More historic East Anglian churches

Isleham church

Today my wife and I  visited Isleham and Fordham churches. We have updated our other blog to include these. I am always amazed that there are so many fine churches in our region.  Many date back over 1000 years, when the population of England was just a few million.

Whether viewing these as historical buildings or places of worship, it is clear they were once of very great importance in their communities as so many people would have been involved in their construction. In East Anglia alone there are well over 1000 medieval churches!

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

What will solar cycle 25 look like?

We now seem to be, on average, on the downward slope to the next solar minimum. Some are predicting that the next peak will be almost a non-event with the sunspot number peak of just 7. Of course no-one really knows, but I think it is true that most experts now think cycle 25 will be very poor. Conditions on LF/MF are likely to improve but decent F2 propagation on 10m is likely to be rare, except perhaps with N-S paths over the equator.  What is certain is no-one is really sure. Summer Es could well be the dominant DX mode on the higher HF bands.

UPDATE 2048z:  I have now gone QRT (for the night) on 10m but I will be on 160m now and overnight. Back on 10m tomorrow morning after breakfast.

USA 10m WSPR spots today

K8WW (6043km) was the last to spot my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon this evening at  1904z. The earliest USA spot today was by K4RCG (5995km) at 1256z.

Although about to go QRT on 10m, I'll remain on 160m overnight again.

160m success with the earth-electrode "antenna"

Since yesterday I have been using my FT817 (2-2.5W) into my 12m spaced earth-electrode "antenna" on 160m. Matching was via my ATU feeding a small 42mm diameter 3C90 step-up transformer. In all, 22 unique people spotted me with best DX being EA1FBU (1297km) on TX.  Best reception was 2533km of a station in Russia. The earth-electrode antenna may not be the best 160m antenna but the results prove it certainly works! To be honest, the results of this test surprised me. The current meter was barely moving and ERP must have been in the milliwatt region.

Sunspots and 10m propagation - Feb 20th 2015

Sunspot number today is a healthy 86 yet 10m propagation is expected to be "poor".

UPDATE 1245z:   Despite the "poor" 10m forecast I see that my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon has been copied by in West Australia by VK6XT (14719km) several times this morning, as well as being copied in Russia and Israel. Odd how when 10m is expected to be in poor shape I often find my tiny little beacon is copied on the far side of the globe!

Multiple RX responses on 160m?

I am not aware of this on other bands but on several stations I am giving WSPR reports to the same station at the same time but at several frequencies separated by 50Hz or 100Hz from the main response. I am not aware of this being an issue on other bands or an issue on TX.

Most recently I saw the issue with ON7KB and with G4BOO earlier. The issue seems to be with my end and not a TX fault.   It is not as if signals are that strong, for example the strongest from ON7KB was -13dB S/N.  As I have not seen this before and as I am a "transient" 160m visitor I am not keen to start pulling things apart.

Anyone else seen this?  I use a SignaLink USB to interface the FT817 to the PC. Maybe I have some RF getting into the heavy duty linear PSU  I am using and this only happens on 160m?

For example, I have never seen the issue on 630m (472kHz) WSPR with the same FT817, same PC interface via the same SignaLink USB.  Tonight I am not on 472kHz as I am using the kit on 160m WSPR.

I intend to stay on 160m overnight using the earth-electrode "antenna".

160m TX results so far with earth-electrode "antenna"

It is only 1805z but the results on TX with the earth-electrode "antenna" are encouraging so far.

Unique 160m WSPR TX results with 2W from 
FT817 into 12m spaced earth-electrodes in garden.

First 160m spots on earth-electrode "antenna"

PA3MET (325km) was the first station received on 160m today.  It is still daylight (will be for hours yet) so I assume this is normal daytime propagation.   S/N varied from -17dB at best to -28dB at worse. PA3MET was running 20W, which is high for WSPR. As it is obviously working, I'll start 160m WSPR TX with 2.5W from the FT817 very shortly. UPDATE 1405z:  GW0OAJ (240km) has just been spotted here on 160m WSPR RX at -28dB S/N. He is using 5W. UPDATE 1430z:  G4FKK (106km) spotted.   He is running 100mW but not sure if this is ERP.  Have now turned on the 160m TX (20%). UPDATE 1500z:   No spots yet of my 2.5W from the FT817 on 160m WSPR so far today. UPDATE 1604z:  Apparently  G8LCO copied me at -28dB S/N but the WSPRnet database was down, so did not receive the report.  My best DX on RX so far is DF2JP (448km). UPDATE 1612z:    Best DX on 160m WSPR RX today is now OZ7IT (853km). It is still daylight for another 2 hours here. UPDATE 1712z:  I see that GW0OAJ (240km) and G8LCO (58km) both spotted me at 1650z, so the earth-electrodes work on 160m WSPR TX. UPDATE 1750z:  I see now that  ON7KO (295km) is spotting me at -23dB S/N.   And it is only now getting dark!  So far, results on 160m with the earth-electrode "antenna" are encouraging. UPDATE 1900z:   Best DX on 160m WSPR RX so far with the earth-electrode "antenna" is RX3DHR (2533km).

