The Pixie transceiver was derived from the Micro80. Both have severe limitations, especially on RX. Nonetheless, they work and can be a very low cost introduction to the hobby. I have built both in the past.
You may be amazed that something this simple actually works.
So far (at 0926z) just spots from G4KPX (14km).
UPDATE 1027z: 3 unique stations spotting me. There is some Es.
I meant to include details of how I accessed the world DMR network with just an Android phone (no hotspots, DMR portables or dongles needed), but I forgot, so this will have to await the next edition!
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/book
My 2.5W to the vertical omni V2000 was turned on about 0850z. So far, (at 0905z) just 3 UK spots of me and nobody on RX.
UPDATE 1030z: 8 stations spotted on RX and 13 stations have spotted my 6m FT8 QRP. There is some Es.
Isn't it amazing that Mr Trump is so popular in the USA? It is surprising that a nation so vast cannot find a young, sharp, intelligent potential president. It looks likely both candidates will be older than me and I retired 14 years ago!
In the UK the leaders of the major political parties are younger. I am so glad we live in a democracy and can change parties every few years. Some policies need long term agreements like health and social care.
The way we elect people in the UK can probably be improved. The important thing is that we use our vote. There are good people and bad (sadly) in all political parties in all nations.
My last peek was late afternoon in Europe on a weekday. To my surprise there was more activity than I expected. At this stage, I would have hoped for even more activity.
A reminder that OFCOM has a number of new publications and it updates the data it holds on licences every week. See the OFCOM website for details.
Since I am on 6m FT8, I am on 10m WSPR TX with the 500mW TX beacon. So far, 3 unique spots from Germany.
My gear (2.5W to the V2000 vertical omni) was turned on about 0700z. So far, I have been spotted by 13 stations across Europe at 0738z.
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| Spots of my QRP 6m FT8 TX at 1608z |
There are radios that use systems like Echolink. These use the internet, but the final link can be to, for example, a distant repeater. I have had chats with someone in a car in Australia. It is novel.
Some systems e.g. Hamsphere and CQ100 use the internet entirely. No traditional ham radio is involved.
If you are unable to erect antennas e.g. in a care home, such systems might allow you to keep in contact with fellow hams. At the moment, I am not a great fan. In the future I might be pleased to use these.
When I was much younger, we seemed to have lots of radio magazines. This was before the age of video games and the internet when radio still seemed like magic. Sadly, there are far fewer magazines on sale. In the future we could expect even fewer.
Radio Constructor ceased publications a long time ago, but is still available as PDFs online.
See https://worldradiohistory.com/Radio_Constructor_Magazine.htm .
Sorry to post about this yet again, but it is a matter close to my heart.
A good proportion of disabled people have "hidden" disabilities. At first sight, many would say "they are faking it" and there is nothing wrong. They look perfectly normal.
Speaking from personal experience. I get exhausted very easily and my voice is very poor. In shops, and even to my own wife, I have to repeat myself several times to be understood. When others around me are chatting, I want to join in, but know I shall have to repeat myself, so I remain silent. Life is very frustrating at times. Compared with many, I am lucky. Others have it far worse than me.
All I am advocating is do not judge others. They may have a hidden disability either physical or mental. Also, it is very easy to patronise. Whatever our state is, we want to do what we can. There is nothing worse than being treated as an idiot when not. Many with hidden disabilities have very high IQs.
I remembered! Whilst on 6m, I can use my 500mW 10m WSPR TX beacon. So far, just G4KPX (14km) spotting me.
At about 1000z, I decided to try 6m QRP FT8 with my 2.5W and V2000 vertical omni. There is already some Es on RX and my QRP has been spotted by just 2 Gs so far.
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| Stations spotting my 2.5W 6m FT8 today to 1613z |
The following have been notified. I do not know where the BATC convention is! Always advisable to contact organisers first.
Sunday August 6th - BATC Amateur TV convention CAT23. No contact or location given.
Sunday August 6th - Kings Lynn ARC Club 33 (presumably a rally). PE30 4EL. Contact rally.klarc@gmail.com .
My own view is that Yaesu has lost direction in the amateur radio market. Against many competitors they now look second best reacting to the market rather than being out front. Arguably the FT-991A and the FT-710 were reactions to the ICOM IC-7300. This is so sad as Yaesu definitely could lead the market.
