One of my Facebook memories today was this photo of my 2200m tests. Apart from a very brief TX last year I have not been on that band on TX for many years.
25 Jan 2023
24 Jan 2023
Cold winter? - NOT amateur radio
It is odd to think that not many months ago we were too hot in bed! Come May we can expect blossom, summer migrant birds and warm days again.
23cm webpage added
As you know, I am using the transverter from SG Labs which looks well made. Several people have these and are pleased.
Yesterday was my first ever 23cm QSO.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/23cm .
UPDATE 1406z: I tried to see if there was any sign of the 23cm beacon on Dunstable Downs GB3DUN on 1296.890 MHz. Nothing at all was spotted despite moving the antenna around to try to detect it, perhaps by a reflection off something. From here, this path is well obstructed. I assume it is on the air. The Martlesham beacon GB3MHZ on 1296.830 MHz is on the wrong side of the house, so I think I have no chance. I shall have a go though later.
Sunspots - higher than expected?
Some years ago, some were predicting a Maunder minimum with years without sunspots.
On present showing, the current solar cycle is looking to exceed the last one. My favourite site for solar data is still expecting the peak late this year, which is early. With many months still to go to the peak, things are promising.
10m 500mW WSPR TX (Tuesday)
Yet again, I am on 10m WSPR TX with my beacon. It is now 0940z and I have been on for about 10 minutes. So far today, spotted by no stations.
UPDATE 1446z: 12 unique stations have spotted me today.
UPDATE 1007z: So far, 2 unique stations are spotting my QRP. The distances look like single hop F2. (Canaries and Finland).
UPDATE 1125z: 4 unique stations spotting me.
UPDATE 1446z: 12 unique stations have spotted me today.
8m FT8 QRP (Tuesday)
At the moment I am on 8m FT8 QRP. It is now 0934z. No spots yet, although I have only just turned on.
UPDATE 1610z: 4 stations in EI and G have suddenly spotted my 8m QRP FT8 TX. I am wondering if this is aircraft reflection? Apart from this, just 1 EI spotted on FT8 RX this morning.
UPDATE 1616z: Since then, spots by 2 more at this time. This makes aircraft reflection even more likely. It looks like the position and Doppler made reception possible. I am not aware of aircraft reflection before now on 8m FT8.
23 Jan 2023
8m T&I permit renewal application with OFCOM
The application to get a new 8m permit to replace my current one (at great expense, which I think is utterly STUPID!!) is with OFCOM. There is no certainty of a new 8m permit, but I have essentially asked for the same as the last one.
If they reject it, I intend to WSPR with 10mW ERP in the ISM 8m band. Perhaps I should use the callsign OF3COM just to register my disapproval, HI.
My 8m FT8 was turned on late at 1645z.
UPDATE 1800z: Just S57A (1194km) has been spotted. Nobody has spotted my QRP today.
British politics - NOT amateur radio
It turns out that our one time chancellor (in charge of money) made an error with his taxes and has paid a very large sum to settle his mistakes. Our Prime Minister is married to a very rich woman who is worth millions (at least). There are many we just do not know about.
In my view ALL in high office must be above reproach. It is also important that they understand the common man.
You could be forgiven for thinking many in high office are not there really for the common good and are out of touch with many.
At one time, those in high office had very high standards and went into politics with high levels of integrity. These days many enter politics for totally the wrong reasons.
Being wealthy is not a crime. Being out of touch with the common man is sad.
QDX - creeping up
At Christmas, I ordered a QDX digital transceiver, ready built, covering 20m-10m from QRP labs. As it will be ready built and cased, there is a waiting list.
My place in the queue is getting better. I shall wait patiently!!
Hans makes some great kits.
23cm SSB sked (Monday) - success!
At 1430z today, I have a sked with G6UW/G3ZAY on 1296.3 MHz SSB. Martin is in Cambridge (far side). At the moment, I am still using the 2 element test antenna indoors pointing out of the shack window.
UPDATE 1535z: We made it! This was my first ever QSO on 23cms. No great DX, but so important to me. This proves the 2W 23cm transverter works on TX and RX, but I must get a better antenna for /P work later in the year.
10m QRP WSPR TX (Monday)
In a few moments, I am about to switch on my 500mW W5OLF 10m WSPR beacon.
