Openreach - NOT amateur radio

If you live in the UK and get broadband you probably get your service via BT's Openreach which provides the fibre and wire backbone. We get our broadband via Virgin Media with speeds up to 100M. We rarely get downtime and, overall,  they provide a good service. In rural areas where no cable is available, broadband speeds can be very poor.

Today, BT agreed to make Openreach a separate legal entity, so the hope is the broadband services will improve for many. Openreach is still part of BT but legally separate. I'm not quite sure how this works.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39228115 .

Sunspots and 10m - Friday March 10th 2017

Solar flux is 71 today and the sunspot number remains zero. A=15 and K=4. 10m today? Anyone's guess. On the face of it not promising but 10m, like 6m, has a habit of throwing surprises!

Rallies this weekend

MARCH 12th 2017 : DOVER RADIO CLUB RALLY

Whitfield Village Hall, Sandwich Road, Manley Close, Whitfield, Nr Dover CT163LY Talk in on GB3KS, doors open from 10am to 2pm, entry £2. Auction starts at 12.30pm. Aaron Coote, 2E0FQR, 0771 465 4267 or aaroncoote@hotmail.co.uk.


MARCH 12th 2017 GRANTHAM RADIO AND ELECTRONICS RALLY NOTE

Grantham West Community Centre, Trent Road, Grantham, Lincs NG31 7XQ There is car parking and disabled facilities at the venue. Doors open 9am and entry is £3. There will be trade stands, special interest groups, an RSGB bookstall. Catering is available on site. Kevin Burton, G6SSN, 07793 142 483, g6ssn@btinternet.com.

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

Spring? - NOT amateur radio

It is really hard to think we are already a third of the way through March already. Time flies!

Yesterday I cut our lawns for the first time this year. It really felt like spring had come: it was mild, sunny and pleasant outside. We have had a long, damp, mild winter and I am now looking forward to lighter evenings again.

Every season has something good, but I like the spring best of all as it is filled with hope.

This morning on the air (6m MSK144 RX, 10m WSPR TX)

At the moment I am monitoring 6m MSK144 RX on 50.280MHz and on 10m WSPR TX (100%, randomised frequencies, 500mW). As yet, no spots on either band.

UPDATE 1225z: Still nothing on either band.

UPDATE 1420z: GM4UYE (507km) spotted on 6m MSK144. Aircraft?

UPDATE 1506z: Now 3 countries spotted on 6m MSK144 (F, GW and GM).

UPDATE 1812z: No further 6m spots and nothing all day on 10m here.

University of Liverpool - NOT amateur radio

"As a graduate from the department of Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology you are invited to share your career insights with students at an informal careers event on Tuesday 21 March 2017, from 5pm to 7pm at the Liverpool Campus....."

From LinkedIn.

No, I actually did Honours Electronics! If I talked they might be a bit confused.

OFCOM - more space for wi-fi at 5GHz

OFCOM has announced more 5GHz spectrum for Wi-Fi.

See http://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/DA9A0AB341F05077/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859Chttp://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/DA9A0AB341F05077/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

Sunspots and 10m - Thursday March 9th 2017

Solar flux is 70 today and the sunspot number remains zero. A=12 and K=2.

20m JT65

I remained on 20m JT65 and am still on that band/mode presently, although I intend to QSY soon. So far just lots of European spots of my 2W. My antenna is poor (and very low) for 20m.

UPDATE 1005z: Still just European spots on 20m JT65.

Slowly declining solar conditions

We are now on the slow slide down to the next solar minimum. Those with memories of the last minimum will remember the long spotless periods. The next could be even worse.

Luckily the slope is quite gradual and often there are days where solar activity is higher.  On better days, the higher bands support N-S DX.

As I have said before, I have worked QRP SSB real DX on 10m in periods with no sunspots. WSPR and JT65 should be even better.

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

Daffodils - NOT amateur radio

A few weeks ago we had seas of snowdrops. These are now past their best and it seems there are daffodils in flower all over the place.

There are always great shows of these at nearby Anglesey Abbey. Another 2 weeks and they will all look superb.

20m JT65

After trying on 10m JT65 and finding nothing, I QSYed to 20m JT65 for a change, still running 2W to my low end fed tri-band antenna. Plenty of spots of my 2W from around Europe plus some from the USA. As I have said before, generally I find 20m less satisfying than 10m. Spots are much easier to get on 20m, even with QRP JT65. I'll nonetheless stick with 20m JT65 for a few more hours to see how it goes.

