Although I have not yet checked the Euro, the declaration of independence from Spain of Catalonia is likely to spark a crisis. Catalonia now, Basques later?
Spain is in deep trouble.
See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-41780116 .
27 Oct 2017
FT8 - the "new" digital mode?
So far, I have used FT8 on 630m, 10m and 6m. It is very quickly becoming the de facto digital mode allowing quick exchanges of basic QSO data whilst still using very little spectrum. It is not really a mode for chatting. It seems to have transformed 10m. Spots on 10m have amazed me.
Complete QSOs can be completed in a very short time. As far as I know, unless things have changed in the last few days, it is still a "release candidate" rather than a formal release. At the moment I am still using rc2 although rc3 is available.
See https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html .
Complete QSOs can be completed in a very short time. As far as I know, unless things have changed in the last few days, it is still a "release candidate" rather than a formal release. At the moment I am still using rc2 although rc3 is available.
See https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html .
Labels:
ft8
Proper food (pasties) - NOT amateur radio
Yesterday we went to Norwich with our son and grandson. We went by train. I was pleased to see real food (pasties) on sale in the station!
6m FT8 RX
After a period on 10m FT8, I have switched to 6m FT8 for a change this morning. As yet, no spots.
UPDATE 1312z: Best DX today on 6m FT8 is EA2DLX (1025km) in northern Spain.
UPDATE 1312z: Best DX today on 6m FT8 is EA2DLX (1025km) in northern Spain.
Sunspots - Friday October 27th 2017
Solar flux is 76 today. Sunspot number is 23. A=20 and K=1.
Labels:
sunspots
26 Oct 2017
Sunspots - Thursday October 26th 2017
Solar flux is 77 today and the sunspot number 24. A=24 and K=4.
Labels:
sunspots
10m FT8 RX - Thursday, October 26th 2017
Well, there is little doubt that FT8 has transformed 10m. Looking at the map of spots for today on 10m, you could be excused for thinking this was sunspot maximum rather than way on the downward slope to the next minimum. Best DX today was VK8NSB (13800km) in Northern Territory, Australia.
OFCOM and spectrum at 3.6GHz
OFCOM has issued a statement about 3.6GHz spectrum.
See http://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/C2AD8437ED18A39A2540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C
See http://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/C2AD8437ED18A39A2540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C
Labels:
ofcom
25 Oct 2017
Trinity College, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio
Living very close to Cambridge, it is very easy to take some wonderful places for granted. This is a picture of the entrance to Trinity College. There is a proctor in the photo complete with bowler hat (bottom left in the shadows). As a local we get free entry into the colleges, which some cross the world to see. With bus passes these are totally free. What a privilege.
630m transformer
An auto-transformer was wound on a 3C90 42mm toroid core (at least I think that is what it was). It worked and seems to give a decent match.
Of late, I have used the coax up to my 2m big-wheel antenna as a Marconi, tuned against ground with a ferrite rod ATU. So far, best DX is Norway (769km) with 31 unique spots of my 10mW ERP.
10m FT8
Amazing again! Already loads of Europeans copied and 5 continents spotted on 10m FT8 RX when the sunspot count is low. FT8 - pure magic! This proves it is often a lack of activity rather than conditions on 10m. With FT8 all users are in a narrow slot, which helps.
UPDATE 1746z: 65 countries spotted in the last week on 10m FT8. No North Americans today so far.
UPDATE 2138z: I've been on 630m WSPR for some hours now. When I left 10m FT8, there were still loads of South Americans coming through. And to think 10m is meant to be "dead".
UPDATE 1746z: 65 countries spotted in the last week on 10m FT8. No North Americans today so far.
10m FT8 RX today - dead? |
Sunspots - Wednesday October 25th 2017
Solar flux is 77 today and the sunspot number is 23. A=18 and K=4.
Labels:
sunspots
24 Oct 2017
Late night on 10m FT8 RX
For a change, I decided not to switch to 630m WSPR, but stick instead on 10m FT8 RX. I shall be on overnight, so that I am on very early in the morning. XE1XJB (8919km) in Mexico was spotted quite late.
10m FT8
So far today only 3 continents on 10m FT8. Best 10m FT8 DX, so far, is F5MYK/MM (9767km) near Mauritius.
UPDATE 1712z: With 16 unique stations spotted in North America today and loads in South America, today is again a great day on 10m FT8, proving that a lack of activity on 10m is often the problem rather than poor conditions.
UPDATE 1712z: With 16 unique stations spotted in North America today and loads in South America, today is again a great day on 10m FT8, proving that a lack of activity on 10m is often the problem rather than poor conditions.
Sunspots - Tuesday October 24th 2017
Solar flux is 77 today and the sunspot number is 23. A=6 and K=2.
Labels:
sunspots
Overnight on 630m WSPR
In the last day my 10mW ERP was spotted by 12 unique stations and I spotted 12 unique stations. In all, 31 unique stations have spotted my QRPP over the last two weeks.
CQWW SSB Contest
A reminder that the BIG one is next weekend. Before my stroke I used to fill pages of my logbooks with 10m SSB contest exchanges. Nowadays my voice is not too good, so I tend to be on far less. This is a good chance to work new countries. I have yet to send in an entry!