Mostly quiet so far on 10m

K3ZV (5600km) was the first USA station to spot my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon this afternoon at 1258z. Since then, a few other stateside spots have been received. This morning it was 10m locals apart from UR/SWL56  and one Italian. 10m seems to be "going off the boil" a bit.

 K9AN (6505km) appears to be the last USA station to spot me on 10m WSPR at 1736z.

160m WSPR with earth-electrode"antenna"

I have managed to match my earth-electrode "antenna" on 160m but the RX noise floor is S8 on the meter, which is much higher than on 630m. For now I am just on 160m RX. Nothing yet received.

Last 24hrs on 472kHz with earth-electrodes and 5mW ERP

In total, 11 different stations have received my 5mW ERP WSPR signals from my earth-electrode "antenna" in the last 24 hours with the best report being from F1AFJ (607km) at 2202z last night at -29dB S/N. In the same period I received 12 unique stations.

472kHz - unique spots in last 24 hours

If I can match the earth-electrode "antenna" I shall be trying 160m for a change this evening and overnight. G8LCO has suggested this. If the earth-electrode "antenna" acts as a loop in the ground, I'd predict poorer results at 160m as the loop would be smaller. On the other hand, the FT817 would be better on RX (greater sensitivity) and my ERP higher (I think). Not sure of the noise floor here on 160m, but it could be poorer on 160m than 630m. Proof will be in the results - that is the fun.

Sunspots and 10m - Thurs Feb 19th

Sunspot number has climbed to 95 today and 10m propagation has changed from "poor" to "fair". So far today just locals spotting my 10m 500mW  WSPR beacon but during last evening and overnight G4CUI was copying me I think via tropo and aircraft reflection on 10m WSPR at 172km.

UPDATE 1800z:   So far today 7 unique 10m spots of my 500mW WSPR beacon from the USA.  13 unique stations altogether on 10m today.

Lincoln President (MK11 v3) down in price

Steve G1KQH has seen thst Nevada has reduced its price for the latest Lincoln President rig for 10m (and CB illegally). It was £249 but now £199, a saving of £50.

See http://www.nevadaradio.co.uk/amateur-radio/transceivers/mobile-transceivers/president-lincoln-ii .

472kHz

I have been on 472kHz WSPR all day. No new stations spotting me or being spotted but some decent DX with 5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna".

Unique 472kHz WSPR spots today

No USA spots today

For the first time in a long time my 10m 500mW beacon was not copied at all in the USA today. The low power may not have helped and others may have been more successful. However, it may be a sign of things to come? The danger is falling conditions will see more people give up on 10m WSPR which would be a great pity. The next few years will be very interesting on 10m, especially outside the Es season.

AM on 28MHz and up

Much to my surprise, the RSGB actually published my recent letter to their "The Last Word" column in RadCom, together with a (pathetic) reply from their Spectrum Chair. At least my letter was printed.

The response did nothing to address my concerns. Although the RSGB claims not to be anti-AM, you'd find this hard to believe with a look at the most recent band plans. AM has its place on all bands from 28MHz upwards. I just wish the RSGB and other national organisations would simply acknowledge that this mode has its place. It may be a minority interest mode, but in my experience it is the simplest mode from a building viewpoint.

Flempton, Suffolk

This Suffolk church was open.  It is situated on the A1101 between Mildenhall and Bury St Edmunds.

It is famous for a window dedicated to the last lord of the manor. The parishes of Flempton and nearby Hengrave share the same vicar these days. See http://www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/flempton.htm . The parish dates back to Anglo-Saxon times.  The churchyard was fairly wild and rambling, but delightful nonetheless.

We ate next door (just behind the church) at The Greyhound pub where we enjoyed good, simple pub grub but with excellent service. Being right behind the church, I can recommend this pub. It looks nothing special but both the food and service were excellent.

