OFCOM as released a statement about localised mobile communications on ships.
See http://ofcom.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/i/451A88C0BEE0D1772540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C
17 Jul 2017
16 Jul 2017
FT8 digital mode
This new digital mode is available in a beta release of WSJT-X. Although keen to give this new mode a try, I think I'll wait until it is formally released, although I am told it is already being widely used on 20m.
Labels:
ft8
Western Backway - NOT amateur radio
Kingsbridge, Devon has very old pedestrian walkways that go around the town. This is Western Backway that also has a mill leet, although the mill closed long ago. Not many visitors are aware of these.
Labels:
devon
Sunspots - Sunday July 16th 2017
Solar flux is 90 today (high) and the sunspot number 34. A=4 and K=4.
Labels:
sunspots
10m WSPR TX
Since before breakfast, I have been on 10m WSPR TX (500mW), although no spots received yet.
UPDATE 2022z: 10 unique spots of my 500mW today on 10m WSPR.
UPDATE 2022z: 10 unique spots of my 500mW today on 10m WSPR.
6m JT65
I was briefly on RX and TX, but I am now just on RX. Plenty of EU Es in evidence with stations in southern Europe being copied.
Last night briefly I was also JT65 TX (1W ERP) and was copied in southern Spain and the UK.
Last night briefly I was also JT65 TX (1W ERP) and was copied in southern Spain and the UK.
15 Jul 2017
Back on the air
This time, I decided not to take any radios to Devon. I did last year, but hardly used them because of my poor voice.
On my return home I have been active on 10m WSPR TX (no spots) and 6m JT65 where I copied a few stations in southern Portugal and Spain, but no-one copied my 1W ERP.
On my return home I have been active on 10m WSPR TX (no spots) and 6m JT65 where I copied a few stations in southern Portugal and Spain, but no-one copied my 1W ERP.
Model Village - NOT amateur radio
On our way home, we called at Bourton in the Water to visit the model village. It was worth a look.
See http://www.bourtoninfo.com/tourist-attractions/the-model-village/ .
See http://www.bourtoninfo.com/tourist-attractions/the-model-village/ .
Sunspots - Saturday July 15th 2017
Solar flux is 91 (high) and the sunspot number 58 (quite high). A=4 and K=1. At this stage of the solar cycle these are good numbers.
Labels:
sunspots
Home again - NOT amateur radio
After nine days away from home (7 in Devon and 2 stopping on the way) we are now back home again. The grass needs cutting and those annoying brown patches in the grass, although smaller, are still there! Obviously we did not have enough rain.
Labels:
home
OFCOM annual report and accounts
The annual report and accounts for 2016/17 is now available from OFCOM.
See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/F38DFBC79600293C2540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C
See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/F38DFBC79600293C2540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C
Labels:
ofcom
14 Jul 2017
A dead simple regen receiver
There are plenty of designs out there (try Googling "regen"). but I offer you this simple design with very few parts. It works. You may be surprised that something so simple can hear so much.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/regen .
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/regen .
Labels:
amateurradio.com,
receiver,
regen
Sunspots - Friday July 14th 2017
Solar flux is 91 today and the sunspot number is 55. A=4 and K=1.
Labels:
sunspots
13 Jul 2017
The 2m Fredbox
This was designed in 1974, when I was still "green behind the ears". It got rebuilt much later and still worked well.
The Sixbox came much later.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/fredbox .
The Sixbox came much later.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/fredbox .
Labels:
144mhz,
2m,
AM,
amateurradio.com,
fredbox
Rethink over climate deal? - NOT amateur radio
Is Donald having second thoughts over climate change? I certainly hope so. On this the USA is at odds with the entire world and that can't be good for one's ego. He sounds and behaves stupidly in the eyes of the rest of the world. Come on Donald! You'll look better (more presidential) if you come into line.
See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-40597244 .
See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-40597244 .
Labels:
climate change,
trump
Sixbox 6m AM QRP transceiver
As we slowly progress to "quiet sun" years, it is worth remembering that our VHF bands are useful for local QSOs. Some years ago I designed and built the Sixbox which was a very simple AM transceiver for 6m local communications. It should be easy to build and develop further - maybe with more power and a loudspeaker amp added. I am pretty sure this has been shown before.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/sixbox
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/sixbox
Labels:
6m,
AM,
amateurradio.com,
sixbox
Groundsman's hut - NOT amateur radio
Bolt Tail in the distance. This groundsman's hut at Thurlestone Golf Club is being rebuilt. It was a corrugated shed. I expect the next time I see it, it will be completed! The second view is a typical Devon scene with Burgh Island in the distance.
