G3XBM history

In one way or another, I have been interested in radio since 1961. A potted history is at this website. 

Sunspots - Friday November 12th 2021

Solar flux is 85 and the SSN 39.  A=4 and K=2.

Mind boggling - NOT amateur radio

 It is estimated the Milky Way galaxy (ours) has between 100-400 billion stars and probably at least as many planets. It is estimated there are 2 trillion galaxies in the visible universe. That is a huge number of stars! There are about 6-7 billion humans on earth. Intelligent life has existed on Earth for a very tiny fraction of the time life has existed here.

Yet, we are conscious of our existence at this moment on this planet and we would not be here if just one ancestor had done something different.

Truly mind boggling.

70cm FT8 (Thursday)

More in hope than expectation, I am on 70cm FT8. After a very brief period on TX, I am RX only. Using 2.5W and the omni V2000 vertical.

No spots. Am I surprised?

Will TX briefly throughout the day and evening.

It is a pity 70cm FT8 is not really popular as I am convinced it could be really really good.

UPDATE 1035z: Still no spots. on RX. No spots of me after a brief period on TX just now.

UPDATE 1358z:  No spots given or received.

UPDATE 1420z:  3 stations spotted including 2 PAs and 1 QSO. Furthermost was PD2NBE (280km) on RX.

UPDATE 1540z:  5 stations (including 3 PAs) spotted on 70cm FT8 RX today.

UPDATE 1832z:  7 stations spotted in 3 countries.

UPDATE 2133z: 3 stations have spotted me with the furthermost G0KTN (211km).

Infilling - NOT amateur radio

We first came to this village in 1975 when the population was about 4000. Now it is around 7000. A lot of spare land in gardens and waste ground has been in filled with developers hoping to make a quick buck. 

There seems to be a lack of houses that "real" people need. I guess they make far more profit from selling big houses to those that can afford them. I think the law states that for a certain number of houses on a site, a certain number have to be "social houses", so usually the developers just manage to avoid this.

70cm scatter?

Yesterday evening there an FT8 contest on 70cm. What amazed me was the very distant signals spotted on RX with just the vertical omni antenna. In all 30 stations were spotted in 5 countries.

I am wondering if some kind of scatter was possible? Activity levels probably are too low to see this in normal times, but in an FT8 contest such propagation may be noticeable. Aircraft reflection could be better and troposcatter is also possible.

I am tempted to leave my 70cm FT8 system on this evening to see what happens outside of contests. The combination of FT8 and 70cm could be potent.

The photo shows the activity on 70cm last evening. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Our University of the 3rd Age lecture yesterday (by Zoom - 148 participants) was about AI. Few of us realise just what an impact this could make on our lives in years to come. 

We have the potential to make artificial intelligence that could be smarter than us and perform tasks that we could not do with our small brains.  

AI has positive and negative impacts. We cannot be Luddites, but we need to look to the future with our eyes wide open. There could be profound changes in the years ahead.

Sunspots - Thursday November 11th 2021

 Solar flux is 88 and the SSN 37.  A=8 and K=0.

70cm FT8 contest

This evening there is a contest on 70cm FT8. 12 stations have been spotted with the furthermost PF1B (305km). 

I am using the V2000 vertical omni antenna. Although I had 1 QSO and have been spotted by 3 stations, I am mostly RX only.

UPDATE 1850z: 15 stations spotted with the furthermost EI8KN (518km).

UPDATE 1950z:  20 stations spotted. This is with the vertical antenna!

UPDATE 2053z:  29 stations spotted on RX and 5 stations have spotted me with the furthermost F5RZC (208km). This is by far the most stations I have spotted at one time on 70cms. My power is 2.5W. See map for the stations spotted at 2035z.

UPDATE 2200z: 30 stations spotted.

10m AM

 One of the pleasures of the last solar peak was hearing the USA AM signals just above 29MHz. One of the beauties of 10m is its size. With 1.7MHz of bandwidth all modes can be accommodated without issues including FM and AM.

10m (28MHz) operation

10m (28MHz) is probably my favourite band. Antennas are modest and some remarkable DX can be worked with low power. I am sure beams might help when conditions are marginal, but I obtained 10m QRP SSB DXCC about 30 years ago with simple wire antennas. I have even heard USA AM stations with a super-regen and a base loaded whip in the car.

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

70cms (432MHz) band

In the past I have had a lot of fun on this band, which is shared with other services. It seems to experience more localised tropo openings than 2m. Antennas are small. They look like UHF TV antennas.

A reminder that there is a 70cm FT8 contest this evening from 1700z to 2100z on 432.174MHz. Many PAs use vertical polarisation, so I shall be using my V2000 vertical.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/70cm-operation .

10m FT8 RX

In a few moments, I intend to go on 10m FT8 RX. It is now 1006z.

UPDATE 1105: So far today, 139 stations already spotted with the furthermost VK6DW (14466km). The band seems busy. See photo.

UPDATE 1208z:  197 stations spotted.

UPDATE 1357z:  284 stations spotted in the last day on 10m FT8 RX.  10m is a good DX band again! I must soon listen just above 29MHz for USA AM stations.

80m FT8 RX

In all, 932 stations spotted last evening and overnight on 80m FT8 RX on what must be one of the most stupid antenna and ground systems on the planet, proving that for FT8 RX almost anything can be used. In my case this was the coax to my 2m big-wheel, and a mains plug ground, resonated via a ferrite rod ATU on the bench. 

