10m QRP WSPR TX (Thursday)

Yet again, I am on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW from the W5OLF beacon. It is now 0815z and, so far, just 37 spots from local G4KPX (14km).

UPDATE 2122z:  QRT.  5 stations spotted me today.

Swans - NOT amateur radio

These swans are very determined. 

Until quite recently, builders were making a facility for National Grid (electricity) storage batteries within a few metres!  It is good to see them trying again rebuilding their nest.

8m experiments (Thursday)

For about 1 hour I have been on 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8. Sadly nobody spotted  me. It is 0800z and I am FT8 RX only on 8m. No RX spots. 

UPDATE 1205z:  EI9KP (649km) has again spotted me.

UPDATE 2120z:  QRT. No other spots, but I feel certain that I will reach Slovenia this Es season.

Sunspots - Thursday April 21st 2022

 Solar flux is 160 and the SSN 80. A=9 and K=3.

Punting on the Cam - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows punts on the River Cam in Cambridge outside King's College. Very relaxing too. 

10m WSPR QRP TX (Wednesday)

As my 10m antenna is available, I am on 10m QRP WSPR TX with 500mW from my W5OLF beacon. Just local spots so far by G4KPX (14km).

UPDATE 1611z:  Just 2 unique stations spotting me today with the furthemost TA4/G8SCU (3010km). I shall stop on for several hours in case things improve.

UPDATE 1800z:  QRT.

8m experiments (Wednesday)

After a brief FT8 TX period on 40.680 MHz, I am now on RX only as we are going for a walk. I expect to be on FT8 TX later. So far today, no spots.

UPDATE 1606z:  Today has been disappointing. I have been on 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8 TX several time and RX the rest of the time. I am currently on TX. No spots at all on 8m today.

UPDATE 1805z:   QRT.  Disappointing with no spots given or received all day.

Geek?

OK, I admit it. I am a geek! 

This was me in 2013 testing my 481 THz optical kit in the garden. I don't think the neighbours were looking.  😁

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/optical-nanowaves/over-the-horizon .

Sunspots - Wednesday April 20th 2022

 Solar flux is 135 and the SSN 68.  A=7 and K=1.

Friedrischafen, Germany 2022

This is the biggest amateur gathering in Europe, so I hope it takes place in person this year. No idea of the dates, although I am sure it will be on the internet somewhere. 

UPDATE 1600z: Found it! See https://www.hamradio-friedrichshafen.de/

Shack

Since we moved in 2013, I have had a dedicated shack. Funny how it still gets used as a dumping ground when we have visitors and want to look tidy!  

The shack has one of the best views in the house, not that I am complaining. The photo is deceptive: the shack is much smaller than it looks.

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

G3XBM book progress

The G3XBM Projects Scrapbook creation is underway. 

All being well, I hope to have this available as a free PDF by the end of May. There is quite a bit of work, so if it is a bit late do not be too surprised!  At least as a free PDF I can add to it or make corrections easily. 

I hope to publicise the link widely and hope it gives you some ideas, as that is its aim. It has been lots of fun on my journey. 

Many would prefer a printed book, but this would take much longer and there might be some copyright issues. As a free PDF these issues should be avoided. 

As I have said many times, my aim was never to make any money from a book, rather to put my ideas and projects in one place for those that want them. 

Our garden in spring - NOT amateur radio

At the moment our garden is at its best with lots of blossom. The blossom is ephemeral and will soon be gone. 

Where I come from in South Devon - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows where I come from in South Devon. 

10m WSPR TX beacon using 500mW

At the moment I am on 10m WSPR TX using 500mW to the W5OLF beacon. Just spots locally from G4KPX (14 km). It is early!! 

UPDATE 0745z:  Still just G4KPX (14km) spotting me.

Spring in the UK - NOT amateur radio

This photo was posted on 365project yesterday. Rapeseed is  now widely grown in the UK. I like the colour. 

8m tests (Tuesday)

My gear was turned on at 0530z. At the moment I am on 8m FT8 TX at 1W. Being on lower power which seems fine for Es, I hope to be on TX longer. My frequency is still 40.680 MHz USB dial. 

UPDATE 0805z:  For the first hour I was on 1W FT8 TX on 40.680 MHz USB dial. Sadly nobody spotted me. The power still dropped over time. At the moment I am RX only, but intend to be on full power FT8 TX later.

UPDATE 1337z:  Now on full power (for me - whatever the FT817ND manages on 8m!!)  FT8 TX on 40.680 MHz USB dial. 

UPDATE 1505z:  Only one local spot of me today by G0LRD (26km). Disappointing so far.

