6 Mar 2015
40m Pixie
I must have another go with this rig. As I mentioned before, a 7.030MHz crystal would be more useful than the 7.023MHz crystal it came with. The rig definitely works and the RX nets perfectly to the TX frequency. Sensitivity is better than I expected and BC breakthrough far less of an issue than I had expected. It is certainly a good little kit for the price. I need to check the Reverse Beacon Network in case I get out OK but don't hear any replies to my CQs.
Female models - why don't they smile?
Sorry, this is not amateur radio.....
Why do most female models look so unbelievably miserable? Almost without exception, the "look" seems to be to appear as miserable as possible and never smile. Surely, if you want dresses to sell then wear a smile at least! I am sure models used to look nice and smile. Back in the 1960s I never recall models being miserable. Perhaps this is how they are told to look in our politically correct times? Rubbish I say! Not that my XYL is ever likely buy designer dresses, but surely they'd sell more if you thought the models wearing them actually liked them?
Why do most female models look so unbelievably miserable? Almost without exception, the "look" seems to be to appear as miserable as possible and never smile. Surely, if you want dresses to sell then wear a smile at least! I am sure models used to look nice and smile. Back in the 1960s I never recall models being miserable. Perhaps this is how they are told to look in our politically correct times? Rubbish I say! Not that my XYL is ever likely buy designer dresses, but surely they'd sell more if you thought the models wearing them actually liked them?
Sunspots and 10m - March 6th 2015
Sunspot number has dropped to 33 today and 10m propagation is described as "fair". Despite this, 10m feels quite lively today with plenty of stations on the edge of Europe and Asia spotting my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon.
The best 10m WSPR spot so far today was by RA0WKQ (5702km) in Siberia. Also good DX was/is from TJ3TS (5478km) in Cameroon, Central Africa. I suspect 10m will open to the USA after lunch as conditions on the 10m band seem to be better than "fair" to me.
UPDATE 1100z: So far today TJ3TS (Cameroon) has spotted my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon 17 times already. This station is DL8SEQ who is in the capital Yaounde until this summer and operating mainly on digital modes.
The best 10m WSPR spot so far today was by RA0WKQ (5702km) in Siberia. Also good DX was/is from TJ3TS (5478km) in Cameroon, Central Africa. I suspect 10m will open to the USA after lunch as conditions on the 10m band seem to be better than "fair" to me.
UPDATE 1100z: So far today TJ3TS (Cameroon) has spotted my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon 17 times already. This station is DL8SEQ who is in the capital Yaounde until this summer and operating mainly on digital modes.
5 Mar 2015
472kHz WSPR last night
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| Unique 472kHz WSPR spots last night |
I am amazed just how many stations have now spotted my very low ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" on 472kHz WSPR. Never let it be said, "I've no space for MF antennas". If I can get out with my "antenna" then so can you, and probably much better!
W5OLF's WSPR beacon
See http://w5olf.com .
As a user for several months of a W5OLF WSPR 10m beacon OK I am biased. However, if your interest is a small WSPR beacon for 30, 20m or 10m then I can honestly recommend this kit. There are others such as the Hans Summers "Ultimate" beacons. These are more flexible but they need several small PCBs. Jay's WSPR dedicated beacons fit on a single small PCB that fits inside an Altoids tin. As my 10m unit has been copied all over the planet (including Australia and Antarctica), I can highly recommend this design. It really does work well. If you enjoy WSPR you'd be hard pressed to find a neater, smaller solution. I love it. Mine runs lots of the time. Usually it is started up at breakfast time and runs through until the DX disappears the following night. It will probably be on 24/7 during the Es season unless I want to work SSB,CW, FM or AM on the other rigs.
As a user for several months of a W5OLF WSPR 10m beacon OK I am biased. However, if your interest is a small WSPR beacon for 30, 20m or 10m then I can honestly recommend this kit. There are others such as the Hans Summers "Ultimate" beacons. These are more flexible but they need several small PCBs. Jay's WSPR dedicated beacons fit on a single small PCB that fits inside an Altoids tin. As my 10m unit has been copied all over the planet (including Australia and Antarctica), I can highly recommend this design. It really does work well. If you enjoy WSPR you'd be hard pressed to find a neater, smaller solution. I love it. Mine runs lots of the time. Usually it is started up at breakfast time and runs through until the DX disappears the following night. It will probably be on 24/7 during the Es season unless I want to work SSB,CW, FM or AM on the other rigs.
RSGB Wortley-Talbot Trophy
Sadly my continued ill health means I'll be unable to pick up the award at the RSGB's AGM in London in April. I just wish my health was better so I could do some field work again soon! Both VLF and optical field work are on hold until I feel better. This year I really really hope I'll manage it.
