On QRP WSPR with my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon.
UPDATE 2039z: Surprisingly, no spots. I checked the timing!!
23 May 2023
8m QRP WSPR (Tuesday)
As Es in Europe looks promising, I am on 40.680 MHz WSPR at 2W (DF 1560 Hz, TX 20%).
UPDATE 1436z: No spots.
UPDATE 2037z: 5 spots by HC02 (1808km).
22 May 2023
Not on 8m today
For the first time in several weeks, I have not been active on 8m FT8 or WSPR today.
There are two reasons:
1. There seem fewer people active this Es season. I was expecting more to be on with Es being good and nearing sunspot maximum. I was hoping some would apply for, and be granted, special permission to use 8m for a limited time only to carry out useful research. I was also expecting many to come on with the ISM rules that might apply in their country.
2. Many stations have "worked" or exchanged reports with the active stations on 8m. Unless new people or countries come on the band, there is little more that can be explored.
My intentions is to go on 8m FT8 or WSPR when it is good, but not otherwise.
F2 disturbed?
It is interesting that not a single signal has been spotted today from outside Europe on 10m FT8. At the same time, I have spotted plenty from Europe on 10m FT8, presumably by Es propagation.
I am no expert on HF propagation, but it would seem F2 propagation is upset by poor by solar conditions, but not Es. If Es does suffer, the effect is much smaller.
D2UY in Angola has been a good indicator of propagation. Not seen this station today on 10m FT8.
Robin - NOT amateur radio
The English Robin can be very tame. If you are digging in the garden, expect to be joined by a visitor!
Housework - NOT amateur radio
European Es
In the last few days, I have found this site extremely useful. In a few seconds, I can get a "snapshot" picture of Es conditions in Europe. It gives me a good idea of what bands may prove useful. Of course, Es can change very quickly so this is not perfect, but it is a useful guide.
See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .
10m QRP FT8 with the QDX (Monday)
My tiny QDX was turned on at 0622z i.e. quite early. No spots yet.
UPDATE 0816z: 7 spots of me from Eastern Europe and I have spotted 4 stations. No DX yet.
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| Stations spotting me today |
UPDATE 1028z: 33 stations have spotted my QRP and 26 have been spotted here. All Europeans. I assume most are Es.
UPDATE 1200z: 52 stations have spotted me and 51 stations have been spotted here. Iberia now coming through.
UPDATE 1431z: I have been spotted by 65 stations and I have spotted 67. All were in Europe. Still no real DX today.
21 May 2023
6m super DX
Several stations in Europe have worked VK8AW on 6m. This is amazing.
I am not sure of the propagation mechanism. TEP might be involved for some of the path. This sort of DX has been worked on several days.
8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)
As the previous post explained, I had no intention of going on 8m today! Then I saw 10m was open to Iberia, so QSYed to 8m FT8. At 1040z, no spots.
UPDATE 1055z: Spotted on 8m by HC02 (1808km) in southern Portugal. Hugh has been pretty dedicated - thank you Hugh.
10m QRP WSPR (Sunday)
Originally, I was going to be on 10m QRP FT8 all day. Then I noticed Es on 10m to Iberia, so I QSYed to 8m QRP FT8 and 10m QRP WSPR with my 500mW beacon. Several spots from Portugal of me on 10m WSPR plus a local.
UPDATE 1103z: Still just the 2 stations spotting me. It will be interesting to see if the Es moves and I get spots from others. Certainly to Portugal the Es seems a bit poorer now although this could just be QSB.
UPDATE 1108z: Now being spotted in Luxembourg by LX1DQ (504km).
More on that Belgian 8m amateur band
Details are still very sketchy, but I see John has put a bit about this on his excellent blog. We can only hope this allocation is the first of many. There is a real case of a small amateur allocation here to encourage real research.
Personally, I would happily give up 5 kHz of any band for 5 kHz at 8m. Really, I cannot see the harm in any country allocating a small bit in the ISM band 40.66-40.70 MHz to amateurs on a secondary basis. Oh sorry, this requires brains and thinking!! 😁
Runner beans - NOT amateur radio
See https://www.rhs.org.uk/vegetables/runner-beans/grow-your-own .
