QSY to 630m WSPR RX

After a poor day, I have moved to 630m WSPR RX using the coax to my 2m "big-wheel" antenna as the MF antenna matched with a ferrite rod ATU. As yet, no MF spots.

UPDATE 1945z: 2 stations spotted so far on MF with best DX DC0DX (467km).

UPDATE 2111z: Best DX is now LA3EQ (769km).

DST100 receiver

My first "proper" HF receiver was some beast! It was a DST100 which covered from 50kHz to just over 30MHz. It took 2 people to lift it. I think it was originally designed for tanks in WW2. It heard some impressive DX much of it on AM.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/dst100

See also https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?t=78909&page=2

FT8 rather than WSPR?

Although WSPR can detect signals some 10dB weaker than FT8, I am getting better results on 6m FT8 than 10m WSPR.

Maybe the 15 second periods in FT8 are better suited to aircraft reflections. Maybe my 6m antenna is much better than my 10m one. Maybe my 500mW on 10m is not enough?

Certainly FT8 is becoming very popular nowadays. Although I don't know, will this become the new MS mode?

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

Since before breakfast, I have been on 10m WSPR TX with my little beacon. No spots today so far.

UPDATE 1622z: Still no spots today.

6m FT8 RX

Although I have been on since before breakfast only Gs and GI spotted. Best DX so far is GI4SNA (488km).

UPDATE 1426z: Still no further stations spotted here today.

UPDATE 1621z: Just one additional spot today: G3YDY (65km). No Europeans spotted today.

UPDATE 1630z: Another G spotted. So far today, 6 stations (all in the British Isles) spotted on 6m FT8 today.

UPDATE 1838z: Not uploaded to PSK Reporter Maps (not sure why) were GU and F spots. So far, just British Isles stations spotted today, although with the GU and F spots today's total is 4 countries spotted on 6m.

Olives - NOT amateur radio

This was a market stall in Anagni, Italy, a delightful hilltop village last week, Mostly olives.

Sunspots - Wednesday September 20th 2017

Solar flux is 71 today and the sunspot number 11.  A=8 and K=2.

The 2m Liner-2

In the 1970s 2m operation was revolutionised. The 10W Liner-2 brought 2m SSB to the masses. Until then I had only used AM and FM and I was amazed how far I could work on SSB with just a small beam. People these days joke about the TX sidebands if the rig was overdriven, but 2m SSB was possible for the masses for the first time.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/liner2 .

Accidental nuclear war - NOT amateur radio

Although totally unaware at the time, the world was on the brink of nuclear war in 1983. The USSR detected incoming missiles (actually a false alarm) and only the actions of one man prevented a retaliation.

You wonder how the world would manage today with people like Trump and Putin at the helm. A nuclear war by accident is more likely than by plan.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-41314948

Trump - NOT amateur radio

What the USA president says would have more persuasive power if the USA did not have a history of supporting corrupt states in the past. "He who casts the first stone" and all that. Fine if the USA had a history of really defending truth, liberty etc., but history says it is only interested in defending its vested self interests.

Italian Supermarket - NOT amateur radio

Whilst in Italy we went to a local supermarket. These are the same in most countries but what they sell sometimes depends on local conditions.

Sunspots - Tuesday September 19th 2017

Solar flux is 71 today and the sunspot number 12. A=22 and K=1.

6m FT8 TX

So far this morning, a couple of Gs spotted plus F6BAX (308km). These could well be aircraft reflections or tropo.

UPDATE 1225z: No further spots.

UPDATE 1522z: A further G spotted, but nothing else today.

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

Well, there is some life on 10m with an early spot of my little beacon by DK6UG (633km).

UPDATE 1226z: No further spots today so far.

UPDATE 1520z: Still just the early spot by DK6UG. Nothing else today.

Back on the air

Having been in Italy for 10 days, I have not been on the air. Now back home, I am on 6m FT8 RX and 10m WSPR TX (500mW).

Visiting Pompeii if walking is hard - NOT amateur radio

Before going to Pompeii, I read some reviews and was nearly put off going by what I read. The impression I got was that it would be very hard and very tiring.

