30 Nov 2015

Stroke artifacts - NOT amateur radio

I have only just noticed this one! It seems I miss out some key words when I write on my blogs. It is as if I think they are there and they are not. As always, I try to correct the errors as soon as I spot them. If any words are missing please blame it on my brain!

First 10m WSPR spot today

You can tell it is not too great on 10m WSPR today as I have only just had my beacon spotted for the first time today.  This was by RA3UDF (2693km) at 1110z - single hop F2.  Today is going to be a struggle.
 
UPDATE 1404z:  FR1GZ ( 9724km) has spotted me a few times on 10m WSPR and M0LMH (223km) has spotted me a few times in daytime on 472kHz.

UPDATE 1648z:  With no USA spots on 10m so far today, I think this is going to be another day without the spots from the USA on 10m WSPR. Others may have been luckier: my 10m ERP cannot be great.

CQ-DATV mags free

See http://cq-datv.mobi/ebooks.php .

CQ-DATV is available for free download. I have not tried amateur TV but some remarkable results are being achieved by DATV in the 146-147MHz band. Like all things in our hobby, you can only do so much. I think the use of digital techniques has given amateur TV a new lease of life.

Time passing - NOT amateur radio

Someone said that time passes faster as you get older. It certainly seems this way.

November came and went in no time at all. October was just as fast. It will soon be Christmas, January will soon go, February is a short month and before you know it there will be buds and daffodils everywhere. I am not wishing my time away, but time does seem to disappear.

I do so hope that I feel much better in 2016.  It is 2 years since my stroke and I was expecting to feel so much better by now.

472kHz WSPR

Returned to 10m WSPR at breakfast time. Still on 630m (472kHz) WSPR but I am having trouble accessing the WSPRnet database. Overnight, no new stations copied, or copying me, on 472kHz WSPR. I may switch from 630m to 6m soon.

UPDATE 1040z: M0LMH (223km) is spotting me in daylight on 472kHz WSPR.

Sunspots and 10m - Mon Nov 30th 2015

Sunspot number is 47 today (K=5) but solar flux is 95 and the forecast for 10m remains "poor". With disturbed conditions, I am not expecting great things on 10m, but you never can be sure. No spots as yet on 10m WSPR.

There is often a small Es peak at the end of the year, so we could see some nearer Europeans on 10m Dec/Jan via Es. This is also the case on 6m.

29 Nov 2015

Sunset - NOT amateur radio

We are at the "pits" end of the year as far as sunlight is concerned, but the evenings start to get lighter from mid December even though the mornings get darker for a few weeks more. By the end of January the evenings are getting better light-wise by almost an hour. February is a short month. It is good to think the nights will soon be getting lighter again. It may be a little different where you live.

See http://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/cambridge?month=12&year=2015 .

Family weekend - NOT amateur radio


This weekend we had our "London" grandchildren here with their mum and dad. As you can see, our grandson, aged 8 years old,  decided to play dead on the rug.  They left quite late in the afternoon.

472kHz WSPR - same stations

It is now 1800z and I am still spotting the same stations as previously and the same stations are spotting me. I enjoy 472kHz WSPR but we do need more new stations.

It is not hard to get on the band and, as I have proved, large antennas and high ERP are not needed for WSPR. My approach using a simple transverter and FT817 will get you going.

UPDATE 1900z:  I see Ive been spotted by G0HWW (29km). Not too far, but a new station.

Quiet day on 10m WSPR

I was late getting on 10m WSPR today, but I was on early enough to catch any USA openings. There were none today.  

FR1GZ (9724km) spotted me at 1500z and, apart from this, all was quiet. CQWW CW was in full swing so this may have reduced WSPR activity, but the main reason was poor conditions.

Daylight 472kHz WSPR

It was more convenient to stay on 630m (472kHz) WSPR today. I have only just turned on my 10m WSPR beacon. I was quite surprised to see LA3EQ (769km) being spotted in daylight.

Sunspots and 10m - Sun Nov 30th 2015

Solar flux is 96. Sunspot number is just 36 (this will be much lower this time next year) and K=2. 10m propagation is again expected to be "poor".

UPDATE 1123z:   I am still on 630m WSPR (I was on 630m WSPR overnight) as we have family here.  I shall QSY to 10m and 6m later.

