17 Jul 2017
Baking - NOT amateur radio
Last night our "Kent" son and grandchildren came to stay briefly before they go off to Australia to see their relatives on my daughter-in-law's side. This is one of my granddaughters busy baking.
Labels:
baking
10m WSPR TX and 6m JT65 RX
Apart from a spot on 10m WSPR in the middle of the night, no evidence of Es today on either 10m or 6m. Yet more evidence of a UK pirate or false decode on 6m JT65 as I was (yet again) supposed to have received an Indonesian station on 6m.
Sunspots - July 17th 2017
Solar flux is 86 today. Sunspot number is 26. A=41 and K=4.
Labels:
sunspots
QRP and QRP Club
From Oleg:
Dear Club 72 members and friends,
Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous Report (July, 16, 2017)
Independently of poor condition we keep activity over QRP Rendez-Vous
periods. Actually, we have 5 new "rendezvous" visitors and two regular
visitors became our Honor Frequenters this week. I only ask all
visitors try to invite other QRPers to connect to "rendezvous" round
tables.
If you'd like to get the "72 Newsletter" regularly or become a member
of the "QRP Rendez-Vous" discussion group (reflector) ask RV3GM by
e-mail - mr72(at) club72.su - please
Visitors of the week: UA1CEG, ON6KZ, RK8W, G3XJS, OH6NPV, OM6TC,
UA0SBQ/p, RW3AA, DL9LO/m, F5IN, G3JFS, UR5IFM, DL4HG, DK4AN, RA1M,
US3EN, US5ERQ, UY1IF, DK1HW/p, EA1TG, R1CAF, PA0PJE, F5OYV, UR7VT,
UR0ET, HA2PP, UA4NU, RZ4NWA, F5DM, UA1CEX, R1CAN, RW3DF, RV3GM
Congrats!
PA0PJE and HA2PP became Honor Frequenters
New Visitors - RK8W, DL9LO, EA1TG, F5OYV, F5DM
See full Visitors and Frequenters lists on the Club 72 page -
www.club72.su Some comments...
see full version of the WQR Report including all comments on the blog
page - https://qrp-club72.blogspot. ru/ Thanks all for activity and comments! See you on next "rendezvous"
round tables.
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, 16, 2017)
Independently of poor condition we keep activity over QRP Rendez-Vous
periods. Actually, we have 5 new "rendezvous" visitors and two regular
visitors became our Honor Frequenters this week. I only ask all
visitors try to invite other QRPers to connect to "rendezvous" round
tables.
If you'd like to get the "72 Newsletter" regularly or become a member
of the "QRP Rendez-Vous" discussion group (reflector) ask RV3GM by
e-mail - mr72(at) club72.su - please
Visitors of the week: UA1CEG, ON6KZ, RK8W, G3XJS, OH6NPV, OM6TC,
UA0SBQ/p, RW3AA, DL9LO/m, F5IN, G3JFS, UR5IFM, DL4HG, DK4AN, RA1M,
US3EN, US5ERQ, UY1IF, DK1HW/p, EA1TG, R1CAF, PA0PJE, F5OYV, UR7VT,
UR0ET, HA2PP, UA4NU, RZ4NWA, F5DM, UA1CEX, R1CAN, RW3DF, RV3GM
Congrats!
PA0PJE and HA2PP became Honor Frequenters
New Visitors - RK8W, DL9LO, EA1TG, F5OYV, F5DM
See full Visitors and Frequenters lists on the Club 72 page -
www.club72.su Some comments...
see full version of the WQR Report including all comments on the blog
page - https://qrp-club72.blogspot.
round tables.
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.
Regen RX PCB
Yesterday, I received this email. I had no idea that Andy had made a PCB of my little regen RX.
"Hi Roger,
I saw your blog post a couple of days ago which reminded me that I had produced a little PCB of your design to test it out.
It works very well for the small number of parts used. The tuning was quite broad with the polyvaricon used but I was still able to resolve cw fairly easily down on the 40m band.
I am quite sure I still have one or two of the unpopulated PCBs knocking around in the shack should anyone want to try and build this regen.
These single evening projects that result in a useful working radio really give 100pct enjoyment factor.
Keep those designs coming !
73's
De Andy"
Labels:
regen receiver
WSPR - how QRP can you go?
It is well known that some people use low milliwatts or even microwatts with WSPR. My antenna is not the best on 10m, but certainly with Es I could run low milliwatts or even microwatts and be copied at good ranges when the band is open. Some of yesterday's reports were plus dB S/N even with 500mW, implying there is 20-30dB in hand.
OFCOM statement about local mobile communications on ships
OFCOM as released a statement about localised mobile communications on ships.
See http://ofcom.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/i/451A88C0BEE0D1772540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C
See http://ofcom.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/i/451A88C0BEE0D1772540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C
Labels:
ofcom
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.
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