10m WSPR

My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon is on TX again. So far just one spot received from IU1DZZ (973km).

UPDATE 1424z: Although there is Es right across Europe, I get the feeling there is less than yesterday? 13 unique spots of my 500mW so far. All Europeans.

UPDATE 1644z: 23 unique spots so far with best DX SQ2DMX (1268km).

Japan again copied on 6m JT65

Although not reported to PSK reporter maps I again spotted Japan on 6m JT65 this morning when JH6VXP (-23dB S/N) was copied calling a European at 0749z. There is plenty of European Es on 6m this morning as well as 4X4.

UPDATE 1420z:  Although there is reasonable amount of Es on 6m JT65, I think there is a bit less than yesterday.

UPDATE 2126z: 6m JT65 has opened to the USA this evening after an excellent Es day. My 1W ERP JT65 was widely copied across Europe.

Sunspots and 10m - Wednesday June 7th 2017

Solar flux is 76 today and the sunspot number 18. A=5 and K=2.

OFCOM updates

OFCOM has provided an update on the things it does.

See http://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/7BF7162766734776/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

Finding gold? - NOT amateur radio

 

A lovely photo taken by our son earlier.

2m UKAC activity contest this evening

From the RSGB:

This is an automated message, please do not reply to this email address.
You registered for an RSGB Contest Alert 2 hours before the 144MHz UKAC.

This contest takes place on Tue 6-Jun-2017 19:00 UTC

The rules for the contest can be found here

You can list/edit your contest alerts here

Regards,

RSGB CC

UPDATE 2000z: 5 QSOs before I had to go QRT because of my poor voice.

Amateur satellites

I'm all my time, I have only ever had one QSO via an amateur satellite. Back in the 1970s I recall the thrill of hearing SSB from the USA on 2m via Oscar 6 and 7, fleetingly.  Some people love working stations through satellite transponders. I see from Southgate News that one station is close to DXCC via satellites.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/june/dxcc-needs-on-the-birds.htm#.WTaS97pFzIU .

Sunspots and 10m - Tuesday June 6th 2017

Solar flux is 78 today and the sunspot number 22. A=5 and K=1. There has been good Es propagation on 10m and 6m today. As for F2 over the equator, we'll see later.

Another pirate on 6m JT65?

A station in Georgia (nr Russia) was recently spotted on 6m JT65. This had a very odd call, so this was, I think, either a false decode or a pirate.

10m WSPR TX

13 unique WSPR spots of my 500mW beacon on 10m so far, all European and presumably Es.

UPDATE 1838z: Best DX report today on 10m WSPR TX (500mW) is by FY5KE (7110km) in French Guiana, South America. Es?

First JAs this season on 6m JT65

Copied a couple of Japanese stations early this morning on 6m JT65, first this season - JA5FFJ (9453km) and JG3QZN (9388km). Openings on 6m to Japan from Europe happen at this time of year. One possibility is E layer ionisation by mesospheric clouds which form high up at this time of year in the north. See my web page on this at https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/noctilucent .  W was widely spotted throughout Europe by Es on 6m JT65 this morning (1W ERP).

I am sure there is more JT65 activity these days. It is better than CW. With PSK reporter maps (you need to check you WSJT-X v1.7 settings) you can see where you are reaching and the stations you are receiving.

A spot of a South American earlier on 6m JT65 was probably a pirate (unusual time), although it is just possible by Es.

IC7300 and a slow death?

Recently, Rob Sherwood gave an interesting video presentation on disruptive technology in our hobby. In it he quoted the number of ICOM IC7300 transceivers sold in the first year. If I recall correctly, 11000 (ish) were sold in year one. Apparently, this is good. If the IC7300 SDR based radio sold this number, I'd guess Yaesu and Kenwood sold far fewer of their units.

Incidentally, when I was involved in radio pager design in the late 1990s, we made this number in one day!