UPDATE 1840z:  Mostly Europe plus a few USA spots so far.

Cambridge Bikes - NOT amateur radio

Cambridge is famous as a university town filled with bikes! This shot, just across the road from Trinity College, is typical.

70cm band

In my experience this is a wasted band.

It seems under-occupied most of the time, whereas in the 1980s it was well occupied and busy on FM especially. I try to go on SSB in the monthly RSGB UKAC activity contest (next Tuesday is the next one on 70cm) with my 2m halo, but otherwise I am as guilty as the rest, rarely going on the band.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/70cm_op .

Sunspots and 10m - Wednesday March 8th 2017

Solar flux is 72 today and the sunspot number remains zero.  A=16 and K=1.

As conditions are quite undisturbed, 10m may open for N-S DX later despite the low sunspot number.

I may move to 10m JT65 transceive (2W) later.

6m DX and HF noise

This morning I returned to 6m MSK144 RX.  SK0TM (1156km) has already been spotted, presumably by random MS.

This mode is amazing as it allows 6m DX irrespective of solar conditions and Es. Yes, with Es such stations are workable with a very simple TX station, but it makes 6m useful at any time, in any month, of any year.

As the solar activity quietens I can see more and more moving to VHF and seeking new challenges. Certainly here the VHF and UHF bands are relatively noise free. Here, in what was a quiet village,160m, 80m and 40m have a lot of noise these days. It must be worse in a city. In the next 10-20 years I can see the noise floor becoming an increasing limit to amateur operations: those who can overcome such issues will be at a great advantage.

UPDATE 1040z: EI7BMB (462km) has now been spotted strongly on 6m MSK144. Aircraft?

472kHz WSPR this evening

Yet another decent evening on 472kHz WSPR RX this evening. 11 spots with best DX 1525km from Spain.

Mendelssohn's Elijah Concert - NOT amateur radio

https://sites.google.com/site/cambschoral/home/tickets

Tickets for the 2017 West Road CCS concert in which my wife is singing (April 29th 2017, Mendelssohn's Elijah) may be obtained from Sue Allin or on the door. Click the link for Sue's address and more details.

If you are in the Cambridge area, you might enjoy this classic masterpiece.

Drains - NOT amateur radio

Today, they were clearing the crud in our drains outside our house. This was the view from our lounge just after lunch.

OFCOM update

OFCOM has just produced its latest monthly report.

See http://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/6F434CD02AE01659/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

Return to 6m MSK144 RX

After a good evening on 630m WSPR RX (Italy, Spain and Norway were the best DX spotted) using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, I returned to 6m MSK144 RX this morning.

So far, just G3RED (91km) spotted strongly, presumably by aircraft reflection.

Sunspots and 10m - Tuesday March 7th 2017

Solar flux is 72 today. Sunspot number is again zero. A=25 and K=4.

2m UKAC tonight

A reminder that the RSGB's 2m activity contest is this evening 2000-2230z. As usual, I hope to take part with my big-wheel and 5W pep SSB. This is preceded by an hour of FM activity. Because my voice is poor, I usually stay on for 30-60 minutes, then go QRT.


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


UPDATE 2140z:  7 squares and a few  "get-aways" tonight with 13 QSOs in just over an hour with 5W and an omni antenna. Best DX 215km.

More from Oleg about QRP Club

Another post from Oleg about a new member of the QRP Club:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

I'm happy to inform about new Club 72 member -
# 95 - DH0DK op. Bernd
He  is  regular  visitor  (Frequenter)  of  the QRP Rendez-Vous round
tables.
Who's next?

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.

Cellphones and brain cancer?

There has been debate for years and years about whether or not excessive use of cellphones increase the chances of getting brain cancers. I guess that prolonged use of a high power VHF or UHF handheld may pose similar risks?

According to Southgate News a judge in California has asked for a 2014 report to be made public. A quick read seems to suggest some sort of increased risk. Basically, this is all relative, but prolonged RF exposure is probably not good and is best avoided. Another argument in favour of QRP?

See https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B14R6QNkmaXuRmJlZDRWME5lN2M/view

Nearly - NOT amateur radio

This garden border, in the next street, is usually a blaze of yellow daffodils by now. Things are late this year, but another week or so and they should all be out. Nearly spring and lighter evenings again.

It started out sunny today, but the forecast is for rain later. I caught this photo before the rain came, although it has already clouded over.

New offering from Banggood?

It seems possible we may have some competition in the low cost, dual band handheld market.  On the Banggood blog there is mention of a $35 handset from China. At the moment the photo appears to show dummies but as they say, "watch this space".

