Kings College Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

We are lucky to live very close to Cambridge. With our bus passes, we can get into Cambridge for free. With our Kings Passes we get free entry into Kings College Chapel, a place people cross the globe to see. 

Cambridge is quieter at this time of the year, but it is still one of the most beautiful places in the UK.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King's_College_Chapel,_Cambridge .

Spitsbergen - NOT amateur radio

Every 2nd Tuesday, I go to the Scott Polar Research Institute in Cambridge for a U3AC talk on the Arctic and Antarctic. Today, the talk was about Spitsbergen high up in the Arctic. Very interesting too.

We are very lucky in Cambridge having such good speakers/lecturers and a wide choice of subjects. Last term I studied the Anglo-Saxons!  This was very far removed from electronics. It was enjoyable nonetheless.

It is so good to learn with no exams, no notes (unless you want to) - in fact learning about things that interest you for pure pleasure.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spitsbergen

Now monitoring 472kHz WSPR RX

For about 5 minutes now I have been monitoring 472kHz WSPR RX using the earth electrode "antenna". Last night the best DX was LA8AV (1035km) in the Oslo area. He was copied many times before I went QRT at bedtime. Tonight he has already been copied 3 times and the best DX is LA2XPA (1310km).

Early 472kHz RX spots this evening

UPDATE 2005z:  Loads of 472kHz WSPR spots. LA8AV and LA2XPA have been copied lots of times already this evening.

UPDATE 2056z:  At my last count LA8AV has been copied 23 times already at up to -8dB S/N this evening. Not a single UK station yet spotted!

UPDATE 2208z: 15 unique stations spotted in 6 countries on 472kHz WSPR this evening, but time now to go QRT. It has been a good night.

10m WSPR

Although I think 10m was open to South America again today, my own 500mW 10m WSPR only was spotted in Germany. It is now time to QSY to 472kHz WSPR RX.

Sunspots and 10m - Tuesday February 28th 2017

Solar flux is 82 today (quite respectable) and the sunspot number 40. A=8 and K=1.

6m MSK144 RX and 10m WSPR TX

Since breakfast, I have been monitoring 6m MSK144 where the best DX was IW4AOT (1192km) in JN54 square calling CQ. I think this was random MS.

I am transmitting on 10m WSPR (500mW) but no reports so far today.

472kHz WSPR RX (again)

This evening, I have again been on 472kHz WSPR RX. So far, 9 unique spots with a couple of Norwegian stations in the log. I am about to go QRT and turn everything off.

Unique stations spotted this evening on 472kHz WSPR RX

Ccleaner - NOT amateur radio

For some years now I have run Ccleaner to clear my PCs of rubbish from time to time. This is free and was recommended by Dell some years ago. As far as I can tell it just works.

See http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner .

Amateur radio below 9kHz

Until a few years ago, the conventional wisdom was that you needed huge power and huge antennas to be copied "beyond the garden fence" at VLF and ULF. In recent years much has changed and time and again great distances have been covered by amateurs with quite low power and modest antennas.

The trick is great stability, very narrow bandwidths and long integration times, often of days. For several years just detecting a carrier was enough, but in recent times people have been sending simple messages using EbNaut software.

When at the old QTH I detected signals from several European countries using simple, homemade gear and free software.

Although not totally up to date at all times, I try to update news of amateur VLF and ULF experiments at https://sites.google.com/site/sub9khz/ .

When we die? - NOT amateur radio

This has been mentioned here before. It is something most of us prefer not to think about. Instead we want to get on with our lives.

The year after next I reach 70.  Following my stroke in 2013 I have not enjoyed the health I once had. Compared with many I am lucky though - most of me still works!

Time and again I wonder what happens when we die. Are we just aware of nothing at all, as we were before we were born? Is time and life just an illusion? One thing is certain, we just do not know. With quantum physics, multiverses and many dimensions we cannot experience, it is a brave person who says he/she knows.

All major religions talk about an after-life of some sort. What about morality? If we just die why do we have a sense of right and wrong? Is this a human facet?

No, I am not worried, but I think about this more than I did.

