Chinese UHF handhelds

So, how do they do it? You can now buy a pair of UHF handhelds with free airmail shipping for £13.86 a pair. Somehow, a profit is made too.

How long have ICOM, Yaesu and the other Japanese manufacturers got? Just a few years and the Chinese will wipe them out. The best I can see is they design in Japan, but make in China. The more likely scenario is they decide there is no longer money in amateur radio products and they just stop being in this market altogether. I can see this happening within a few years.

At the moment ICOM seem to be most likely to survive. The future does not look good.

Catalonia vote - NOT amateur radio

Although I am unclear about all the facts, the fact Catalonians in Spain are voting about independence says a lot. What is more disturbing is the heavy-handedness of the police. The outlook does not look great for Spain if this is how they want to be seen in the world.

Now on 630m WSPR RX

As of 2010z I went QRT on 10m WSPR TX and 6m FT8 RX and am now on 630m RX, G6AVK (78km) and DC0DX (467km) and PA0A (417km) have been spotted already within minutes of going on the band. As yet, no new stations spotted.

UPDATED 2045z: F1AFJ (607km) now the best DX this evening on MF.

Ploughing lonely furrows?

Although 10m WSPR has been quiet here so far today, I have copied 7 different stations on 6m FT8 including OZ6HQ (716km). There is life on these higher bands, although few seem to want to try.

UPDATE 1445z: Now spotting 4O6AH (1788km) in Montenegro on 6m FT8. Es? When he popped up he was very strong.

UPDATE 1715z: EA8BFK (2880km) is spotting my 10m WSPR strongly. I have spotted 9 stations in 4 countries on 6m FT8 today, so far.

UPDATE 1735z: now 10 stations in 5 countries today on 6m FT8.

UPDATE 1840z:  Now plenty of 10m WSPR spots today.

A Liverpool Street - NOT amateur radio

Apparently, this street, off Hope Street, is widely used when after old street scenes for TV and films.

10m WSPR and 6m FT8

No spots of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon and just a couple of Gs spotted on 6m FT8 so far.

UPDATE 1035z: Still no 10m WSPR spots of my beacon. 4 G spots so far on 6m FT8.

UPDATE 1137z: Still nothing on 10m WSPR. 6 Gs spotted on 6m FT8, but no DX. Best G is G3OIL (196km).

UPDATE 1450z:  OZ6HQ (716km) spotted on 6m FT8, so there is some DX on 6m. No spots of my 10m WSPR beacon.

Sunspots - Saturday September 30th 2017

Where do the days go? It is already the end of the month! Someone once told me time appears to pass more quickly as you age - well I agree.

Solar flux is 88 and the sunspot number 39. A=12 and K=3.

630m WSPR RX overnight

8 unique MF spots last night with best DX IW4DXW (1190km). I've now returned to 10m WSPR TX (500mW) and 6m FT8 RX.

What attracts young people?

On my return from Liverpool, I see Southgate News has picked up on an address by the IARU president.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/september/traditional-ham-radio-no-longer-so-attractive.htm#.Wc6odrpFzIU

Liverpool - NOT amateur radio

We spent a few days in Liverpool for a reunion with old friends as it was 50 years since we were there as students! One of our friends does guiding for cruise ships now he is retired and he took us on a walking tour of some of the city's highlights.

One of the places visited was the docks area, which has been renovated in recent years. At one time the docks were abandoned and avoided. Now they are the centre of the city and very attractive with lots of museums and cafes.

Rallies

Rallies this weekend:

1 OCTOBER 2017 : HACK GREEN HANGAR SALE
Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker, French Lane, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 8AL Doors open 10am. Sale of amateur gear, electronic equipment, comps, military radio sets and vehicle spares. Refreshments are available on site. More details from Lucy Siebert on 01270 623 353 or by email to lucy@hackgreen.co.uk

1 OCTOBER 2017 : YEOVIL ARC 71 ANNIVERSARY
Sparkford Village Hall, Sparkford, Nr Yeovil, Somerset BA22 7ED Free admission and light refreshments. Displays, computer controlled radio, SDR, Morse, Spy sets. Ex Members welcome. Bob on 01963 440 167 A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

630m WSPR RX

We returned home from 2 nights away at a university reunion in Liverpool earlier. Some I'd not seen since 1970!