I am afraid this post has nothing to do with amateur radio! I took no gear with me.  My wife and I just enjoyed the winter sunshine and temperatures of 10 degrees C.

See our blog about visits to East Anglian Churches .

Internet of Things (IoT) already here

 This morning I received this email from KK4HSX saying that (certainly in the USA) Amazon is already selling wifi connected slow cookers called "Crock Pots". Not sure if this is a stateside generic term.

It's already here. Behold,the Crock Pot you can monitor and control with you phone.

http://www.amazon.com/Crock-Pot-Wifi-Enabled-6-Quart-Cooker-SCCPWM600-V1/dp/B00IPEO02C#

Low cost ASSEMBLED unit from China

This morning, I received this email from Andy Cutland:

Check out this item I found on eBay: it comes ready built and has a nice side tone. Mine arrived today and works fb.

73's
De Andy

End time: 23 Feb 2015 07:21:07

Item: Frogs UltimateV3 version CW transceiver/telegraph/shortwave radio Finish product

URL: http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=261576017759&alt=web

Falling sunspots

Yet again, sunspot number has fallen , this time to 40 with "poor" 10m conditions expected. I wonder if we'll see 10m open to the USA after lunch?

UPDATE 1100z: So far just G3YAC (12km) and G4IKZ (18km) spotting my 500mW WSPR on 10m this morning with no DX from even Europe or Russia in evidence.

Landwade

Landwade was the site of my first "over the horizon" optical tests. The tests were successful, but predate my stroke by some time. I remember well being surprised at the reception when "on beam".

We go here each year about this time for a delightful walk of about 1.5km calling at the small private church (locked these days). The church is surrounded by seas of snowdrops and aconites at this time of year. Landwade is very quiet at all times. It is in Suffolk but was in Cambridgeshire until 1994. It has been occupied since Roman times, but consists of a few farms, a hall and the odd cottage these days.

I have updated one of my other blogs.
See http://eachurches.blogspot.co.uk/ .

Sunspots and 10m WSPR

Sunspot number has fallen yet again to 44 today.  We are definitely on the way down now. 10m propagation is expected to be "poor".

The 10m band did open to the USA yet again.

Late start on 10m WSPR today

Today I was very late starting my 10m 500mW beacon, so I have no idea what time the opening started. At the moment the last spot from the USA was KD6RF (7547km) at 1706z.

UPDATE 1805z:  Still being spotted by other USA stations . The opening is still continuing.

UPDATE 1945z:   The last spot of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon seems to have been at 1834z by KD6RF (7547km).  I am still on both 10m and 630m (472kHz) WSPR.

More goodies found by G1KQH

From Steve, G1KQH:

Excellent VFM Pots.. I am replacing the preset on the Pixie board with one of these, works out at 16.5p each

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6-pcs-Silver-Tone-Metal-Split-Shaft-Potentiometer-50K-Ohm-2015-/231446014347?

They also had 100K which I had another 99p worth.. (For another of my many projects)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6-Pcs-100K-Ohm-3-Terminals-Silver-Tone-Split-Shaft-Potentiometer-2015-/321636385901?

Maybe other values if you search their shop.. Of course its China again where do you think I do my shopping these days?

Internet of Things (IoT)

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_of_Things .

As the price of wifi and RFID devices continues to fall, it is very likely that we will see a number of household goods connected to the internet, so soon our fridge may tell our shops what we need, or we'll be able to start the washing on our way home from work. It is coming whether we like it or not. Already it is possible to remotely monitor our homes using internet connected cameras - of course it is most important that strong password protection is used and that passwords are regularly changed.

Falling sunspots and poorer 10m conditions

Sunspot number today was 45, the lowest for a long while and 10m conditions expected to be "poor" again. The 10m band is again open to the USA. We should remember that even with a SN of 45 the 10m band can still be good to the USA. Even if the peak of sunspot cycle 25 only reaches 45, we should still expect 10m openings to the USA by F2. Of course, as mentioned before, I expect the 10m band will still be good for transatlantic DX next autumn for the CQWW DX SSB contest, but following years will be very doubtful.

Transatlantic USA 10m WSPR spots today

 KB1YMI (5188km) was the first USA station to copy my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon today at 1212z.

I went QRT on 10m at around 1920z. At 1916z N2BJW (5262km) was the last station still spotting my 500mW 10mWSPR beacon.  As I have gone QRT, I shall never know if later spotters were possible.

472kHz WSPR

I am on 472kHz WSPR this evening and overnight. As yet, just the usual stations spotting me and being spotted. Best DX spot of me was from G4JVF (151km) many times this evening.

