A few moments ago I returned to 10m JT65 (2W) from 630m WSPR.
On 10m, I seem to get better results on JT65 than WSPR, probably because there is more activity. JT65 is a useful 10m mode at this part of the cycle as there are usually people monitoring and uploading spots to PSK Reporter Maps.
When not looking for 2-way QSOs it is possible to beacon and get these uploaded to PSK Reporter Maps by sending "B callsign QTHlocator". It is rare for a day to pass without being spotted or spotting someone on 10m JT65, despite low or zero sunspot numbers. It is certainly better than calling CQ on CW or SSB and just giving up on 10m.
JT65 works with weaker signals than SSB and CW and only a few watts and simple antennas are needed to work the world. Software is free too and very easy to use.
UPDATE 1112z: M5ZAP (125km) spotted on 10m JT65, but no DX yet.
UPDATE 1245z: EA8CYL (2988km) is my best 10m JT65 spot so far today. I am using 2W and a low, indifferent antenna. There is now widespread Es on 10m.
6 Jan 2017
5 Jan 2017
Return to 472kHz WSPR
A few minutes ago I QSYed to 472kHz WSPR and went QRT on 28MHz (10m) JT65. So far just fairly locals (see below).
UPDATE 1925z: PA0RDT (243km) has just spotted me.
UPDATE 2026z: Still the same stations spotting me.
 |
| 472kHz initial spots |
UPDATE 1925z: PA0RDT (243km) has just spotted me.
UPDATE 2026z: Still the same stations spotting me.
Microshaft - NOT amateur radio
A few moments ago my wife tried to log onto her on-line email account. Up came a pop-up window allegedly from Microsoft encouraging her to change to the Bing search engine and change the default browser to a Microsoft one. There was no way to close the pop-up window and no cross in the corner! Instead we closed the PC and started all over again.
We choose the browser we use and we choose the search engine we use!! If these are not Microsoft, so be it. We deeply resent this sort of intrusion. Sorry, but I was not at all impressed and will never now use Bing. I use Windows 10 but I hate this sort of behaviour. STOP IT NOW!!!
We choose the browser we use and we choose the search engine we use!! If these are not Microsoft, so be it. We deeply resent this sort of intrusion. Sorry, but I was not at all impressed and will never now use Bing. I use Windows 10 but I hate this sort of behaviour. STOP IT NOW!!!
Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio
In the last season, there were some daffodils out in late November 2015. This year we saw none out and just a few snowdrops. We have had more frosts this winter than last.
Return to 10m JT65
After an overnight session on 630m WSPR, I have now returned to 10m JT65 hoping to catch some winter Es.
UPDATE 1052z: No 10m spots yet today.
UPDATED 1742z: Just a spot of G3LDI (70km) today on 10m JT65. No Es and no F2 seen here.
UPDATE 1052z: No 10m spots yet today.
UPDATED 1742z: Just a spot of G3LDI (70km) today on 10m JT65. No Es and no F2 seen here.
Sunspots and 10m - Thursday January 5th 2016
Solar flux is 73 today. Sunspot number is zero. A=11 and K=2 .
On the whole I find JT65 on 10m is an excellent mode to catch fleeting openings, although of late these have really been fleeting! JT65 is theoretically not as good as WSPR, but activity levels are higher and I think the 1 minute TX slot helps. We need a WSPR1 with 1 minute TX periods!
On the whole I find JT65 on 10m is an excellent mode to catch fleeting openings, although of late these have really been fleeting! JT65 is theoretically not as good as WSPR, but activity levels are higher and I think the 1 minute TX slot helps. We need a WSPR1 with 1 minute TX periods!
4 Jan 2017
MFJ and InnovAntenna partnership
More from Southgate News. InnovAntenna is teaming with MFJ to make and sell the InnovAntennas in the USA.
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/january/mfj-in-partnership-with-innovantennas-and-g0ksc.htm#.WG2CbIXXLIU
I think this makes sense. However expect more companies to "join forces" in the years ahead. By combining resources they have a better chance of synergy and success. Times are going to get much tougher in the years ahead as the amateur population ages and less is bought. We can expect fewer dealers in years ahead.
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/january/mfj-in-partnership-with-innovantennas-and-g0ksc.htm#.WG2CbIXXLIU
I think this makes sense. However expect more companies to "join forces" in the years ahead. By combining resources they have a better chance of synergy and success. Times are going to get much tougher in the years ahead as the amateur population ages and less is bought. We can expect fewer dealers in years ahead.
472kHz WSPR
Since teatime I have been back on 472kHz (630m) WSPR. As an experiment, I ran the shack PC from its internal battery so the noise on RX dropped 7 S points. What I forgot was that the PC sleeps on batteries!
Tomorrow, I'll change the settings so the PC does not sleep ever when on batteries. On batteries the PC should last an evening and maybe a whole night session. I have since returned to the external SMPSU but this means only the strongest stations are spotted on MF. So far this evening the best DX on TX (5mW ERP) is PA0RDT (243km) who has spotted me a few times.
Tomorrow, I'll change the settings so the PC does not sleep ever when on batteries. On batteries the PC should last an evening and maybe a whole night session. I have since returned to the external SMPSU but this means only the strongest stations are spotted on MF. So far this evening the best DX on TX (5mW ERP) is PA0RDT (243km) who has spotted me a few times.
OFCOM's proposed 2017/18 Annual Plan : reminder about public meetings
OFCOM has sent out a note to remind people of its planned public meetings around the UK. Sounds jolly!
See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/60CF42DF8E524333/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C
See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/60CF42DF8E524333/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C
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