VHF/UHF DX Handbook

Southgate News brings news of a free digital download of this famous book from the 1990s.

See http://www.trpub.net/assets/applets/VHF-UHF_DX_Book.pdf

Sunspots and 10m - Wednesday February 8th 2017

Solar flux is 71 today and the sunspot number 11. A=7 and K=1. On average, solar conditions are declining progressively towards the next minimum, although in January conditions improved a little.

See http://www.solen.info/solar/ .

6m MSK144 (50.280MHz) RX

Overnight I was on 6m MSK144 RX only on 50.280MHz. So far only M6GAN (122km) spotted, presumably by aircraft reflection rather than random MS. This was in the hours before sunrise.

So far, I have spotted 6 countries on 6m MSK144 in totally flat conditions with Italy being the best DX and my 6m set-up is very average, if anything below average!

UPDATE 1930z: Best DX on 6m MSK144 today are EI7BMB (462km) and F4GTG (654km).

Local museum kiosk - NOT amateur radio

As I mentioned yesterday, the local museum and windmill next door had a new entrance kiosk erected yesterday. It has still to be fitted out inside, but they made good progress building it. It was all done within a day.

OFCOM

As usual, they have produced a monthly update.

See http://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/075B54357750E53A/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

2m UKAC tonight

Just a reminder than the next 2m leg of the RSGB's monthly activity contest is this evening 2000-2230z. Activity levels are usually high and it is a good chance to work a few new squares. It is preceded by an hour long FM activity contest.

UPDATE 2125z: 8 QSOs tonight in 5 squares with 5W and a big-wheel omni antenna in 47 minutes. Then I had to stop because of my poor voice!

2m UKAC - stations worked with 5W tonight in 47 minutes

See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?contest=2mukac .

Sunspots and 10m - Tuesday February 7th 2017

Solar flux is 72 today and the sunspot number 15. A=13 and K=1.

Weak signal modes compared

My old work colleague Bob G3WKW kindly sent me this link knowing I'd be interested. It compares the decode capabilities of various weak signal modes.

See http://destevez.net/2016/10/simulating-jt-modes-how-low-can-they-get/ .

6m MSK144 this morning

Despite an S4 noise floor which I'd not had before (a ticking sound) I still managed to spot DK9WI (508km) and G6GAN (122km) on 6m MSK144 this morning. I assume these are aircraft reflections. My antenna is still the V2000 vertical omni fed with lossy RG58 coax.

UPDATE 1400z: F6ECI (811km) spotted strongly about an hours ago.

Return to 472kHz WSPR (5mW ERP)

After being on 6m MSK144 RX I have now returned to 472kHz WSPR with 5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. At the moment the PC is on battery power so the noise floor on RX is low. I shall probably turn on the SMPSU overnight.  I spotted a DL this morning on 6m MSK144 but he did not get uploaded to PSK Reporter Maps suggesting I lost internet connectivity for a time.

UPDATE 2016z: These are the initial spots of me so far this evening on 472kHz WSPR.

472kHz WSPR spots so far

UPDATE 2055z: LA2XPA (1310km) has spotted me yet again on 472kHz WSPR. LA8AV (1035km) has been spotted here again on 472kHz WSPR. Sometimes he is very strong. MF conditions appear to be good tonight.

Simple yagi for wi-fi router

This was first seen some weeks ago and I saw it earlier today in an email from Twitter. It shows you how to make a simple add-on yagi for your wi-fi router.

In my case I get sufficient range with the router "as is". You might find it useful if you need to increase the range in a certain direction. It is a simple idea, which I like.

See https://hackaday.com/2017/01/24/a-simple-yagi-antenna-for-your-wi-fi-router/ .

Sunspots and 10m - Monday February 6th 2017

Solar flux is 72 today. Sunspot number is 22. A=15 and K=2 .

Museum changes - NOT amateur radio

As many of you know, we live right next door to Burwell Museum and its restored windmill. Today they are erecting a new entrance kiosk. There is a lorry unloading and people working on it right now.  The museum is amazing and houses so much in its various parts and is well worth a visit. It is probably one of the best, if not the best local museum in the whole of the UK.

