East Anglia Churches blog

Sorry, this is not amateur radio.

Today my wife and I visited her old ancestral home at Wymondham in Norfolk. Some of her family lived here in the 1800s.

We visited the fine abbey there which was founded in 1107AD. We record our visits on a blog, which we updated.

The photo is of the market square in the middle of the town.

See http://eachurches.blogspot.co.uk/ .

WSPRnet database back again and 10m DX

The WSPRnet database is back again. I had an e (mail when the database was still down from KC1AWS (5308km) saying he first copied me today at -18dB S/N at 1158z. I now see that VK6XT (14719km)  also copied me many times.

UPDATE 2107z:   The last USA spot today seems to have been K5XL (7660km) at 1702z.

Sunspots and 10m - Wednesday Feb 11th

Sunspot number today is 82 and 10m propagation expected to be "fair".

UPDATE 1024z:  The WSPRnet database seems to have a fault currently, so spots are not being uploaded (I think) and not displayed, so I have no idea what is happening to my 500mW WSPR-AXE-CW beacon at present. Let us hope they can fix the issue soon.

70cms UKAC

This evening was the Feb 2015 leg of the RSGB's 70cm cumulative contest. My very poor voice was a real handicap as was my QRP SSB (5W pep) and my small 5 el beam fixed in the SW direction.  I was only able to manage about 40 minutes before I had to stop.

70cms UKAC - stations worked with 5W/5el fixed SW

Best DX heard (off the back of the beam) was OZ9KY. Best DX worked was G4CLA at 105km. Before the next session I must mend my beam so I can turn it.

Narrow Band TV (NBTV)

Partly because bandwidths are very low, there has been a revival of interest in NBTV systems similar to the early TV transmissions by Baird in the 1920s and 1930s.

There is even a Televisor kit available for about £40 delivered (in the UK) with a CD with some still and moving images and its own test card generator. I am quite tempted!

The televisor kit is available for £35.94 + shipping from http://www.mindsetsonline.co.uk/Site/Home (search for televisor). This is compatible with the 32 line standard of the NBTV Association.  The NBTV Association home page is at http://www.nbtv.wyenet.co.uk/index.htm .

Bandwidths are audio only, so a tape recorder or CD are fine. Over the air transmissions only require audio bandwidths too. Of course, with just 32 lines don't expect brilliant images! The narrow bandwidth should make it possible to transit moving images over a standard FM or AM link.

I think the very first transatlantic DX tests were done using the Baird system in the late 1920s  or early 1930s.

VHF AM and the RSGB

Recently, I wrote to the "Last Words" column in Radcom. I very much doubt my letter will be published. The main thrust of the letter is the (very negative) attitude of the RSGB to the AM mode.

My letter (as sent) is reproduced here. I'd be interested to hear your views.

At the present time G6ALB is experimenting with very low cost 70cms AM modules as the heart of a possible short range (3km) voice transceiver. We have had some success already.

"Thank you for publishing the latest Band Plans in the February 2015 RadCom. Although because of my poor voice (stroke) I tend to use digital techniques, I still enjoy the occasional outing using AM. Like many, I have worked transatlantic AMers on 29-29.1MHz with real QRP and simple antennas.

Yet again, one could be forgiven for thinking AM, especially 28MHz and up, is a dirty word at the RSGB.  AM gets no mention on 28MHz and 50MHz and gets a (begrudging?) comment as a footnote only in the 144MHz Band Plan when other modes get "centres of activity" mentions. For the avoidance of any doubt, AM is alive and well in the 29-29.1MHz sub-band. AM on the 144MHz (2m) band can be found on and around 144.550MHz. There has been AM on 29-29.1MHz for years and years and years! Yes, this is the all-mode section, but why not say this is the 28MHz (10m) AM sub-band? Also, why are 144MHz AM users asked to "consider adjacent channel activity"? AM should easily fit in 6kHz!!

Sorry, yet again, AM is being treated as a dirty and outdated mode. May I remind readers that ex-PMR AM rigs ripe for use on VHF can be picked up for virtually nothing and that there is room for AM on all bands from 28MHz upwards. AM has its enthusiasts on other bands too, but yet again the RSGB seems hell bent on killing off this mode. Why?

73s
Roger Lapthorn G3XBM"

Motorola for sale?

Is the end in sight for Motorola?

See http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-06/motorola-solutions-said-to-explore-sale-of-87-year-old-company .

When I was at work (I retired 7 years ago) Motorola was our greatest rival. Since coming into existence in the early years of this century, my own company Sepura has been in profit every year. The demise of Motorola is a salutary lesson never to be complacent. How the mighty have fallen.