Labels:
devon,
thurlestone
OFCOM and 5.8GHz Wi-Fi
OFCOM has made a decision regarding 5.8GHz Wi-Fi in the UK. This now legally increases the number of 80MHz Wi-Fi channels from 4 to 6 in the UK. Their hope is the extra spectrum will help broadband.
See http://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/380368699EAB7D432540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C
See http://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/380368699EAB7D432540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C
Virtual Amateur Radio? - NOT yet
On the Southgate News page is a link to a French blog extolling the virtues of virtual ham radio such as HamSphere. These use the internet rather than the ionosphere, so it is not real radio, just a simulation. You can still communicate world-wide, exchange QSL cards etc..
At the moment this not for me: I prefer the challenge of real radio and have moved over to JT65, WSPR etc. to still catch 10m and 6m DX. It is definitely getting harder and I might turn to virtual ham radio for some QSOs in the quiet years ahead.
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/july/10-reasons-to-go-to-virtual-amateur-radio.htm#.WWcvIbpFzIU
See also: https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/virtual/hamsphere
At the moment this not for me: I prefer the challenge of real radio and have moved over to JT65, WSPR etc. to still catch 10m and 6m DX. It is definitely getting harder and I might turn to virtual ham radio for some QSOs in the quiet years ahead.
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/july/10-reasons-to-go-to-virtual-amateur-radio.htm#.WWcvIbpFzIU
See also: https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/virtual/hamsphere
Sunspots - Thursday July 13th 2017
Solar flux is 90 today (high) and the sunspot number 43 (high for this part of the sunspot cycle). A=4 and K=1.
Labels:
sunspots
12 Jul 2017
How simple can you make a rig?
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/feter-80m-qrpp-cw-transceiver
Labels:
amateurradio.com,
feter
Friedrichshafen this weekend
14-16 JULY 2017 : HAM RADIO SHOW, FRIEDRICHSHAFEN
Messe, Friedrichshafen, Germany Trade stands, special interest groups and IARU Member Societies all have stands in the main hall. Large flea market. Lectures take place each day, some in English. There will be a large RSGB book stall. www.hamradio-friedrichshafen. de.
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/ rallies/
This probably the biggest gathering in Europe. It is the European Dayton.
Messe, Friedrichshafen, Germany Trade stands, special interest groups and IARU Member Societies all have stands in the main hall. Large flea market. Lectures take place each day, some in English. There will be a large RSGB book stall. www.hamradio-friedrichshafen.
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/
This probably the biggest gathering in Europe. It is the European Dayton.
Labels:
friedrichshafen,
rally
Better weather - NOT amateur radio
Yesterday it rained heavily. Today couldn't be more different: blue skies, sunshine and warmth. We are off to one of our favourite National Trust places - Coleton Fishacre near Brixham.
See https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre .
See https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre .
Labels:
national trust
Sunspots -Wednesday July 12th 2017
Solar flux is 91 today and the sunspot number 27. A=8 and K=1.
Labels:
sunspots
11 Jul 2017
PC language - NOT amateur radio
So an MP has been suspended for using a word that is no longer politically correct. All I can say is, "what is this world coming to?". Clearly she just said the words in error and deeply regretted this. People are not allowed to play conkers in case they hurt themselves. Yet, we can house people in dangerous tower blocks.
Sorry, but I think we are becoming stupid. We should worry about real issues.
By the way I well remember a 4 hour training course at work on lifting heavy boxes. For the previous 38 years I had managed to lift heavy test gear without training. Oh, in the last minute of the training I got to lift a box! The course was more about my manager being seen to have given the training than really making things safer.
All I can say is rubbish!
Sorry, but I think we are becoming stupid. We should worry about real issues.
By the way I well remember a 4 hour training course at work on lifting heavy boxes. For the previous 38 years I had managed to lift heavy test gear without training. Oh, in the last minute of the training I got to lift a box! The course was more about my manager being seen to have given the training than really making things safer.