6m MSK144

No overnight random 6m MS spots but G4CLA (104km) and G0GGG (210km) spotted this morning. I assume these are either tropo or aircraft reflection.

UPDATE 1230z: G8RLZ (123km) near Reading has been spotted. I assume this is off aircraft. Nothing seen from outside the UK yet on 6m MSK144.

Spring hints - NOT amateur radio

Already there are signs of spring.

Yes, we are still in the depths of winter, but snowdrops are well out and there are now plenty of aconites, although very few daffodils yet; in a few weeks these will be out too. This is a quiet lane in our village, taken on a walk this afternoon.

Already the evenings are drawing in an hour later. Still winter, but hopeful signs.

QRP and QRP Club

More from Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous report (February 5, 2017)
Visitors of the week: UR7VT, US3EN, RA1M, UA1CEG, RV3GM, DK1HW, RW3AA,
UA0SBQ,  R1CAF,  OM6TC, RA3AL/m, US3ERQ, RU7KD, UR8QV, RU3NJC, G3XJS,
EA6BB,  UA1ADF,  RV3DSA,  ON6KZ,  R2FAE,  UA4NU, Z35M, OH5LP, SV2BBK,
DL8NGC, IZ0RQF
Congrats!
UR8QV became Honor Frequenter
See full Visitors and Frequenters lists on the Club 72 web-page
Comments...
See full WQR Report on the Club 72 blog page

Warning!  the  last date for Snowman QRP Game results is February 10.
Fill  the declaration form on the "Snowman" page of the Club 72 site,
please.

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.

Successful message decode of an amateur signal at over 3 wavelengths at ULF

Paul Nicholson has successfully decoded a message on 2.97kHz from DK7FC using clever analysis.

Hi Paul,

Am 25.01.2017 19:30, schrieb Paul Nicholson:

> f = 2970.000000 Hz
> Start time: 25.Jan.2017   07:00:00 UTC
> Symbol period: 30 s
> Characters: 5
> CRC bits: 16
> Coding 16K25A

Decoded at Bielefeld via DL4YHF (303.8km).  Copied 'DK7FC' with
Eb/N0 +4.5 dB and constant reference phase.

S/N 19.1 dB in 29.8 uHz, -60.1 dB in 2.5kHz.

Just excellent! Thanks for working out the decode!
My call passed over 3 wavelengths on ULF, that's a dream! I am sure we will manage even more.

Very interesting to see the high Eb/N0 relative to yesterday. From the calculator it should have been weaker. And the QRN didn't look much lower than yesterday, at least from here.
Some there's a relatively high uncertainty down there, and the risk of getting no decode when coming to close to the limit. The stacking is an advantage again.

I'm still working on the recordings from the weekend.  Gained a further
3dB by using very strong hum filtering, a threshold only 1.5 times the
mean amplitude and narrow notches.  Enough to suppress not just the
harmonics but also the sidebands of the harmonics.   Still no trace
here in Todmorden - yet.  Still some permutations of polarisation
and azimuth to try.

Am 23.01.2017 18:52, schrieb Paul Nicholson:

Still no trace of the signal here.  But tweaking the blanker
isn't going to go from 'no trace' to 'significant detection'.

3 dB is very significant! Congrats to that. It will also help to get better results from Renatos data. But as far as i remember he is offering the stream with the blanker already applied.
We could ask him to disable it temporarily, if that helps. If he knows what we're trying, he will do it i expect :-)

We are having fun with this!  Constantly pushing at the limits.

Oh yes, and also a lot to learn about the optimisation work for the different bands.

73, Stefan

Sunspots and 10m - Sunday February 5th 2017

Solar flux is 72 today. Sunspot number is 22. A=11 and K=3.

10m does not look that promising, but 10m has a habit of throwing surprises!

6m MSK144 RX and 10m WSPR

This morning I am on 6m MSK144  (RX only) and 10m WSPR (500mW 100% TX, randomised frequency).

Overnight I was on 630m (5mW ERP) using the earth-electrode "antenna".  I am informed by LA3EQ that LA2XPA (1310km) has a beverage antenna on 630m RX and that he lives on an island. His MF noise floor is low. This probably helps explain why he can copy my weak MF signal.