Cambridge on a winter day

Cambridge Punts

Every Tuesday I travel into Cambridge for my weekly U3AC course called "Maps in the Computer Age".  I am enjoying the course very much.

Usually I drive to the "Park and Ride" car park at Newmarket Road and get the bus into town. The U3AC course is at the U3AC headquarters in Bridge Street, which is about 30m from where the punts are on the River Cam.  At this time of the year the punts are quiet. Come the summer and this spot is very busy. Cambridge has lots of foreign visitors when the usual students go home. If you see a foreigner with a map wobbling along on a pink bicycle it is a good idea to be well clear!

Round Church - very old building

From the punt place you can punt right up via St John's, Trinity, Clare and Kings College.  Kings College Chapel is lovely from the river.   The secret is not to leave your punt pole behind. It is easily done. Luckily the Cam is not too deep. If you prefer, you can pay someone else to do the punting so you can just sit back and enjoy a timeless Cambridge moment.

Bridge St,  Cambridge

Some of the views have not changed much in centuries. The Backs in Cambridge are very beautiful and it is little wonder people travel from all corners of the Earth to visit this beautiful centre of learning.  It is all too easy just to take it all for granted. Certainly, when I worked in the city, I did.  Now being retired, I properly enjoy it. It is still a very beautiful city with fine very old buildings and the River Cam winding its way up behind the colleges. If you have never been, you are unlikely to be disappointed.

Many years ago I was with a friend who parked at the multi-storey car-park just off Bridge Street. We worked a VK6 (S.W. Australia) from the car on 10m SSB.

10m USA WSPR spots today

KE2N (5934km) was the first USA station to spot my 500mW beacon today at 1318z. Compared with yesterday, 10m conditions appear way down. We'll see how the afternoon progresses.

UPDATE 2002z:   K9AN (6505km) was the last USA station to spot my 500mW beacon on 10m WSPR today at 1752z.

Sunspots and 10m

Sunspot number is 82 today and 10m propagation expected to be just "fair".  Yesterday 10m was (for me) exceptionally good.  I very much doubt they can be as good today.

Radio Shack files for bankruptcy protection

So Radio Shack has filed for bankruptcy protection.

See http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-radioshack-sprint-shops-bankruptcy-20150206-story.html .

This had been on the cards for some time, but the USA's famous radio store has been in trouble for some while. It was formed firstly in 1921. Radio Shack filed for bankruptcy protection last Thursday.

10m USA WSPR spots today (and South America)

The first USA station to spot my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon was KC1AWS (5308km) at 1214z today. With all the DX spots from Australia this morning, it make the USA seem like just the back door and hardly DX at all!

UPDATE 1420z:  10m is wide open today.  YV5ESN (7294km) spotted my 500mW beacon at 1412z.

UPDATE 1900z:   USA stations are still spotting me, The last was W9ZOC (6259km) at 1854z. This may not be the last.

UPDATE 2115z:   W9ZOC at 1854z was the last USA station to spot me from the USA today.

Handheld of the future?

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2015/february/ht_of_the_future_at_orlando.htm#.VNi6BC4WKPc .

Southgate News reports that Bruce Perens K6BP will be demonstrating a handheld platform that can cope with many modes at VHF/UHF at the Orlando Hamcation in Florida. This looks like a demonstrator at 100mW RF. With SDRs, quite a flexible, and low cost, architecture is possible.

I wonder which of the "big names" will be first to market with a real SDR design? This could enable them to sell very low cost units, but maybe they would rather shaft us and make big profits?

10m WSPR - multiple spots from Australia

It is now 1140z. Already this morning VK6XT (14719km) in Western Australia has spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR 13 times so far on 10m! This is far from over too! This is now. In a few years this will be stuff of dreams. In the last few minutes he has spotted me yet again.

UPDATE 1246z:  VK6XT (14729km) has spotted me 21 times so far today. This for 500mW seems amazing, but WSPR is amazing. That the WSPR beacon is totally contained in a tiny box (no PC needed) I find quite staggering. As you can see, most of the reports were good ones, certainly not "on the edge" at all.

472kHz WSPR this morning

I am being spotted well by G8HUH (250km) this morning. I know he has a good system as he has even copied me on 136kHz from the old QTH. If I can succeed on 472kHz with no antenna in the air, then I am sure anyone can! Mine is a far from optimum set-up.

Early morning on 472kHz WSPR (5mW ERP earth-electrode "antenna"

Sunspots and 10m

Sunspot number has risen to 94 today and 10m propagation is expected to be "good".