To be honest this award came as a complete surprise, but I'd happily trade these lovely awards to be back to my old healthy self.
10m - USA today
So the 10m band has yet again opened across the Atlantic with KB4SC (6560km) spotting my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon at 1312z and several times since. Others are also copying me.
UPDATE 1748z: Plenty of 10m WSPR spots from the USA received all afternoon and still continuing.
My 500mW 10m WSPR-AXE-CW beacon created by Jay W5OLF continues to work flawlessly. It is so tiny yet just works. It takes about 15-20 minutes to settle (I think the reference drifts as the PA warms up?) and I sync to internet time once a day, which is probably far more frequently than needed. Once running, it works perfectly with nothing else needed, no PC, nothing. All continents were reached within weeks on 10m to a simple wire antenna. At some point I may build a 20m version which is 1W. On 10m 0.5W seems fine.
UPDATE 2042z: At the moment, it looks like N0UR (6535km) was the last USA station to spot my little 10m 500mW WSPR beacon at 2014z. Since then just local G4IKZ (18km).
UPDATE 2205z: No further USA spots since N0UR at 2014z. Now QRT on 10m WSPR until the morning. Still active on 472kHz WSPR.
UPDATE 1748z: Plenty of 10m WSPR spots from the USA received all afternoon and still continuing.
My 500mW 10m WSPR-AXE-CW beacon created by Jay W5OLF continues to work flawlessly. It is so tiny yet just works. It takes about 15-20 minutes to settle (I think the reference drifts as the PA warms up?) and I sync to internet time once a day, which is probably far more frequently than needed. Once running, it works perfectly with nothing else needed, no PC, nothing. All continents were reached within weeks on 10m to a simple wire antenna. At some point I may build a 20m version which is 1W. On 10m 0.5W seems fine.
UPDATE 2042z: At the moment, it looks like N0UR (6535km) was the last USA station to spot my little 10m 500mW WSPR beacon at 2014z. Since then just local G4IKZ (18km).
UPDATE 2205z: No further USA spots since N0UR at 2014z. Now QRT on 10m WSPR until the morning. Still active on 472kHz WSPR.
Sunspots and 10m - March 5th 2015
Sunspot number is little changed at 43. 10m propagation is expected to be "fair". This morning, the usual suspects UR/SWL56, 4X1RF and LZ1OI were spotting my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon. I think 10m will open to the USA later today.
4 Mar 2015
472kHz WSPR - no surprises
I have remained on 472kHz WSPR and intend to continue through the night, but being Wednesday, Windows may try to install updates in the middle of the night and turn off the PC! It should work until about 0400z. So far today, no great surprises with spots from G7NKS (46km), G3WCB (101km) and G8HUH (250km) of my 5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna".
In the last 2 weeks 25 unique stations have successfully spotted my 472kHz QRP WSPR signal.
UPDATE 2200z: PA0RDT (243km) has spotted me 4 times this evening. Local G4KPX (14km) in Ely is spotting me too this evening.
In the last 2 weeks 25 unique stations have successfully spotted my 472kHz QRP WSPR signal.
UPDATE 2200z: PA0RDT (243km) has spotted me 4 times this evening. Local G4KPX (14km) in Ely is spotting me too this evening.
Oxburgh Hall
This is not amateur radio....
Today we visited Oxburgh Hall, looked after by the National Trust, in Norfolk. This is a fine moated house that looks more like a fortified castle. It has excellent grounds that had lots of snowdrops out. At the moment the daffodils have still to come out. Although it has ancient origins, parts were changed inside in the 19th century.
We had the tasty homemade leek and potato soup for lunch in the National Trust cafe which is just inside the main house on the LHS over the bridge (just inside).
Oxburgh Hall is a fine property and worth a visit.
See http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/oxburgh-hall/ .
I have updated our East Anglian churches visited blog too.
See http://eachurches.blogspot.co.uk/ .
Today we visited Oxburgh Hall, looked after by the National Trust, in Norfolk. This is a fine moated house that looks more like a fortified castle. It has excellent grounds that had lots of snowdrops out. At the moment the daffodils have still to come out. Although it has ancient origins, parts were changed inside in the 19th century.
We had the tasty homemade leek and potato soup for lunch in the National Trust cafe which is just inside the main house on the LHS over the bridge (just inside).
Oxburgh Hall is a fine property and worth a visit.
I have updated our East Anglian churches visited blog too.
See http://eachurches.blogspot.co.uk/ .
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