Blink - NOT amateur radio

Our grandson is 14 years old today and it seems like only yesterday that he was born. Moral? Enjoy every moment.  Just think the same again and he will be 28!

Sunspots - Wednesday November 10th 2021

 Solar flux is 92 and the SSN 40.  A=6 and K=3.

80m FT8 RX

Since about 1915z I have been on 80m FT8 RX using the coax to the 2m big-wheel tuned via the ferrite rod ATU. So far, this evening 71 stations spotted.

UPDATE 2225z:   453 stations spotted on RX.  The band seems very busy as the photo shows.

Autumn is coming - NOT amateur radio

Autumn is late this year with many trees still with leaves. It is also very mild. 

We were picking up some leaves in the garden without wearing a coat. It felt more like late summer than November. 

Morning walk NOT amateur radio

For the first time in a while we did a walk around the village today. This fungus was seen. 

Cambridgeshire - NOT amateur radio

 

My son took this photo on a 32km cycle ride yesterday. He cycled up to the River Great Ouse.

10m FT8 RX

My system was turned on at 0851z. So far today (at 0858z) 26 stations spotted with the furthermost VK8NSB (13781km).

UPDATE 0911z:   53 stations spotted so far on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 0922z:   77 stations spotted.

UPDATE 1414z:  359 stations spotted on RX today.

UPDATE 1818z: 404 stations spotted on RX with none from the USA. 

40m FT8 RX in the last day

Overnight I was on 40m FT8 RX using the FT817ND and the coax to my 2m big-wheel antenna with the ferrite rod ATU. 972 stations spotted on RX. The map shows the stations spotted. 

Sunspots - Tuesday November 9th 2021

 Solar flux is 88 and the SSN 41. A=4 and K=2.

40m FT8 RX (Monday)

At about 1915z I turned on my FT817ND on 40m FT8 RX using the coax up to my 2m big-wheel via the ferrite rod ATU. It is now 1925z and 67 stations spotted.

UPDATE 2214z:   362 stations spotted so far with the furthermost VK7AC (17235km).

Main website

A reminder that my main website has far more details about my projects and interests. This is updated less frequently than this blog, but you might find some of the pages of interest.

See http://www.g3xbm.co.uk .

Nanny state? - NOT amateur radio

In my life, I have always wished people of every race, colour, gender or religion to be treated equally. It matters not a bit whether you are white, black, pink or green. It matters not to me whether you are married to a person of a different gender or the same. What matters is we are all kind and respectful of each other. Every human is different.

In my view, the pendulum has swung too far. 

We are getting silly about past errors, like slavery and pulling down statues. Yes, we should always teach history in a way that is fair to all and some statues need plaques that show the context in a totally balanced way.  We have become very keen to sue others.

In the past we could wolf whistle and girls took it as a bit of harmless fun. Now we cannot do it as it might be demeaning.  We are terrified of upsetting the lives of non-binary people or the transgendered.

All that is needed is to treat everybody kindly.

Some (only some) will understand - NOT amateur radio

This appeared as one of my FaceBook memories today. It is at least 10 years old. Some people will understand it. 

10m antennas

 One of the advantages of 10m is the antennas are small. For years I have had a Par end-fed antenna for 10m,20m and 40m up. At present I have one up, but just the 10m wire. I guess it is about 3m above the ground only.

CB half wave verticals work well. My Homebase-10 wire halo works well.

Endings - NOT amateur radio

I am not very good with endings. 

Recently, a close friend died and this reminded me just how much we take ordinary things and routines for granted until they stop. I bet she would love to have him around just doing ordinary things. 

For years we have cleaned the house on Mondays. For years we always visited an aunt in Devon until she died and this ended.

Change is always with us. As my wife said, "enjoy it whilst we can".

10m FT8 RX (Monday)

Shortly, I shall turn on my 10m FT8 RX. This allows me to get on with other things. I can check propagation over coffee later. 

The normal routine here on Mondays is some housework followed by a University of the Third Age Zoom lecture with the XYL bringing in coffee.

UPDATE 0955z:  My gear was turned on at 0853z. So far, 14 stations spotted. Furthermost is ZS4JAN (9366km). At the moment I cannot see evidence of Es. Propagation looks like F2, tropo and aircraft reflection.

UPDATE 1224z:   78 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1654z:  82 stations spotted with the furthermost CX7CO (11111km). On the whole this has not been a good day.

UPDATE 1918z:   Doh! My PC was on batteries that went flat! Normally I have the charger on, but I forgot. What may have looked like poor conditions may have been my PC just turning off. Stupid me!

Heffers, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

In recent years, "physical" bookshops have had a hard time as more of us buy books online. The biggest in Cambridge is Heffers in Trinity Street. Recently they have had a makeover. 

When I came to Cambridge first in 1970 much of the stock was academic books. In those days the internet was still to come!

Oscar 100 activity

Every few weeks I try to give an update on activity levels on the geosynchronous Oscar 100 using the on-line SDR at Goonhilly Down looking at the narrowband transponder.  Activity levels seem still pretty low. As I said before, people enjoy the challenge of getting going on the satellite then lose interest. 

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

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.