As we get older, we can expect the numbers to fall away. People die and fewer new rigs get sold. In the end the Japanese manufacturers will decide it is just not worth their while as the profit margins are too small. Expect progressively fewer new models as the years go forward.

OK, in some countries there are younger people entering the hobby, but certainly here in the UK amateur radio is an old mans hobby and in 20-30 years we'll be gone.

One thing we'll see is cost cutting. There will be a move to SDR technology, as this will allow good performance for less money.

Expect dealers to dwindle and there to be fewer radio magazines. The hobby will be quite different in 2040.

Once again, I am grateful to Southgate News for this link.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/june/disruptive-technologies.htm#.WTVAW7pFzIU .

New microwave records

Southgate News reports on new microwave distance records in the UK on high microwave bands.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/june/new-122ghz-and-24ghz-uk-distance-records.htm#.WTUZ5LpFzIU .

Sunspots and 10m - Monday June 5th 2017

Solar flux is 77 today and the sunspot number 23. A=3 and K=2. Plenty of Es about on 10m and 6m.

10m WSPR TX and 6m JT65 transceive

As usual, I am on 10m WSPR TX (500mW, 100%) and 6m JT65 transceiver (1W ERP). There is Es on both bands.

UPDATE 1015z:  Best DX so far on 6m JT65 RX is EA8DBM (3015km).

UPDATE 1625z: Best DX on 10m WSPR TX is SM2BYC (2015km). On 6m JT65 I have supposedly received my 3rd Indonesian, 7A7YYZ (13582km), although I am a bit suspicious of these spots. They seem a very long way.

UPDATE 1956z: Although not showing up on my PSK reporter map, maybe I lost internet connectivity (?) but WP2B was copied around 30 minutes ago. I think this is the Virgin Is in the Caribbean.

CQ Japan on 6m JT65

It is that time of year when 6m opens from Europe to Japan on 6m. This morning I see that Spanish stations are calling JA on 6m JT65. This path opens every year on 6m around this time. The conventional view is this is multi-hop Es. Sorry, but I don't go for this. It may have something to do with E layer ionisation as a result of noctilucent clouds?

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/noctilucent .

20m? No, 6m!!

The photo shows the results so far on 6m JT65. It looks more like 20m, but this was 6m VHF today. Quite amazing conditions. And my antenna is a humble V2000 omni vertical fed with lossy CB coax.

UPDATE 2018z: WA1EAZ (5274km) in the USA was the first USA station spotted on the band here this year.

10m WSPR TX

The 500mW WSPR beacon has been running all day. Lots of European Es spots (see photo of the unique stations so far), although no reports from further afield.

UPDATE 1702z:  So far, 20 unique stations spotting me on 10m WSPR with best DX 1734km

QRP and QRP Club

Oleg's usual update:

Dear Club 72 members and friends, Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous Report (June, 4, 2017) Visitors  of  the  week:  UF6V/UA1CEX, US5ERQ, OH6NPV, UR0ET, RU3NJC, SM7RYR,  US3EN, EW6FA, RV3GM, DK1HW, HB9DAX, IK2RGV, IK5SRD, ON6WJ/p, EA2EFI, UR5IFM, R1CAF, UA4NU, UY1IF, R1CAN New Visitor - EW6FA, Victor you are welcome to QRP Rendez-Vous round tables! See full Visitors and Frequenters lists on the Club 72 web page, please. Comments... see full version of the WQR Report including pictures on the blog page - http://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/ Thanks  all  for  comments  and  pictures!  See  you  on the next QRP Rendez-Vous! 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.

Sunspots and 10m - Sunday 4th June 2017

Solar flux is 77 today and the sunspot number is 22. A=9 and K=1. Both 10m and 6m are alive with Es.

Re-installed WSJT-X V1.7

My version of this program started to do odd things, so I deleted it and re-installed it.

Currently I am on 6m JT65 (beacon mode transceiver, 1W ERP) and 10m WSPR (500mW, 100% TX using the stand-alone beacon).

