10m WSPR

Again, my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon is on. This was designed and made by W5OLF and is totally stand-alone. It does not need a PC. It has already been spotted in Italy and Germany. I use this "in the background" as it does not tie up the FT817 or PC, which I use on other bands and modes.

UPDATE 1156z: With 13 unique spots so far today on 10m WSPR TX, this is far better than yesterday. The spots are from all over Europe.

UPDATE 1505z:  Now 21 unique spots of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon today.

UPDATE 1914z: 23 unique spots on 10m WSPR today. Quite a good day really.

6m JT65

The value of 6m JT65 was again witnessed this morning. Monitoring PSK Reporter Maps you can see who you are spotting and where others are receiving you, if on TX. As the JT65 allocation is quite small, all users tend to be in a similar place making activity concentrated. In fleeting Es openings it is quite easy to miss stations. This is far less likely with digital modes. They work with very weak signals and PSK Reporter Maps can give you a picture of activities and openings well after the event too. Although I have not tried it, I am told many 6m JT65 users have already switched to FT8 mode which is available in a beta release of WSJT-X. I am waiting until the official version comes out.

This morning, I was copied well over Europe with 6m JT65 (1W ERP). At the moment I am on 6m JT65 RX only.

UPDATE 1203z:   Lots of Es spots today on 6m JT65 RX from all over Europe.

UPDATE 1307z: Best DX on 6m JT65 RX is currently OH6GKW (1839km).

Sunspots - Sunday July 30th 2017

Solar flux is 69 today. Sunspot number is 12. A=4 and K=2.

QRP and QRP Club

Oleg's weekly update:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

Weekly Rendezvous and Parade (WRP) Report (July, 30, 2017)
Happy Birthday to op. Slave RW3AA! In Saturday he was 72 years young.
The best wishes!
op. Victor RU3NJC finished his clinic procedures and go back to home.
Good health to Victor!
The 1'st MRP day was in Saturday. MRP means Micro Radio Parade - keep
activity  of  the simplest milliwatt radios. Parades have a place in
the same as "rendezvous" days in 10 UTC at 14060 kHz +/-
Users of any Micro-80, Pixie-2, FOXX, Chirpy, Lil'Squall, Pititico etc
are welcome to enjoy milliwatting!
All  other QRP operators are welcome also, but only we ask you to not
"CQ" and keep your ears open for milliwatt stations, please.
QRP  activity  in Saturday was super! So we have a lot of "1'st time"
visitors.

Visitors  of  the  week:  UY1IF, OH6NPV, RV3GM, UR7VT, ON4AEF, DK1HW,
US3EN,  RA1M,  G3XJS,  OM6TC,  US5ERQ,  ON6WJ, IV3EAD, SV8CYR, M6MPC,
RU3NJC,  DL1HRY,  R1CAF,  EA1/DL2DXA/p,  UR5EFD, R4NX/6, SV2/YU1CA/p,
SM2BYW,  UA1CEG/p, 7X2EZ, SM2FIJ, R2AJA, F5SSI, F8ALX, RW3AA, ON4ADR,
RN4AO,  UA0SBQ/p,  ON6KZ,  SV2BBK,  UA1CEX,  RW3AI,  RW3DF, RX3ALL/p,
UA6BFE/p,  I2AOX,  R2FAE,  UR5IFM/p,  UR0ET,  G3JFS,  DK7SS,  DF1XC,
UR4MCK/p, US5EQ, CT1JGA, HB9DAX, OE5PGL, DJ8HK, F5NFB, F5LMJ

MRP "Parade Guardians" - UA1CEX, RV3GM, ON6KZ, OM6TC, UR0ET
Congrats!
New Frequenters - ON4AEF, SV8CYR, UA6BFE
Welcome  New  Visitors  - IV3EAD, M6MPC, DL1HRY, YU1CA, 7X2EZ, F8ALX,
I2AOX, DK7SS, DF1XC, US5EQ, CT1JGA, OE5PGL, DJ8HK, F5NFB
See full Frequenters and Visitors lists on the Club 72 site
Comments...
See  full  version  of the WRP Report including a lot of comments and
pictures on the blog  page - https://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/
See you all on the next week "rendezvous" and MRParades!