UPDATE 1100z: 5 unique stations have already spotted my QRP (see chart).
UPDATE 1547z: 16 unique stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR today.
22 Jan 2023
23cm - partial success
Although I got no FT8 decodes, my 23cm QRP signal did make it to the QTH of G4HJW, despite double glazed windows, bushes, a shed and 2 hills! I am sure on a less obstructed path I would succeed. Tomorrow I have a USB sked with G6UW in Cambridge.
The second photo shows the 2 element antenna firing through the shack window.
10m 500mW WSPR TX (Sunday)
It is now 1220z. About 30 minutes ago, I turned on my W5OLF 10m WSPR beacon. So far, 3 unique stations spotting me today.
UPDATE 1438z: 17 stations have spotted me so far today.
UPDATE 1635z: 18 unique stations have spotted my QRP with the furthermost FY5KE (7110km).
UPDATE 2045z: 19 stations spotted me today on QRP 10m WSPR. Now QRT.
Plans for today
At the moment these are my plans:-
- 8m FT8 QRP on 40.680 MHz.
- 10m 500mW WSPR TX.
- 23cm QRP FT8 local tests at 1630z.
Norwich UK (Saturday)
Norwich was largely overlooked by the industrial revolution. It is a lovely city with a fine cathedral.
Monism - NOT amateur radio
For a long time people have been searching for a "theory of everything" bringing together the macro and the micro worlds. On the one hand people are searching for ever smaller particles. On the other hand people are talking about multiverses. Our own universe looks to be at least 40 billion light years across.
As far as I know there has not been a proper bringing together of the quantum world and our "everyday" world. According to quantum entanglement particles on opposite sides of the universe instantly know about each other. Clearly, there is so little we know.
Monism may be on the right track, if not the whole way. It views that reality is one organic whole with no independent parts.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monism .
21 Jan 2023
8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)
As I was out until late afternoon, my 40.680 MHz FT8 QRP was not turned on until late. I was quite surprised to be spotted by 3 stations including Phil EI9KP (649km) and S50B (1220km).
Local 23cm FT8 test Sunday
Subject to the main person in the test Bernie Wright G4HJW agreeing, these are my plans:
- 23cm FT8 TX (2W), Sunday afternoon Jan 22nd, 1630-1700z.
- Horizontal polarisation.
- 1296.065 MHz USB dial (audio offeset about 1950 Hz).
10m QRP TX WSPR (Saturday)
My beacon has been on from about 1600z. So far 10 unique stations have spotted me.
20 Jan 2023
UK inflation - NOT amateur radio
In many countries inflation is a problem. This is especially true in the UK that has depended on cheap foreign workers for many years at the cost of not increasing efficiency as fast as some countries.
If inflation stays high, people demand higher wages to keep up with rising prices. This itself is inflationary and high inflation and rising prices continue for years.
This is the curse of many governments. There are no easy answers as this is an understandable position for workers who feel their buying power diminishing. They feel, indeed are, poorer.
The only solution is for governments to come up with a fair deal for workers, whilst not stoking inflation. At the same time workers have to accept they will be poorer.
In all this fairness is important. If some (bosses) get excessive pay rises and dividends, working people will feel aggrieved.
Quiet Cambridge? - NOT amateur radio
OFCOM Spectrum Sandbox Workshop
OFCOM is to hold a workshop on its Spectrum Roadmap on February 17th. See the OFCOM website for details.
OFCOM Communications Weekly
Every week OFCOM updates the data it holds about licences etc.. See the OFCOM website for the latest.
10m QRP WSPR TX (Friday)
The 10m WSPR beacon was turned on about 1555z. My 500mW was immediately spotted in the Canary Is..
8m QRP FT8 (Friday)
At about 1555z, I turned on my QRP 8m FT8 on 40.680 MHz (TX first). At 1605z, no spots.
UPDATE 1635z: Phil EI9KP (649km) has spotted me again. The propagation puzzles me as it is too close for Es and I would have expected the Doppler on aircraft scatter to be too great to decode. He spots me regularly and I am always grateful. Nothing on 8m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1922z: S50B (1220km) has also spotted me. This is probably winter Es.
Amaryllis - NOT amateur radio
They are magnificent house plants and great fun.
This one will be past its best next week, but the second one is coming out!