UPDATE 1522z: Best DX on 6m JT65 RX is TY2AC (5109km) in Benin, W.Africa and 3J3AGK (7646km) in China.

No storm risk

As the nearest storms are a long way away, I think I'll leave my 10m WSPR TX and 6m JT65 transceive running overnight.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/?lang=en#y=52.2238;x=-4.5678;z=5;t=3;m=sat;r=0;s=0;o=0;b=0.00;n=0;d=2;dl=2;dc=0;

UPDATE 2135z:  With nothing great happening I have decided to turn things off and save the electricity.  I know, in the morning someone will tell me I missed the best transatlantic 6m conditions in years!

WSPR versus JT65

For the last couple of years I have been comparing WSPR versus JT65 on 10m and 6m. Theoretically, WSPR is a little better, but I seem to get much better results with JT65. Maybe it is because the TX period on JT65 is shorter, so transient openings are seen? Maybe there is more JT65 activity?

With my little 500mW 10m W5OLF WSPR beacon, I can be on 10m WSPR TX whilst using the shack PC and FT817 for 6m JT65. These use different antennas.

I really ought to try PSK31 too. Later!

UPDATE 1758z:  Today on 10m WSPR no spots at all. On 6m JT65 plenty of Es spots given and received. Best DX on 6m JT65 RX was 4X4DK (3582km).

Manchester Terror Attack - NOT amateur radio

Sadly Manchester was the centre of a terrorist attack which killed 22 and injured many more, mainly children and young girls. It was a pointless, evil act, carried out by someone who could not care less about those he injured or killed. My wife's nephew knew one of the victims, so the pointlessness of this evil act hit us on a personal level. Look, evil in the form of terrorism will never, ever win. As for vestal virgins awaiting the perpetrators in Heaven, I think the very opposite awaits!

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-40141450 .

"Real" DX on 6m

At the moment, F2 worldwide 6m DX is rare and we rely on Es to get decent ranges. Es tends to peak in the late spring and summer. "Real" DX, by which I mean ranges well in excess of normal Es ranges, seems to occur when Es is good, although I am not a great believer these are due to multi-hop Es. OK, some might be, but I think some of the distances suggest some kind of chordal hop Es. I am frequently wrong!

UK to Israel even with my poor antenna and lossy coax and QRP every summer for several years? Also, occasional reception at much greater ranges on 6m?

I'd be interested to hear your views, especially from real experts with far more knowledge than I'll ever have. These long distance Es paths have puzzled me for years. They do happen most seasons, if not all Es seasons.

Sunspots and 10m - Saturday June 3rd 2017

Solar flux is 77 today and the sunspot number 19. A=5 and K=1.

6m JT65

One correspondent tells me 6m JT65 stations on the west coast of the USA were able to work Europeans on 6m yesterday. Although there is some Es around today, conditions here are nothing like they were yesterday. I am active on 6m JT65, but so far most spots are Gs with a few EU stations.

UPDATE 1128z: Best DX spot today on 6m JT65 TX, so far, is LA1BFA (1331km).

10m WSPR TX

Once again I have my 500mW WSPR beacon TXing on 10m. As yet, no spots. Yesterday by this time I had been copied all over Europe by Es.

Rallies on Sunday

4 JUNE 2017 : SPALDING & DARS ANNUAL RALLY
The Sir John Gleed Technology School, Halmer Gardens, Spalding, Lincs PE11 2EF. There is free car parking on site. Doors open at 10am. There will be trade stands, an outside car boot area and there is catering on site. Details from John G4NBR 0794 630 2815 or Graham, G8NWC 0775 461 9701 or email rally-secretary@sdars.org.uk www.sdars.org.uk

4 JUNE 2017 : 21st RED ROSE QRP FESTIVAL
The Rose Centre (Lowton Civic Hall), Hesketh Meadow Lane, Lowton, Warrington WA3 2AH There is easy access from all directions M6, M61, M60 and A580. The venue has a large spacious halls at ground level with free car parking. There are disabled facilities. Doors open from 11am to 3pm and admission is £2 with children under 14 free. There will be trade and individual stalls as well as Club stands, including the RSGB and GQRP. There will be a Bring & Buy. Catering is available on site. Some tables are available at £8 but please book early. Contact Les Jackson, G4HZJ by email to g4hzj@ntlworld.com or 01942 870 634.