UPDATE 2000z: RX only now.  After my success being copied by EI9KP (649km) on 8m FT8 with just QRP and a low wire dipole yesterday, today was disappointing with just one local spot.  As EI9KP copied me strongly, I am pretty sure reports will be exchanged with Borat soon. It is unlikely I shall get outside Europe with my low power and antenna (just a low wire dipole), but I am getting excited about getting 8m FT8 reports via Es soon. I may use WSPR on occasions. Unless told otherwise, I propose to use 40.680 MHz USB dial for FT8 and WSPR and will use the FIRST period to TX on FT8. I know exchanging reports with G3XBM on 8m is not like working ZS stations, but each one will give me great pleasure.  FT8 exchanges are totally within my licence terms as long as you can TX legally on 8m.  There is nothing at all stopping SWLs without 8m TX permits spotting me.  After all, we are exchanging reports and locations, which is all I need to know.  My "experiment" is seeing how well QRP and simple low wire dipoles work at 8m. 

In case of ANY doubts I give my express permission for ANYONE to give me reports by any means e.g. PSKreporter, WSPRnet or email.

Sunspots - Tuesday April 19th 2022

 Solar flux is 135 and the SSN 79. A=8 and K=3. 

Echolink

It is a while since I have tried Echolink. With Echolink on your phone or PC, you can access repeaters on the other side of the planet, often used by locals to talk to others on VHF or UHF handhelds. You can even buy network radios that use the internet as the main bearer. 

I have an Android handheld with PTT that looks and feels just like a VHF handheld. I have to admit it is not used often as I prefer experimenting with "real" radio! 

If you cannot have big antennas or amateur radio in the conventional way, this may be a way to keep in touch.

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

Web SDRs

It is often interesting to see how others receive you in their part of the world. Also, on the other side of the world, the bands can sound quite different. These days, we can take a peek by listening to various web SDRs. 

Also, when local noise levels are very high, it allows us to hear the distant station without the QRN.

Recently, there is a new one in Iceland.

See http://bjarg.utvarp.com/ .

See also http://websdr.org/ for a list.

The Shard, London - NOT amateur radio

London has some tall skyscrapers on its skyline. One of the most famous is the Shard shown here. 

I was amused some years ago by a photo that our son took when he was performing jazz in the Shard. He sent us a view from sitting on the toilet in the Shard!! Luckily, we only saw the view at night out if the window!

Maggie - NOT amateur radio

Maggie the horse has been a firm favourite with children in the village and our grandchildren for many years. 

She loves to be fed grass.

10m WSPR QRP TX (Monday)

Yet again, I am on 10m WSPR TX with my W5OLF beacon. Several spots by local G4KPX (14km) who I think must have been away over Easter. As yet, no DX. I think Richard goes on 10m WSPR briefly then chooses another band or goes QRT.

8m experiments (Monday)

After a brief FT8 TX period on 40.680 MHz USB dial (no spots of me) I am again RX only, but will go on TX if there is any sign of Es. On RX, nobody has been spotted so far. I need a decent Es opening!

UPDATE 1415z:  My 8m power goes down with time, so I TX for a period, RX FT8 for a period, turn everything off, TX for a period, then RX again. So far today, no spots on RX or TX on 8m. Currently on 40.680 MHz FT8 TX.

UPDATE 1658z: DX at last!! EI9KP (649km) has spotted me strongly on FT8. This is the first time I have been received beyond the local area. I think this was Es. At -5dB on FT8, this is encouraging.

UPDATE 1827z: QRT. 

Sunspots - Monday April 18th 2022

 Solar flux is 135 and the SSN 74.  A=11 and K=2.

All quiet on the Oscar 100 front

Every few weeks I take a peek at the narrowband transponder of this geosynchronous satellite. This is Easter weekend so a few people may be away with parents etc. This could reduce activity, although with more people on leave I would have expected this to have little overall effect. 

It was very quiet when I looked on Easter Sunday in the early evening in Europe. Overall, I would say, "don't bother". With HF conditions improving, I cannot see many getting pleasure from this satellite. It is a lot of effort that I, personally, think is wasted.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

70cm activity contest last Tuesday

At the moment I have no 70cm horizontal antennas so I use my 2m big-wheel omni antenna. Because of my poor voice I usually stay on for about 45 minutes. I run 10W SSB  QRP. Last week I had 3 QSOs with the furthermost 105km.

Hawkweed? - NOT amateur radio

A few weeks ago this patch of grass near the post office in the village was a mass of daffodils. Now it is the turn of these yellow flowers that I think are mainly hawkweed. 

10m WSPR TX beacon (Sunday)

 With the W5OLF 500mW beacon, I am on 10m WSPR TX. So far today, no spots of me. 

UPDATE 1433z:  It look like the Es season has definitely arrived with 11 unique stations spotting me, mostly in central Europe.

8m experiments (Sunday)

After a brief period on FT8 TX (1 local spot), I am on FT8 RX now. 

UPDATE 1427z:  It looks like the Es season has started with strong reception earlier of Borat S50B on 8m FT8.  G9PUV was also copied earlier.

UPDATE 1713z:   It seems only a matter of time now in the Es season that I exchange reports with S50B.