Life is a mystery and I do not have the answers. All religions may hint at answers, but most are thousands of years old, the texts of which were written when we believed the earth was flat, the centre of the universe, demons were real and the world was a very different place.

Geosynchronous amateur satellite delay

A few weeks ago, sorry I cannot remember where, I read that the Qatar amateur satellite, due to be placed in a geosynchronous orbit, has been delayed by a year. This means its launch is now due in 2018 and not this spring.

As the solar activity is likely to be low for a long time, a geosynchronous amateur transponder could be very useful. I certainly hope it is successfully launched in 2018.

The satellite I am thinking about was to have been a Middle-East one with coverage of Europe, Asia and Africa. A separate design covering the USA and just some of Europe was announced by AMSAT-NA last year.

UPDATE 1042z: See https://amsat-uk.org/2014/09/21/eshail-2-ham-radio-transponders/ and https://www.eshailsat.qa/ and https://www.eshailsat.qa/en/satellites .

472kHz WSPR

Someone remarked to me that I copied far more on 472kHz than he did. As you may recall I am just using a totally unmodified FT817 that is a bit deaf on MF with the earth electrode "antenna". I have to use my PC on battery power to ensure a low noise floor, but I do seem to copy quite a bit. Last night my best DX on RX was LA8AV (1035km) and I went QRT at bedtime.

Unique spots last evening on 472kHz WSPR RX

Back on 10m JT65 (2W)

Again, I have returned to 10m JT65 hoping to catch some DX later.

For several days the band has opened for real DX. Don't be fooled by low sunspot numbers. 10m often is open for N-S DX even in sunspot minimum years. Sadly, many just desert the band.

Listening to the CB band just below 10m is often busy when 10m seems flat and devoid of activity. CBers see empty space on 10m, so often illegally use our amateur band.

UPDATE 1154z:  As yet, no spots on 10m JT65, but I expect DX this afternoon.

UPDATE 1412z: PU2ORG (9501km) has been spotted on 10m JT65.

UPDATE 1434z: Now PU2PSP (9584km) spotted. As yet, no spots of my own 10m JT65 (2W). Conditions do seem very similar to last autumn. The falling sunspot number have made very little difference so far compared with last autumn.

UPDATE 2235z:  In all, 5 different South Americans were copied on 10m JT65. Not all these were uploaded to PSK Reporter Maps.

Sunspots and 10m - Monday February 27th 2017

Solar flux is 79 today and the sunspot number 35 (rising). A=2 and K=2.

For several days 10m has been open for N-S DX. It is quite likely that today will also be quite decent on 10m. OK. not as easy as a few years ago but still worth a go.

QRP homebrew from Brazil

This is a great resource for QRPers worldwide with lots of ideas for simple, homebrew rigs. Many of the pages are available in English too. PY2OHH - a call to remember.

See http://py2ohh.w2c.com.br/ .

Simple Mobile Phones?

Both my wife and I use low cost Tesco Mobile "pay as you go" mobile phones, without contracts, for phone and texts. We find these do all we need. My wife's phone is now many years old and she needs a new one.  Any recommendations?

We rarely need data and rely on wi-fi connections for these most times.

472kHz WSPR RX

After a fair break, I am looking on 472kHz WSPR RX. For some reason, my TX antenna current reading is about a third of what it should be, so I am just RX for now until I can investigate further. The earth-electrode "antenna" is still being used.

Initial 472kHz WSPR spots

An asteroid strike. Should you worry? - NOT amateur radio

The chances of a big asteroid hitting us are small. It occurs about once in 40000 years. Even then, most of the globe is not highly populated. Should an asteroid impact on a big city then it could be deadly. I should not lose sleep.

See http://gizmodo.com/we-were-wrong-about-how-the-asteroid-apocalypse-will-go-1792727736 .

Grandchildren - NOT amateur radio

At quite short notice, we had 2 of our grandchildren and their dad this weekend. The photo shows them in our lounge.

Sunspots and 10m - Sunday February 26th 2017

Solar flux is 79 today and the sunspot number 25. A=7 and K=1. Conditions have supported DX (again) on 10m JT65.

