472kHz WSPR TX (5mW ERP)

Today, I have decided to stick on 472kHz TX all day, again using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. G3KAV (243km) and G8HUH (250km) are both spotting me as is M0TAZ (59km).

Amaryllis - NOT amateur radio

Each winter we grow an amaryllis indoors during the winter. We take a photo each week. Since planting about a week ago it has really started to grow. It takes about 6 weeks to flower.

QRP and QRP Club

From Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

Today January 14 is 7'th Birthday of the Club 72.
I thank all members and friends for support club's events and wish you
all  the  best. Welcome all QRPers to the QRP Rendez-Vous round table
today at 9.00 UTC on 14060 kc (alternative 10116 kc if contest QRM).

72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"


This is a periodic Newsletter of the Club 72. Don't reply to Newsletter address! Send any requests or news to mr72@club72.su please.

472kHz WSPR RX on PC battery power

For the last few minutes I have been on 472kHz WSPR RX using the shack PC on battery power. Without the SMPSU charging the noise floor is 7-S points lower and already I have spotted LA8AV (1035km) and lots of others. The lower noise floor is amazingly lower.

BREXIT and the UK pound - NOT amateur radio

The UK pound has fallen since BREXIT although perhaps not as far as some expected. It could fall further, especially if a "hard BREXIT" becomes more probable.

I am no financial expert but I could imagine the euro losing a lot of its value in 2017. The Eurozone has some hard times ahead: Greece is very unlikely ever to be able to pay off its debts. There are strong right wing (anti EU) forces in many European nations. It would not surprise me to see the euro tumble. I may be very wrong, but the signs are there.

As for the UK, I think in the end we will be OK. I voted "remain", but there is a lot wrong with the EU. There is a lot wrong with the euro too: the idea is right but all nations need to be in step and abiding by the same rules as if they are in one nation. Greece should never have adopted the euro in my view.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business/market_data/currency/default.stm .

Rally reminder

JANUARY 15th 2017: RED ROSE WINTER RALLY

Organised by West Manchester Radio Club, Lowton Civic Centre, Hesketh Meadow Lane, WA3 2AH, just off the A580 East Lancs Road. Doors open at 11am, car parking is free. There will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy, special interest groups and an RSGB bookstall. Catering is available on site. Further details from John, on 07870 161953. http://wmrc.org.uk/lowton_winter.htm.

A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

Sunspots and 10m - Friday January 13th 2017

Solar flux is 75 today and the sunspot number has risen to 11. A=5 and K=1.

Although conditions look "not bad" for N-S F layer DX on 10m, it remains to be seen. Of course, there is always a chance of winter Es on the band.

10m JT65

For the day I have returned to 10m JT65 (2W), but no spots as yet. I have been active for about 30 minutes.

UPDATE 1052z: A spot from DG0OPK (730km) of my signal. Winter Es I think.

Is that it? - NOT amateur radio

We had some snow this morning here, but it has stopped now. Barely a covering on the ground! In some ways I am pleased, but it was nice to see a snow covering for a week or so. Not these days.

If people tell you the climate is not warming on average they must be blind or stupid. The evidence is that this is largely due to us. A Maunder Minimum may help in the short-term, but only a bit. The trend is a warming world. That this is just due to natural fluctuations is a myth and the sooner we wake up the better.

UPDATE 1246z: It has all gone and the sun is shining in a cold, blue sky.

472kHz overnight

My theory is surely correct: the MF noise floor is rising and my 5mW ERP signal is becoming much harder to see unless the RX station has a low noise level, either as a result of  optimising antenna and antenna position or good luck. G8LCO (58km) who always gives me a good report uses a well positioned E-field probe antenna. Overnight best DX on TX was LA3EQ (769km) but his report was -30dB, so "only just".

I am seriously thinking of abandoning 472kHz TX until I can get the ERP well up by getting a better antenna up in the air. I shall try 472kHz RX without the SMPSU. Turning this off gives me a 7 S-point improvement on RX!! Without the SMPSU charging it, my PC battery should manage a night. Certainly several hours.