Getting worse? - NOT amateur radio

Many things are better nowadays, but many things have got worse. My coats have fewer pockets, my underpants are thinner, National Trust bags are more inferior, Picasa has been "retired". You get the distinct impression that suppliers are designing to a fixed price.

Recently we bought some new cordless phones. As far as I can see these are the replacements of the ones we have. On the old ones we can assign ring tones to certain people e.g. family, friends etc... On the new ones I cannot see how to do it! This was a really useful feature as we could ignore SPAM. If it is a call from people we know, we answer. If it is someone else important, they will leave a message or ring again. If I cannot find out how to do this, they are of no use and will be returned.

What are your views?

8m experiment (Friday)

Shortly, I shall be back on 8m FT8 TX on 40.680 MHz USB dial. Yesterday was disappointing. 

UPDATE 0917z:  My FT8 TX was started at 0813z. EI9KP (649km) has spotted me and I have spotted him. This is so regular that I am suspecting aircraft reflection.

Stations spotting my QRP 8m FT8

Stations spotted here on 8m FT8

UPDATE 1502z: Reports exchanged with S50B (1220km) in Slovenia. 5 stations have been spotted on the band here today. Belgium 8m amateur operation is currently illegal, although the Belgians are considering a small amateur allocation. So far, I have been copied in 5 countries on 8m, despite my QRP system.

How many? - NOT amateur radio

This photo shows a family of ducks we saw on our walk yesterday. At first I could only see 6 ducklings, but then I spotted the 7th. Can you? 

Sunspots - Friday May 6th 2022

Solar flux is 120 and the SSN 85.  A=4 and K=0.

Cow parsley - NOT amateur radio

We did a walk around the village earlier. We walked past this field, which has lots of cow parsley that will be at its best in a few days time.

Rally in Northern Ireland

The following rally is due to be held on Sunday May 8th. As always in these strange times, I advise checking with the organisers that it is taking place.

Sunday May 8th  Lough Erne ARC Annual Rally. Contact alan.r.gault@btinternet.com .

IC-705 and FT8?

The ICOM IC-705 is a great 10W radio with many wonderful features. I love the waterfall and many of the things it has as standard.

It is regularly used on 2m and 70cm (FM and USB, but I have not used it on FT8. Instead, I have used my FT817ND on 8m and other bands for FT8. Why? With the USB lead (even choked) I get desensitisation. I believe the simple solution is to use the IC-705 with wi-fi (yes it has this too!), but I have been too lazy to set this up yet. I am sure there are YouTube videos showing how to set this up! One of my projects in the coming weeks must be to set this up.

If you can point me in the right direction this might save me time. What is the simplest and clearest please?

10m WSPR QRP TX

As the 10m antenna is free, I am on 10m WSPR TX using 500mW from the W5OLF beacon. So far, spots from the Canary Is only at 0833z. 

UPDATE 1355z: 3 unique stations spotting my 500mW with the furthermost TA4/G8SCU (3010km). I suspect these are all single hop F2 propagation.

8m experiment (Thursday)

At the moment (0830z), I am again on 8m FT8 TX on 40.680 MHz USB dial. When we go for a walk later I shall be RX only.  So far, no spots given or received.

UPDATE 1505z:  After just over a month, I am already drawing some conclusions as follows: 

(1) With my QRP and simple antenna I can work DX by Es, but I think TEP exchanges e.g. with South Africa are beyond me. I estimate my ERP could be 20dB down on some of the better stations. 

(2) There are far fewer stations active than I was expecting. Is no-one really interested?

(3) I suspect many of those active lose interest once they know their capability. It looks like I shall have FT8 exchanges with Slovenian stations, then what? 

UPDATE  1507z:  Today I have spotted nobody and nobody has spotted me on 8m FT8. At this rate, especially as OFCOM wants £50 every year, I can see few being interested in the UK. What a great pity.

UPDATE 1518z:  Looks like I shall go QRT on 8m TX after the Es season.

UPDATE 1607z: Now on 8m FT8 TX (first) on 40.680 USB dial.