QRP and QRP Club

More from Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous Report (February 26, 2017 - full version on the
blog page - http://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/
9H3FC  became  Honor  Frequenter of the QRP Rendez-Vous round table -
Congrats!
Visitors  of  the  week:  SM7RYR, RV3GM, R1OA, UR5EFD, UR0ET, UA1AQC,
UA1CEG,  DK1HW,  OM6TC,  R1CAF,  RD6MZ,  EW1CY, RW3AA, G4HOM, HA7YUB,
UA1ADF, G4LJU, RA1OIM, UA9MLY, SM2FIJ, DL4EPM, UA4NU, UA1CEX, OH6NPV,
LX1RFJ,  DF1HK,  RX3DOR,  UC3C,  R2AJA,  G3UD, RZ6FW, RU3NJC, UW5EKR,
R2FAE,  SV2BBK,  OH5LP,  UR7VT,  9H3FC,  Z35M, DK2SY, OK1FAO, US7IJW,
RN6AN, IZ0AYM, HA9RF, US5ERQ
New Visitors of the Rendez-Vous: HA7YUB, G4LJU, RA1OIM, LX1RFJ, RZ6FW,
DK2SY,  US7IJW, HA9RF - friends you are welcome! Hopefully you become
Frequenters soon.
See full Frequenters and Visitors lists as well as Rendez-Vous details
on the Club 72 web page - www.club72.su
Note for New Visitors:
if  you'd like to get "72 Newsletter" bulletin regularly send request
by e-mail to address - "mr72 (at) 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.

Kenya on 10m JT65

Since mid-morning, I have been on 10m JT65 transceive (2W). Best DX so far is a spot of 5Z4/DL2RMC (6859km) in Kenya East Africa. Who said 10m is dead?

6m MSK144 RX evening and overnight

As the DX on 10m seems to have stopped some hours ago, I QSYed to 6m MSK144 RX. So far I have only spotted PA5Y (384km). I assume this was by aircraft reflection.

Overnight I expect to remain on 6m MSK144 RX.

UPDATE 2200z: OZ1PIF (850km) has just been spotted on 6m MSK144.

IC7300 Brochure and News

There are details on the ICOM, UK site about the IC7300. It is my view this radio is overpriced and I expect the price to be slashed later.

I think it will be head-to-head against the Yaesu FT991A and the IC7300 could easily be sub-£1000 in the UK because of its architecture. If the FT891A is retailing at £699 in the UK, then the IC7300 can be less expensive. I know they are very different radios, but the dealers charge what people are prepared to pay. Too many are prepared to pay inflated prices.

See http://www.icomuk.co.uk/IC-7300/Amateur_Radio_Ham_Base_Stations .

Now on 10m JT65

Since about 1045z, I have QSYed to 10m JT65 hoping to catch some N-S DX. Yesterday was quite good on 10m with South America coming through even with my poor antenna. Today could be as good.

At this point in the solar cycle we get openings less often, but they still occur. I know one Danish station who has been spotting an Australian station regularly on 10m WSPR. Although JT65 is theoretically a few dB worse than WSPR, there seems to be more activity on that mode.

UPDATE 1428z:  LU8DIO (11228km) has been spotted on 10m JT65.

UPDATE 1510z: Now PY2FA (9580km) spotted. This is starting to look like last autumn! There are other stations in South America who were not being uploaded to PSK Reporter Maps, probably because I lost internet connection?

UPDATE 1555z: 2E0CIT (94km) spotted.

Sunspots and 10m - Saturday February 25th 2017

Solar flux is 82 today and the sunspot number is 27 (rising). A=20 and K=2. 10m could be reasonable for DX again today. Definitely worth me QSYing to 10m JT65 soon.

15th country on 6m MSK144 RX

EA2ARD (1010km) was copied earlier on 6m MSK144 calling CQ, making my 15th country spotted on 6m MSK144. This is an impressive mode bringing most of Europe in range at any part of the sunspot cycle and any time of the year.