Best days for QRP tends to be Sunday as most "big guns" have worked lots by then and are scraping around for points.
See https://www.cqww.com/
Best days for QRP tends to be Sunday as most "big guns" have worked lots by then and are scraping around for points.
See https://www.cqww.com/
23 Oct 2017
630m WSPR transceive
Currently, I am on 630m WSPR transceive. I shall be on this evening and overnight with 10mW ERP.
UPDATE 1846z: A new one tonight: M0NKA (154km) in IO92ak spotted my QRPP signal.
UPDATE 1846z: A new one tonight: M0NKA (154km) in IO92ak spotted my QRPP signal.
SAQ VLF transmission tomorrow?
It looks like there is a VLF CW transmission on 17.2kHz tomorrow.
See http://alexander.n.se/seek-you-for-peace/?lang=en
See http://alexander.n.se/seek-you-for-peace/?lang=en
OFCOM and licence exempt wideband devices
OFCOM and licence exempt shot range wideband devices:
See http://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/1EF53AF183CB51C82540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C
See http://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/1EF53AF183CB51C82540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C
Labels:
ofcom
Overnight on 630m WSPR transceive
Overnight I was again on 630m (10mW ERP, 20%). In all, I was spotted by 11 unique stations and I spotted 15 uniques with IW4DXW (1190km) my best DX and G3KEV the strongest.
Sunspots - Monday October 23rd 2017
Solar flux is 76 and sunspot number 13. A=6 and K=2.
Labels:
sunspots
10m FT8 RX - Monday Oct 23rd 2017
I have been on 10m FT8 RX most of the morning and, yet again, it is good with best DX being VK9VKL (11970km) on Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean. Other spots this morning include all over Europe and 3B8CW (9751km) on Mauritius. I expect we will see South Africa and South America later.
UPDATE 1044z: ZS2ZA (9895km) now being spotted here. FT8 really is magic.
UPDATE 1625z: Yet again, 6 continents spotted on 10m FT8 today, with hardly any sunspots.
UPDATE 1658z: About 5 minutes ago, I went QRT on 10m. Now I am on 630m WSPR transceive (10mW ERP, 20% TX).
UPDATE 1044z: ZS2ZA (9895km) now being spotted here. FT8 really is magic.
UPDATE 1625z: Yet again, 6 continents spotted on 10m FT8 today, with hardly any sunspots.
UPDATE 1658z: About 5 minutes ago, I went QRT on 10m. Now I am on 630m WSPR transceive (10mW ERP, 20% TX).
22 Oct 2017
Grandchildren - NOT amateur radio
As mentioned yesterday, at the moment, amateur radio is having to take a back seat as we have 3 (of our 4) grandchildren staying together with one of our sons. We love having them, but these days I get tired.
Labels:
grandchildren
10m conditions - don't believe what others say!
Someone once said, "10m is absolutely dead!", to which I reply, "really?" These were the stations spotted so far on 10m FT8 today. The sunspot count is 11. Previous days have been even better and the sunspot number zero. Never give up on 10m. My recommendation is try FT8 instead.
UPDATE 2046z: Quite a few hours ago I switched to 630m WSPR transceive (10mW ERP, 20% TX) but after another very successful day on 10m FT8 RX. Another day with 6 continents spotted including loads of South Americas, but just one 1 North American. I am convinced FT8 is doing great things: many stations are active in a small window, so chances of being spotted go up.
UPDATE 2046z: Quite a few hours ago I switched to 630m WSPR transceive (10mW ERP, 20% TX) but after another very successful day on 10m FT8 RX. Another day with 6 continents spotted including loads of South Americas, but just one 1 North American. I am convinced FT8 is doing great things: many stations are active in a small window, so chances of being spotted go up.
Mugabe loses WHO role - NOT amateur radio
Unsurprisingly, there was widespread condemnation of the World Health Organisation making Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe their goodwill ambassador. This appointment has now been revoked.
See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-41713919 .
See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-41713919 .
Terahertz bands
Southgate News reports on a SARL report about terahertz amateur radio. Whilst a dedicated bunch have explored optical and infra-red frequencies few have tried the bands above 100GHz. I guess the reason is gear and test-gear are difficult. At optical frequencies, I found gear and test-gear easy. Apparently terahertz spectrum is being allocated at the 2019 WRC. This was news to me.
My apologies for referring to tetrahertz frequencies earlier. Now corrected. Shades of my work life long ago!
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/october/the-terahertz-spectrum.htm#.Wex7krpFzIU .
My apologies for referring to tetrahertz frequencies earlier. Now corrected. Shades of my work life long ago!
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/october/the-terahertz-spectrum.htm#.Wex7krpFzIU .
10m FT8 (late!)
Rather later than usual, I have switched to 10m FT8 RX. My first impression is that there is a lot of activity on 10m FT8.
UPDATE 1036z: Lots of activity again on 10m FT8. Best DX so far on 10m FT8 RX is YB0MWM (11711km) in Western Java, Indonesia.