I have only just switched on my 10m 500mW WSPR-AXE-CW beacon, so it is still stabilising. My first spot (still showing stabilisation) was at 0916z from local G4IKZ (18km). To avoid drift and interference, the beacon is on TX 100% but the frequency is randomised to avoid warm-up drift and the risk of sitting under a stronger signal all day. This works well. Even on my 10m version there is no drift after the first 20 minutes..

UPDATE 0954z:  Surprisingly,  no spots yet from Israel, Russia or continental Europe and only a single spot (so far this morning) from G4IKZ.

UPDATE 1008z:  Spots are coming thick and fast now with best report so far from VK6XT (14719km) in Western Australia at 1002z.

UPDATE 1012z:   OH7AZL (2000km) was spotting me at 1006z at an enormous -2dB S/N. I think this was F2 propagation. Such strengths suggests he might still have spotted me at the uW power level rather than the 500mW I was using.  So far today, he has spotted me 5 times already. Other stations in Finland are also spotting me very strongly.

Stroke update

I went for more blood tests last week.  Results should be back late this week.

I still have trouble speaking, swallowing thin liquids, feel drunk when walking and I tire easily with any physical activity. Although I am still mending it is taking much longer than I was expecting. To be honest, I am frustrated at the slow progress. My wife and I want the old "me" back.

472kHz WSPR puzzle

Last night and overnight more stations copied me than I copied. Since 1030z today I have copied lots of WSPR stations on 472kHz but no-one has copied me!

About 20 minutes ago I re-set the clock to internet time and changed frequency about 20Hz lower. I also closed and re-opened the WSPR software. Still I am copying plenty but no-one has so far copied me still since 1030z.

The 5mW ERP TX to the earth-electrodes will remain on overnight.

I checked frequencies and power into the ground loop.  All looks the same as yesterday. Odd.

UPDATE 2237z:  Panic over: G6AVK (78km) is copying me at -20dB S/N.

Wellbrook RX loop review

See http://medxr.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/review-wellbrook-ala1530s-loop-antenna.html .

Some stations have splashed out on this RX only loop in an attempt to overcome man made noise sources. This is a review of one person's results with this 1m diameter loop. Like many, this Australian was well satisfied.  In Australia it is even more expensive as the shipping costs from the UK are high.

I have wondered about the LF loop as a possible RX only antenna for 136 and 472kHz.  I believe the loop is balanced and being a loop, it has directivity. It has to be positioned some distance for any TX antenna and ideally rotated.

Digital repeaters

As I have mentioned before, I am a rare repeater user, partly because my voice is so poor currently and I don't find operating through repeaters that satisfying. Each to his/her own and if this helps you enjoy the hobby go ahead!

At the moment it is far from clear which form of digital repeater will win: there are several competing digital standards and all have their advocates. For now I shall sit back and wait. A bit like the video standards war in the 1980s, the best system may not win. Let's see. Up to now I have only used FM repeaters.

When I do use voice I use SSB, FM and AM. All modes have their places on our bands. SSB is good on the crowded HF bands, FM useful for nets on VHF, and AM rigs simple to build and there is space on all bands from 10m upwards for all analogue voice modes. A well designed AM rig should occupy less than 6kHz, far less most FM transmissions on our bands. 10m AM, just above 29MHz, is a great mode. I have worked quite a few stateside stations on 10m AM. And I have only used QRP AM.  Let no-one tell you AM is a dead mode!

USA 10m WSPR spots and MF today

The first USA station to copy my 500mW WSPR-AXE-CW WSPR beacon on 10m today was K3ZV (5692km) at 1214z. I have been spotted by lots of USA stations all afternoon on 10m.

UPDATE 2015z:   The last 10m USA WSPR spot today was K3EA (5657km) at 1846z

Whilst on 100% TX on 10m (500mW) I am still active on 472kHz (630m) WSPR (5mW ERP) and the earth-electrodes on both RX and TX. Unlike yesterday, I have mainly been spotting others today.  These are some of the MF spots today.

Sunspots and 10m - Sunday Feb 8th 2015

Sunspot number is much the same as yesterday at 80 today although 10m is expected to be "good", which is better than yesterday when the forecast was only "fair".

UPDATE 1050z:   Best 10m DX report (this morning so far) of my 500mW WSPR-AXE-CW beacon by Jay W5OLF is 4X1RF (3519km) although I have had quite a few spots from European and Russian stations this morning on 10m.