Several other countries have also been spotted on 6m MSK144 today.

UPDATE 1040z: about to QSY to 10m JT65 transceive (2W).

Now on MSK144 RX

Just a few minutes ago I QSYed to 6m MSK144 RX. As yet, no spots. The RX will be running overnight.

UPDATE 2235z:  No spots yet on 6m.

Landwade walk - NOT amateur radio

Each February we do a walk at Landwade, UK. It is rare to see anyone. There were plenty of snowdrops and aconites out, but very few daffodils yet. As you can see, there is an old church there, which is usually locked sadly. This is a lovely short walk.

Rallies (Australia and UK)

FEBRUARY 26th 2017 : CENTRAL COAST AMATEUR RADIO CLUB RALLY
Wyong Racecourse, Howarth St, Wyong NSW 2259, Australia.
Billed as the largest event in Australia. More information at www.ccarc.org.au
FEBRUARY 26th 2017 : PENCOED AMATEUR RADIO CLUB TABLE TOP SALE
Pencoed Rugby Football Club, The Verlands, Felindre Road, Pencoed. CF35 5PB Tables will be £10 each (first come first served). Doors open at 8am for sellers and the setting up of tables. Buyers will be allowed in when the doors open at 9.30am. Entry fee £2. Hot food will be available in the morning and at lunch time. Hot and cold drinks will be available from the bar (non alcoholic drinks till lunch time). Table bookings through Madeline Roberts Tel. 01639 767056/0773 837 5775.

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

10m JT65

Since about 1012z, I have been active on 10m JT65 hoping for some activity. Solar flux is in the mid 80s, so 10m could be quite reasonable.

UPDATE 1405z: EB8RO (2888km) has exchanged spots with me. I assume this is F2.

UPDATE 1530z: LU6DAX (11594km) in Argentina spotted on 10m JT65. This band is definitely waking up.

UPDATE 1906z: Now going QRT on 10m JT65 and QSYing to 6m MSK144 RX.

2m WSPR overnight

Sadly, nothing at all on 2m WSPR on RX or TX. I was on overnight but will soon QSY to 10m JT65 transceiver I think.

Sunspots and 10m - Friday February 24th 2017

Solar flux is 84 and sunspot number is 18.  A=11 and K=3.

Soccer managers - NOT amateur radio

One job that has zero security is managing a UK soccer team. Leicester have sacked the manager who led them to become Premier League champions last season. In this season they are just above the relegation zone.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39070927

2m WSPR

After a day on 10m WSPR (no spots) I have returned to 2m WSPR (RX and TX) and will remain on overnight. 144.489MHz USB dial.

Soon be spring - NOT amateur radio

As Storm Doris rages outside, there are signs that spring is not far away. Daffodils are at last coming out in our garden and in our road and last weekend there were plenty of snowdrops out. Aconites are also appearing. The first swallows (birds) should arrive here from Africa in about 6-7 weeks' time.

6m MSK144 RX yet again

Again, I am monitoring 6m MSK144 RX but I have only copied UK stations so far today, presumably by aircraft reflections.

I suspect the "experts"  know the best times and the best routes to catch aircraft reflections as the same stations seem to be copied at similar times each day. This is not the case with random MS.

UPDATE 1440z: SK0TM (1156km) again spotted.

Sunspots and 10m - Thursday February 23rd 2017

Solar flux is 84 today and sunspot number 17.  A=10 and K=2.

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

Since breakfast I have been on 10m WSPR TX 100% with randomised frequencies on each transmission. No spots as yet, but I shall be on all day I expect.

UPDATE 2200z:  No 10m spots all day.

More EbNaut VLF testing

Stefan DK7FC is doing another EbNaut test tonight:

Hi all,

Hereby i'm announcing the next EbNaut attempt for a longer night transmission, starting in a few hours:
f = 8270.100000 Hz
Start time: 22.Feb.2017   18:00:00 UTC
Symbol period: 30 s
Characters: 8
CRC bits: 16
Coding 16K21A
Duration: 11h, 12m, 0s
Antenna current: 700 mA

73, Stefan