40m QRP by DL1DN

 Jay W5OLF kindly sent me the link to this video for a QRP transceiver based on my rig linked yesterday. 

TEP opening from South Africa to Europe on 8m

Several stations in southern Europe have reported copying the South African 8m beacon recently.

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/2021/10/tep-opening-on-40-mhz-between-south.

Sunspots - Friday October 29th 2021

 Solar flux is 112 and the SSN 96.  A=3 and K=1.

The future of the hobby

It is hard to generalise, but amateur radio is changing. Years ago, to talk to people around the world meant an expensive phone call or getting an amateur licence and building your own gear. Today, many of us just buy a main transceiver and few build their own gear. We are (nearly) all guilty. I know I am. 

What happens in 20 years' time? Many of us will be old and frail and few of us will be interested in shiny new transceivers. Quite a few manufacturers will decide there is little profit in amateur radio and leave the market. Dealers will go out of business. There will be fewer adverts in magazines. Some magazines will close. The hobby will die.

I really hope I am wrong. It is up to us all to forget what brought us into the hobby, as the magic of radio will no longer be the magnet it once was. Today, talking across the planet is free and easy via the internet by video. We need to understand what "turns young people on" technologically and move with the times.

Grey haired old men waxing lyrical about the past is not the future.

No, I am concerned. Your views?

Ultra-simple 80m transceiver

As mentioned before, there is often a compulsion to get results with the fewest parts. Usually, this involves a compromise, often with the RX. This is the case with this rig. It certainly works, but be careful not to call over a co-channel station.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/80m-xbm80-2

Covid-19 data - NOT amateur radio

There is a lot of misinformation about Covid out there and it is very hard sometimes to know what is true and what is rubbish. My 2 most trusted sources are Dr John Campbell  and Professor Tim Spector of ZOE.

The view is that cases in the UK are still too high, although vaccines and previous infections are now stopping hospitalisations and deaths in most cases. These days the most common symptoms are like those of a cold. Experts think this will become endemic in the West rather than a pandemic.

If you have cold-like symptoms these days it could be Covid, so get tested.

See https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=dr+john+campbell

See https://www.youtube.com/c/ZOE-health .

Home grown tomatoes - NOT amateur radio

This year we had 2 tomato bags and these are the tomatoes that were left at the end. I love the smell. Those that stay green will probably be used for chutney. Overall, we probably had at least as many again.  

We also grew runner beans for the first time this year as they have attractive flowers on the way.

10m FT8 RX (Thursday)

My gear was turned on at about 0730z. 2 spots already at 0755z. Furthermost is R9CA (3677km). I guess this is F2.

UPDATE 1036z: So far today on 10m FT8 RX, 47 stations spotted.

UPDATE 1329z: 69 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX with the furthermost 7Q7CT (7955km) in Malawi.

UPDATE 1910z: 126 stations spotted.  As it is dark, I shall go QRT soon.

UPDATE 2113z:  QRT. 126 stations spotted, so no more stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today.

160m FT8 overnight

A decent quantity of stations spotted on topband FT8 RX in the last day with 300 stations spotted including 6 in the USA, 1 in Caanda and 1 in Greenland. Still using the coax to my 2m big-wheel (10m long?) loaded with a ferrite-rod and a mains ground (see map).

Sunspots - Thursday October 28th 2021

Solar flux is 111 and the SSN 91.  A=3 and K=0. 

160m FT8 RX

As my son managed to sever my earth-electrode "antenna" whilst doing some gardening for us, I am again using the coax to my 2m big-wheel loaded with a ferrite rod "ATU". 

The antenna is under 5m at its highest and the coax only 50cm above ground at it lowest just outside the shack. I am just using the mains ground. The coax is under 10m long.  

So far this evening on 160m FT8 RX 19 stations spotted with the furthermost UA1OLM (2653km).

UPDATE 2002z: 83 stations spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX with the furthermost RW4PU (3416km).

UPDATE 2115z:  140 stations spotted so far this evening on 160m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2300z:  Staying on overnight.

OFCOM and 800MHz licences - NOT amateur radio

OFCOM is to allow mobile operators to use higher power in this band for mobile services. See the OFCOM website for details.

My main G3XBM website and video channel

A reminder that my main G3XBM website (less often updated than this blog) has far more details about interests and projects. I also have a video channel on YouTube.

Autumn in the garden - NOT amateur radio

Suddenly it is autumn. A week ago our ornamental cherry tree still looked green. Now the leaves have turned brown and with a gust of wind loads of leaves will fall. Another few weeks and it will be bare until the spring. 

This morning, before returning home my son cut my hair and took a photo of my wife and I with 2 of the grandchildren.

10m FT8 RX (Wednesday)

My 10m FT8 RX was turned on about 0900z today. It is now 1025z and, so far,  108 stations have been spotted.

UPDATE 1040z: 140 stations spotted so far on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1242z:  224 stations spotted.

UPDATE 1555z:  326 stations spotted today. Once it gets dark expect fewer DX spots.

Butterflies - NOT amateur radio

One of our grandchildren with butterfly stickers on her face yesterday. 

