Cambridge Park - NOT amateur radio

This was a Cambridge park last Friday. There are several parks in the city. 

Sunspots - Monday November 8th 2021

 Solar flux is 88 and the SSN 20. A=6 and K=0.

EI7GL blog

 John's blog is regularly updated and always seems to have interesting stuff on it. Today I noticed he had been hearing the CW from the Darwin beacon on 10m from Australia.

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/ .

Amazing free map resource - NOT amateur radio

If you are in the UK, this is an amazing free resource from the Library of Scotland.  Almost every historical map for anywhere in the UK is available on screen. It is truly awesome.

See https://maps.nls.uk/ .

Activism - NOT amateur radio

One of our grandchildren feels very strongly about some things even though she is still very young. I admire her.  

It is her future we have to safeguard.

Norwich Cathedral - NOT amateur radio

 

Norwich Cathedral has some world famous medieval roof bosses.

10m FT8 RX (Sunday)

After breakfast, I hope to be on 10m FT8 RX. 

UPDATE 1011z:  10m gear turned on at about 0930z. So far, 75 stations spotted.

UPDATE 1521z:  So far today, on 10m FT8 RX, 404 stations have been spotted. The usual pattern is followed: east in the morning followed by the Americas in the afternoon. Lots of Europeans presumably via E layer although some could be aircraft reflection, tropo or F2 backscatter.  10m is definitely a good DX band again. I suspect it will remain good until at least 2026, after which time people desert the band. With FT8 brief openings may be caught, even when the band seems "dead". Of course in May, June and July it is good for up to 1500km at any part of the solar cycle via Es.

UPDATE 1922z:  444 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX.

G3XIZ sub 9kHz

This was a Facebook memory from 11 years ago. I see that I had been trying to get G3XIZ on VLF. As I recall it was successful. 

Sunspots - Sunday November 7th 2021

Solar flux is 82 and the SSN 40. A=18 and K=3.

8m news

The Danish 8m beacon OZ7IGY is again operational. It had been off air because of a component fault. This set of beacons has been operational since 1957, although not on all frequencies!

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/2021/11/danish-oz7igy-40-mhz-beacon-now-back-on.html .

Separately, the South African 8m beacon has been spotted in the UK. I suspect this may have been F2.

Regarding my own 8m NoV application - no news.

Norwich cathedral - NOT amateur radio

Norwich is about an hour from here. It has a fine Norman cathedral. 

The spire is the second tallest in England beaten only by Salisbury.

Cambridge yesterday - NOT amateur radio

This photo was taken yesterday in Cambridge. 

Sunspots - Saturday November 6th 2021

Solar flux is 93 and the SSN 40.  A=13 and K=3.

Ely Cathedral Octagon - NOT amateur radio

This image (or one very similar) has been on the blog before, but I make no apologies. 

The very heavy wooden octagon replaces the original tower that collapsed centuries ago. The octagon dates from 1342. 

Imagine designing and constructing this back then!

See https://www.elycathedral.org/events/octagon-tower-tours .

Made in China - NOT amateur radio

Today I got 7 home tests for Covid-19. These were free from the UK Test and Trace organisation that has cost us billions of UK pounds. On the packet it said " Made in China". Imagine my horror.

Thatched cottage - NOT amateur radio

Every Friday I travel into Cambridge on the bus for my University of the Third Age lecture. This cottage is seen on the way. The photo was taken from the moving bus through the window.

Last evening on 472kHz WSPR RX

Last evening, using the coax up to the 2m big-wheel antenna with the ferrite-rod ATU, 10 stations spotted with the furthermost being IZ3QQC (1155km).

10m FT8 RX (Friday)

My gear was turned on at about 0900z. So far (at 0915z) 23 stations spotted, mostly Russians via F2.

UPDATE 0937z:  66 stations spotted. Furthermost is YD1FRU (11796km).

UPDATE 1947z: 498 stations spotted.