472kHz WSPR today

I am still active on 472kHz WSPR with 5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna"  My best DX reports today has been from PA0RDT (243km) and G8HUH (250km).  On RX my best spot so far is of PA0A (417km).

Interestingly today more stations were copying me than I copied on MF. Although the FT817 is a little deaf on 472kHz, it has not stopped me copying most active stations. I do sometimes wonder if a few more dBs of front end gain (with good large signal handling) would allow me to receive any more MF stations?

UPDATE Feb 8th 1053z:   My best 472kHz DX report overnight with 5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" was by PA00 at 440km. G8HUH (250km) has spotted me very many times today.

FT817 sensitivity

Today I checked the sensitivities of my FT817 and FT817ND using a loaned signal generator. Although about 10dB deaf at 472kHz (expected) both were easily able to copy down to -127dBm on CW on all bands to 70cms. -127dBm is as low as the generator would go.  I could have added a 10dB attenuator, but did not.  I also managed easy access of GB3PY and GB3OV 70cms repeaters at the 500mW level into the V2000 vertical.  My conclusion is things are OK at my end and I wonder if G6ALB has some additional cable loss at 70cms at his end (water in the feeder?).  My antenna has been up for about 2 years whereas his has been up for around 20 years.

A pity we don't have an 8m (40MHz) band.

An amateur band at 40MHz would be really useful as I suspect the F2 MUF has been in this region several times in the last few years. There are a very few beacons around 40MHz (UK and Denmark only I believe) but wouldn't it be good to have even 100kHz around this frequency? Sadly it is very unlikely, but I would happily lose 100kHz at the top of 10m in exchange.   It would also be a very useful Es band.

Somehow I can't see this happening, more is the pity.  The world of radio science would really benefit. This would have been so much more useful than 146-147MHz recently released to UK amateurs by NoV.  I know a handful of UK amateurs are trying narrowband DTV but the 2m band is mainly Japanese "black boxes" and is mostly white noise in most areas.

Radio Shack going?

Radio Shack is a familiar name in the USA, but maybe not for much longer? This news from Steve G1KQH yet again. I hope you can access the link as sometimes ARRL links can only be seen by ARRL members.

Is this the end of Tandy’s original owner? 

http://www.arrl.org/news/view/radioshack-s-long-slow-downward-slide-nears-the-end

73 Steve

http://www.g1kqh.talktalk.net/

Looking at some of the range claims by Radio Shack for their handhelds I expect they get lots of returns from very disappointed customers.    I am sure that these ranges are achievable from hill and clifftop, ideal,  locations, but such ideal conditions are rare.  In the UK and the rest of the EC  such claimed ranges would be illegal. Much more realistic would be ranges of 0.5 to 2 miles at best, and often far less.  Caveat emptor!

10m WSPR USA spots today

Although I have been copied much further today, my first report from the USA was from KZ8C (6290km) at 1258z. This is quite a lot later than yesterday.

UPDATE 1356z:   Although I am being spotted in the USA, early indications are that there are fewer USA stations spotting me than yesterday.  Of course, it may be that some stations who were using WSPR yesterday have chosen other modes today.

UPDATE 2030z:  The last spot of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon was by WG2Z (5600km) at 1954z, which is quite late.

More VK (really long distance) reports on 10m WSPR today

My little 500mW 10m WSPR beacon has been copied in Australia 3 times today already, and conditions are meant to be just "fair"! VK6XT spotted me a couple of times this morning (again) but the best was VK5MR (16144km) at 1230z.

It never fails to amaze me that this tiny little stand-alone 500mW WSPR-AXE-CW WSPR mode beacon is copyable in a shack on the other side of the planet. I have now been copied at this range many times.

Reports from YV5ESN (7294km) in South America seem almost local, HI.  USA stations really do seem like locals now!

4X1RF on 10m

4X1RF (3519km) was spotting my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon early today at 0854z.

UPDATE 1425z:   4X1RF has spotted by 500mW 10m WSPR beacon no less than 30 times so far today.

Sunspots and 10m - Feb 7th 2015

Sunspot number today is 71 and 10m propagation forecast to be "fair". It sounds quite similar to yesterday. So far only G4IKZ spotting me, and now 4X1RF.

UPDATE 1354z:  With the 10m band open (even for me using 500mW WSPR) to North and South America and Australia, it seems much better than a "fair" day. 

40m Pixie from AliExpress

From my bank statement I see my 40m Pixie kit from China, that has shipped, cost a little over £7. This includes all parts including crystal and PCB. At this price it would be hard to buy the individual parts. I very much want to build this as it will be the first amateur radio construction here in a very long time.   It is sufficiently simple and low cost that I should manage it, even if I am a little clumsy still with the soldering iron.