UPDATE 1200z: G4YHF (77km) spotted on 6m MSK144. Nothing yet on 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 1915z: Apart from EI4DQ (576km) and a couple of Gs, no DX as yet on 6m. I am about to go QRT on 10m, but will remain on 6m MSK144 RX overnight. I may go briefly on 6m TX as well as RX for a period.

UPDATE 1923z: I have now gone QRT on 10m WSPR but I am for a while only transceive on 6m MSK144 (15 secs TX period). M1BXF/SDR (14km) copied me about 10 minutes ago on 6m MSK144.

Growing Amaryllis - NOT amateur radio

We usually get an amaryllis bulb as a gift at Christmas. This last Christmas was no exception. They are great fun. Ours is now 68cm tall and both flowers have started to split. There is a chance both will be fully in flower next week. I thought one flower would have been out last week.

Amateur Radio Blog

This is always worth a look as there is usually something of interest.

See http://www.amateurradio.com/ .

Norway spot (again) on 472kHz WSPR TX

For the third evening in a row my 5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground has been spotted in Norway by LA2XPA (1310km) on 472kHz WSPR. Tonight has started well. PA7EY (306km) has also spotted me on 472kHz WSPR.

UPDATE 1912z: LA2XPA has already spotted me 3 times on 472kHz WSPR this evening.

UPDATE 2145z: LA8AV (1035km) has been spotted despite my S8 noise floor when the PC is on the SMPSU. He must be a very good signal. BTW, LA2XPA (1310km) has now spotted me 4 times this evening on 472kHz WSPR.

Winter cheer - NOT amateur radio

This is a gloomy time of the year. Although there are hints of better days ahead with the days lengthening, we have had a very wet and gloomy January. February has started much the same. This moorhen had some much needed colour. Days are lengthening about 4 minutes a day presently.

472kHz WSPR yesterday evening and overnight

Although LA2XPA (1310km) copied me lots of times again, I don't think conditions were quite as good as the previous night. In all, I was spotted in 4 countries on 472kHz WSPR (5mW ERP) by 10 unique stations. In all, I spotted 14 unique stations in 6 countries on 472kHz WSPR RX in the last day.

Sunspots and 10m - Saturday February 4th 2017

Solar flux is 74 today and the sunspot number 39. A=18 and K=3.

First daffodils - NOT amateur radio

Last autumn we saw our first daffodils out at the end of November 2015. This year, we have only just seen the first daffodils fully in flower. Things are much later this year. At Anglesey Abbey the snowdrops and aconites are at last coming out.

Back on 472kHz WSPR

After the great successes of last night, I have gone QRT on 10m JT65 and started up on 472kHz WSPR (5mW ERP). At the moment I am on battery power, so the noise floor on RX is very low. I doubt I can repeat the successes of last night, but you never know.

UPDATE 1950z: LA8AV (1035km) has been spotted 3 times already at up to -13dB S/N. There is a chance he could copy me.

UPDATE 1954z: Despite the FT817 being a bit "deaf" on 472kHz, I still hear most of what is going on.  I think this proves sensitivity on this band is limited by external noise, so S/N is more important than basic rig sensitivity.

UPDATE 2000z: LA2XPA (1310km) in Kristiansund, Norway has already spotted my 5mW ERP. Promising again this evening.

UPDATE 2238z: LA2XPA (1310km) has spotted me 5 times so far this evening. At the moment conditions on 472kHz seem similar to last night.

UPDATE 2315z: Judging by the spots this evening and yesterday from Norway, I can only conclude that those receiving me up there must have a very low noise floor.

QRP and QRP Club

More from Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

just  reminder  about Snowman QRP Game this weekend. February 4 and 5 both in period of 9 to 13 UTC. Not competition, just for enjoy. Every QRPers  can operate in Home or Field or both categories. Declare QSOs results  separately  for  Home  or Field positions. Each gamer become
Winner and get certificate. Also there are lot of nominees for special marks.  See  details  and  last  years  results on the Club 72 page - www.club72.su

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.

Rally this weekend

32nd CANVEY RADIO AND ELECTRONICS RALLY, Feb 5th (Sunday)

The Paddocks Community Centre, Long Road, Canvey Island, SS8 0JA.