UPDATE 1130z:   The best DX on 630m (472kHz) WSPR RX was DH5RAE and the best DX on 472kHz WSPR TX (5mW ERP) was DL-SWL at 701km.

28 Nov 2015

472kHz WSPR - odd behaviour explained

Although I was being spotted by several stations, I was puzzled why I was apparently not spotting others. A quick check the PC showed "no internet access" on the wi-fi symbol: I was receiving many stations but these were not being uploaded to WSPRnet. I turned off the PC and rebooted it .  All is now fine again. LA and DK were soon being spotted and uploaded.

UPDATE 2324z:  Plenty of MF stations in Western Europe spotted and uploading to WSPRnet.  All these are stations I have seen before though.  EA5DOM is active although I have not copied him yet. My best DX is DL-SWL (701km) on TX and  DH5RAE (995km) on RX. Still using 5mW ERP and earth-electrode "antenna".

Very early daffodils - NOT amateur radio

This evening we went to nearby Anglesey Abbey, a National Trust property near Cambridge, to see the winter lights. To our utter surprise there were a couple of daffodils already out. This is only Nov 28th!! This particular clump is always early, but November is just odd.

6m WSPR spot and all quiet on 10m WSPR

G4APB (88km) spotted me on 6m WSPR at 1340z. The high drift (-3Hz) suggests aircraft involvement, although this could be his station stabilising. So far again today, no DX on 6m outside the UK.

UPDATE 1418z:  All very quiet on 10m WSPR with nothing stateside so far this afternoon.  I guess this is a mix of not brilliant conditions and the CQWW CW contest this weekend.

UPDATE 1440z:   FR1GZ (9724km) has spotted me on 10m WSPR at 1438z. Still no USA spots today.

UPDATE 1515z:  FR1GZ has spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR 4 times so far today, but still no signs of the USA on 10m WSPR here.

UPDATE 2115z:  No USA stations spotted me today on 10m WSPR.  I would have thought one might have.

Sunspots and 10m - Sat Nov 28th 2015

Solar flux has dipped below the magic 100 level to 98. Sunspot number has dropped to 48.  K=1. Forecast for 10m propagation is again "poor". Somehow I feel this is going to be a less good day on 10m WSPR, but only time will tell.

UPDATE 1018z:  Quiet so far on both 10m and 6m WSPR. Maybe CQWW CW has got to everyone? This big CW contest runs all weekend.

UPDATE 1148z:  Russians (only) spotting me on 10m WSPR out to 2401km. All still quiet on 6m WSPR.

Surplus parts supplier in the USA

I received this email yesterday. As I have not used the service, I cannot comment, but pass it on to readers in the hope that you may find it of use.

"I have started  a website selling surplus electronic parts would like any help getting this to the QRP groups. Over 400 line items and growing.


If can help I would appreciate it

Thank You
Billy R. Jones  K0CIY"

27 Nov 2015

Southgate News of $5 computer made in Wales

Southgate News has information about a new Raspberry Pi computer that is made in Wales and is just $5. I have no idea how they do it for the price.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2015/november/new_raspberry_pi_zero.htm .

6m WSPR spots

It helps to connect the right antenna! I noticed I was still operating into a dummy load until lunchtime,  when I connected the V2000 vertical. I see that G8EPQ (77km) has spotted me twice on 6m WSPR. This is probably aided by aircraft, but it is just possible he gets me directly.

UPDATE 1606z:  I see that I am spotting G8EPQ too on 6m WSPR. 
6m WSPR spots this afternoon

Stroke update - NOT amateur radio

Things here seem to be on a plateau with no real improvements for months. Just after breakfast seems to be my worst time, as I am always exhausted. A short sit-down rest and I am back to normal - well normal as I can be for now. My main issues are my voice, which is still poor, liquid swallow, giddiness when on my feet and bouts of exhaustion after physical or mental exertion.

Sunspots and 10m - Fri Nov 27th 2015

Solar flux is good at 106. Sunspot number is 56 (K=2) but the official 10m propagation forecast is "poor". Don't believe it!  With many spots already from Australia and Reunion of my tiny 500mW 10m WSPR beacon, my advice is get on 10m and enjoy the band while you can.

UPDATE 1030z: All quiet on 6m here (but see later post - no antenna!).

UPDATE 1500z:  K9AN (6505km) was the first USA station to spot me on 10m WSPR today at 1418z.