Sunspots - Friday November 5th 2021

Solar flux is 94 and the SSN 28. A=69 and K=4.

472kHz WSPR RX

This evening, I am on 472kHz WSPR RX using the coax to my 2m big-wheel antenna via a ferrite rod "ATU". So far this evening 5 stations have been spotted with the furthermost DL1HWK (816km).

Covid-19 latest - NOT amateur radio

It is often hard to get factual news about the pandemic. One of the best (in my view) is the ZOE app and the weekly videos by Professor Tim Spector. This is mainly from a UK perspective. This week it is generally positive news. We have a way to go, but there are signs of things getting better.

Another source I trust is Dr John Campbell. His videos usually come out daily.

8m NoV - nothing heard

A month ago I submitted my application to OFCOM (RSGB copied) for an 8m NoV.  Nothing yet heard, although I expect even to get a polite rejection could take months. It would be nice to hear if the RSGB is supportive. After all, I am only doing this to advance radio propagation science. 

At the end of the day I am after 50Hz of spectrum for a limited time with low power. They have allocated 2000000Hz of VHF spectrum for DATV NoVs!!!  The 146-147MHz NoVs have been extended for another year.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2021/november/146-147-mhz-nov-extension.htm#.YYP6Y46TLrc

OFCOM and mobile repeaters

Next year, OFCOM is to approve more mobile repeaters allowing better reception indoors for mobile users. See the OFCOM website.

Rallies

As far as I am aware the Holsworthy Rally is on this Sunday, November 7th. As usual, contact the organiser m0omc@m0omc.co.uk to check this is correct, especially if travelling far.

The Bushvalley ARC Radio Rally has been cancelled.

Covid-19 is still having an impact.

Bird's nest - NOT amateur radio

In the tree on the left of the photo is a bird's nest. If it survives the winds, I guess it may be used again in the spring. 

The windmill is next door to our bungalow.

Ely in autumn - NOT amateur radio

These photos were taken in Ely yesterday. Although most leaves are still on the trees, it is looking more like autumn. This is the famous Ely cathedral.

30m FT8 RX with the active Wellgood loop

On 30m FT8 RX using the Wellgood loop stuck to the shack window inside, 264 stations spotted. 

10m FT8 RX

 At 0845z, my 10m FT8 RX gear was turned on. So far (at 0859z) 2 Europeans spotted on RX.

UPDATE 1238z:   245 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today.

UPDATE 2022z:  447 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX (see map).

Sunspots - Thursday November 4th 2021

Solar flux is 89 and the SSN 41.   A=21 and K=5.

Eating out - NOT amateur radio

Several months ago we were given a voucher for a local restaurant as a gift for our golden wedding anniversary. Today we used it. My main course was lamb followed by a cheese board. . 

30m FT8 RX with the Wellgood active loop

For a change, I am on 30m FT8 RX using the Wellgood active loop antenna stuck to the shack window. So far, 13 Europeans spotted. I think this is probably the highest frequency at which I can use the loop to any advantage. It probably still works, but external noise probably ceases to dominate.

UPDATE 1026z: 21 stations spotted.

UPDATE 1919z:  227 stations spotted on 30m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2222z:  245 stations spotted on 30m FT8 RX today.

2m UKAC (November)

Last night was the 2m November leg of the activity contest run by the RSGB. I noticed my antenna had a very high VSWR, so I stopped after just one contact. I have no idea why this was, but must see what it is now.

UPDATE 1005z:  Still high VSWR this morning. On a dummy load VSWR is low. On RX hearing the Kent beacon normally.

472kHz RX last evening using the active Wellgood loop

Only 3 Gs copied on 472kHz WSPR last night as the table shows. In the past I have spotted much further with this antenna on this band. Might try again this evening.

Butterfly - NOT amateur radio

This photo was taken several months ago at nearby Anglesey Abbey and shows a butterfly on a dahlia. There are still butterflies around, but I expect  they will be a rare sight once we get a frost.