Swallows (Barn) - NOT amateur radio

These summer migrant birds winter in South Africa. They used to arrive here in early April. They are around as my son has taken a photo, but I suspect there are fewer. It is already well into May and I have still to see one. Last year I only saw 2 the whole spring and summer! Swifts normally arrive about now. 

UPDATE 1410z: We did a nice walk this morning around the village which included several stretches near water.  Had there been swallows and swifts around, we would have seen them. We saw none. My impression is there are fewer even than last year, which is very sad.

Chocolate box village - NOT amateur radio

 

The village of Dalham is not far from us. It is a real "chocolate box" village with lots of thatched cottages.

10m operation

My favourite band of all is 10m (28 MHz).  At 1.7 MHz wide, there is room for all modes. Apart from daytime in the better years of the sunspot cycle, it is unusual not to find clear frequency. Even with low power and small antennas worldwide DX is possible.

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

Sunspots - Thursday May 5th 2022

Solar flux is 130 and the SSN 64. A=6 and K=1.

Dayton (USA) Hamvention 2022

As far as I know this is on as a face-to-face convention later this month after a couple of dire Covid years rather getting in the way. 

Often the big manufacturers announce new products here, sometimes well before release. I guess they are testing the market interest. It will be interesting to see what is announced. This is an ideal chance for Yaesu to announce a proper successor to the FT817/818 series. The recent offering (the FT818) was distinctly underwhelming! With sunspot numbers rising this is an ideal time. Or will Yaesu again "miss the boat"?

This is one of the largest amateur radio gatherings on the planet. I have never been.

See https://hamvention.org/ .

2m activity contest (UKAC)

Last night was the May 2022 leg of the UKAC activity contest organised by the RSGB. In the 50 minutes I was on, I managed 6 QSOs with the furthermost G4RUL/P (172km) on the south coast.

Jay, W5OLF?

 As regular readers will know, Jay', W5OLFs 10m WSPR beacon is a small stand-alone 500mW WSPR beacon that I have used for many years. It is still in use this very minute.  With it, I have reached all parts of the planet.

Despite writing to Jay some days ago, I have not got a reply. Does anyone have any news please?

10m QRP WSPR TX

At the moment I am again on 10m WSPR TX with the W5OLF 500mW beacon. So far, spots from the Canary Is and Turkey.

UPDATE 1135z:  Still the same stations spotting me.

Dual band antenna

This photo appeared as a Facebook memory today. It shows the 10m/6m antenna erected in 2012. 

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/antennas/homebase10-10m-halo .

Bolberry Down, Devon - NOT amateur radio

In my view this is one of the best places in the world. It is wild and unspoilt. 

8m experiment (Wednesday)

Once again, my intention is to stick with FT8 today on 40.680 MHz USB dial. So far, I have been copied in 4 European countries and expect this to increase during the Es season. 

The impression I am getting is that other than Es openings my QRP is not capable of being spotted at any distance. Also, I think there are fewer stations with TX permits this year. I was expecting more to be asking for these. Overall, I am a bit disappointed. Other than stations in the UK, Croatia, Slovenia and possibly Eire, I suspect the chances of exchanging FT8 reports are small. Once these countries are "worked", I suspect interest might wane.

If I am honest I was expecting stations across Europe to be active this Es season. Sadly, this is not the case. 

Personally I think a very small 8m, digital only, allocation to the amateur service would really help research in radio propagation science. I think OFCOM and the RSGB have been totally stupid over their attitude to this! You feel that they are not really interested in real self training and research. Talking about gardens and arthritic knees on 80m with Japanese commercial rigs is fine!!

UPDATE 0835z:  For about an hour I have been on 8m FT8 TX. I was spotted (yet again) by EI9KP (649km) in the west of Eire. Nobody spotted here, although I am currently RX only.

UPDATE 1320z:  No further 8m spots. Currently RX only again.

Sunspots - Wednesday May 4th 2022

Solar flux is 114 and the SSN 53 .  A=7 and K=2.

ON4KST chat?