 No doubt Andrew G6ALB (3km) will help with a first test.

Not amateur radio again

Today we visited the next village, Swaffham Prior, 3km west of here, home to G6ALB where there are 2 churches and 2 windmills. Andrew G6ALB and I are testing low cost AM modules on 70cm. As yet these tests have only been partially successful. Tomorrow I need to check the sensitivity of my receivers.

After our visit, I have updated our blog http://eachurches.blogspot.co.uk/ where you can follow our visits around East Anglia.

UK National Grid status link

Again, from Steve G1KQH, a link that may well be of interest to UK readers:

Did I send you this one Roger?

http://www.gridwatch.templar.co.uk/

73 Steve
http://www.g1kqh.talktalk.net/

Many times we hear that closing old and polluting power stations is putting us at risk of power blackouts. Check the electricity capacity yourself.

In the left hand corner you can also check for France.

USA 10m WSPR spots today

Lots of USA stations have spotted my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon today. The first USA station to spot me today was KC1AWS (5308km) at 1150z. The openings to the US A are starting earlier now.

UPDATE 1845z:  KD6RF (7547km) at 1834z is the last USA station to spot my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon currently. I think it is unlikely I'll be spotted by others in the USA tonight, but we'll see.

UPDATE 2040z:  The spot at 1834z by KD6RF did prove to be the last today from the USA. Still, at nearly 6 and 3/4 hours this was a decent opening.

Sunspots and 10m

Sunspot number today has fallen back to 86. 10m propagation is expected to be "fair".

So far this morning VK6XT (14719km) is my best DX report on 10m WSPR with my 500mW WSPR beacon at 1024z. Considering the "fair" 10m forecast, this is pretty good.

CB to ham

From Steve G7VFY:

Good use for old CB's.

There is a Yahoo group, CB to ham.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYoI2Q7O3zU

Stephen Walters

G7VFY

10m USA WSPR spots - Feb 5th 2015

The first USA station to spot my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon today was WG2Z (5600km) at 1246z. Although open yet again across the north Atlantic - it has been open most afternoons now for months - today only feels "average" today on 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 1722z:   At the moment KC1AWS (5308km) was the last USA station to spot my 500mW 10m beacon at 1714z.  It is still quite early, so other stations may still copy me in the USA later.

UPDATE 1830z:   I am still being spotted by USA stations. The latest spot was by KC1AWS at 1826z but there are others too. 10m is still open transatlantic. UPDATE 2100z:  The last USA station to spot my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon today was W8QYT (5798km) at 1838z tonight. Time to go QRT on 10m WSPR.

Radio Equipment Directive (RED)

See https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/radio-equipment-directive-proposal .

Quite soon this new directive will apply in Europe including the UK. Many low cost modules may cost a little more as receivers will need to be more carefully designed to meet RED requirements. It is likely that more stringent RX parameters will have to be met. I wonder if some of the very low module costs are as a result of the dumping of old stock? This could well impact super-regen receivers that are sensitive, but not very selective. Although fine in some markets this type of receiver is less than ideal in a very busy ISM band where they could easily be blocked.  Listening around 433.92MHz recently, very many ISM devices could be copied.  One of my old colleagues is involved in international committees working on RED.

The "internet of things" means very many devices will include radios in future, such as a basic internet terminal in washing machines or RFID tags.

Sunspots and 10m propagation - Feb 5th 2015

Sunspot number today is 85. 10m propagation is expected to be "fair".  So far today, just LZ1OI (2153km) and local G4IKZ (18km) copying my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon this morning.  No further DX as yet, although I expect 10m to open to the USA after lunch.

UPDATE 1045z:  Just been spotted on 10m by 4X1RF (3519km).

UPDATE 1114z:  4X1RF has spotted me 3 times so far today.

UPDATE 1214z: 4X1RF (3519km) has, so far, spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon 6 times this morning. No sign, as yet, of spots from stations in the USA.

Yet more transceiver modules!

A search on eBay has thrown up lots of useful RF transceiver modules, not as low cost as the AM ones found by G6ALB, but nonetheless very low cost and suitable for local communications, Some are 100mW and some 500mW or 1W.  The ones I saw were data units, but these should be suitable for speech  with simple mods. I am unclear how some of these are programmed to the correct frequency. There is usually a choice of either VHF or UHF and I think some are essentially FM.

Put  "UHF transceiver module eBay" into Google to see what comes up. Or try "VHF" instead of UHF. I was amazed how low cost these were.