For the last hour or so I have been on 630m WSPR RX, but no spots yet.

UPDATE 2053z: Mind you, it helps if you connect the antenna! Doh! Guess who forgot? As of now, the rig has an antenna, so I might now get some spots.

Sputnik Days

News from Oleg:

Dear Space Friends,
Sputnik  Days 2017 will be soon (October 4 to 17). See details on the
Club 72 page, please. The categories:
- Sputnik's (valves)
- Vanguard's (transistors)
- Beacons
- SWLs
As  no  reason to have special e-mail reflector for Sputnik Days, I'm
strongly  recommend  to  subscribe  to  new  "72"  mail  group on the
groups.io
You can do it on the Club 72 start page (fill the form) or by the link
- https://groups.io/g/72 or ask me to add your e-mail in the list.
This "sputnik" reflector will be closed soon.

72! beep-beep-beep...
Deep Space Communications Center
operator on duty -
Oleg ("Mr. 72") RV3GM / KH6OB

Sunspots - Friday September 29th 2017

Solar flux is 90 today and the sunspot number 40. A=55 and K=2.

Sunspots - Thursday September 28th 2017

Solar flux is 89 today and the sunspot number 35. A=37 and K=6.

National Hamfest reminder

29-30 SEPTEMBER 2017 : NATIONAL HAMFEST
Newark & Nottinghamshire Showground, Lincoln Road, Winthorpe, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG24 2NY. Brought to you by the RSGB in association with the Lincoln Short Wave Club. The venue has free car parking and has disabled facilities. There will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy, car boot area, flea market, special interest groups and RSGB bookstall. There will also be representatives from the RSGB Services and committees. Morse proficiency test will be available. The venue has catering outlets and a seating area. www.nationalhamfest.org.uk.

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

Second largest diamond sold - NOT amateur radio

One of the biggest diamonds in the world has been sold privately. I would not want to be person who shapes this. Just imagine slipping!  To think, someone has this sort of money.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-41398871 .

ICOM RX IC-R8600

One of the things drawn to my attention by the return of Southgate News are YouTube videos of the new ICOM receiver, the IC-R8600.

At a sensible price, this might have been on my wish list. Early indications are that this will be very expensive, so I am unlikely to fork out.

This is a pity, but yet again prices are set at what people are prepared to pay. Inside, I expect the cost of the bits is much lower, just like the IC7300.

Sunspots - Wednesday September 27th 2017

Solar flux is 90 today and sunspot number 40.  A=4 and K=3.

Women drivers in Saudi - NOT amateur radio

At last Saudi women will be allowed driving licences.

This is a nation we trade with. One could be forgiven for believing this is a backward, primitive nation. At last a step towards the 21st century. Saudi Arabia is, allegedly, the only place on the planet where women are not allowed to drive.

How can the UK see the Saudi nation as a beacon in the Middle East? Some of their laws and customs are barbaric. OK, we should not judge other nations when we are far from perfect ourselves, but surely we expect certain minimum standards. All that matters, it seems, is money. Sad.

I have my worries about places like China, where there is a suspicion of very low wages and poor working conditions for some. Some prices for amateur radio gear from China beggar belief.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-41408195 .

Overnight on 630m WSPR RX

Not a bad night. Best DX was IW4DXW (1190km) in Italy.

630m WSPR RX

Much earlier than previous evenings, I have switched from 6m FT8 RX to 630m WSPR RX. I am still on 10m WSPR TX (500mW).

UPDATE 1904z: So far this evening, 4 unique spots on MF with the earliest being DC0DX (467km) at 1800z.

A blip? - NOT amateur radio

In the last few weeks to UK pound has appreciated by around 6 Eurocents against the Euro. This may, of course, just be a blip. In the long-term, especially once the uncertainty over Brexit is over, I think the UK Pound will strengthen against the Euro considerably. This is my view, and I am no expert.

Fundamentally, I believe the Euro is flawed and there is really no resolution in sight for it main structural issues. Once the UK leaves the EU they will have fewer rich nations to fund the EU coffers. No, the EU is a bit like the curate's egg i.e. "good in parts". If only the members of the EU had given the UK more ground on controlling free movement we'd probably still be inside. Hoisted by their own petard?