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

Storms and 6m

Today has been the best day this Es season here on 6m, so I am keen to stay on this evening. Storms are currently to the east, so I'll remain on until bedtime, but ready to disconnect plugs at any time.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/?lang=en#y=52.2238;x=-3.0297;z=6;t=3;m=sat;r=0;s=0;o=0;b=0.00;n=0;d=2;dl=2;dc=0;

UPDATE 2100z: Still active on 10m WSPR TX and 6m JT65 transceive, but no transatlantic spots.

Close run? - NOT amateur radio

The UK General Election could be much closer than was expected. Of course, pollsters may be very wrong, but Labour seem to be doing much better than was expected. On the day what matters is who decides to vote.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2017-39856354 .

Sunspots and 10m - Friday June 2nd 2017

Solar flux is 81 today and the sunspot number 18. A=7 and K=1.

Conditions on 10m are good by Es and 6m conditions (Es?) seem exceptional (see earlier post).

10m WSPR TX

All morning, I have been on 10m WSPR TX (500mW, 100%). My signal is being widely received across Europe.

UPDATE 1455z: 34 unique spots of my 10m WSPR. All were in Europe.

6m JT65 - amazing conditions

Just spotted 7A4TOI (13582km) in Indonesia on 6m VHF!! This is the greatest distance I have ever received on a VHF band. Extraordinary long path - Es?  My own 1W ERP 6m JT65 signal was copied in Israel earlier by 4Z5ML (3571km).  Conditions on 6m seem extraordinary today.

UPDATE 1100z: At one time receiving Qatar and Asiatic Russia (5210km) would have seemed exceptional on 6m - both copied this morning on my poor antenna. Now I expect anything!

UPDATE 1600z: Today, 6m JT65 has been more like 20m with lots and lots of spots of my 1W ERP signal. I hope we see transatlantic DX this evening. It may not happen, but after today it is anyone's guess.

General Election in the UK - NOT amateur radio

We have a General Election in the UK next week. At the beginning of the campaign, the pundits were talking of a landslide victory for the ruling Conservative Party. Now, in the last week, things are much closer. Last time the experts were wrong. It will be interesting to see who is right.

Personally, I think we have a real lack of good leaders in all main parties. What we need is a "centre ground" party with strong, charismatic leadership. There is little to chose between the three main parties: the right of the Labour Party is very similar to the left of the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats are somewhere there too. Not one of these parties has what I'd call a good leader.

Home quiet - NOT amateur radio

We have had all our 4 grandchildren and parents here over the last week. These days I find them very tiring. It is great having them and it is "clean mess". Once they have all gone, the house does seem empty, but tidy!

CQ-DATV

TV is one part of our hobby I have never tried. After all, it is hard to do everything! If you are interested in DATV, issues of CQ-DATV may be downloaded freely.

See http://cq-datv.mobi/48.php  for the latest issue.

10m JT65 again

Once again, I am on 10m JT65. So far, just Europeans by Es. Yesterday was a good day with plenty of South Americans coming through on 10m JT65 in the late afternoon and evening.

UPDATE 2028z: After another good 10m JT65 Es day, it is time to go QRT. Tomorrow I may try 10m WSPR TX and 6m JT65 transceive.

OFCOM and mobile phones on ships - NOT amateur radio

See http://ofcom.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/i/742AAB4E823BB885/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

OFCOM is consulting on the use of mobile phones on ships.

Sunspots and 10m - June 1st 2017

Solar flux today is 75 . Sunspot number is 11. A=4 and K=1. Widespread 10m Es.