Transatlantic 10m WSPR today

Despite the "poor" 10m forecasts, the band opened "across the pond" at 1222z when K3ZV (5692km) spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon.

During the morning I was spotted by TA2AEG (2547km) on several occasions. I have also been spotted by other Europeans.

I closed down on 10m WSPR at 1920z and KB1YMI (5188km) was still spotting me as I closed.

Dalham Walk

View from Dalham church

Today we walked from the delightful village of Dalham up to the village church. I have updated our East Anglian Churches blog to include this.  Dalham is a truly beautiful village not too far from Newmarket. It is in Suffolk.

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

Sunspots and 10m - Sunday Feb 15th

Sunspot number today is 49 and 10m propagation "poor". This is the first "poor" forecast for a long while.

Tenner 10m CW transceiver

Click for bigger image.

The Tenner is a very simple CW rig for 10m. It produces about 500mW output and has worked across the Atlantic on many occasions. Offset RX-TX seems to work out at about right, although no special circuitry is employed. This simple circuit just works. Although I used an "at hand" SBL1, any double balanced mixer is likely to be OK. Although I did not try it, a homebrew DBM would be fine. Google it.

472kHz WSPR

I shall be on 472kHz WSPR overnight but will go QRT on 28MHz (10m) shortly.

DK7FC remains my best spot this evening an RX and PA0RDT (243km) is currently the most distant station spotting my 5mW ERP to the earth-electrode "antenna".

Shack limited access this week

Busy birdwatching

We have different grandchildren staying this week depending on the days so I have limited access to my shack.  I should be able to do some WSPR for the first few days, but later in the week will be more difficult as there will be a cot in the shack!

Today we went birdwatching, counting the different species spotted on a 1 mile village walk. The elder grandson (aged 7) is into categorising and collecting. 12 species mostly seen (a couple heard).

Sunspots and 10m today - Sat Feb 14th 2015

Sunspot count is marginally higher at 59 today. 10m propagation is again predicted to be "fair". Although the 10m band has opened to the USA again, this morning on 10m was pretty flat with just the odd European station logging my 500mW beacon.

UPDATE 1310z:   GM4WJA (624km) has been spotting me on 10m.   This could be back-scatter or even winter Es. The distance is far too short for F2.

Stateside spots on 10m WSPR today - Sat Feb 14th 2015

During the morning the odd European was copying my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon.  No "astounding" DX from distant countries.

The first transatlantic spot today was at 1222z by K3ZV (5692km).

Last USA 10m spot of my 500mW beacon was K3EA (5657km) at 1854z.

472kHz WSPR

Earlier this morning I turned off my 472kHz WSPR station. G0LRD (25km) was being regularly spotted and PA0RDT (243km) was copying me overnight.  Best DX spotted by me was F1AFJ (607km).

10m WSPR - DX spots of my 500mW beacon

The first USA spot of my 10m 500mW beacon was by K9AN at 1304z. I see I have also been spotted by VK6XT (14719km) a couple of times today and by FR5ZX (9740km) a couple of times. Considering the forecast of "fair" 10m propagation, today has already been very good.

UPDATE 1630z:   Plenty of USA stations still spotting my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon.

UPDATE 1745z:  Still plenty of USA stations still spotting my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon.  I suspect this opening will continue until well past 1800z. It has been dark here  since about 1715z.

UPDATE 2140z:  The last USA station to spot my 500mW 10m beacon was K9AN (6505km) at 1824z. Still being spotted in Europe until 1908z.

10m beacon now ON

My 10m beacon was turned on just before 1100z. So far, it has still not stabilised so is drifting a little as the reference warms up, only G4IKZ (18km) has seen me. It will be well after 1200z I expect before any stateside stations see me today.

UPDATE 1109z:   LA9JO (2096km) is the best DX spot of my 500mW 10m WSPR so far this morning. He was spotting me at -8dB S/N, which was very strong. I assume this was single hop F2 propagation?

Digital experiments

In all my time in amateur radio I have never once experimented with microprocessor programming and I have done very little "digital" design.  This seems to be a gap in my knowledge, although I am still not really interested, preferring RF design, especially QRP.  I must say I remain very impressed with Wolf's (W5OLF) tiny WSPR-AXE-CW beacon: this goes to show just how much can be achieved with so little physically. Maybe this is a whole area I should embrace? The trouble is it is impossible to be an expert at lots of things, unless you are very bright. Certainly I do not consider myself a polymath!