Sunspots - Wednesday October 27th 2021

Solar flux is 109 and the SSN 95 (pretty good). A=5 and K=1. 

Building a radio

 

This was my grandson in the shack learning to solder and building a radio. He got the hang of soldering very quickly. 

Whether he will have a lifelong hobby only time will tell.

He was thrilled that he could hear signals.

Coffee in the garden - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday one of our granddaughters came 3rd out of 20 in a ballet contest. She wanted to demonstrate her moves whilst we enjoyed coffee in the mild October sunshine.

CQ WW DX SSB contest

This weekend is the CQWW DX contest SSB leg. In years gone by, I filled pages in my logbook with QSOs, but since my stroke it has been far harder. This year, 10m should be pretty good after poor conditions for several years. I hope to pop on to work a few stations, although I never submit a contest log. Many times I forget it is on! It runs all weekend and usually the HF bands are buzzing.

See https://www.cqww.com/ .

Cactus Day - NOT amateur radio

Around now in late October we have celebrated Cactus Day with our grandchildren. Don't ask why it is called Cactus Day!! This was lunch time. 

10m FT8 RX (Tuesday)

My gear was turned on at about 1050z.  So far, 115 stations spotted.

UPDATE 1316z:  198 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX. 

Ferrite rod loading

On both 630m WSPR and 160m FT8 RX I have had great success using the FT817ND and the coax to my 2m big-wheel antenna. Just a mains earth was used in my case. If you cannot use this I expect a simple external ground would do instead.  The tapped ferrite rod is shown. This was used as an ATU. The coax is quite short and the big-wheel about 5m at its highest. At its lowest the coax is about 50cm off the ground. 

On 160m my noise level is S8-9. Despite this I can copy loads on FT8.

Sunspots - Tuesday October 26th 2021

 Solar flux is 101 and the SSN 81.  A=5 and K=1. 

Start them young

With my own sons I totally failed! Maybe I shall succeed with my grandson ? This was him learning to solder earlier. 

10m FT8 RX (Monday)

Since just after breakfast, my 10m RX has been on. 139 stations spotted with the furthermost A41ZZ (5854km). 

UPDATE 1925z: 359 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX. Now QRT.

On the bus

Every Friday I go into Cambridge on the bus for my University of the 3rd Age lecture. Most people wear masks. It is busier now. 

Sunspots - Monday October 25th 2021

 Solar flux is 93 and the SSN 46.  A=4 and K=1.

Nanny state? - NOT amateur radio

This morning, my wife went to church. She was also serving coffee. The lady in charge told her that in future she would need 2 references just to serve coffee! This afternoon she told them where to stick these stupid rules!! She is more than happy to help, but refuses to jump through ridiculous hoops.

For almost 40 years she was a teacher. She helped at the church youth group. She helps for 3 hours at another cafe as a volunteer. Never once before has she been asked for references. She feels like she cannot be trusted.

Now, this may be as a result of the law changing, but I think it is plain stupid. I am sure people who create such rules mean well. In some cases such rules make sense such as if one was influencing children. However to serve coffee once a month?

There is a thing called "unintended consequences". For example, we now have to agree to cookies on websites. Most people just say "yes" to get rid of this annoying pop-up. Few read terms and conditions.

I well remember going on a 4 hour course at work on how to lift heavy things. Only in the last 5 minutes were we shown how to! For almost 40 years I had been lifting heavy pieces of test equipment.

In my view, too many are scared of litigation and just hide behind the law. I am sure this course at work was arranged so the boss could tick the box to say we had been trained.

It is high time people said, "no, enough of this stupid nonsense".

BTW, the church has lost a valuable helper until it gets real and stops this stupidity.

Social media - NOT amateur radio

This is a mixed blessing, that some people hate. On balance, I think it is a good thing. 

We can have video chats with old friends on the other side of the Earth or just keep in touch with people. Years ago this would have been by the occasional letter or Christmas card. It was harder to keep in touch. The alternative was an expensive phone call on special occasions. Often we lost contact.

It is all too easy to live in a virtual world and forget about "real" things. There was a great phrase on TV last week that a person was half man and half laptop!! We have to be careful not to fall into this trap.

And so it continues.... - NOT amateur radio

Every day I still get SPAM emails promising me great riches, great sex and, of course, Bitcoins. These all get automatically filtered as SPAM by Google. I usually just check that nothing has gone in by mistake, then I just delete them all.

10m FT8 RX

My gear was turned on at about 0928z. So far today on 10m FT8 RX, 68 stations spotted with the furthermost YB1JQC (11725km) in Indonesia.

UPDATE 1228z:  204 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX.

St John's College, Cambridge

Every Friday, I travel into Cambridge for my course on Medieval History at the University of the Third Age. It is learning for fun, often on a subject about which one knows little. I am not an expert on Medieval History!

Usually I have time to kill, so I grab a bite to eat and a coffee at this small cafe opposite St. John's College. Service is fast and the views are to die for. I am so lucky to be able to have this view for free.

See https://www.lepatissier.co.uk/ .