23cm FT8 test
Only one local can TX on 23cms apparently. My best hope of a 2-way SSB QSO looks like G4BAO, but I get the impression John is away. Several locals can listen, but not TX.
So, my plan currently is to TX FT8, probably at an agreed time on Sunday and monitor PSKreporter. I am not expecting QSOs! Even to get a spot would be pleasing, HI.
Sunspots - Friday January 20th 2023
Solar flux is 219 and the SSN 166. A=7 and K=0. The sunspot count and solar flux have been very good this month and the F2 MUF above 40 MHz on several times towards the USA.
19 Jan 2023
70cm activity contest results
The results of the first 70cm activity contest of the year have just been released. I came near the bottom of the lower power section, so things can only improve, I hope!
Anglesey Abbey Mill Leat - NOT amateur radio
WSJT-X or JTDX?
Up to now, I have always used WSJT-X for FT8. There have been some reports that JTDX decodes more stations.
Do you have view please? I try to use the latest released version.
Ukraine war - NOT amateur radio
At the height of the cold war I had many SSB contacts with stations all over the world including stations in the USSR. Sadly these days I go on SSB infrequently because of my poor voice. Amateur radio was a way of breaking down barriers.
A report in The Atlantic says there was a Ukrainian drone strike in early December on a Russian airbase some 500 miles south of Moscow. This airbase is supposed to house nuclear weapons. As far as I know, we heard little about this.
Sadly, we live in dangerous times.
In my view, most, if not all, conflicts are based on insecurity. It is much better to talk to avoid conflict than have wars. One of the dangers of wars is that all parties tend to hide the truth.
I very much hope the stupid conflict in Ukraine can be brought to an end quickly. Jaw, jaw, not war war ..... please.
Reminder - ATV net on Oscar 100 live stream
A reminder that BATC live streams the ATV net on Thursdays at 2000z on Oscar 100. I must remember this and watch!
See https://batc.org.uk/live/oscar100net
UPDATE 2130z: It worked well, although I was disappointed that there were only G, GW and GI stations on the net, but considering the path was 44000 miles, the quality of the pictures was excellent. There are some very clever people around - far cleverer than me! To get a good TV picture through the satellite requires RF skills, TV knowledge and software skills.
10m QRP WSPR TX (Thursday)
For about 4 hours, I have been on 10m QRP WSPR with my W5OLF 500mW beacon.
UPDATE 1415z: So far today, I have been spotted by 19 stations with the furthermost FR1GZ (9724km).
8m FT8 (Thursday)
Been on 8m FT8 for a couple of hours. G4APB (88km) was spotted although nobody has spotted me.
UPDATE 1440z: No further 8m FT8 spots.
18 Jan 2023
Doh!! - 8m
As I was out most of the day I did not go on 10m or 8m. From what I gather, SSB 8m signals were being copied "across the pond". When I try tomorrow it will be dead!
23cm local skeds needed
Last night, in the 23cm activity contest, I heard and worked nothing! I am hoping for some local skeds to prove all is well.
At the moment I only have the 2el test antenna pointing out of the shack window. My shack is on a "hill" (which is a relative term in East Anglia!) and 2W.
17 Jan 2023
23cm activity contest this evening
My first test on 23cms TX will be tonight. I have only got the 2 element test antenna and 2W PEP, so I hope I can copy (and work?) any locals that may be on, otherwise I shall have to set up some skeds.
All is set up. In the past my only (ever) outing on 23cms was on RX only with a borrowed converter and homemade 4 el yagi. Like then (1970s?), everything is indoors firing through the shack window.
These tests are all in the shack. Later this year I hope to try some /P on 23cms.
See https://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?year=2023&contest=uhfukac .
Surprise visitor - NOT amateur radio
We often get Muntjac deer in our garden, but rarely see them. Imagine my surprise when pulling back the curtains!
8m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)
My QRP 8m FT8 was switched on at 1025z. I am on 40.680 MHz with an audio offset of about 1950 Hz. I am TXing first. No spots.
UPDATE 1820z: No spots all day. Disappointing.
10m QRP WSPR TX (Tuesday)
My 500mW WSPR beacon was turned on at 1025z. So far, no spots.
UPDATE 1255z: 7 unique stations have spotted me today. Furthermost is FR5ZX (9740km).
UPDATE 1822z: 19 unique stations spotting my QRP.
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