Sunflowers - NOT amateur radio
10m QRP FT8 (Sunday)
At the moment I am on 10m FT8 with the tiny QDX transceiver running under 5W. It has been on since about 0830z. It is now 0837z and, so far, 3 stations spotted and 1 has spotted me, all in Spain, presumably via Es.
UPDATE 1551z: After a period on 8m FT8, I have returned to 10m FT8. Conditions seem poor with just one spot of me from Israel. I think the Es has, for now here, subsided.
UPDATE 1624z: How to spot a pirate!! P86JL in North Korea at an incredible strength and at totally the wrong time! If he is genuine, I am a Chinaman. 19 spots of my 5W 10m FT8 today, with 10 recently.
UPDATE 1730z: Plenty (100) stations spotted on RX and 28 (mostly Es) spots of me on TX today. I have ignored the station supposed to be in North Korea assuming this to be a pirate from somewhere in Europe. I still feel conditions are disturbed on 10m.
UPDATE 1755z: It looks like Es is good again towards Iberia. 52 stations have spotted my 5W QRP FT8 on 10m in the last day.
UPDATE 2110z: VO1HP (3744km) has spotted me. 58 spots of my 10m FT8 QRP in the last day.
 |
| Stations spotting my 10m QRP FT8 recently |
20 May 2023
10m QRP FT8 (Saturday)
 |
| Stations spotted on 10m FT8 this evening |
Instead, I QSYed to 10m QRP FT8 using the tiny QDX rig. 3 QSOs made in about 10 minutes. Most distant station spotted was CX5ABM (11133km).
UPDATE 2000z: QRT.
8m activity this Es season
A feeling shared with another on 8m is there are fewer people on 8m this Es season than last. This is a great pity, especially with Belgium about to release an amateur band at 8m.
However, it looks like many of the "old gang" have already been worked (or FT8 reports exchanged) with them. This being the case, I think this Es season I shall concentrate on 4m and 10m FT8 instead, unless conditions suggest I should get on 8m.
With some exceptional distances being worked on 6m, there is little else I shall learn this Es season on 8m, and I think radio science will not be advanced much on 8m unless there are many more stations active. I was hoping we would see lots of stations operating on 8m TX under ISM rules. This does not appear to be the case sadly.
Great Powers in the 21st Century - NOT amateur radio
There is little doubt that China is already growing into a great world power. The USA sees this growing dominance as a threat.
In my view, there is room for both. Already, Europe and the USA buys lots of goods from China. If the supply of semiconductors from Taiwan was disrupted, the whole world would suffer.
Behind all conflicts is insecurity.
Russia feels (illogically) threatened by the west. China feels threatened by the USA. The USA feels threatened by China.
Why can't we get along in peace? We all need to invest heavily in alternatives to fossil fuels and not waste our money on blowing each other up!
Lunch - NOT amateur radio
8m QRP WSPR (Saturday)
For a change, I am on 8m QRP WSPR. I am on 40.680 MHz (DF about 1550 Hz, Tx 20% of the time) running 2W.
UPDATE 1305z: Just one spot by HC02 in Portugal. Back on 8m QRP FT8 again now.
8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)
My gear was turned on at about 0800z. I am on 40.680 MHz FT8 (DF about 1950 Hz, TX first). With strong Es already in Europe, I am hopeful.
UPDATE 0930z: No spots of me.
UPDATE 1304z: After a period on WSPR, I am back on FT8.
8m amateur band in Belgium
Although I have no data yet, I gather, after much lobbying, the Belgian authorities are releasing some spectrum at 8m for radio amateurs. At this time, I repeat, that I have no details. If correct, this is great news.
10m QRP WSPR (Saturday)
My 10m 500mW W5OLF TX WSPR beacon was turned in just before 0800z. So far, no spots.
UPDATE 1333z: 16 unique stations have spotted my 10m QRP WSPR today.
OFCOM crappery
Way back in early April I wrote to OFCOM to request a simple change to my 8m T&I licence. They wrote back to say they were very busy, but I have still not received an answer. The answer would have taken about 90 seconds in an email. I am sure that if I was talking about 6G I would have got an answer back in just minutes!!
No, basically we do not matter much and it shows. My own view of OFCOM is they could not care less about anybody unless they can generate money.
