without the toroid.

The simple direct conversion RX uses a Polyakov mixer with injection at half fequency.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/10ft8r-rx .

UPDATE 1400z:  As expected, the even simpler circuit around the crystal works fine with plenty of South American stations immediately spotted. The map shows the stations spotted in just the last 30 minutes on the 10FT8R with the simpler circuit (no toroid) and a 14.037MHz crystal. It works. The revised  circuit is shown on the photo, without the crystal T50 toroid.

UPDATE 1622z: 175 stations spotted this afternoon with the 10FTR on 10m FT8 RX with the simplified circuit. It is impressive.

UPDATE 1746z:  193 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX with the 10FT8R.  It looks like the propagation is now stopping as darkness falls.

UPDATE 1911z:  QRT. No more stations for some while now.

1971 - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows our wedding day in July 1971. I had hair!

50 years later I am bald and much different.  Where did the years go?

Grandson's crocheting - NOT amateur radio

Our grandson is 12 years old. This is a lampshade he recently did. He is good at art too. 

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

Old cottage - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows one of the cottages in our village. It probably dates from the 1700s.  A few years ago it was extended, not that you would know. 

Yesterday evening on 472kHz WSPR RX

 

Most of yesterday evening, I was on 472kHz WSPR RX using the FT817ND and the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. In all, 8 different stations were spotted with the furthermost IZ3QQG (1155km).

DX news

It is a very long time since I chased DX. If I work DX these days it by accident.  To some people, chasing DX is their main focus in the hobby.  The ARRL has a weekly DX bulletin than some may feel useful.

See http://www.arrl.org/w1aw-bulletins-archive/ARLD039/2021 . There is also an archive of past bulletins.

Brighton Lanes - NOT amateur radio

Recently, we spent a few days in Brighton. On one occasion we ate in The Lanes, which is a delightful maze of winding lanes filled with antique shops and places to eat.  

Generally, Brighton was a happy place filled with young people. We enjoyed our short break. As a bonus, we went by a direct train from Cambridge to Brighton and back.

Sunspots - Saturday October 2nd 2021

Solar flux is 91 and the SSN 28.  A=14 and K=0.

472kHz (630m) WSPR RX

At 0700z I went QRT on 10m FT8 RX and QSYed to 630m (472kHz) WSPR RX with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Furthermost is SM6NOC (1056km).

Phaser II - 10m FT8

A few days ago, I received back my built 10m FT8 Phaser II SSB transceiver complete with case and leads from a very kind amateur in Scotland who assembled and tested it for me. 

On RX it is excellent copying 10m FT8 the world over. It does not (yet) work on TX, but I am sure this is "finger trouble" with the PC that I have to get to grips with. I am doing something wrong I suspect.

See https://midnightdesignsolutions.com/phaser/ .

USDR - HF SSB transceiver for £115 anyone?

Steve G1KQH has just sent me an eBay link to yet another multi-band HF SSB SDR transceiver from China. This retails for about £115! How do they do it and make money?

14.037MHz crystals for the 10FT8R

Jason M0NYW has just forwarded me some 14.037MHz crystals that came originally from Jay W5OLF. These are for use in my ultra simple 10FT8R receiver for 10m FT8. This should simplify the oscillator and allow me to remove a toroid inductor. I hope to try this shortly.

The most stupid product yet?

I have just received the latest newsletter from a major UK dealer. It included 2 products that seem pointless to me! For over £115 you can have a box that disconnects the antenna. For £190 you can automatically disconnect and ground 2 antennas.  Surely you can just unplug antennas? Am I missing something here?

Sorry, but this seems to be another way for the manufacturer and dealer to make money from gullible people or people with deep pockets. I for one will not be rushing...

8m NoV application

Early next week I propose to send the final version of my application online to OFCOM. If you have any views on how it could be improved, please tell me over the weekend. The latest draft can be viewed via my website at https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/8m-band .  I hope this will be successful and that next Es season we can see more countries active on 8m.   

FT8 looks the best mode as there are plenty of potential monitors, FT8 works with weak signals (although Es is often strong) and it is already supported by PSKreporter. All one has to do is park your RX on the right 8m frequency and wait. With luck, we can all be on FT8 within the same small chunk of the band so just a single FT8 frequency can be monitored.

UPDATE 0904z:  My widebanded FT817ND does TX on 8m. Just tried it with a dummy load. At first I tuned up from 10m, but it went to 100kHz after I reached 33MHz. Then I tuned down from 6m and all was well.

UPDATE 1645z:  NoVs can be applied for online.  As is to be expected, OFCOM is very keen to see that the general public, including neighbours, are safe. They require a sketch of the proposed antenna location and an EMF assessment. Running 10W or less to a dipole with a duty cycle on a 50% , I cannot imagine this being an issue. See https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/51198/ofw306.pdf for their form.

10m FT8 RX (Friday)

Since just before breakfast I have been on 10m FT8 RX. It is now 0813z. So far 3 stations have been spotted with the furthermost  4Z4WD (3561km). I suspect this is via F2 propagation.

UPDATE 0845z:  22 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX. It looks like F2 and tropo propagation modes this morning.

UPDATE 1233z: Stations widely spotted by F2 on 10m FT8 RX.  So far today, 68 stations spotted. The furthermost is YB6MIX (10252km).

Windmill renovation - NOT amateur radio

They are repainting the windmill next door, so it is currently closed. 

They have put a working model in the museum entrance. 

Sunspots - Friday October 1st 2021

 Solar flux is 95 and the SSN 46. A=9 and K=2.