Sunspots and 10m - Fri Feb 26th 2016

Solar flux is 90 today and sunspot number 26 (K=1). The forecast for 10m propagation today remains "poor". I have been on 10m WSPR since breakfast but no spots given or received as yet.

UPDATE 1030z:  It helps to check the right band on WSPRnet - not 20m.  10m WSPR stations in Australia have been spotted yet again today and I have (yet again) been spotted in Australia this time by VK5AKK  (16231km) and G4CUI (172km) has spotted me.

20m JT9-1

As 10m WSPR appeared dire here this afternoon, I QSYed down to 20m and had a 2-way QSO using JT9-1 with  SP6EIY.  My power was 2W.

I have now gone on 20m WSPR so I can monitor in the lounge and enjoy a cup of tea.  These are the 20m WSPR spots so far.

UPDATE 1830z:  Several 20m WSPR spots from the USA, both received and given. I shall probably QSY to 40m WSPR later.

UPDATE 2020z:   Still lots of 20m WSPR spots from Canada and the  USA. For now, I shall remain on 20m.

UPDATE 2130z:   The last 20m USA WSPR spot was at 2106z from K3SC (5869km), so I am staying on 20m for now, whilst the band is still open E-W.

Migrants trying to reach the UK - NOT amateur radio

Mixed views. I do not like unrestricted EU access into the UK and firmly believe it is up to the UK to decide who can live and work here. At the same time I feel so sorry for the true refugees who have fled war and conflict who wish to come to the UK for a peaceful life. Some of these people are really desperate.  In all conflicts it is the children who suffer the most. One woman is trying to make life in Calais just a little better for some children.  She is trying to raise money to buy a double-decker bus to convert.

If you would like to help just a little see https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/sophie-besse-bus?comment_id=1325867307439276&fb_comment_id=1324719837554023_1325867307439276#f30de133eed222e

Whatever your views, the little ones are the innocent victims. Life can be cruel and hard. You could help just a little?

More QRP Club News

More from Oleg...

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

just  reminder  about  QRP  Rendez-Vous  round  table  in  Tuesdays,
Thursdays,  Saturdays  at  9.00  UTC  around  14060  kc +/- QRP, QRL,
RIT/xtal (alternative 10116 kc for Contests QRM).
Comments and reports appreciated to "mr72" e-mail

72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"
 

Continued stroke after-effects - NOT amateur radio

One of the post stroke effects I think I have mentioned before is driving the car.  I have done some quite longish drives in the last year but my brain "feels" like I am going faster than I am. To me, 40mph feels like 50mph and 50mph feels like 60mph. So, I drive at slower speeds than I did.  I have no idea why this should be so. I assume this is to do with the way my brain is processing data.

Also, time seems to be different. I take longer to do things and yet time seems to be going along faster - but this may just be me getting older!

So far, all very quiet on 10m WSPR

At the moment (1242z) this looks like being another very quiet day here on 10m WSPR with no spots at all so far! I remember a few days ago when 10m WSPR seemed quiet and then I got a spot from Texas. I shall stay on the 10m band until this evening, ever hopeful.

If there is no long distance DX, it would be good to see some DX inter-G.  In the past I have spotted, and been spotted, on 10m WSPR out to about 250km by a combination of tropo and aircraft reflection.

After dark, I shall QSY to either a MF or lower HF band.

UPDATE 1344z:  Still no 10m spots.

More on the IC7300

See http://sdr-radio.com/Blog/ArticleID/25/ICOMs-IC-7300 .

The UK pound to Yen exchange rate has deteriorated lately, although I think this will recover.

The blog linked above seems to have a good collection of links and data on the ICOM radio. Although announced, I don't think it on the market yet. Dealers are keen to take a deposit so they know they have "reeled you in".  It also allows them to judge likely demand and quantities to stock. If the price is right, this should sell well in all markets.

But,  please, can we have the 10W version in Europe?

Useful propagation charts

This series of charts (change months and bands as required) is a useful guide to HF propagation. Like all such forecasts, caveat emptor as they said in Rome. I think this comes from G0KYA.  See http://www.infotechcomms.net/propcharts/february/ .

Another source for solar data was http://www.solan.info/solar , but when I last checked this page had gone. I am not sure what happened. All I get now is a link for hotels!

Another source (which works) is http://www.solarham.net/ .

As you know, I try to add current data on my blog most days. This comes from http://www.hamqsl.com/solar.html .

Somewhere in this lot you should find the data you need.