Is this the future? Deregulation and go ahead, but you must not cause interference to services that generate money. As mentioned before, I can see a day coming when all non-licenced operation is combined and we can use any CB, amateur radio frequencies and ISM frequencies without a licence. Amateur radio generates no money, so why care?
The Es season is already well through. Perhaps I should go ahead anyway and seek forgiveness later!
BTW, OFCOM updates the data it holds every week. See the OFCOM website for the latest.
New Yaesu HF QRP Transceiver?
Does anyone have any idea if Yaesu is planning to launch a new HF QRP radio as a proper replacement for the FT817? The FT818 is a joke.
One has been overdue for many, many years and I fear they have lost their chance. They now have an SDR platform and surely could do this.
With the right features and form, it could still be a winner. I would certainly consider one. As time progresses, they are facing yet more competition from ICOM, Elecraft and various Chinese offerings.
This is their very last chance!! If one is not forthcoming very soon, I fear it is curtains for Yaesu in the Amateur Radio Service.
UPDATE 1314z: I think Yaesu has blown it (yet again). Initial reports from Hamvention suggest nothing. If they had anything at all (even a non working mock-up) they would have shown it. I give them 3 years in the Amateur Radio Service market before they are out, possibly less at this rate. I am a great Yaesu fan, but in recent years their marketing has been unbelievably poor. If I was in charge, the entire marketing department for amateur radio would have been sacked as totally incompetent.
19 May 2023
Dayton Hamvention - Ohio, USA
This is probably the biggest ham gathering in the world. Many (who can afford it!) like to go there to see the gear and meet old friends. It is on this weekend.
It is often the place where new rigs are launched. You can imagine the panic in many labs in the run-up! As yet, I have not (yet) seen any major announcements, but this is the place to do it.
See https://hamvention.org/ .
In my honest view, this is a last chance for some manufacturers including Yaesu. If they "miss the boat" they may never, ever, get another chance. As the average age of radio amateurs increases and many become SK, the outcome could be bleak for many manufacturers and dealers.
UPDATE 2010z: Well Dayton has been running for several hours and I have not yet heard any announcements about new rigs.
OFCOM and eLoran
OFCOM is consulting on eLoran which may operate 90-110 kHz. I do not thinks this will cause issues with the Amateur Radio Service. The consultation is open until July sometime and your input would be welcomed.
8m QRP FT8 (Friday)
My 8m QRP FT8 has just been turned on (40.680, TX first period, DF about 1950 Hz). No spots yet.
UPDATE 1052z: Still no spots. I get the distinct impression there are fewer people on 8m FT8 than in the last Es season. Unless things change soon, I may concentrate on 10m FT8 instead this season.
UPDATE 1434z: one spot of me by EA3ERE (1153km). Es definitely. Spotted in 4 countries so far this Es season.
UPDATE 1550z: Now spotted by S50B (1220km).
10m 500mW WSPR TX
Although the QRP beacon has just been turned on, already spots from 4 unique stations. These look like Es and F2. A very promising start today.
UPDATE 1047z: 6 unique spots of my QRP 10m WSPR so far today.
UPDATE 1440z: 19 spots of my 10m QRP WSPR so far today. Once again, the furthermost is F61695 (9729km) on Reunion Is in the south Indian Ocean.
SMD parts
Few radio amateurs have the tools to solder SMD parts. As time progresses, SMD parts will get progressively smaller and discrete parts rarer. Some sort of SMD capability will become essential for experimenters.
In many ways SMD parts are better. Without leads they become more predictable in RF circuits. With leaded parts, lead inductance can be significant, especially at VHF and above.
The smallest SMD parts are now 0.25mm x 0.125mm!! Good job I am retired. 😁
Imagine a sneeze!! Oh b****r. 😆😊
Es - promising?
A quick look at https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ suggests that European Es could be promising later. My current plan is 8m QRP FT8 and 10m 500mW WSPR TX, with 8m WSPR later. Things will be turned on later this morning.
If 8m is disappointing and few stations are active this Es season, I shall probably QSY to 10m FT8 next week. If the Es looks really good, I shall go on 8m again and on 4m FT8.