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.

Now QRT

As the Es seems to have stopped, I went QRT on all bands at 2110z. Depending on where the storm risk is, I hope to be on again tomorrow. At the moment the storms are mainly over Belgium.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortung/europe/index.php?lang=en

Another site - NOT amateur radio

My wife sings in a local choir and I do their website for them: Cambridgeshire Choral Society. If you are local, you may want to join.

See www.cambschoral.org.uk

10m WSPR TX (again)

Yet again, I am on 10m WSPR TX (500mW) with my little W5OLF WSPR beacon hoping for more Es. Yesterday there were 16 unique spots. The day before there were 40 uniques. So far today nothing! Is the main Es season drawing to a close?

UPDATE 1454z:  6 unique spots today, so far, of my little 500mW 10m WSPR beacon from all over Europe. There does seem to be less Es though.

UPDATE 1740z: Still just 6 unique spots on 10m WSPR. Several spots from OZ9QV (864km) - thank you.

Sunspots - Saturday July 29th 2017

Solar flux is 70 today and the sunspot number zero. A=7 and K=1.

UK Pound against the Euro - NOT amateur radio

My prediction was that the UK Pound would appreciate against the Euro later this year. At the moment it is getting weaker!

I am no expert, but still believe that the Euro will weaken. I am definitely not a financial expert and this is more of a hunch than science.

UK Pound against the US Dollar - NOT amateur radio

At the moment the USA seems to have a joke in charge who is even losing the respect of his own party. Personally, I give him 6 months, maybe 12, before his time will be up.

I fail to see how this billionaire is able to be the voice of ordinary US citizens. "Make America great again" is a fine tag line, but making it happen requires the gravitas of office and serious behaviour, not silly tweets.

Meanwhile, the US dollar continues to weaken against the UK Pound.

6m JT65 again

Yet again, I am on 6m JT65. Yesterday brought 3 USA stations in on RX, but it is anyone's guess what today will be like. I started on transceive (1W ERP) but no spots at all so far on 6m JT65.

UPDATE 1452z: In the last few hours there seems to have been an Es opening to Central and Eastern Europe on 6m JT65. As it was quiet, I stayed on beacon mode (1W ERP) sending "B G3XBM JO02" which has been widely spotted.

HAARP news

There are some interesting experiments going on.

See https://sites.google.com/alaska.edu/gakonahaarpoon/operations-news

OFCOM and 3.6-3.8GHz

OFCOM intends to release this spectrum to mobile users and is consulting on this.

See http://ofcom.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/i/043A427CF942D7962540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

Anyone for blackberries? - NOT amateur radio

Our neighbours are on holiday so they said, "help yourselves to the blackberries". I have lost count of the number we have picked, but it is a lot. Our "London" grandchildren ate a lot too.

The picture show those picked today. There are lots still there.

HB100 (10GHz) Facebook page

Quite a few people have been experimenting with very low cost 10GHz units that can be bought for very little on eBay. A few cups of coffee saved and you can buy 10GHz units. In Italy these have been used to work over 200km. Some have used them for 10GHz ATV.

There is a Facebook page on the HB100.

I have to admit to being a "fireside fusilier" in that I'm gunner do this and gunner do that. At some point I'd like to try 10GHz.

Rally

30 JULY 2017 : CHIPPENHAM AND DISTRICT AMATEUR RADIO CLUB RALLY
Kington Langley Village Hall, Church Road, Kington Langley SN15 5NJ. Talk in on S22 (145.550MHz). There are disabled facilities and on site parking. Doors open 10am to 1pm. Entry is only £2, under 16s are free. Car boot pitches are £6 for cars/vans payable on entry, tables inside £8 each. Access available from 7am for set up. Hot food and drinks are available on site. Details from Brian by email to g6huim3hui@gmail.com www.G3VRE.org.uk

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

OFCOM, 26GHz and 5G

OFCOM is consulting about allocating 26GHz spectrum to 5G. They will need a lot of masts! Clearly written by "experts".