Pixie and Micro80

There has always been challenge to get the most from the least. We will happily pay well over £1000 on a new rig, yet we often get more fun from a rig costing just a few pounds to make. 

One such is the Pixie or the Micro80. These are compromise rigs, often let down by the RX, which tends to be the weak link. They work and I have had QSOs on 80m and 40m with mine. At one time you could buy 40m Pixie kits from China for a few pounds. I bought one of these and it went together well and worked. I have not looked recently to see if these are still available. With the Pixie and Micro80 I am afraid of calling CQ over a weak station.

There are other rig alternatives although with something simple, you usually have to accept some weakness. The "holy grail" is a simple, low cost rig that really is not a compromise. If you know of any, let me know. My target is a complete transceiver that can be made for less than £5 that really works without compromise.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/8040m-pixie-and-micro80-transceivers .

160m FT8 RX in the last day

In the last 24 hours, 247 stations spotted on top band FT8 RX.  Just 2 in the USA spotted overnight.

The futility of war - NOT amateur radio

All of the people who fought in WW1 are dead. Most of those who fought in WW2 are dead.

Looking back, you have to ask were the dead and maimed worth it?  In my view, wars achieve very little in the longer term. I think much more is achieved by talking.

Sunspots - Sunday October 24th 2021

 Solar flux is 87 and the SSN 32.  A=3 and K=1.

160m FT8 RX

Just before 1900z, I turned on my 160m FT8 RX.  So far, 23 stations spotted. Still using the outer of my 2m big-wheel and ferrite rod "ATU".

UPDATE 1950z:  76 stations spotted with the furthermost RV0AR (5548km) in Asiatic Russia.

Radio for Grandson

On Monday, we have one of our grandsons here. Whilst he is here, he wants to build a radio as part of his Design and Technology (DT) work. I have plumped for a TRF circuit based around the TD7642 IC, which is like the ZN414 of old.

Very many years ago I built two around a ZN414 for my boys. The plan is to build it myself first to prove it all works, then disassemble it so my grandson can build it after some soldering practise. In the past this circuit worked fine with a ferrite rod antenna.

I am finding things far harder now: my eyes are finding close work more problematic and my fine motor skills are poorer.

He wants to do a design brief and we can draw the schematic together. I can explain how it works in simple terms. Hopefully he can take it home.

You can get (almost) anything on eBay - NOT amateur radio

eBay is an online resource from which it appears most things can be obtained. I came across this by accident as an example. It allows you to hide small things in your car. As all things on eBay caveat emptor (buyer beware). Never, ever, buy medicines via eBay as you have no idea what they are. The only trusted source is a pharmacy or your doctor.

10m FT8 RX (Saturday)

 My gear was turned on about 1010z. So far,  40 stations have been spotted, all in Europe.

UPDATE 1104z:  127 stations spotted with the furthermost YB1BUL (11796km) in Indonesia.

UPDATE 1848z:  215 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today.

Jabs - NOT amateur radio

 We have just had our Covid-19 booster and flu jabs. No adverse reactions so far.

160m FT8 RX yesterday

324 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX in the last day (see map) including the USA and Mexico. This is with just the short coax to my 2m big-wheel loaded via a ferrite rod with a mains plug ground!

The coax is about 10m long and the big-wheel about 5m above ground. The coax is about 50cm off the ground at its lowest. The ferrite rod "ATU" is shown. Absolutely nothing special! 

If I can do this I am sure you can too.

Magdalene College, Cambridge

This college houses the famous Pepys Library. Like all colleges in Cambridge, it is well looked after! 

It is located on Bridge Street, just north of the River Cam.

Sunspots - Saturday October 23rd 2021

 Solar flux is 87 and the SSN 28. A=4 and K=0.

Worries? - NOT amateur radio

Perhaps this is natural as you get older? As I age, I seem to be worrying more about other people: for example I worry about people dying such as my wife, my brother, my sons, neighbours and friends, and so forth. The list is now very large. 

Clearly I have no control over these and just worrying about them does no good. People tell me not to worry about things I cannot control.This is easier said than done!

160m FT8 QRP (Friday)

For a change, I decided to go on 160m FT8 with 2.5W to the coax of the 2m big-wheel via a ferrite rod loading coil. I had 1 QSO with G3VAO (229km) and 24 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX with furthermost R2AL (2417km). 3 Gs spotted me on TX although I am now RX only.

UPDATE 1936z:  82 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX this evening.

UPDATE 2130z: 183 stations spotted with furthermost UN9L (4119km).

Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

 

Graduation day. 

10m FT8 RX (Friday)

My system was turned on at 0750z. No spots yet.

UPDATE 1605z: 93 stations spotted so far today on 10m FT8 RX

472kHz WSPR RX last night

As my earth-electrode antenna was broken, I used the coax outer to my 2m big-wheel via a ferrite rod as the antenna. 15 different stations were copied with the furthermost OH1LSQ (1733km). In all, 7 countries spotted. 

This proves that for RX nothing special is necessary. BTW the only ground was the mains plug! I guess the coax to the big-wheel is about 10m long and only 5m above the ground at its highest. The coax is just 0.5m above the ground near the shack. As I said nothing special at all!