All I can say is rubbish!
Labels:
health and safety
Cattle Egrets - NOT amateur radio
These birds are getting more common in the UK. They have yellow beaks unlike little egrets that have black beaks.
This is probably due to climate change. Another 20 years and they will probably be common.
At the moment there are cattle egrets 2 miles from where we are staying in Devon, although I have not seen them. Well, I may have, but the one I saw was too far away to ID positively, although it was very close to a cow.
See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bird-and-wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/c/cattleegret/ .
This is probably due to climate change. Another 20 years and they will probably be common.
At the moment there are cattle egrets 2 miles from where we are staying in Devon, although I have not seen them. Well, I may have, but the one I saw was too far away to ID positively, although it was very close to a cow.
See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bird-and-wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/c/cattleegret/ .
Labels:
cattle egret
History of the BBC
It is hard to think that the BBC has been going for almost 100 years. It started in 1922. I hope it manages to be independent of government interference in the years ahead.
Around the world it has gained a reputation for honesty. So, governments of all flavours keep out!
Just imagine the celebrations in 2022!
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_BBC .
Around the world it has gained a reputation for honesty. So, governments of all flavours keep out!
Just imagine the celebrations in 2022!
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_BBC .
Labels:
bbc
Cellphone power harvesting
Southgate News reports on a cellphone design that uses power harvesting to minimise power consumption. I suspect this is a "proof of concept" project rather than a practical design. Clearly, it requires a major name to introduce power harvesting to minimise power usage. Most cellphones use milliwatts or even watts of power on TX.
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/july/battery-free-cellphone.htm#.WWT3UrpFxMs
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/july/battery-free-cellphone.htm#.WWT3UrpFxMs
Labels:
power harvesting,
southgate
No coastal walk tonight! - NOT amateur radio
As it is still raining heavily, I think we'll give our after-dinner coastal walk a miss this evening. I suspect watching TV is more probable.
UPDATE 2020z: The rain stopped so I managed to walk out to the cliffs and back. With breakers crashing on the beach, it was a very different kind of evening.
UPDATE 2020z: The rain stopped so I managed to walk out to the cliffs and back. With breakers crashing on the beach, it was a very different kind of evening.
Labels:
walk
Seats - NOT amateur radio
When my dad retired, he got a job with the National Trust running a job creation scheme maintaining the coast paths near where he lived in South Devon. When he died (1987) they put up 2 seats in his honour. They are still well used today! On each there is a small plaque which I expect few read. Nonetheless, it is a fitting memorial for all his hard work. He loved this area in the South Hams of Devon and so do I.
Labels:
devon
More OFCOM stuff
OFCOM is auctioning microwave spectrum. After all, all they (allegedly) seem to be interested in is money.
Amateur radio? What is that then?
See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/ED1113E2A6F4FFBB2540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C
Amateur radio? What is that then?
See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/ED1113E2A6F4FFBB2540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C
Labels:
ofcom
Looking west - NOT amateur radio
This is a view looking west from the coastal path in South Devon looking towards Cornwall in the evening. It threatened rain which didn't come. Today we are expecting lots of rain. Mind you, this is Devon "where it rains 6 days out of 7". This is how I remember it! So far, we have been lucky with good weather every day. Today was the exception with heavy rain all day. The rest of the week looks better.
Labels:
devon
Sunspots - Tuesday July 11th 2017
Solar flux is 92 today (decent). Sunspot number is 32 (respectable for this part of the cycle). A=9 and K=3.
Labels:
sunspots
70cm UKAC activity contest
Being the second Tuesday in the month tonight is the 70cm activity contest starting at 1900z and lasting for 2.5 hours. Unfortunately I am unable to enter this month.
UPDATE 1635z: With lots of rain, I suspect the number of 70cm /P stations will be down this evening.
UPDATE 1635z: With lots of rain, I suspect the number of 70cm /P stations will be down this evening.
10 Jul 2017
Post Office Travel Card - NOT amateur radio
The UK Post Office offers a prepay travel card which appears quite good. As my old card expired last month and I changed my address, they promised to send me a new card, credited with the money left on the old card. No card arrived and I got an email saying they were experiencing very high loads and apologies. Today I got an email asking me to call their customer services number. All I can say is CRAP!! To say I am annoyed is an understatement.