See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/A4DCDE61BC2736792540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

Tomatoes - NOT amateur radio

We are definitely not experts in growing tomatoes!

The smaller ones on the right were red ripe today, so these were picked. The larger ones on the left are still green. This picture was taken more than a week ago before they had ripened.

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

Sprite Satellites

Southgate News has information about the deployment of tiny Sprite satellites that send telemetry on 437.325 MHz.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/july/437-mhz-sprite-satellites-deployed.htm#.WXsE5bpFzIU .

10m WSPR

Yet again, I have been surprised by the Es spots of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon from all over Europe. Best DX is EW2ABC (1812km). This is very early for Es as it is just 0830z.

UPDATE 1556z: Unless things suddenly change for the better, today will go down as a disappointing day. No Es has been noted here since early this morning on 10m WSPR. Others may well have done better, but only 10 unique stations spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon today whereas yesterday it was more than 40.

UPDATE 1852z: There seems to have been a late teatime Es opening with EW2ABC (1812km) again spotting my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon.

6m JT65

Since breakfast I have been on 6m JT65. Initially I was transceive (1W ERP) but I have switched to RX only. Already spotted Norway and Sweden by Es.

UPDATE 1456z: In the last few minutes I just spotted K4PI (6800km) on 6m JT65. As he was widely spotted in Europe and the USA, I am pretty sure this is genuine. This spot was quickly followed by 2 others in Georgia, USA.

Sunspots - Friday July 28th 2017

Solar flux is 68 today and the sunspot count still zero. A=6 and K=1.

Late Es

In the northern hemisphere the main months are usually May, June and July for Es (sporadic E), although Es can occur at any time, but most openings are missed. With modes like WSPR we really have no excuse: leave WSPR running in the background, say on 10m, and see what spots come in.

Although we are now nearing the end of July, we still have good Es around on 10m and 6m.

Patio flowers - NOT amateur radio

These flowers are on our patio. At the moment there is a riot of colour.

OFCOM on access to 5.8GHz

See http://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/05926F4415CC62812540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

6m JT65

Things seem to be getting harder on 6m Es. I have spotted a station in the Czech Republic, but no-one else today so far on 6m.

UPDATE 1110z: With just 2 Es spots and 1 G (tropo or aircraft reflection?), this has been a disappointing day on 6m JT65 so far. Up to now I have been transceive (1W ERP), but just about to go RX only on 6m. There was at least 1 EI station who was spotted but not uploaded to the PSK Reporter database. Maybe the shack PC lost internet connectivity?

UPDATE 1120z: Now RX only on 6m JT65.

UPDATE 1525z: Widespread Es on 6m JT65 this afternoon to South and Eastern Europe. Best DX is 4X4DK (3582km).

UPDATE 1836z: Still plenty of Es about on 6m JT65.

UPDATE 1934z: UB7K (2733km) was recently spotted.

Tony's 10m Band Report - a question

Every week Southgate News has Tony's 10m Band Report. Reading this you could be forgiven for thinking 10m is still wonderful. In my experience, things are much harder than a few years ago. Yes there are lots of Europeans by Es, but far less "real" DX outside Europe.

OK, I am confused: I think this is a list of stations reported and not DX heard or worked from the UK.

Well equipped stations will be able to do far better than me, but I need someone to tell me this is a list of reports and not stations heard or worked from the UK. If I am wrong, then some people are doing far better than me!

See http://southgatearc.org/bands/10metres/2017/july/july-27.htm#.WXjyBbpFzIU

Sunspots - Thursday July 27th 2017

Solar flux is 68 today and sunspot number zero.  A=11 and K=1.