My 8m "experiment" was to find out how effective a very simple QRP station could be. For this lots of monitors are needed. Sadly, I think there are fewer people on than in the last Es season, at least so far. I was hoping 8m would be busy with WSPR and FT8 beacons from stations without a licence operating under ISM rules.
UPDATE 1446z: Good Es today in central Europe!
4m - underused
Yesterday I went on 4m for the activity contest and on FT8.
My conclusion is 4m is underused, at least outside the Es season. If you are thinking about getting on 4m you might be disappointed.
18 May 2023
6m FT8 (Thursday)
Quite late (1945z) I QSYed to 6m FT8. Just 5 Gs spotting me.
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| Stations spotting me on 6m FT8 this evening |
4m FT8 (Thursday)
Whilst waiting for the 4m activity contest to start I went on 4m FT8. G3WCS (223km) spotted me pretty well. even though I was using the low 8m dipole via the auto-ATU in the rig.
After proving the rig/antenna worked OK on 4m SSB, I have returned to 4m FT8. At the moment just G3WCS is copying me.
UPDATE 1951z: When I checked back on SSB activity later, I could copy few stations, so I went back to 4m FT8. Just G3WCS spotting me, so I QSYed to 6m FT8.
8m QRP WSPR (Thursday)
At about 1550z, I changed to 8m WSPR. I am running 2W on 40.680 MHz (20% RX, DF about 1550 Hz in the WSPR window). Already spotted by HC02 (1808km) in S.Portugal quite well. Nobody spotted on RX. I shall probably be on until about 1845z.
Rallies
The following rallies are due this weekend. I always advise checking before going far.
Sunday May 21st - RetrotechUK. Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Coventry, CV8 3FL. Contact jezzer3@hotmail.com
Sunday May 21st - Dunstable Downs Radio Club Annual Rally, Luton (No postcode or contact details given).
4m UKAC tonight
As you can tell, I seem to back losers!! A reminder that the 4m activity contest is on tonight starting at 1900z (8pm UK clock time). I hope to come on and maybe work someone.
Oh look, there goes another flying pig! 😁
10m QRP WSPR TX (Thursday)
On 10m QRP (500mW) WSPR TX. Spots look like local and F2 so far.
UPDATE 1537z: It looks like we are seeing (at last) a widespread Es opening in Europe.
8m FT8 (Thursday)
At about 0805z, my QRP FT8 was turned on (40.680 TX first, DF about 1950 Hz). Some Es around, so a bit hopeful. See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .
UPDATE 1101z: No spots.
See also: https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/8m-40mhz-spot-band/ for 8m spots.
UPDATE 1543z: At last, HC02 (1808km) is spotting my QRP 8m FT8. This is my first report for several days. We have decent Es propagation at last. Nobody else is spotting me sadly.
Kite (bird) seen again
Look for the forked tail.
See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/red-kite/ .
European Es
Early indications suggest Es might be better today.
See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .
My plan is to go on 8m FT8 (40.680 TX first, DF about 1950 Hz) again, as well as 10m WSPR QRP TX.
I hope to get some 8m spots again after a quiet spell!
17 May 2023
10m 500mW WSPR TX (Wednesday)
My W5OLF 10m WSPR beacon was turned on about 0905z. So far (at 0915z) no spots.
UPDATE 1541z: Most of my spots today look like locals or via F2, with an absence of Es.
UPDATE 1645z: I am tempted to try with a much smaller ERP. I might try 10mW ERP and see what reports result. I need to make an external attenuator for the FT817ND. Maybe tomorrow. I cannot use my 10m WSPR beacon as it is pre-loaded with 0.5W and cannot be changed.
UPDATE 2120z: QRT on a day when we did not see Es here. Well, maybe one Italian was briefly Es. In all, 8 unique station spots today.
8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)
Not quite sure why, but I have a better feeling about today.
My QRP 8m FT8 was turned on 40.680 MHz at about 0905z. DF is about 1950 Hz as usual and I am on TX in the first period.
UPDATE 1310z: Still no 8m FT8 spots. Es has been poor and I was expecting better.
UPDATE 1804z: Still no spots for days on 8m FT8. This is dire. It looks if my "better feeling" was a bit premature!
UPDATE 2121z: QRT after another disappointing day.
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