Labels:
post office
Sunspots - Monday July 10th 2017
Solar flux is 91 today (good) and the sunspot number 31 (respectable). A=28 and K=4.
Labels:
sunspots
Gone away? - NOT amateur radio
For the first time in a week, a certain eastern European country seems to have lost interest in this blog and gone away. There are visits from there, but I suspect these are real people rather than trawling bots.
Labels:
hacking
9 Jul 2017
Devon - NOT amateur radio
I am spending a week in South Devon, were I was brought up. The coast is stunningly beautiful. The weather has been good so far, so a coastal path walk each evening has been possible. I know I posted a very similar view a few days ago, but thought readers might enjoy it again too. Where we are staying is just a short walk from this point.
Labels:
devon
Pixie CW QRP transceiver
Some time ago I bought a Pixie kit from China. It was really bought to test my building skills since my stroke. In years past this would have been trivial. The kit was so low cost that even if it had to be thrown away it would not matter.
As it turned out, it worked first time. A QSO with a local a few miles away proved all was well. The crystal supplied was 7023kHz, but a very kind person sent me a 7030kHz crystal, which is the 40m QRP CW frequency.
I see from Southgate News that the Banbury Club is running a Pixie Challenge.
See http://www.banburyares.co.uk/Documents/Pixie.pdf
As it turned out, it worked first time. A QSO with a local a few miles away proved all was well. The crystal supplied was 7023kHz, but a very kind person sent me a 7030kHz crystal, which is the 40m QRP CW frequency.
I see from Southgate News that the Banbury Club is running a Pixie Challenge.
See http://www.banburyares.co.uk/Documents/Pixie.pdf
QRP and QRP Club
Another weekly report for Oleg:
Dear Club 72 members and friends,
Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous Report (July, 9, 2017)
News! News! News!
Special "rendezvous" discussion group (reflector) created for all QRP
Rendez-Vous round tables visitors. To connect this group send request
to - mr72@club72.su - including your name, call, e-mail, please.
Visitors of the week: UA1CEG, RV3GM, US5ERQ, RA1M/mm, RU3NJC, UR0ET,
UR5EFD, G3XJS, UY1IF, UA1CEX, RA7RA, IU0AHC/IS0, PA2JJB, HA7SG,
OH6NPV, US3EN, I5/DK1HW, UA0SBQ, R1CAF, LY2BAW, DL6ZB, IT9GAK, G3JFS,
DL9FI, EA2EFI, ON6KZ, R1CAN, MM0CYR, UA4NU, OM6TC, EA7JUK, R2AJA,
F5UKL/p, F3MB, R4NX
Welcome new Visitors
IU0AHC/IS0, PA2JJB, HA7SG, LY2BAW, DL6ZB, IT9GAK, DL9FI, F5UKL/p
See full Visitors and Frequenters lists on the Club 72 web page
Comments...
... see full version of the WQR Report including a lot of comments and
pictures here - https://qrp-club72.blogspot. ru/
Thanks all for comments and activity!
See you on 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.
Dear Club 72 members and friends,
Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous Report (July, 9, 2017)
News! News! News!
Special "rendezvous" discussion group (reflector) created for all QRP
Rendez-Vous round tables visitors. To connect this group send request
to - mr72@club72.su - including your name, call, e-mail, please.
Visitors of the week: UA1CEG, RV3GM, US5ERQ, RA1M/mm, RU3NJC, UR0ET,
UR5EFD, G3XJS, UY1IF, UA1CEX, RA7RA, IU0AHC/IS0, PA2JJB, HA7SG,
OH6NPV, US3EN, I5/DK1HW, UA0SBQ, R1CAF, LY2BAW, DL6ZB, IT9GAK, G3JFS,
DL9FI, EA2EFI, ON6KZ, R1CAN, MM0CYR, UA4NU, OM6TC, EA7JUK, R2AJA,
F5UKL/p, F3MB, R4NX
Welcome new Visitors
IU0AHC/IS0, PA2JJB, HA7SG, LY2BAW, DL6ZB, IT9GAK, DL9FI, F5UKL/p
See full Visitors and Frequenters lists on the Club 72 web page
Comments...
... see full version of the WQR Report including a lot of comments and
pictures here - https://qrp-club72.blogspot.
Thanks all for comments and activity!
See you on 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.
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