6m DX

Just before breakfast I started to monitor 6m MSK144. IN4FFN (1030km) in northern Italy in JN56 square is the best DX so far. Random MS?

I continue to be impressed that such a rubbish system here copies so much on 6m. As I have said before, if I can copy 16 countries I am pretty sure anyone can on 6m - outside the Es season. Random MS and aircraft reflections are there to be exploited.

Just replacing my coax is probably worth 2dB for starters. A small Moxon wide beam aimed Europe is probably another 3dB, although I seem to copy quite a lot with my V2000 omni vertical already. Please give it a go as you are very unlikely to be disappointed. All software is free.

UPDATE 1342z:  4 stations in 3 countries (I, G, GM) so far on 6m MSK144 RX so far today. The decoded signals are very strong. I guess the bursts are good, if short.

UPDATE 1715z:  5 countries spotted today so far on 6m MSK144 (I, G, GM, GJ, GD).

472kHz WSPR RX

As I had zero spots on 10m JT65 today, I have now switched instead to 630m (472kHz) WSPR RX.  This was at 1825z this evening. Already I have spotted one German at 983km.

Unique 472kHz WSPR RX spots this evening so far

10m JT65

It is interesting that I have had no spots so far today on 10m JT65. Most days in the last week or so I have seen South Americans on 10m JT65.

There are several monitors shown as active in South America on 10m JT65, but nothing yet seen here today. Maybe conditions are too disturbed?

I'll stick with 10m JT65 until this evening nonetheless. Then I'll probably look on 630m (472kHz) WSPR RX.

Signs of spring - NOT amateur radio

After a long, damp, mild winter here in East Anglia, UK there are now signs of spring. There are fresh buds on the trees and bushes in the garden, daffodils are now out and today we saw our first lambs.

Won't be long now to lighter evenings and cutting the grass!

Sunspots and 10m - Saturday March 4th 2017

Solar flux is today 77.  Sunspot number is 36. A=22 and K= 3.

6m JT65

For a change this morning, I am on 6m JT65 transceiver in beacon mode sending "B G3XBM JO02". Last night, overnight, I was not on the air.

UPDATE 1226z: No spots, so time to QSY, probably to 10m JT65.

49 not out - NOT amateur radio

49 years ago today, my wife and I first met. Each year we celebrate this day more than Valentine's Day as it means more to us. Today we went for lunch at The Old Fire Engine House in Ely. This serves unpretentious English food at sensible prices. The food was good, although it was a shame that outside it rained.

New HF low cost radio design

My thanks again to Steve G1KQH for finding this:

Ashhar Farhan the designer of the BITX has now come up with the ubitx Multiband HF

http://www.phonestack.com/farhan/ubitx/ubitx.html

See the Bitx20 group for more details here:

https://groups.io/g/BITX20

There is a video here: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-yLof4sTtE

QSY to 10m JT65

After an extended time monitoring 6m MSK144, I have now QSYed to 10m JT65 (2W). As conditions were not looking hopeful, it will be interesting to see if any DX appears on 10m today.

UPDATE 1612z: No spots (well yet today) on 10m JT65.

Another UK rally

MARCH 5th 2017 : EXETER RADIO & ELECTRONICS RALLY

America Hall, De La Rue Way, Pinhoe, Exeter EX4 8PW
Doors open at 10.30am with disabled visitors gaining access 15 minutes earlier. Bring & Buy book-in starts at 10.15am. Admission is £2 and there will be trade stands. Catering is available on site. Details from Pete, G3ZVI on 0771 419 8374 or by email to g3zvi@yahoo.co.uk.

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