Mill leat - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows the view looking down the mill leat at Anglesey Abbey earlier. 

Local museum - NOT amateur radio

We are very lucky to live right next door to a windmill and local museum. These are open Thursdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays from Easter until the end of October.

Recently, the vehicle shed has been redone. There are plenty of old vehicles in here!

The photo shows me volunteering at the museum cafe yesterday.

See https://burwellmuseum.org.uk/ .

10m Es

For about an hour, I have been on 10m WSPR QRP TX with 500mW from my W5OLF beacon. Already, there have been 9 unique people spotting me. The Es season is underway!

UPDATE 1130z:   12 unique stations have spotted me so far. Definitely mostly, if not all,  Es.

Low cost modules for experimenters

My Facebook memories for today showed the low cost 70cm AM modules that you can buy on eBay. Others have used the HB100 10 GHz Doppler radar modules. Others have used 5.6GHz modules for TV. I am sure there are others. 

Since my 2013 stroke, I have been unable to do much building work. For serious experimenters there is a lot of choice.

These modules could form the heart of many projects and are well worth a look.

8m experiments (Friday)

My QRP signal has now been copied in 4 countries (UK, Eire, Portugal and Croatia).  With the Es season upon us now, I should reach Slovenia OK. If I am copied further, that would be an unexpected bonus.

Earlier today (around 0650z) my 40.680MHz FT8 gear was turned on. This was spotted by EI9KP (649km). It is now on RX only (no spots).

My rig is a widebanded FT817ND and the antenna a low wire dipole.

UPDATE 1232z:  S59F (1205km) spotted on 8m FT8 RX. Definitely Es.

UPDATE 1527z: EI9KP has copied me more than once today and at times very strongly Currently QRT (TX cooling!), but will be back on FT8 TX shortly on 40.680 MHz USB dial.

Sunspots - Friday April 29th 2022

 Solar flux is 132 and the SSN 118. A=14 and K=4.

Rally news

The following rallies have been notified to me.  As always, it is worth checking with organisers to ensure that the information is correct and the rallies are taking place.

       Sunday May 1st - Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre (not sure of the name). Contact 07956 654481

       Monday May 2nd - Dartmoor Radio Rally, Yelverton, Devon. Contact 2E0RPH@gmail.com. 

Still no swallows (barn) - NOT amateur radio

Last year I saw just 2 all year.  It is already April 28th and I have seen none at all. In the past I had definitely seen some by the middle of the month. Perhaps it is climate change or fewer nest sites? 

The next milestone will be the swifts arriving. They are usually a common sight and sound by mid-May. Will they be here next month? 

There are some swallows around, but I suspect there must be far fewer this year.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swallow/ .

Shack 2015

 

When clearing some old photos yesterday, I cam across this photo of the shack in 2015. 

How time flies!

10m QRP TX (Thursday)

 Yet again, I am on 10m WSPR TX with the W5OLF beacon. So far just local G4KPX (14km) spotting me.

UPDATE 1033z: Just local spots still. I think even Richard has given up!

8m experiment continued (Thursday)

My 8m TX experiments are continuing today with FT8 transmissions on 40.680 MHz USB dial regularly. 

UPDATE 0903z:   Sadly no spots given or received so far. Currently on RX, but expect to be on 8m FT8 TX again at 0930z.

UPDATE 1030z:  Still no spots.

UPDATE 1702z: FT8 exchange with 9A2Y (1567km).

Sunspots - Thursday April 28th 2022

Solar flux is 142 and the SSN 95.  A=21 and K=3.

Grand Arcade, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

 

The Grand Arcade in central Cambridge is a covered, pedestrian only, shopping area. 

It is one of the few places with a Raspberry Pi shop. Well, it is Cambridge!

80m FETer transceiver

It seems like yesterday, but this was designed in 2008. Starting from the 40m design by W2UW (SK) I wanted to see how simple a transceiver could be made for 80m. The result was the 1 FET FETer transceiver. My main issue was netting on RX. 

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

10m QRP WSPR TX (Wednesday)

 As my 10m antenna is again available, I am on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW from the W5OLF beacon. So far just 1 spot by TA4/G8SCU (3010km).

UPDATE 1617z: Just 3 unique stations spotting me all day. Nothing further than the TA4 above.

8m experiment (Wednesday)

At about 0742z, I turned on 8m FT8 TX QRP at 40.680 MHz USB dial. 

UPDATE 1035z: No spots so far today. RX only now.

UPDATE 1620z: Despite further TX periods, no spots TX or RX all day.