UPDATE 1100z: Best 10m FT8 RX DX spotted now VK9VKL (11970km) on Christmas Island.
UPDATE 1508z: Several stations in South Africa and South America and one in Canada this afternoon. Best DX spotted her this afternoon on 10m FT8 is LU3HTS (11258km) to the west of Cordoba.
UPDATE 1036z: Lots of activity again on 10m FT8. Best DX so far on 10m FT8 RX is YB0MWM (11711km) in Western Java, Indonesia.
UPDATE 1100z: Best 10m FT8 RX DX spotted now VK9VKL (11970km) on Christmas Island.
UPDATE 1508z: Several stations in South Africa and South America and one in Canada this afternoon. Best DX spotted her this afternoon on 10m FT8 is LU3HTS (11258km) to the west of Cordoba.
Devon - NOT amateur radio
Whilst looking through some old photos, I cam across this one of South Devon where I was born and brought up. God's own country!
Labels:
devon
630m WSPR overnight
Last night I was on 630m WSPR (10mW ERP, 20%). I was spotted by 12 unique stations with best DX a spot by LA3EQ (769km) and I spotted 13 unique stations.
Sunspots - Sunday October 22nd 2017
Solar flux is 78 and there are sunspots! Sunspot number is 11. A=10 and K=3.
Labels:
sunspots
21 Oct 2017
FCC and outmoded regulations
Southgate News reports that the FCC is continuing with the removal of outmoded regulations.
"eliminating unnecessary rule provisions, and making the agency as efficient and effective as possible"
Well, that should be pretty easy.
Does this mean they might be quicker in future releasing LF and MF amateur bands? You have to admit that they are definitely not fast! They are the laughing stock of the rest of the world.
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/october/fcc-scraps-telegraph-regulations.htm#.WeuujbpFzIU
"eliminating unnecessary rule provisions, and making the agency as efficient and effective as possible"
Well, that should be pretty easy.
Does this mean they might be quicker in future releasing LF and MF amateur bands? You have to admit that they are definitely not fast! They are the laughing stock of the rest of the world.
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/october/fcc-scraps-telegraph-regulations.htm#.WeuujbpFzIU
Grandchildren - NOT amateur radio
For the next few days we have 3 of our 4 grandchildren staying with us. The picture shows them having tea together in our kitchen. The wine is not theirs!
Labels:
grandchildren
Now on 630m WSPR
For the last 20 minutes or so, I have been on 630m WSPR (10mW ERP, 20%) Quite decent conditions.
Driving and mobile phones - NOT amateur radio
Whilst driving along yesterday I narrowly missed being hit by a car driven by a young girl who seemed to be texting.
My son's 28 year old brother-in-law was struck by a car several weeks ago. He has a brain injury, many broken bones and is still unconscious in an Australian hospital. He is fighting for his life. At the time he was a pedestrian crossing on green. The driver (busy on her phone I think) went through a red light and just ploughed him down. His family, his girlfriend and her will be affected for life.
So, PUT YOUR MOBILE PHONE AWAY WHEN DRIVING. People can wait. Concentrate on driving!!
Labels:
mobile phone
630m WSPR overnight
Overnight, my 10mW ERP was copied by 8 unique stations. In turn, I copied 9 unique 630m WSPR stations here with best DX DH5RAE (995km). No LAs last night sadly.
10m FT8 RX
Well I thought yesterday was good on 10m FT8 RX, but today has started even better. Already, Indonesia, Namibia, Thailand and lots besides copied. Amazing. Again the sunspot number is zero.
UPDATE 0948z: Best 10m FT8 RX DX today is VK6HV (13600km) in Australia. No sunspots!
UPDATE 1152z: Yes today 10m FT8 is even better than yesterday! PV8DC (7830km) in the north of Brazil was spotted at 1132z.
UPDATE 0948z: Best 10m FT8 RX DX today is VK6HV (13600km) in Australia. No sunspots!
UPDATE 1152z: Yes today 10m FT8 is even better than yesterday! PV8DC (7830km) in the north of Brazil was spotted at 1132z.
Sunspots - Saturday October 21st 2017
Solar flux is 75 today and the sunspot number still zero. A=8 and K=2.
Labels:
sunspots
20 Oct 2017
630m this evening
After a great day on 10m FT8 RX, I returned to 630m WSPR transceive earlier this evening.
As on previous nights more people are spotting me than I am spotting. Either this tells me my RX is deaf (true) or my TX ERP is competing with many others transmitting on 630m WSPR.
Sadly, it is the former as I know my FT817 RX is deaf on 630m and I could do more to reduce the noise floor. Signals need to be quite reasonable to "beat" my noise floor. Last year the noise floor was much lower - I was lucky.
As on previous nights more people are spotting me than I am spotting. Either this tells me my RX is deaf (true) or my TX ERP is competing with many others transmitting on 630m WSPR.
Sadly, it is the former as I know my FT817 RX is deaf on 630m and I could do more to reduce the noise floor. Signals need to be quite reasonable to "beat" my noise floor. Last year the noise floor was much lower - I was lucky.
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