Doors open at 8.30am for traders and 10.30am for the public. There is free parking and the venue has disabled facilities including space outside main doors for disabled visitors. There will be trade stands, special interest groups and an RSGB bookstall. Refreshments, including Mark's famous bacon baguettes on site. Details from Vic Rogers, G6BHE, 0795 746 1694 or Dave Speechley, G4UVJ, 01268 697 978, g4uvj@btinternet.com.

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

HF conditions - use the higher bands

For about a day, I went on 20m JT65. It was too easy, with spots all across Europe and the USA even with 2W and a poor antenna on 20m.

HF conditions are not as good as at the sunspot peak, but they are often better than people realise: of late the sunspot number has been in the 40s or higher and the solar flux has been above 80. Even 10m is capable of supporting DX, although few realise as they leave the higher bands and go for easy pickings on 20m or lower.

My strong recommendation is try digital modes on 10m. OK, it is not as easy as a few years ago, but DX still pops up. 10m remains "open" far more often than is realised, even in the quiet solar years What is needed is activity!

Amateur radio is about self training and exploring the boundaries. If you just want to speak across the planet you can video conference for free with Skype on the internet. 10m with digital modes and QRP is much more fun.

Sunspots and 10m - Friday February 3rd 2017

Solar flux is 75 today. Sunspot number is 40.  A=21 and K=4 .

Great night on 472kHz WSPR

472kHz WSPR TX last night - a great night!

Last night was, without a shadow of a doubt, the best night so far this season. My 5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground was copied by 4 different stations in Norway with LA2XPA (1310km) in Kristiansund copying me 23 times - amazing. My best TX DX was a spot by LA9IY (1393km) in Trondheim. In all, 13 unique spots on TX.

I had to pinch myself this morning!

Trinity St, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

Cambridge is famous for its Backs and Colleges. This is a view along Trinity Street. Lots of bikes!  Kings is about 400m further along on the right.

Back on 472kHz WSPR

At 1418z I closed down on 14MHz JT65 (2W) and started up on 472kHz WSPR (5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna"). It usually takes about 10-15 minutes for the transverter crystal to settle before I get reports.

Initial 472kHz WSPR spots today

UPDATE 1810z: LA1TN (1269km) was copied in the last hour on RX. This is the best DX this season on the band. LA8AV has also been received.

UPDATE 1905z: LA2XPA (1310km) spotted me an hour ago. This is my best TX DX this season by some way! At last my 5mW ERP has blasted through the 1000km barrier at last.

Sunspots and 10m - Thursday February 2nd 2017

Solar flux is 76 today and sunspot number 28. A=29 and K=4.

20m JT65 still

Being lazy, I left the rig and PC on 20m JT65 overnight and it is still on as I write. My own signal is being widely spotted around Europe.  Oregon, USA and Brazil are currently the best DX on RX. Personally, I find 20m no real challenge.

Swans - NOT amateur radio

A few days ago we went for a walk at nearby Anglesey Abbey and saw these mute swans near the water mill.  They are always there.  In the summer the flowers are out in the herbaceous border, although at this time of  year they look dead.

As mentioned before, things are much later this year.

Moved to 10m, then 20m JT65

First I moved to 10m JT65. Then I moved to 20m JT65. I called a couple of stations calling CQ but without success. Of late, I have been beaconing to see where I am getting - all over the place! 20m really is too easy! I only use a low end fed antenna.

20m initial spots on JT65

UPDATE 1446z: At the moment, the best DX on 20m JT65 RX is Cuba, but on 20m JT65 TX I am being widely copied in the Eastern USA as well as right across Europe and Russia.

UPDATE 2108z: Lots on 20m JT65, which is still running in beacon mode. Too easy! I'll probably stay on 20m until tomorrow now.

472kHz WSPR

A few minutes ago I QSYed from 6m FSK144 RX to 630m WSPR (5mW ERP). The PC is on battery power so the RX noise floor is low.

472kHz WSPR this morning so far

Sunspots and 10m - Wednesday February 1st 2017

Solar flux is 77 and the sunspot number 42. A=24 and K=3.