Sunspots - Wednesday April 27th 2022

 Solar flux is 150 and the SSN 126.   A=3 and K=2.

10m WSPR QRP TX

 At 0852z, I am on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW from the W5OLF beacon. Nobody has yet spotted me.

UPDATE 1902z: 5 unique stations spotted me today with the furthermost FR1GZ (9724km).

8m experiment (Tuesday)

 At 0845z, i went on 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8 TX.

UPDATE 1857z: Disappointing. No spots today on RX or TX.

Family history - NOT amateur radio

My family history can be traced back continuously to the mid 1500s in South Devon. One of my earliest ancestors was William of Hope. The photo shows the village of Hope Cove probably in the late 1800s or early 1900s. There is an Iron Age fort on the promontory nearby known as Bolt Tail. It is quite possible that one of my ancestors helped man it.  Quite humbling.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolt_Tail .

Sunspots - Tuesday April 26th 2022

Solar flux is 157 and the SSN 94.  A=5 and K=0.

Saffron Walden - NOT amateur radio

 

Yesterday, we went to Saffron Walden and Audley End in Essex as the collage shows.  At one time it was famous for its saffron - hence the name. 

The door in the top middle led to Oliver Cromwell's HQ at one time.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Monday)

At the moment (0946z), I am on 10m WSPR TX at 500mW from the W5OLF beacon. 2 unique stations spotting me so far with the furthermost TA4/G8SCU (3010km).

8m experiment (Monday)

 After a period on 8m FT8 TX on 40.680MHz USB dial, I am now on RX. No spots. It is now 0950z. 

At the moment I have been spotted in 3 countries despite my QRP and low wire dipole. During the Es season, I hope to increase this. Es openings can be very strong.

UPDATE 2030z:   QRT.

Sunspots - Monday April 25th 2022

Solar flux is 159 and the SSN 112.  A=5 and K=1.

Lightning risks

The chances (in the UK) of being hit by a direct lightning strike are (thankfully) low, but not nil. Many years ago a work colleague in a very ordinary house was struck and he had a lot of damage.

More common issues are power surges of the mains supply when lightning and thunder are nearby.

Perhaps I am paranoid, but if there is a threat of lightning nearby I unplug PSUs from their sockets and disconnect all antennas. If a power surge is around my gear is not going to experience it!

Unless you have a very good grounding systems, it is very unlikely your gear will survive a direct hit.

Now, I am no expert on lightning protection, so please make your own judgements on this by reading expert opinion. DO NOT rely on me!!

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

Audley End House - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows Audley End House not far from Cambridge. It is owned by English Heritage. 

The second photo shows the lake to the front of the house. 

Lavenham church - NOT amateur radio

 

Rich on the wool trade in the late Middle Ages, Lavenham has a fine church as shown in the photo.

8m FT8 experiments (Sunday)

Starting at 0841z, I was on TX for a period on 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8. Now I am RX only. No spots given or received.

UPDATE 2022z:   After I got home I went on 8m FT8 TX. My signal was copied in Southern Portugal for my best DX so far at 1808km. This is probably Es. Now QRT.

10m WSPR QRP TX (Sunday)

My gear, the 500mW  W5OLF TX beacon, was turned on about 0840z. So far, 3 spots from OE3XOE (1233km).

UPDATE 1737z:  8 unique stations have spotted me today.

More Lavenham - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows more of Lavenham yesterday. 

Sunspots - Sunday April 24th 2022

 Solar flux is 160 and the SSN 118.  A=12 and K=2. 

4 element Yagi for 70cms

Some years ago I was looking for an antenna for a 70cm contest to take out portable. It performed well with QRP SSB. Like similar antennas of mine, it was fabricated from an old metal coat hanger. It was a good match and used with my FT817. I still have this antenna in the back of the garage.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/antennas/70cm-4el-yagi .

Old England - NOT amateur radio

This is Dalham, not far from Newmarket. It is a real "chocolate box" village with loads of thatched cottages.

Lavenham, UK - NOT amateur radio

Lavenham is a village in Suffolk, UK. It was the 14th richest place in England in the late Middle Ages as a result of the wool trade. It has lots of timber framed properties. 

Our younger son had his wedding reception at the Swan Hotel, shown in the photo taken earlier today. Many years earlier I went on a course here for 1 week   ....and came home 7lbs heavier!! Mind you, I was not paying and the food was good!

10m QRP WSPR TX (Saturday)

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

UPDATE 1630z:  6 unique stations in 3 continents have spotted me today on 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 2100z:  QRT.