I think a lot of the EU's stance is "sour grapes". The UK will be fine outside of the EU and they know it.

Call centres

Over a month ago I ordered something that did not arrive, probably due to a mix-up with the courier as it was due to be delivered Sept 1st. I had to use chat and spoke (in writing) with a person who was probably in India. He dealt with me politely and helpfully.  I must say I have great respect for these people. Dealing with irate customers must be a hard job!

Southgate News is back

After a break of a week, I see that Southgate News is back today. This is a good news service, updated most days. I look regularly.

Coronation St star dies - NOT amateur radio

Many years ago, I used to watch a TV soap, called "Coronation St" on ITV.  This would have been the early 1960s, just after we got ITV in Devon. It was Westward TV back then.

I read today that one of its stars who played Vera Duckworth has died.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-41397413

Salcombe and the white slave trade - NOT amateur radio

When a child, I lived in Salcombe, Devon. Until reading a Giles Milton book a few months ago, I had no knowledge of the white slave trade that saw many coastal communities in grave peril not that long ago. Barbary pirates captured people and took them as slaves to North Africa.

As fishermen in the 1600s, my ancestors were in grave peril.

North Korea - NOT amateur radio

Sadly we have people in charge in the USA and North Korea who seem a bit irrational, allegedly. I certainly hope they can resolve their differences peacefully. War in Korea would result in countless deaths (millions?), even assuming it could be contained.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-41395970 .

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

Since before breakfast, I have had my 10m WSPR beacon running. As yet, no spots received. It will be on all day.

UPDATE 1135z: Still no spots today.

UPDATE 1516z: Yet again, I was surprised. DK6UG (633km) spotted me on 10m WSPR earlier.

UPDATE 1758z: Quite surprised to be spotted many times this teatime by EA8BFK (2880km). I assume this is F2, although Es is possible. Reports were up to +2dB which is strong.

UPDATE 1910z: I'm still being spotted in the Canary Is by EA8BFK. How long will this go on for? The last spot was at 1916z.

6m FT8 RX

Although I have been monitoring 6m FT8 since before breakfast, nothing spotted at all so far.

UPDATE 1137z: No spots at all on 6m FT8 RX, as yet, today.

UPDATE 1520z: Just a couple of stations in the Norwich area today (G3PXT and G3LDI) so far on 6m FT8. No continentals.

630m WSPR RX overnight

One new one this autumn LA8AV (1035km) with 5 unique stations spotted.

Sunspots - Tuesday September 26th 2017

Solar flux is 90 today and the sunspot number 36.  A=5 and K=1.

Italy holiday - NOT amateur radio

It seems amazing that it is a week since we got back from our Italian adventure. The map shows where we went. We saw some amazing places and the holiday was very enjoyable. This was our third holiday with Saga. I can really recommend them.

Now monitoring 630m WSPR

As of 1815z, I switched from 6m FT8 RX to 630m WSPR RX. So far, no MF spots.

UPDATE 1944z:  LA8AV (1035km) has been spotted a couple of times.

National Hamfest this weekend

A reminder that the National Hamfest is this weekend.

See http://www.nationalhamfest.org.uk/

6m FT8

Just a couple of Gs spotted on 6m FT8 RX so far. No DX.

UPDATE 1735z: No new spots all day, so I shall be switching to 630m WSPR RX quite soo.

10m WSPR TX

Although my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon has been on all morning, no spots so far.

UPDATE 1220z: Es (?) spots from Germany lunchtime. In the end the opening lasted almost an hour.

UPDATE 1335z: WSPR is great for "sniffing out" those brief openings that otherwise might well be missed. I suppose Es openings "out of season" are more common on 10m than on 6m.

UPDATE 1443z: Now EA1KV (1304km) is spotting me on 10m WSPR. It pays to keep an eye out! The opening to Spain is already nearly an hour and it is still going on.

Sunspots - Monday September 25th 2017

Solar flux is 87 today and the sunspot number 22. A=6 and K=1.

Overnight on 630m WSPR RX

Not a bad night, with 9 unique stations spotted plus 1 decode in error.

Now back on 10m WSPR TX and 6m FT8 RX for the day.

Now on 630m WSPR RX

As well as 10m WSPR TX (500mW) I am now monitoring 630m WSPR RX. So far nothing on MF, although it is early.