CQWW CW this weekend

Usually I don't do this contest as CW is often sent at breakneck speed, but the CQWW CW contest is on this weekend. If you enjoy CW and contests, this one may be for you?

10m WSPR - very good early today

Already VK2KRR (16789km) has spotted my tiny 10m WSPR beacon 7 times today starting at 0910z on 10m WSPR.  FR1GZ (9724km) was spotting me from 0824z. Amazing conditions.

UPDATE 1230z:  No further 10m WSPR spots since VK2KRR.

26 Nov 2015

470kHz WSPR - too few TX stations

Although I have been on 470kHz WSPR most of the evening, very few stations have been spotted and only one has spotted me. It seems that most of the stations "in range" are on RX only. I think I  have copied most stations that are active on WSPR that are within western Europe. We definitely need more TX stations on 470kHz WSPR.

Nevada deal on new Lincoln 10m rig

From Steve G1KQH:

Tempting Black Friday:
 
73 Steve
http://www.g1kqh.talktalk.net/

First stateside today on 10m WSPR

VE3GEN (5593km) was the first "over the pond" spot of my little 10m WSPR beacon at 1418z. This was followed by spots from several USA stations during the afternoon. Best 10m WSPR DX spot of my beacon today was from FR1GZ (9724km) at 1440z.

No spots given or received on 6m WSPR today.

QSYed

I have now gone QRT on 630m and am again active on 10m WSPR and 6m WSPR. I QSYed at about 1030z. So far, no spots on 10m or 6m. Overnight, there were no surprises on 630m (472kHz) with the same stations spotted and spotting me. Yet again, my best DX report came from DL-SWL/1 at 701km. Not bad with my 5mW ERP.

Sunspots and 10m - Thurs Nov 26th 2015

Sunspot number has fallen a little to 58 (K=0) and solar flux is still decent at 108. Although this seems a poor guide to 10m WSPR conditions, the forecast for 10m propagation remains "poor".

25 Nov 2015

Cambridge Parks - NOT amateur radio

Parker's Piece, Cambridge
Each Wednesday, I go into Cambridge for my "Life in the Universe" lectures as art of the U3AC programme.

Cambridge has several parks and, of course, the famous Backs (of the colleges) along the River Cam. This is the park that is behind Drummer Street bus station. Most trees are now bare.

Australia yet again on 10m WSPR

At 1048z my 500mW 10m WSPR was (yet again) spotted by VK2KRR (16789km) in Australia. This is getting so common now that I am losing count of the days when this has happened. Yet again 10m propagation is forecast to be "poor".  Don't believe all the experts say!

These DX spots  are becoming so common now that they almost become expected.

UPDATE 1817z:  I have now gone QRT on both 10m and 6m WSPR and started up on 630m WSPR. On 10m WSPR the first USA 10m spot today was at 1338z by KC1AWS (5308km). Also several spots today by FR1GZ (9724km). In all, quite a good day on 10m WSPR despite the forecast for 10m propagation of "poor".

Sunspots and 10m - Wed Nov 25th 2015

Solar flux is 112 and sunspot number 66. K=0. The forecast for 10m is "poor" which usually means (perversely!) that 10m WSPR will be quite good here.

UPDATE 1025z:  No 10m or 6m spots as yet. I went QRT on MF around 0800z.

IC7300 - not yet?

The IC7300 is being actively "pre-sold" with UK dealers asking people to part with £50 deposits to secure these transceivers when they become available. I don't think any have shipped yet and I suspect it will be late spring before they appear in the UK.
http://www.icomamerica.com/en/media_events/news/NewsArticle.aspx?id=201521
The price will drop once the dealers have creamed good profits from those who must have the rig at any price - the early adopters. Really I would like the 10W version which would be a class QRP rig. This would be even better than the IC703.

It is quite likely that the early sets will have some software or hardware issues which will be corrected on later models sold.

Of all the products around, it looks the most attractive and I like the SDR architecture. Let's hope the ball grid arrays are soldered well! From bitter experience I know this can be a nightmare tweeking the process.  I can wait.

ICOM America has more information on this transceiver.

24 Nov 2015

Best DX on 472kHz this autumn

DL-SWL/1 (701km) has spotted my 5mW ERP on 472kHz WSPR this evening. This is the furthermost I have been spotted this autumn. The 472kHz WSPR station here will remain on this evening and overnight.