Sunspots - Sunday April 17th 2022

Solar flux is 122 and the SSN 78. A=8 and K=3.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Saturday)

Once again, I am on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW from my W5OLF beacon. It has been on from about 0900z.  So far, just local spots by G4KPX (14km).

8m experiment (Saturday)

Yesterday, I carried out some 8m WSPR TX tests. All were unsuccessful with no sign whatsoever of anyone copying me. I was hoping that somebody would detect something. Alas....

At about 0900z, I went again on 40.680 MHz FT8 TX. Just local spots again. On RX in the last few weeks I have spotted 4 stations. 

With my results, with QRP and a low dipole, I think I shall concentrate on 8m FT8 RX until the Es season really gets going. I think with Es I should have some success on TX.

UPDATE 1533z: I tried some WSPR TX tests this afternoon on 8m. Again, no success.

UPDATE 1625z:  Another test on 40.680 MHz WSPR at 1600z was also unsuccessful.

Precious moments - NOT amateur radio

Last evening we had a BBQ with our sons and all the grandchildren. A famous philosopher once said (and here I paraphrase as I cannot remember the words) something like enjoy the simple things as you don't know they will be precious moments until later.  Last evening felt like that: our sons, all the grandchildren, blossom and a lovely sunset. 

Sunspots - Saturday April 16th 2022

Solar flux is 110 and the SSN 35.  A=21 and K=2.

8m WSPR test - 1500z Friday

 At 1500z I shall be doing a WSPR test transmission on 40.680 MHz USB dial. This is NOT the usual 8m WSPR frequency.

UPDATE 1535z :  Sadly nobody spotted the WSPR TX test. 

10m QRP WSPR TX (Friday)

 I am on 10m WSPR with 500mW from the W5OLF beacon. 

UPDATE 1042z:  So far today, 2 unique stations have spotted me with the furthermost TA4/G8SCU (3010km). 

8m testing (Friday)

After a brief TX period on FT8 (one local FT8 spot) and then Q65, I am now on FT8 RX only.

UPDATE 1044z:  Nobody spotted on 8m FT8 RX. 

View from the shack window

Spring is a great time of year with lots of fresh growth and blossom. The photo shows the view looking down the garden from the shack. 

Sunspots - Friday April 15th 2022

Solar flux is 103 and the SSN 37.  A=38 and K=4.

Simple 10m FT8 RX

In the Northern Hemisphere we are entering the Es season with DX up to about 1500km on most days. The season usually lasts most of the summer.  Also the sunspot count is climbing, so next autumn should be good on 10m too.

If you want an FT8 10m RX, you may want to take a look at my 10FT8R receiver.  This is very effective and does not miss much.

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

Boris - NOT amateur radio

Boris Johnson is the UK Prime Minister. He has recently been fined for parties during the Covid-19 pandemic. He is under a lot of pressure to resign as he set the rules.  The Ukraine war has helped delay the inevitable. 

Minehead - NOT amateur radio

Ten years ago were on holiday in North Devon and went to Minehead in Somerset where we saw lots of steam trains. 

10m QRP WSPR TX (Thursday)

 At the moment I am on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW from the W5OLF beacon. So far just G4KPX (14km) spotting me (44 spots by 0940z).

Stations spotting me today

UPDATE 2020z: QRT.

8m tests (Thursday)

My 8m station was turned on at about 0800z. Initially, I tried sending some Q65 for a test with a station in Bath without success. I am was on 8m FT8 with just a local spot.

UPDATE 0924z:  Currently monitoring 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8.

UPDATE 2025z:  QRT. Only local spots of me.  On RX the furthermost was EI9KP (649km).

2019 breakfast - NOT amateur radio

On his visit to us in 2019, our son cooked breakfast. 

Sunspots - Thursday April 14th 2022

Solar flux is 99 and the SSN 37. A=9 and K=3.

70cm activity contest (UKAC)

Last evening I took part in the 70cm activity contest with 10W and my 2m big-wheel omni. I did not stop on long as my voice was poor. 

In all, I made 3 contacts with the best G4CLA (105km). These UKAC sessions are good fun.

See https://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?contest=70cmsukac .

Philosophy - NOT amateur radio

Every now and again, I get thinking about the deeper things in life. Human consciousness really confuses me. 

We think of time flowing ever forwards. We are a mere dot in history. We are a on a small planet in the universe. Some estimates are that there are 1 trillion planets! At the moment there are almost 8 billion people alive on our planet. I do not know how many humans have ever existed.

And yet we are self aware.

Religiously, I am agnostic not knowing what I believe. We may have our whole view of the universe turned on its head in the next 100 years. 

And, of course, this is just what I experience. For you, it might be completely different!

Life, consciousness, the universe and us are real puzzles!

See https://bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/planets-universe/.

Bellringing - NOT amateur radio

One of our grandsons is mad on bellringing. The very short video shows him ringing at Fulbourn, near Cambridge, recently.