Sunspots and 10m - Thurs Feb 25th 2016

Solar flux is dropping and is 89 today.  Sunspot number has risen a little to 39 (K=2).  The forecast for 10m propagation remains "poor".

UPDATE 1040z:  Unsurprisingly, zero spots on 10m so far today.  I have been on 10m WSPR about 30 minutes so far only.

40m WSPR DX overnight

There were quite a few spots of my 2W 40m WSPR overnight by stations in the USA, although nothing from further afield.  I managed to copy quite  few stations too, presumably when my noise floor was lower locally.

I have now QSYed to 10m WSPR for the day.

40m WSPR DX

Since early evening, I have been on 40m WSPR rather than 10m WSPR. My signals were spotted by W4MO (7272km) and this is the best DX on the band so far. My antenna is very low for 40m.

Guided Busway - NOT amateur radio

Today, my wife and I took the guided busway up to St Ives, Cambridgeshire. With our bus passes the trip was free.

The sun shone and we ate out inexpensively in the cafe at the URC church which is in the heart of the town. Food, service and prices were excellent.

St Ives is on the River Great Ouse and has some fine buildings.

Australia yet again on 10m WSPR today

Yet again, despite the low sunspot number  and "poor" prediction for 10m propagation, I have been spotted in Australia by VK2KRR (16789km) at 0914z. There has been plenty of short-skip activity from Europe on 10m already. 10m is still good.

Sunspots and 10m - Weds Feb 24th 2016

Solar flux is 91 today and the sunspot number just 27 (K=2). The forecast for 10m propagation remains "poor" although short-skip has lived things up here.

10m WSPR - a good start

After overnight on 630m WSPR I QSYed to 10m WSPR after breakfast and was rewarded with lots of short skip.  I received several Italians and one Czech station so far.

50MHz RSGB UKAC contest

This evening was the February leg of the 50MHz UKAC (activity contest). As usual, I was unable to be on for long because of my poor voice. I was also handicapped with a vertical antenna (V2000 omni) and 5W pep. I made 3 QSOs with no great DX in the limited time. The contest is still on for another 70 minutes or so.

QSY to 630m (472kHz) WSPR

With the last 10m WSPR spot at 1726z, I am about to QSY to 630m (472kHz) WSPR in the next few minutes. I shall stay on MF overnight with my usual set-up (20% TX 5mW ERP, 80% RX) using the earth electrode "antenna" in the ground.

UPDATE 1912z:  I am now active on 472kHz WSPR and have been for about 5 minutes.

UPDATE 1940z:   A very promising start on 472kHz WSPR this evening (see above spots).

10m WSPRing still

With late 10m WSPR spots of the USA , I shall be on 10m WSPR at least for the next 90 minutes. I was hoping for USA spots, but was thinking this would be unlikely after such a quiet day.

UPDATE 1822z:  No further 10m WSPR spots, so I think the day has ended on 10m WSPR here. I shall probably QSY at around 1900z.

More OFCOM crappery?

See http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/2GHz-mobile-satellite-systems/?utm_source=updates&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2GHz-mobile-satellite-systems.

Why do I dislike OFCOM so much? I think it is because I am turning into a "grumpy old man" who has a dislike of organisations that seem to be forever justifying their very existence. My own direct dealings with them proved them to be "yes men" who were incapable of making decisions. To me, they come across as a QUANGO and the sooner they go the better. I appreciate this is a personal view and others may well have had a better experience.

Personally, I think it would be good if they were replaced by an organisation able to make pragmatic decisions without forever having to check what the law says. With regard to UK amateur radio, they have released 2MHz of under-used spectrum at VHF on a temporary basis which has been of use to a very few.

No, in my book they add very little value. Sorry, my view.

10m WSPR - disappointing again, so far today

As I write this at 1325z there has been not a single spot given or received on 10m WSPR here all day. This is a great pity and says as much about 10m WSPR activity as conditions. Although there may be the odd spot this afternoon, this looks like yet another disappointing day on the band. I am sure with more 10m WSPR activity, more paths would be proved to be "open".  I shall stick with 10m WSPR until after teatime, probably moving to 630m (472kHz) around 1900z. Yesterday the only spot was at 1754z and this was E-W DX.

UPDATE 1725z:  Well, 10m has a habit of springing surprises! In the last few minutes W1VR (6965km) in Florida has been spotted twice after a very quiet day.

UPDATE 1738z:  W1VR has now been spotted 3 times on 10m WSPR.