See  https://blog.banggood.com/xiaomi-mijia-walkie-takie-dual-band-51940.html .

6m MSK144 RX

Although I stayed on 6m MSK144 RX overnight and am still monitoring, no new spots received today so far. I am likely to remain monitoring 6m MSK144 for a few more hours before moving to 10m JT65.

UPDATE 1020z: F1BHB (314km) spotted on 6m MSK144. Aircraft reflection?

UPDATE 1138z: HB9SHD (762km) spotted on 6m MSK144. Aircraft or random MS?

UPDATE 1208z: GM4UYE (507km) brings today's 6m total to 4 countries received by MSK144.

QRP and QRP Club

More from Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous Report (March, 5, 2017)
Visitors  of  the  week:  OK1DNZ,  RV9WMZ, UR0ET, US3EN, RV3GM, R1OA,
DK3EZ,  R1CAF,  UA1CEX,  DK1HW, UA1CEG, RV3UF, UA1ADF, PD0HRS, EA6BB,
UR7VT,  EA2EFI,  OH6NPV, PA5XM, UR5EFD, UA0SBQ, US5ERQ, G3XJS, UA4NU,
RN4NAA,  LY2PX,  UR5LEH,  YO2UP,  ON6KZ, IK2RMZ, R2AJA, R2FAE, RD6MZ,
OM6TC
Congrats!
PD0HRS, UR5LEH became Honor Frequenters (regular visitors)
Welcome new Visitors - DK3EZ, LY2PX, YO2UP
See full Frequenters and Visitors lists on the Club 72 web page.
Comments.......
See full WQR Report on the blog page -http://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/
Thanks to ALL! See you on the next QRP Rendez-Vous round tables.

NOTE: to subscribe regular "72 Newsletter" bulletin send request to my
"mr72" e-mail, 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.

Overwintering Swallows - NOT amateur radio

Swallows (migratory birds) usually return from Africa here in early April. Swifts are later, arriving here in early May. The return of swallows is something I look forward to.

I have heard a few reports of swallows that managed to survive long into winter on the insects near seaweed. There was a report of at least one hanging-on over the entire winter. The Daily Mail sometimes gets its facts wrong, so I have no idea if this report was correct or just journalistic hyperbola. It dates from 2009.

See http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1115442/Meet-Rambo--tough-little-swallow-forgot-fly-South-winter.html .

Sunspots and 10m - Monday March 6th 2017

Solar flux is 72 today. Sunspot number is 11.  A=16 and K=3.

Trump - NOT amateur radio

Opinions vary widely over Donald Trump who was elected US president recently. He may do some good for the USA, but looking in from the outside he seems irrational and unstable. Time and the US people will be his judge.

The latest controversy seems to be about Obama wire tapping Trump Tower. In this age of "false news" it is hard to separate what is factually correct from what is made up. As far as I can tell, President Trump needs to back up his claim with evidence.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-39172719 .

Nicholas Parsons - NOT amateur radio

Unless you are in the UK you probably have never heard of this name. He hosts a weekly programme on the radio (BBC Radio 4) called "Just a Minute". What I did not realise was his age: 93. Yes, ninety three!! He sounds like he is 40 years (or more) younger. I guess he enjoys the programme and the public enjoy him and he will go on until he drops.

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

OFCOM and interference to amateurs

Sorry, but I have a dislike of quangos that do not do a good, useful job.

OFCOM seem to have come in for recent criticism for not investigating interference suffered by radio amateurs properly. Unless there is money involved, I guess they have no interest.

Sadly, our government and its quangos seem only interested in money and profits. Nothing much else matters. I understand that money is short, but that is no excuse. In "the good old days" the GPO would have helped.

OFCOM - mice or men/women?? If you cannot do a decent job then it is time to "get on your bikes" and look for real jobs and replace OFCOM with something that works.

My son's jazz gig this Friday in Kent - NOT amateur radio

This Friday, March 10th, my son is performing in Broadstairs, Kent. He plays jazz piano professionally, mainly in London. He has been on the radio including the BBC.

See https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/arts-and-culture/event-details.aspx?instance=62201

Sunspots and 10m - Sunday March 5th 2017

Solar flux is 75 today although the sunspot number is zero. A=22 and K=3.

See http://www.solen.info/solar/ for the recent trends in solar activity. Although the solar activity is slowly declining, it is very slow and conditions are often better on the higher bands than people expect. On some days the higher bands are still very good.

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!