8m experiments today (Saturday)

My experiments on 8m carry on today. Yesterday EI9KP (649km) spotted me again. Whilst at home I shall go on FT8 TX but when out I shall be monitoring 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8 RX. 

 UPDATE 0925z:  My TX was turned on at 0850z. Now RX only. No spots given or received.

UPDATE 1625z:  As I was out most of the day I was mostly on 8m FT8 RX. 3 stations spotted. 

UPDATE 2103z:  QRT. No further spots today.

Shopping locally - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday we went to our local Co-op shop for some odds and ends. The coconut biscuits were far less expensive than Waitrose which is a 4 mile car ride. The Co-op is a 5 minute walk. 

Sunspots - Saturday April 24th 2022

Solar flux is 163 and the SSN 101.  A=6 and K=2. 

10m WSPR TX QRP beacon

The 10m antenna is available,  as I'm using a different antenna for my 8m experiments.  So, I shall be on 10m WSPR TX again using 500mW from the W5OLF beacon. 

UPDATE 0755z: TX beacon now turned on. Just the usual locals spots from G4KPX (14km).

UPDATE  1901z:  So far today - I may remain on for a short while - 6 stations have spotted my 500mW WSPR with the furthermost PY1EME (9453km).

UPDATE 2028z:  QRT.

Ultra-simple 10m CW transceiver

The Lesser Chirpy was one of my designs from 10 years ago. It is one of the simplest transceivers you can make. As with all my designs, I  would be very surprised if you could not make it better! It works by FSK so the frequency shifts when the key is pressed. The first version had too much chirp!

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

Dreams versus reality - NOT amateur radio

Sometimes I wonder if I dreamt something. 

Recently I tried to re-find a website I had seen. I Googled it many times using words that I thought would find it. I was unsuccessful, and was beginning to think I had just dreamed it. Then I found it - I had not been dreaming after all. 

All this has me wondering: what is reality? Certainly the boundaries between dreams and reality seem less clear.

8m experiments continued (Friday)

Later today I expect to continue my 8m experiments. As the TX loses power when warm, I have been on FT8 TX for a period, then RX, then QRT as the rig cools and then back to TX. 

Although I miss some of the DX others are seeing, it is interesting to see what a simple QRP station can achieve on 8m. My estimate is that I'm some 10dB at least down on the better stations, which can make a lot of difference on weaker signals. 

UPDATE 0753z:  After a brief TX period (no spots), I am currently on FT8 RX on 40.680 MHz USB dial (no spots). We are about to go shopping.

Swallows (Barn) - NOT amateur radio

At one time, these were a common summer migrant bird wintering in South Africa. They usually arrive here early in April.  In 2021, I only saw 2 all year. 

Swifts are also meant to be getting rarer, but we seemed to have similar numbers here to previous years. I have yet to see a single swallow here, which is very late. In the past, they were common by now.

My son, who has been wild camping, has seen and heard several cuckoos, but no swallows. Times, they are a changing...

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swallow/ .

Sunspots - Friday April 22nd 2022

Solar flux is 164 and the SSN 119. A=10 and K=1. 

Upcoming rallies

As far as I am aware the following rallies are happening, but it is always worth confirming with the organisers before travelling any distance. All are on Sunday April 24th.

Cambridge repeater Group Rally, Foxton near Cambridge. rally2022@cambridgerepeaters.net 

Northern Amateur Radio  Societies Association, Norbeck Castle Exhibition Centre, Blackpool.  dwilson@btinternet.com

Andover Radio Club Spring Boot Sale  Wildhem Villlage Hall (just north of Andover) arac@arac.org.uk .

Lyrid Meteor shower

Now and for the next few days were are experiencing the Lyrid meteor shower. Such showers often give rise to decent pings off the ionised trails, leading to short-lived, but strong, VHF signals. Things are often best in the early morning, but I am no expert.

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/ .

10m Tenner transceiver

With the Es season just starting in the Northern Hemisphere, perhaps now is the time to think about rigs. Some years ago I designed and built the Tenner which is a 500mW CW transceiver for 10m.

During the Es season, you should have no trouble at all working stations 1500km away with it. In the past, it has got far further!

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/10m-tenner-qrp-cw .

The Wren Library, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

There are some world famous buildings in Cambridge, UK including this library, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, which houses some of the most valuable books in the whole world.

Our church at night - NOT amateur radio

 

Our church is illuminated at night, as the photo shows. It can be seen for miles around. It is a very fine old building.