Reflections - NOT amateur radio

 

This was yesterday at nearby Anglesey Abbey. This was the mill leat.

Sunspots - Wednesday November 3rd 2021

 Solar flux is 97 and the SSN 42.  A=l7 and K=1.  

472kHz WSPR RX with the active antenna

For about 40 minutes I have been monitoring 472kHz WSPR  RX with the Wellgood active loop stuck on the shack window. So far, 3 unique stations spotted.

OFCOM updates

Every month OFCOM updates its "Communications Monthly" with the latest numbers it holds on various things in its remit. See the OFCOM website for details.

Fragility of life - NOT amateur radio

Today, I heard that one of my old work colleagues long ago had died suddenly of cancer.  Not sure what sort it was. Yet again, this emphasises just how fragile life is. One minute we are here and then we are not. We shared some good times. Harry, who died, is on the left. I shared a bench with him. I guess this was about 1976? This was when we did not have PCs and emails! We were perfectly happy.

Moral? Enjoy every moment.

Autumn walk - NOT amateur radio

As today was cold and crisp we decided on a walk at nearby Anglesey Abbey. 

It was sunny. Ideal weather for a walk. 

160m FT8 overnight with the Wellgood active loop

Last evening and overnight I was on 160m FT8 RX using the Wellgood active loop antenna, with the loop just stuck on the inside of the shack window. In all, 316 stations spotted including 2 transatlantic. It works.

Ely Cathedral - NOT amateur radio

We are a short drive from Ely. It has a magnificent cathedral as the photo shows. It is very old. 

10m FT8 RX (Tuesday)

 My gear was turned on about 10 minutes ago and already 63 stations have been spotted with the furthermost VK6AS (14459km).

UPDATE 1415z:  603 stations so far spotted on 10m FT8 RX today.

UPDATE 1540z: 757 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX. 10m is back!!

Sunspots - Tuesday November 2nd 2021

Solar flux is 98 and the SSN 53.  A=10 and K=4.

160m FT8 RX with the active Wellgood loop

This evening and overnight I am monitoring 160m FT8 RX using the Wellgood loop. It was turned on at about 1930z. Early indications suggest it is every bit as good as the coax up to my 2m big-wheel, possibly better. I wonder if it will copy stateside stations later?

The Wellgood loop was a swap for my X80 antenna, that I had not used for many years and was lingering in the garage. I think we both got a good deal. Jason is pleased with the X80 and I am pleased with the Wellgood loop.

After about 25 minutes I have spotted 35 stations with the furthermost RW4PU (3416km).

My loop is just attached to the shack window with Blutak.

Passwords - NOT amateur radio

 

This made me laugh. 

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

Since about 1410z, I have been on WSPR TX with my little W5OLF 10m WSPR beacon. As mentioned before, this is about the size of a pack of cards and is totally self contained. No PC is needed. Time is synchronised with a button push, then it TXs 100%, but randomly changes frequency within the WSPR window every 2 minutes.

UPDATE 1455z:   8 unique reports with the furthermost by EA8BFK (2880km) in the Canary Islands.

UPDATE 1840z:   14 unique stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon today.

Updated solar data

It is pretty clear from 10m that we have "turned a corner" and 10m is once again a great F2 DX band. At times it behaves like a VHF band, whereas, when the solar flux and sunspots are better, it transforms into arguably our very best HF DX band.

Usually early in the month my favourite site for solar data is updated. At the time of writing this had not yet happened, but it might have when you read this. 

As I recall things, predictions were that Cycle 25 would be similar to Cycle 24 with a peak expected 2024 or 2025.

Family 2012 - NOT amateur radio

This was 2012. This grandson is 14 years old next week!! 

160m FT8 RX overnight

349 stations were spotted on 160m FT8 RX in the last day. Although better stations were working the USA, nothing was spotted from North America or South America overnight. I think the Iraqi spot was a DL with an incorrect QTH locator.