More QRP Club

More from Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

QRP  Rendez-Vous  Visitors  of  the last week:  UR0ET, RV3GM, SM2FIJ, OH6NPV,  UA1CEG, RW3AA, RU3NJC, RD7K,HB9DAX,  UA0SBQ,  RD6MZ, UA1CEX, PA3DEU,  UR7VT,  DF5SF,  DL7MA,  DL8NBG, G3UD, RN4NAA, EA7JUK, OM6TC, LA9QJA, LZ1HM, DK1AY, RA1M

RD7K  op.  Max, DF5SF op. Uli and LZ1HM op. Hristo became "rendezvous
Frequenters"! Congrats!

See "QRP Rendez-Vous" weekly report and "soapbox" here -
http://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/
See  full  Visitors  and Frequenters lists as well as QRP Rendez-Vous
schedule - www.club72.su

72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"

More about Socialhams

From OE8APR:

Hello dear OM Roger,
there is a new upcoming socialhams feature in preparation.

It is called APRSCaching and you can find a short description about
it in the attached PDF file. Before we can go live with this extension
we have to finish our own initial caches. So there will be some more
weeks before it is released to the public.

Anyway, I would be very happy if you can publish the attached PDF on your
blogging site and spread the word about this exciting step we will do soon.

Many thanks in advance!

vy 73 de Andreas
OE8APR

See https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/15047843/APRSCaching_Abstract_en(1).pdf

Sunspots and 10m - Tues Feb 23rd 2016

Solar flux is 93 today and sunspot number just 29  (K=1). 10m is expected to remain "poor" today.

40m WSPR

Earlier this evening I switched from 10m to 40m WSPR. As I have an S8 noise floor I have not spotted anyone else yet although VA3KV (5318km) has spotted me on 40m WSPR as the best DX so far this evening. I'll remain on 40m WSPR overnight.

10m WSPR - a disappointing day

Well, what a disappointing day on 10m WSPR! Just a single spot all day! This was from KD6RF (7571km) at 1754z. I re-synced the PC and checked things were OK as until this time I got not a single spot and thought something was wrong at my end. We are seeing reduced 10m WSPR activity, even though conditions suggest more should have been possible.

Cambridge day - NOT amateur radio

On Mondays I go into Cambridge on the bus for my University of the Third Age course. As I have an hour to kill after the course, I usually grab a bite to eat choosing different places most weeks. This week, I tried one place which was busy and ended up getting the £3 lunch deal (filled roll and drink) which was very good value at Subway. Sadly, because of my poor voice, the assistant treated me as if I was simple-minded: she spoke very slowly as if I was stupid. I found this very frustrating, but for many it must be far worse.  Never, ever, assume someone is stupid just because they have a disability.

Sunspots and 10m - Mon Feb 22nd 2016

Solar flux is 95 and sunspot number 47 (K=0) today although 10m propagation is again expected to be "poor".

IC7300 First Impressions

AmateurRadio.com has a nice link to AB4BJ's blog on first impressions of the ICOM IC7300 transceiver including videos that I have not seen before. Look for Amateur Radio Weekly - issue 99.

If you are considering this radio, it is worth checking out. He was impressed. So was I.  At the moment, the IC7300 looks the favorite for my shack unless Yaesu announces a neat FT817 replacement that is stable, bug-free and available in the UK later this year at a sensible price.

As an IC703 replacement, I'd prefer a low power version, but this is unlikely to be available with CE (EU approvals) marking outside of Japan. 10W would suit me fine.

See http://ab4bj.com/wordpress/2016/02/first-impressions-of-the-icom-ic-7300-hf-6m-transceiver/?utm_source=amateur-radio-weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter

FT817 replacement?

Somewhere on the grapevine - it may have been an earlier comment to a post (?) - I heard that the FT817ND is being discontinued. Is this another sign that a replacement is (eventually) on its way?

On the other hand it could be that Yaesu is in financial trouble and rationalising its product range. I sincerely hope it is not the latter. I have used Yaesu rigs for 40 years and they have never gone wrong.  Yaesu make some good products but as a proudly Japanese manufacturer they are not immune from the ravages of the economy.

Sunspots and 10m - Sun Feb 21st 2016

Solar flux is 98 today and sunspot number is 46 (K=1). 10m propagation is expected to remain "poor". All being well, I shall be back on 10m WSPR tomorrow now we are back home again.

Away for a long weekend - NOT amateur radio

As you probably guessed, I was away for a few days. My wife and I were down in Kent, just outside Canterbury, visiting our son and his family including 2 of our young grandchildren. So I have not done blogging for a few days. Sorry, but family comes first. The photo shows my wife and grandson. Canterbury Cathedral, where he was Christened, is in the background.