Heathkit HW8

Some years ago I owned an HW8 transceiver. It worked very well and I managed several DX contacts. Working stations with a very modest wire antenna was remarkably easy. I know QRP CW is not for everyone, but I was surprised.

In recent years Heathkit is making a comeback. I hope this is successful.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/hw8 .

10m WSPR

Since breakfast, my 10m WSPR TX beacon (500mW) has been on and received 119 spots, mainly in Germany and Denmark. So, plenty of Es on 10m.

UPDATE 1105z:  437 10m WSPR spots so far today. 36 unique spots, which is the best day yet this season and it is only just after noon local time!

UPDATE 1402z: 537 10m WSPR spots so far today. Es has been good on 10m so far. (

UPDATE 1832z: With 40 unique 10m WSPR spots, this is definitely my best day on 10m this season. Best DX is a spot by OE1SJS (1230km).

UPDATE 1935z: Although I am still seeing Eastern Europe on 6m JT65, all has been quiet on 10m WSPR here for an hour.

Now QRT

At about 2115z I went QRT on all bands and disconnected the PC. All Es stopped here over an hour ago. Sometimes it comes back, but there will be other days. It matters not.

Trump's latest - NOT amateur radio

His latest thing (allegedly) is to ban all transgendered people from serving in any capacity in the US military.  One transgendered friend was once Mayor of Cambridge. At work no-one cared about it when this man became a woman. This person had a job to do and that was all that mattered.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-40729996 .

Amateur VLF

Yesterday I had an enquiry about amateur VLF. I referred him to https://sites.google.com/site/sub9khz/ which has lots of data on what I did in the past. There are schematics of the receivers and transmitters I used as well as details from others. Most of my experiments were with "earth mode", although I also received several European amateur VLF stations by radiation. For receive you do not need a large antenna. Even on "earth mode" transmit the power and antenna requirements are quite modest.

Simple pleasures - NOT amateur radio

Well, some blackberries made it to the crumble, but quite a few got eaten! Simple pleasures to be for ever treasured long after the grandchildren have grown and flown. I hope they do this with their children and grandchildren.

Sweet peas - NOT amateur radio

Eventually, the sweet peas in our front garden are coming into flower. We have one white one and two pink ones about to flower. We have planted sweet peas in the front garden and on the patio in the rear garden. The latter have still to flower. Last year we had one set in the front garden but these were nibbled by muntjac deer. Later they flowered well.

10m WSPR

Since before breakfast I have been on 10m WSPR TX (500mW). Already I have been spotted in Germany many times by Es.

UPDATE 1357z: 12 unique spots on 10m WSPR, but all were this morning. Best DX was a spot from Sweden. I assume all these were Es.

UPDATE 1456z: Several Es spots in the last 30 minutes from Germany.

UPDATE 1730z: Best 10m WSPR DX, so far at least, is OE3BUB (1229km).

6m JT65

Until now, since before breakfast, I have been on 6m JT65 transceive (1W ERP), but I have just switched to RX only.

So far, spots have just been G stations either by tropo or aircraft reflection. It is now 0814z.

UPDATE 1402z: 4O6AH (1788km) is the best DX on 6m JT65 RX today so far.

Sunspots - Wednesday July 26th 2017

Solar flux is 70 and the sunspot number 12.  A=9 and K=2.

Parker's Piece, Cambridge, UK - NOT amateur radio

Wild flowers on Parker's Piece, Cambridge, UK. I think these were planted by the pupils at Park Side School.

Parkers Piece was the focus of a big celebration in 1838 to celebrate the coronation of Queen Victoria.

It is also acknowledged as the home of Association Football rules. It is a famous park in Cambridge.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parker%27s_Piece

6m JT65

So far this morning I have only spotted G stations on JT65, with no Es yet. I suspect the Gs are by aircraft reflection. At the moment, I am RX only on 6m JT65.

UPDATE 0840z: SM5CEU (1170km) copied by Es.

UPDATE 2115z: More Es earlier from E and SE Europe.