Central Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

Friday is the day I travel in to Cambridge for my University of the 3rd Age lecture. The photo shows last Friday. 

Sunspots - Friday October 22nd 2021

 Solar flux is 82 and the SSN 11. A=7 and K=0

472kHz WSPR RX

As my son managed to cut my earth-electrode "antenna" return wire, I may try the coax outer to my 2m big-wheel antenna via a ferrite rod ATU on 472kHz WSPR this evening. I shall stay on until late tonight.

Amazing DX on 2m

EI7GL's blog has a report on the excellent 2m (144MHz) QSOs between Argentina and the Caribbean recently via TEP.

Seee https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/ .

Galashiels Rally cancelled

This rally was due to take place on Sunday October 24th, but I believe it has been cancelled, presumably because of Covid-19 concerns. I have no details. You may want to confirm this with the organisers.

Best yet at $447k - NOT amateur radio

If only this SPAM was true! Apparently I have $447k in my account if I just verify my details. Looks like I won't then!  😁😁

Oldest British bookshop - NOT amateur radio

There has been a bookshop here on this site in Cambridge since 1581.  

It is the oldest bookshop in Britain.

10m FT8 RX (Thursday)

My system was turned on at 0751z.

UPDATE 0929z:  5 spots on 10m FT8 RX. 3 look like F2. Furthermost is R6FX (3236km).

UPDATE 1046z: 52 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today with the furthermost 4Z5TK (3515km).

UPDATE 1548z: 109 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today.

UPDATE 1725z: 116 stations spotted.

UPDATE 1836z:  Still 116 stations spotted, so this is probably the end of 10m DX today.

U3A Zoom - NOT amateur radio

Every Wednesday, the Cambridge University of the 3rd Age holds a lecture open to members. Because of Covid, this is initially on Zoom this term. Yesterday there were at least 115 people on and next week the speaker is in British Columbia in western Canada! I am a great fan of Zoom talks as speakers and audience members can be anywhere.

Sunspots - Thursday October 21st 2021

 Solar flux is 76 and the SSN 11.  A=6 and K=1.

Earth-mode VLF

In days past, I managed a fair bit of success with VLF earth-mode. This is a form of VLF communication that many can enjoy. Gear can be simple and low power.

See https://sites.google.com/site/sub9khz/vlf-using-earth-mode/g3xbm-earth-mode-blog .

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-ytg1yoyiezffsfSqdL2kWZW_Fx3sbru/view?usp=sharing .

10GHz (3cm)

Microwaves have largely passed me by. Apart from making a Gunn oscillator in the 1970s  (I think) in some waveguide and testing it over about 10m indoors, I have done nothing at 10GHz. I did borrow a 1296MHz RX converter and did some tests many years ago.

Some take microwaves very seriously and regularly achieve some remarkable distances, often by rain scatter. Others play at 10GHz with WBFM.

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

Climate change - NOT amateur radio

There is evidence all around us that the climate is changing. Winter snow in East Anglia is rare now and it is far far wetter.  At some point very soon we have to take this very very seriously. Yet in the UK, we seem to be doing very very little. What we do is usually too little and too late. We seem to be reactive rather than proactive in most things sadly.

Get real!

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-58971131 .

10m FT8 RX (Wednesday)

As there is no sign at all of thunderstorms anywhere for hundreds of miles, I think I shall turn on my 10m FT8 RX later. According to the thunder map all storms are very distant indeed.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org. 

UPDATE 0847z: The storms appear to have come this way, but tracked north and missed us, so I have turned my system on at 0840z. So far, 5 stations spotted.

UPDATE 1000z:  6 Europeans spotted with the furthermost OE4KSF (1285km). Most of these Europeans I think are E layer rather than F2 backscatter. If it was backscatter I would expect to see some further afield stations such as Israel, European Russia and Ukraine via F2.  I am seeing none of these. Perhaps a brief patch of E layer ionisation forms allowing a very brief opening and then disappears?

UPDATE 1118z: 34 stations spotted today so far. Furthermost is 5T5PA (3791km).

UPDATE 1504z: Because of the thunder I went temporarily QRT, but am on again now. 197 stations spotted so far today.

UPDATE 1725z:  242 stations spotted today. It looks as if the F2 propagation on 10m is now ending as it is getting dark.

UPDATE 2152z: QRT. In the end 243 stations spotted, but I missed some late ones as I had to go out. 

Malborough, Devon, UK 1927 - NOT amateur radio

This is a photo of where my parents lived in the late 20th century. The photo was taken in 1927.

Several ancestors (going back centuries) are buried in the churchyard.

Dalham - NOT amateur radio

Dalham has been on this blog before. It is near Newmarket and is filled with thatched cottages. This just one of many. 

481THz line of sight

For the uninitiated, 481THz is red light. 

My main interest in lightbeam communication was over the horizon beaconing (NLOS), but I did have one speech QSO line-of-sight over about 11km. As mentioned before, all my optical gear was homemade in the back of the garage. Most of the test gear was also homemade. In fact, optical gear is easier than microwaves and there are plenty of sources of ideas on the internet. My own page may trigger some ideas. The circuit above was used in the speech QSO.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/optical-nanowaves/line-of-sight .