South Hams, Devon - NOT amateur radio

See www.southhamssociety.org .

If you like the natural beauty of the South Hams in South Devon, you may be interested in this link. In my view, parts of the South Hams are the best places on Earth. I come from there, so am slightly biased!

10m WSPR spots so far

G8VDQ (93km) has been spotted here on 10m WSPR (presumably involving aircraft reflection judging by the Doppler and I have been spotted by G0HWW (29km) a few times. No DX outside the UK as yet, although it is still quite early.

Sunspots and 10m - Fri Feb 19th 2016

Solar flux has fallen a little to 96 and sunspot number is 35 (K=2). Predictions for 10m propagation remain "poor" today.

IC7300 yet?

As yet, I have not heard that the ICOM IC7300 is available in the UK or the rest of Europe. Dealers are still keen to take deposits and are still quoting a price "below £1000". With an SDR architecture I think the final price will be somewhat lower. At a lower price I might consider this, especially with 4m coverage. At current rates we may have to wait until next Christmas before we see this rig with stable software at a decent price.

See http://www.hamradio.co.uk/amateur-radio-main-equipment-base-station-radio-icom-base-station-radio/icom/icom-ic-7300-hf-50-70mhz-transceiver-deposit-pd-6016.php .

FTSE 100 - NOT amateur radio

At lunchtime the FTSE 100 UK share index is down 0.38%. It was higher, but still negative on the day.

We should expect it to gradually slide in the months ahead as investors are still nervous about Greece, the EC, China and the world economy at large. It always bounces back, although this could take years.

My expectations this year? I think it will fall to around 5000 then bounce back to 6500. Of course I am only guessing and it could end up anywhere between 4000 and 7000.  I suspect there will be a bounce if we vote to stay in the EU in the summer. If we vote to leave, I suspect the pound and the FTSE 100 will lose value.

RSGB Band Plans

I have a love/hate relationship with my national society. In many ways they do a very good job. At the same time they seem to have a "thing" about AM.

Yet again, there is ZERO acknowledgement of 10m AM except a (begrudged?) comment that 29-29.1MHz is in the 6kHz wide all mode section. No explicit mention that this is where AM can be found. Indeed a year ago an RSGB official told me he had no idea about 10m AM!! AM has been just above 29MHz for as long as I can remember: got it RSGB?

The 2m AM centre of activity of 144.55MHz gets again a (begrudged?) footnote, whereas other modes get explicit mention.

No, the RSGB  hates AM. This is my conclusion. This is a stupid stance. There is plenty of space for AM on 10m and the VHF bands. AM gear is low cost too.

I love digital modes but AM has a place.

10m WSPR - just local so far

G0HWW (29km) is the only station spotting me on 10m WSPR today so far.  Although there may be some DX later, I am not too hopeful on 10m.

UPDATE 1535z:  Just been spotted in Brazil on 10m WSPR by KD0VWO (7412km). So far this is the only DX spot on 10m WSPR all day.

Sunspots and 10m - Thurs Feb 18th 2016

Solar flux is 97 today (lower than of late). Sunspot number is 60 (K=4). 10m propagation is expected to be "poor" today. I am not expecting great things of 10m again today as conditions look quite disturbed.

Kia - NOT amateur radio

Just (a few days ago) received this from EMG in Cambridge. I wonder if Kia also needs to quietly update its software? This is the first time I heard about this. Suspicious or a genuine product enhancement?

Dear Mr xxxxx

Service Action notice

We have been advised that a product enhancement is available for your car, xxyyyzzz.  It is important that these improvements are applied and we have been requested by Kia Motors to do so.

As your Kia dealer we like to take care of our customer’s cars.  We believe in Family-Like Care, and that extends from our service to you and to the care we give your car. 

While your car is in our care we will complete a comprehensive Vehicle Health Check to make sure that it is in the best condition possible and will advise you of any actions required. 

We can provide collection and delivery at your home or workplace and we can also arrange alternative transport if required.  You are also welcome to wait in our customer area; we’ll make sure we don’t keep you waiting any longer than we need to. Just let us know what suits you best.

Remember that if repairs are needed we will always use genuine parts from Kia, which are covered by a 2-year warranty and the correct specifications of the latest lubricants.  Our technicians are trained by the Kia Academy and use Kia specialist tools.  At the same time we will use the Kia Global Diagnostic System to make sure the latest updates from Kia are applied to your car.

Please get in touch with us on 01223 478478 to arrange a convenient appointment.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Yours sincerely