This chatroom is often used to set up skeds etc. When I tried to log in earlier it came back with a 404 error and said, "not found". This may be just a temporary glitch. I hope this is just temporary as I normally post news of my 8m tests here as well as my blog.

See http://www.on4kst.com/chat/start.php .

UPDATE 1740z:  All working again - thankfully.

That free PDF G3XBM project scrapbook

It is pleasing to say that this book is on target to be completed by the end of May. 

My intention is to collect all my projects into a freely downloadable PDF book. I shall add the link on this blog and send it to the major radio magazines. I want this to be freely available so you can share my fun. It is a scrapbook as it is full of ideas that I am sure can be improved by experimentation.

Nothing would give me more pleasure than if someone took my projects further.

The reason for the free PDF is to avoid the copyright issues that might arise with a printed book. Also it means I can add additions and corrections easily at any time.

Cambridge bookshop - NOT amateur radio

When I first moved to Cambridge in 1970 there were loads of bookshops. With people choosing to buy online there are now far fewer. 

The photo shows one that has remained. One wonders for how long?

10m QRP WSPR TX (Tuesday)

As my 10m antenna is free, I am again on 10m WSPR with the W5OLF 500mW TX beacon.  It is now 0842z and, so far, no spots yet .

UPDATE 0923z:  Still no spots.

UPDATE 1611z:   4 unique stations have spotted me with the furthermost FR1GZ (9724km).

8m experiment (Tuesday)

 Yesterday was hopeless with no stations spotting me and no stations spotted. 

As May goes on, Es should get better and more common. With my QRP, I am not expecting great things, but most active 8m stations in Europe should be in range at some time. There are also a number of stations monitoring , if not able to TX.

At the moment (0828z) I am on 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8 TX.

My usual pattern is TX FT8 in the first period around 1950Hz audio for about 30 minutes, then go on just RX for about 30 minutes, then QRT whilst the rig cools, then repeat.

UPDATE 0926z:  No spots given or received yet. Currently RX only.

UPDATE 1030z:  Currently QRT as the rig cools. Back on FT8 TX (40.680 MHz USB dial) at 1100z. No spots still today.

UPDATE 1550z:  Back on 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8 TX. My earlier attempts on 8m FT8 TX and RX have been unsuccessful today. I hope I catch some Es at teatime. It often peaks around noon and teatime - no idea why.

UPDATE  1748z:   It looks like today will pass without any 8m spots. Currently RX only.

Buttercups - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows the view outside our village post office with lots of spring flowers. 

Sunspots - Tuesday May 3rd 2022

Solar flux is 112 and the SSN 69. A=6 and K=2.

Springtime - NOT amateur radio

All the seasons have their own beauty, but spring is my favourite. Everything  has a promise with new growth, new flowers etc.. 

The flowers and new growth were seen on walks recently.

GS3PYE/P

The Camb-Hams group is in Scotland again on the Isle of Skye (EU-008) until May 6th. They are being widely worked on VHF.

10m WSPR TX

With 500mW from the W5OLF beacon, I am on 10m WSPR TX. No spots yet. 

UPDATE 1523z:  6 unique stations have spotted me so far today. This looks like a mix of Es and single hop F2 propagation.

8m experiment (Monday)

 After a brief period on FT8 TX (40.680 MHz USB dial), I may try WSPR TX at 0900z on 40.662 MHz. 

UPDATE 1730z:   A very quiet day. No spots given or received. Most of the day I was on FT8, sometimes TX and sometimes RX.

Sunspots - Monday May 2nd 2022

 Solar flux is 109 and the SSN 36. A=9 and K=2. 

Quantum Mechanics - NOT amateur radio

 Quantum mechanics is hard and in many ways counter-intuitive. This YouTube video may help.

Outside King's Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

This morning we went to Cambridge with our grandson. He was hoping to ring the bells in St Edward King and Martyr church which preached one of the first sermons of the English reformation. He was unsuccessful sadly as they were not ringing the bells. 

We had brunch opposite King's where we saw these postcards.

See http://stedwardscambridge.co.uk/ .