Sunspots - Wednesday October 20th 2021

 Solar flux is 76 and the SSN 11. A=14 and K=1.

Not on tomorrow morning probably

As the UK Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms tomorrow morning it is unlikely I shall be on until after lunch.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/cb25 .

That's a pity - NOT amateur radio

If all the SPAM I get daily was true I would be very rich! 

Today, I had several placing life-changing amounts into my bank account. Sadly, not one of these is true. Guess I shall still have to draw my pension! Never mind.  😀

Autumn garden - NOT amateur radio

At the moment it is very mild, although things are expected to get far colder later in the week. There is a  hint of autumn with colours starting to change. In another month things will look much different.

10m FT8 RX (Tuesday)

My 10m FT8 RX gear was turned on at 0810z. No spots in the first 30 minutes.

UPDATE 1222z:  47 stations spotted so far on 10m FT8 RX with the furthermost PY5JO (9890km). South Americans just appearing. F2?

UPDATE 1853z:  202 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX. Several in South America with the furthermost VP8LP (12773km).  As there have been very few spots in the last 30 minutes, I suspect that is probably it for the day.

Lesotho - NOT amateur radio

11 years ago we had a holiday in South Africa and visited Lesotho. It was an eye opener.

8m NoV

As some know, I have applied to OFCOM (RSGB copied) for a time limited, 5W, digital only, permit to operate next March to October 2022 at 8m (40MHz).  I expect this will take some time, although I very much hope it is accepted as there are no 8m stations operational in the UK at this time as GB3RAL is looking for a new site. 

In my view there is a good justification for this NoV, especially when OFCOM can find a whole 2MHz for DTV experiments and I am probably after just 50Hz with QRP for part of 1 year. In my view. this would really contribute to radio propagation science.

I am awaiting their verdict....

4m transverter

This is band I have not tried for many years. Many years ago I got on the band with this homebrew transverter and a wire dipole. It was in GQRP SPRAT magazine, but I forget which one.

4m is increasingly popular on modern rigs as the band is now widely available in Europe. When I was first on the band in the late 1960s there were very few countries on.

This transverter may give you some ideas for a winter project. It is well capable of reaching many European countries by SSB in the Es season. I am sure it can be improved.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/homebrew/4m-transverter .

Oscar 100 activity

As regular readers of the blog know, every few weeks I take a peek at activity on the narrowband transponder of this geosynchronous satellite. When I as looked (mid afternoon on Monday in Europe) it was very quiet. If anything, I think there is less activity that a few months ago.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/.

10m FT8 RX yesterday

 In all, 236 stations were spotted yesterday on 10m FT8 RX. In the end a string of South Americans were spotted. Yesterday Jan was wondering if the Europeans were F2 backscatter. Indeed this is possible, although I would have expected more pure F2 stations from Ukraine, Russia, Lebanon and Israel if this was F2 backscatter. Mind you, I am no expert!

Cambridge eatery - NOT amateur radio

 

This is one of our favourite places to eat in Cambridge. It is on a street with plenty of places to eat. Just over the bridge is Magdelene College which houses the famous Pepys library.

Sunspots - Tuesday October 19th 2021

 Solar flux is 76 and the SSN 0.   A=10 and K=3.

Mind boggling numbers - NOT amateur radio

 When we talk about the universe, the numbers are truly mind-blowing.

The Milky Way has an estimated 1000000000 stars and at least as many planets. It is estimated there could be 2000000000000 galaxies in the observable universe.

If there are just 2 intelligent civilisations in our galaxy, there could be 4000000000000 intelllgent civilisations in the observable universe!

My brain hurts! 😁 

Wicken Fen - NOT amateur radio

This is a wild fen owned by the National Trust. It is quite close to us. My wife went there yesterday with some friends.

10m FT8 RX (Monday)

In a few moments, I intend to turn on my 10m FT8 RX system. With the SSN being 0 and the solar flux being lower than for a while, I am unsure how it will be today. 

UPDATE 0908z:  System on at 0807z.  8 spots so far - all in Europe. I suspect with suspect with a higher antenna (possibly a beam) I might spot signals 10dB weaker. No doubt the "big guns" will be working 10m FT8 signals I cannot even spot! I have absolutely no intention of erecting a mast and beam. If I miss some does it matter? No.

UPDATE 1020z:  42 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX with furthermost 9G5FI (5189km).

UPDATE 1200z:  79 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX. Furthermost is A65BR (5454km).

UPDATE 1253z:   97 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today.  94 have been in Europe.  Many (possibly most) of these will be via Es propagation, underlining the value of FT8 in showing there is still Es well outside the traditional Es season. If things go as previous days, the Americas will start to come through shortly.

UPDATE 1450z:  133 stations spotted today. See map.

UPDATE 1545z:  149 stations with nothing from the Americas yet today.

UPDATE 1621z:  154 stations spotted. At the moment, this more like E layer than F2.