After many years, they seem to have lost the battle for the QRP market. ICOM introduced the IC-705 and the Chinese are appearing with some serious kit.
It is my view, hopefully wrong, that Yaesu will leave the amateur radio market before 2027. They will realise they can no longer make profits and go.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/commhercial-rigs/yaesu-ft817nd
My gear was turned on shortly before 0800z. So far, my 2.5W to the Par end-fed has been copied in Finland. On RX 3 stations around Europe have been spotted. I suspect this is all Es.
UPDATE 0940z: 27 stations have been spotted and my 10m QRP has been spotted by 12 stations.
This tiny 5W digital transceiver is available from QRP labs. I was amazed how small it is. It is available in 2 versions covering the lower HF bands or the higher ones. Mine is the higher one. With WSJT-X and FT8, it has got me all over the world despite a low Par end-fed antenna. If you only want digital modes like FT8 and WSPR this really is all you need.
My elder grandson (15) is mad on bell ringing. He has now rung in nearly 130 towers and 2 cathedrals (it may be more). Last night he rang a quarter peel in Newmarket.
See https://drive.google.com/file/d/1873O6zPsert2bTsPCLItIGJ2QtAf4pMW/view?usp=sharing.
My 2.5W QRP FT8 was turned on before breakfast. I was called by a station in Portugal when there was already widespread Es.
At 0830z 82 stations have spotted me (all in Europe) and I have spotted 50 unique stations.
UPDATE 1303z: 131 unique spots of me so far today.
UPDATE 1702z: 261 unique stations have spotted my 2.5W 10m FT8 today.
My favourite site for solar data has just been updated. It still show the peak of solar cycle 25 as November 2023 with a peak of 144.2 (this is up slightly). This seems early, but it has been late this year now for a very long time. If so, conditions could still be good for several years to come. It is definitely worth watching 10m FT8. I suspect 10m will remain open far more than we thought.
For a change, I am on 10m (not 6m) FT8 with my 2.5W. The 10m antenna is a low Par end-fed. At 0816z 3 stations spotted on RX with the furthermost FR4OM (9763km) on Reunion in the Indian Ocean. Just 3 spots of me, all in Europe.
UPDATE 0842z: 7 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today (see photo).
As well as the usual crop of 6m FT8 European stations received via Es yesterday I spotted D2UY (6525km) . Call me suspicious, but I suspect this was a pirate in Europe. Does anyone know if this is genuine?
Someone posted on Facebook today that the FT-710 is about 10dB deaf on 8m. It can be persuaded to TX on 8m by putting it is engineering mode by pressing buttons. However use outside of offered amateur bands probably invalidates your warranty. I have no idea what power it puts out on 8m as I never tried it. I sold the FT-710 some time ago.
All my gear and much of my test gear was homemade and very inexpensive. It is real "back of the garage" stuff. All my gear was homemade in the back of the garage. The only special test gear was a very weakly lit LED. If you have a multi-meter and scope, you really don't need much else. In my view optical communications is easier than microwaves as the test equipment is easy.
I was quite surprised how easy it was to copy an optical signal "over the horizon".
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/optical-nanowaves/over-the-horizon .
So far today, my 500mW 10m WSPR has been spotted by 3 stations.
So far, 6 Gs have spotted me using 2.5W to the omni V2000 vertical antenna.
My beacon has been on for about 50 minutes. So far, at 0930z, 2 stations has spotted me, one probably Es.
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| Stations spotting me at 1643z |
My 2.5W to the omni V2000 vertical has been on for about 30 minutes. So far, spotted by 8 G stations with no Es.
UPDATE 1325z: 56 stations have spotted me today so far. |
| Stations on 6m FT8 RX until 1412z |
In the last few days we were up near Liverpool staying with a friend on the Wirral. Swifts were visible most days, but they were absent on the last day. I have not spotted any here in East Anglia since we got back yesterday. It is possible they have started their migration to Africa. Most soon leave. There are a few stragglers until September.
See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/ .
UPDATE 1655z: I did not realise that some swifts do not migrate from Africa.
UPDATE 0950z Sunday: Lots seen last evening so they have not gone yet!
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| Stations spotting me at 1700z |
Since mid-morning I have been on 10m WSPR TX. At 1417z, I have been spotted by 9 stations across Europe. These were spotted by 8 stations.
In the summer this beach in S.Devon is busy whereas at this time of year it’s quiet. We can trace our family history continuously continu...