4 years ago I had a stroke which left me permanently giddy when walking. Armed with a rambling stick I managed to "do" Pompeii. It was a unique and humbling visit.

The streets have uneven stones and there are a few steps, but if you can walk, you can do Pompeii. I was amazed by what I saw and was not tired at the end.

2m UKAC results published

Today I got an email saying the results were out for the latest RSGB 2m activity contest.

In the last one I was only using 5W pep for about 20 minutes into my omni antenna (no beam). Nonetheless, I still sit 56th out of 174 in my section. Had my voice allowed me to be on for the whole 2.5 hours, I am sure I could have worked many more stations and squares. Still, it was fun and it exercises my poor voice.  The contest is on every month on the first Tuesday starting at 8pm UK clock time.

Although I am not a great contest person, this one is very friendly and activity levels are good. As I make few contacts, transcribing my log only takes a few minutes, so I submit a score.

Low cost amateur radio

Many times I have said that you don't have to spend a lot to get fun with our hobby. WISPY is just one example, but there are many.

Some choose to spend huge amounts on rigs, linears, towers, rotators and beams. Each to their own, but this is not for me. I am sure many newcomers are put off thinking it is an expensive hobby.

With QRP and simple, low, wire antennas I have worked the whole world with less than 10W SSB. DXCC? Well I have lost count, but it is way over 100!

Sunspots - Monday September 18th 2017

Solar flux is 72 today. Sunspot number is 13. A=17 and K=4.

WISPY on 10m WSPR

Some years ago I designed and used this very low cost rig as a beacon on 10m WSPR. Even the crystal is low cost. With 10m in decline, this is an ideal time to try 10m WSPR. More power can be had by adding more low cost transistors in the PA. 2N3904s are very inexpensive.

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

Old mans hobby?

Many times I have cautioned that our hobby could die unless we attract and keep younger people. According to Southgate News, this will be discussed at a forthcoming IARU session.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/september/the-future-of-the-amateur-radio-service.htm#.Wb7fr7pFzIU

QRP and QRP Club

More news from Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous Report (September, 10, 2017)
New!!!  Keep  in mind Evening Rendez-Vous each Wednesday at 19 UTC on
14060 kHz +/-
Major  Coordinator  ON6KZ  op. Peter invite all QRPers to "QRP 14.060
MHz" group in the Facebook.
The  old  QRP  Rendez-Vous  have  a  place  each Tuesdays, Thursdays,
Saturdays at 9.00 UTC on 14060 +/-

Visitors  of  the  week:  UA1CEG,  IK2RGV,  RV3GM, UR5EFD, 9A/HB9DAQ,
OH6NPV,  G3JFS,  I1/DL2WA,  UR5IFM/p, DH0DK, DL8BDF/p, RW3DF, UA9MLY,
IZ6FCK,  RV3UF, RU3NJC, ON6WJ, UA1CEX, IZ7VHF, YO3BL, RA1M, UA0SBQ/p,
OK1DPX, SM2FIJ, F8WBD, UR0ET, DK1HW, EA7/HB9AFH, ON6KZ, RD6MZ, ON4ADR
Congrats!
IZ6FCK became Frequenter (regular visitor)
See full Frequenters and Visitors lists on the Club 72 web page
Comments...
Enjoy  full  version of WQR Report including comments and pictures on
the blog page - https://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/
Thanks all for activity and reports!
See you on the next week 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.

Pompeii, Italy - NOT amateur radio

Until Vesuvius erupted in AD79, Pompeii was a busy port town with 20000 inhabitants. Streets were busy with shops, houses (and brothels). Really, life was not so different from now. Then the eruption came and all was buried for centuries.

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

USA and LF/MF bands

According to Southgate News USA amateurs will at last get access to the LF and MF bands, with some reservations, from Oct 16th.

Not before time.  I honestly cannot believe how slow the FCC has been. It seems most of us have had access to these bands for ages! FCC please get a grip.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/september/630-220-meters-to-open-october-16-pre-registration-required.htm#.Wb4OwLpFzmQ

Sunspots - Sunday September 17th 2017

Solar flux is 72 today and the sunspot number 13. A=30 and K=3.