AMSAT-UK Satellite Colloquium

In all my time I have only had a single QSO through a satellite. That was probably in the 1980s. I have been interested, but not enough to get me active. 

My interest was first sparked by listening to USA stations on 2m SSB during late night passes of Oscar 6 and 7. In those days this was a real novelty. This would have been in the mid-1970s. They would appear, briefly, then they were gone over the horizon.

These days there are lots of amateur satellites including 1 geosynchronous one called Oscar 100.

We may get inspiration from the AMSAT Colloquium online on Sunday, October 24th. You have to register beforehand I think.

See https://amsat-uk.org/colloquium/ .

10m FT8 RX yesterday

With 200 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX yesterday, it was a good day despite me being very late getting on. See the map. I only started mid afternoon. 

First 8m QSO between South Africa and Europe

The first QSO has been recorded on 8m FT8 between South Africa and Slovenia.

See EI7GL's blog. 

UPDATE 0757z: No news of my application to OFCOM (RSGB copied) for an 8m NoV. It will probably take months and then be rejected!  😟

Sunspots - Monday October 18th 2021

Solar flux is 77 and the SSN 0.  A=10 and K=3.

Yaesu FT818

This was introduced some years ago, mainly to address component obsolescence with the FT817.  I have owned 2 FT817s over many years and these were good, solid QRP transceivers. In my case they have been used from 136kHz to 432MHz, in some cases with homebrew transverters. I have never, ever regretted having them.

When the FT818 came out I was extremely disappointed. It seemed that Yaesu had lost its way and ignored the huge worldwide market for a better, modern, product. They could have used the same mechanics and just changed the battery and guts. Instead, they introduced basically the very same product. Such a wasted chance.

In my view, they have one last chance. We are on the way up to the next solar peak and the world is expecting a replacement for a product that is about 20 years old.

Yaesu is well capable of designing a worthy successor to the FT817, so get on with it!

Yaesu  -  wake up!!!

10m FT8 RX (Sunday)

As we had visitors who have only just left, I am only now on 10m FT8 RX at 1452z. So far, 26 stations spotted after just a few minutes.

UPDATE 1516z:  So far today, 33 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1600z:  126 stations spotted so far (see map). 10m is definitely becoming a great DX band again.

UPDATE 1743z: 193 stations spotted.

Archetypal Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

The Cambridge colleges are policed by bowler hatted proctors. This is a typical Cambridge scene with bicycles, colleges and proctors. 

FaceTime chat - NOT amateur radio

One of the things we have all learned recently is to communicate with friends and family remotely. Some use Skype, Zoom or FaceTime. 

This was our grandsons in London via FaceTime. We chat with this grandson most nights. 

Local natter box

Some years I toyed with the idea of making a simple rig for local QSOs. This was to be based on my 2m Fredbox. The ideas was not to work DX, but rather be designed for simple cross-town natters. The aim was to design something low cost that worked. Various parts have been breadboarded. Then my stroke got in the way and the project stopped. Perhaps it will inspire you to make something similar.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/10m-am-tenbox .

Cambridge cottages - NOT amateur radio

These cottages overlook Jesus Green in Cambridge. I walked this way most mornings when I first came to Cambridge. That was a long time ago! I think most of these are owned by the university.

10m FT8 RX yesterday

Yesterday was quite a good day on 10m FT8 RX.  I all, 276 stations spotted with most via F2 propagation. In all, stations in 5 continents spotted with the furthermost LW2EDM (11776km).

Sunspots - Sunday October 17th 2021

Solar flux is 78 and the SSN 11 .  A=6 and K=1.

Simple regen RXs

There is always a challenge getting the most from very little. Great fun can be had from simple regenerative receivers. 

This simple circuit works really well and has been a great surprise. I made an 80m transceiver version and I was surprised by how uncritical it was and by what it copied. 

The video shows the transceiver version and the first link takes you to a very simple RX schematic. The second link takes you to the FETer 80m transceiver.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/80m-or-40m-regen-rx .

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/80m-feter-transceiver .

Eating out in Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

When in Cambridge, one of our favourite places to eat is here. This is a chain, but their fixed price menu is always good. 

Lightning

Some call me paranoid about lightning. 

At this time of year in the UK lightning is far less common than in the summer, but I still disconnect antennas and PSUs at night as a precaution. In the daytime I check and disconnect everything if there is a hint of storms. 

OK, the chances of a direct strike are low, but I want to minimise risks. Power surges can be more common.

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

10m FT8 RX (Saturday)

 In a few moments I hope to go on 10m FT8 RX. Yesterday there was activity, but fewer stations copied. I am not sure if this was just a poorer day?

UPDATE 0919z:  10m FT8 RX turned on. Plenty of stations coming in by F2.  I see Gs are calling VK on 10m. So far, 12 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX with the furthermost RA4AID (3140km).

Cambridge yesterday - NOT amateur radio

This was Trinity College in Cambridge yesterday.  The college is currently closed to visitors. I am not sure if this is related to Covid.

Sunspots - Saturday October 16th 2021

 Solar flux is 84 and the SSN 11.  A=6 and K=2.  We are obviously with the active side facing away from the Earth.