Best DX on RX remains DH5RAE (995km) this evening. EA5DOM does not appear to be on WSPR tonight, yet.

10m WSPR USA spots today

K9AN (6505km) is, so far, the first USA station to spot my 500mW 10m beacon today. First USA 10m WSPR spot was at 1318z. I am quite surprised that I don't have a log full of USA spots on 10m WSPR from the USA today. So far only K9AN and KK1D (5455km) have spotted me on 10m WSPR from the USA today.

UPDATE 1900z: I have now gone QRT on both 10m and 6m WSPR. I am QRV on 630m WSPR with the homemade transverter running 5mW ERP, listening 80% of the time for others. No RX preamp and using the earth-electrode "antenna". First station received was F6GEX (590km) in IN97 square at -27dB S/N. Next was DH5RAE (995km).

Stroke - NOT amateur radio

I am truly fed up with the after-effects of my stroke. Most of the time on my feet I am exhausted and giddy. My voice is still very poor. Nobody, and I mean nobody, seems to comprehend the hell I am living through. Outwardly I look "normal" and healthy. Inside is a different matter.

All I want is for things not to totally exhaust me and not to feel so wobbly. I feel so useless inside. Sitting down on the PC is fine, but the moment I try to do anything physical or mental I am soon "done in".

It seems a long time since I was my old self.

Made in China - NOT amateur radio

Today is my XYL's birthday and one of her presents was a Cath Kitson 3-tier cake stand for the table. Even this is marked "Made in China". Surely suppliers can source this from the UK? It is just 3 slabs of plates, a few screws and some wood.

In the end this "Made in China" rubbish has to end. The wealth of the UK depends, in the end, in adding value and making things. They must make huge profits on this stuff. A few pence more to source from the UK would mean a few pence less profit. So?

John Lewis - try harder!

It is very hard to find anything that is made anywhere in Europe or the USA these days.

Sepura - NOT amateur radio

Shares never fail to amuse me. I finished working for Sepura in 2008. Today they gave interim results for the last 6 months and these exceeded expectations. A betting man would expect their shares (SEPU) to rise. Oh no, they have fallen!!

Sepura is a FTSE listed company. They make profits every year. They recently bought their Spanish rival Teltronic. Sepura specialises in TETRA and DMR, mainly secure radios.

UPDATE 1745z:  Shares in Sepura ended the day down to 174.75, down 1.5% on the day.  Totally perverse!

Sunspots and 10m - Tues Nov 24th 2015

Sunspot number is 77 today (K=0) and solar flux is good at 119.  Sadly the 10m propagation forecast is "poor" today. It will be interesting to see how 10m WSPR is today.

UPDATE 1017z:  From Australia VK2KRR (16789km) has already spotted me 4 times today on 10m WSPR!  Ignore that "poor" forecast, HI. I find it quite amazing how a "poor" 10m forecast is given and yet my little W5OLF 10m 500mW WSPR beacon is spotted right around the planet. 6m and 10m are "magic bands" as sometimes they spring real surprises. Wolf's 10m beacon does not need a PC and would fit in a very box. It is great. I have had mine a year and I have had such fun with it. It never fails to amaze me how something so small on the desk is regularly spotted at great distances, even with a very small, modest, wire antenna. The antenna is hardly visible. Spots from the USA are almost daily and it has been spotted in Australia on 8 different days (I think) this autumn. -18dB S/N (twice today from Australia) suggests even 40mW might have been enough! Quite amazing.

UPDATE 1052z:  No further 10m spots and all quiet so far on 6m WSPR.

Early 10m WSPR spots

RA3UDF (2693km) has spotted my 10m WSPR beacon several times this morning already starting at 0938z. This is single hop F2.

UPDATE 1200z: VK2KRR spotted me 4 times earlier and now I am being spotted by OE6PWD (1232km) and I4ZTO (1185km). I am unsure whether this is F2 backscatter or even Es.  All quiet on 6m WSPR.

23 Nov 2015

Happiness - NOT amateur radio

Seen on Facebook. Written by 92 year old lady.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy: 

1. Free your heart from hatred. 
2. Free your mind from worries. 
3. Live simply. 
4. Give more. 
5. Expect less.

Not bad advice.