Vesuvius - NOT amateur radio

Periodically, this Italian volcano erupts. When it does, as in AD79, the results can be devastating.  Today it broods menacingly. Millions live nearby playing Russian roulette.

Italian Beams

When I first got interested in amateur radio in the 1960s, we heard lots of Italians, many with big signals that were often poor. In recent years there are still Italians on, but with much better signals. On our holiday (as I usually do - call me sad) I notice how many HF beams I see. So far, I have only seen a couple and these could be CB antennas. I was expecting far more.

Virtual Ham Radio

Although this does not "float my boat" some may be attracted to virtual ham radio, where the internet is used to simulate the ionosphere. If you just want to talk to like-minded others, this may satisfy some as conditions on the higher bands get worse for DX.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/virtual/hamsphere .

Sunspots - Saturday September 16th 2017

Solar flux is 72 and the sunspot number 13. A=36 and K=5.

Rally this weekend

17 SEPTEMBER 2017 : WESTON-SUPER-MARE RALLY
The Campus, Highlands Lane, Weston-super-Mare BS24 7DX The venue has a large car park with space for 120 cars. Doors open from 10am and admission is £3 for adults. There will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy, auction at the end of the day and lectures. There will also be amusements and activities for all the family including competitions and contests, interactive displays and fun activities. Catering will be available on site. Enquiries to mjones129@btinternet.com or 01278 786 684. www.G4WSM.club

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

Monte Cassino, Italy - NOT amateur radio

On our way to Caserta today we visited the abbey at Monte Cassino. This was totally destroyed in WW2 as it was believed to be occupied by Nazi forces blocking the allied assault on Rome and Northern Italy. It is perched high up above the town of Cassino. It was very old and totally rebuilt after the war ended. It took 20 years of rebuilding. 50000 people died before the allied forces took it in 1944. It occupies a very strategic point.

Geosynchronous amateur satellite?

As you know, we are entering a period which could last very many years when the higher HF bands will not be good for F layer DX. OK, we will have Es to liven things up, but much of the time bands like 10m will seem "dead".

To the rescue (if successful and this is a big "if") could come amateur geosynchronous satellites using linear transponders at microwaves. One such is a Qatar satellite that may be launched next year. I say "maybe" as the launch has already been delayed. Geosynchronous satellites stay in the same place, so antennas can be fixed.

A 2.4GHz uplink and 10GHz downlink is quite an investment, but could be worth it if the satellite is a success.

See https://amsat-uk.org/satellites/geosynchronous/eshail-2/

Sunspots - Friday September 15th 2017

Solar flux is 73 today and the sunspot number 11. A=25 and K=6.

Colosseum, Rome - NOT amateur radio

Another shot from Rome yesterday - this time the famous Colosseum. This is an amazing place. As I said yesterday, Rome was very busy.

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

Rome, Italy - NOT amateur radio

Today, we visited Rome, Italy. We were last there in 1974. We saw most of the main sites, but all were very crowded and heavily guarded by armed police and troops. It is still a fine city though.

OFCOM latest

OFCOM has recently published its penalties.

See http://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/9352918349A715362540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

Sunspots - Thursday September 14th 2017

Solar flux is 73 and the sunspot number is 11. A=15 and K=2.

Anagni, Italy - NOT amateur radio

Local cheese and coldmeats

We visited this hilltop town this morning. At one time it was the place where popes came to in high summer to avoid the oppressive heat in Rome.

It was market day so there were stalls a various places along the main medieval street. It had a nice atmosphere: local out enjoying the market.

We also had a decent coffee for just 1 euro each.

15m Pipit QRP Rig

Some years ago my only rig in use was my homebrew QRP transceiver on 15m. With just a low wire dipole and 800mW I worked lots and lots. Sadly, it got dismantled so I could use the case for another project.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/15m_pipit.

Sunspots - Wednesday September 13th 2017

Solar flux is 78 today. The sunspot number is 23. A=11 and K=3.