10m QRP WSPR TX

Most of the day I have been on 10m WSPR Tx with the W5OLF WSPR beacon at 500mW. 4 unique stations have spotted me. Most appear to be single hop F2 propagation.

8m experiment (Sunday)

My 8m adventure continues. 

As I was out most of the morning I was on 40.680 MHz QRP USB dial FT8 TX earlier, but RX only until a few minutes ago. No spots given or received.  

I am again on FT8 TX (it is now 1215z).

UPDATE 1356z:  EI9KP (649km) in the west of Eire has, again, spotted me. Currently, I am RX only on 8m FT8.

Oscar 100 narrowband activity

Every few weeks I take a peek at activity levels on the geosynchronous Oscar 100 satellite. Activity levels seem very low. My peek was at breakfast time in Europe on Sunday when I thought it might be better. 

It seems to me that this has not "taken off" (no pun intended!). When it was first put in orbit, people had high hopes that, alas, have not been matched. 

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

St Ninians Isle (Shetland) - NOT amateur radio

This photo was posted on 365project yesterday. 

Solar forecast

My favourite site for solar data is usually updated early in the month. Based on the last few days, things are looking promising. It has been updated earlier today.

At the moment, this solar cycle looks a bit better than the last one.

See https://www.solen.info/solar/ .

Sunspots - Sunday May 1st 2022

Solar flux is 120 and the SSN 50. A=18 and K=3.

Fuel prices - a con? - NOT amateur radio

Since early March fuel prices have dropped considerably. Have retail prices followed suit? NO!!! 

Whilst I can understand retailers trying to claw back losses suffered during the Covid-19 pandemic, I hope retailers follow suit and drop their prices too.

It seems to me that consumers are being taken for a ride - well actually not as the fuel is too expensive!! 

The last ones - NOT amateur radio

These daffodils were at Anglesey Abbey yesterday. I suspect these will be the last ones until next winter. Anglesey Abbey is owned by the National Trust and has extensive grounds.

10m WSPR QRP TX (Saturday)

For about 45 minutes (it is now 0901z) I have been on 10m WSPR TX with the 500mW W5OLF beacon. Just local G4KPX (14km) currently spotting me.

UPDATE 1304z:  Still just G4KPX (14km) spotting me. So far, Richard has spotted me 123 times today.

8m experiments (Saturday)

It is now 0857z. I have been on 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8 TX.  No spots on RX or TX.

UPDATE 0941z:  Currently RX only. As far as I know the following countries have granted limited access to TX on 8m:

  USA (a limited number of special permits issued by the FCC)

  Canada (1 special permit)

  South Africa (special permission?)

  UK (a limited number of special T&I licences)

  Slovenia (allocated 40.66-40.70 to amateurs on a secondary basis)

  Croatia (special permission?)

  Eire (full allocation to the amateur service)

  Denmark (beacon only).

Others may be active, but I am unsure of their legality. I am unsure of the legal position of operating with very low ERP in the ISM band in almost any country.

UPDATE 1220z:  Still no spots today.  Will be on FT8 TX at about 1240z.

UPDATE 1243z: Now on 8m FT8 TX (40.680 MHz USB dial). Reports welcomed.

Shetland sunshine - NOT amateur radio

There cannot be many perfect days on the Shetland Islands. Often it is cold and windy. This photo was on 365project yesterday. 

Yesterday on 10m WSPR TX

Yesterday, I was spotted by 15 stations on 10m WSPR TX when running 500mW. The Es season really has started. 

Sunspots - Saturday April 30th 2022

Solar flux is 124 and the SSN 90. A=15 and K=5.

G3XBM video channel

This is my usual reminder that I have a G3XBM video channel which has more data on many of my projects. Many of these videos are years old, certainly before my 2013 stroke.

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

Ely cathedral - NOT amateur radio

They call this "the ship of the fens" and you can see why. It can be seen from miles away standing high on the Isle of Ely. There has been a church here for well over 1000 years. 

It is the only medieval wonder in England. It truly is a splendid piece of architecture, built way before our times with lots of tools and machines.