5 Jul 2018
4 Jul 2018
6m FT8 RX
Today I have again been monitoring 6m FT8 RX. Best DX was PV8DX (7830km) in northern Brazil.
2m Activity Contest (UKAC organised by the RSGB)
3 Jul 2018
World Cup Football - NOT amateur radio
OK, I am not a great football fan, but I had to watch England v. Colombia tonight. We so nearly won in the 90 minutes, then they equalised. After a further 30 minutes it was down to penalties and Colombia saved one! In the end England won the penalty shoot-out. Talk about doing things the hard way.
Not sure watching these games is good for the heart. 😅
Not sure watching these games is good for the heart. 😅
Bee Swarm - NOT amateur radio
Yesterday was hot and sunny, so we went to Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk. The repairs are still going on and they could last 3 years. Whilst there, there was a bee swarm on the wall just to the right of the bridge into the Hall. They looked pretty docile.
OFCOM Communications Monthly
OFCOM has just published its "Communications Monthly".
See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/2214C158C2ED643F2540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C
See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/2214C158C2ED643F2540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C
10m WSPR TX
Some early Es on 10m today. Already, some early spots of my 500mW WSPR beacon from Italy and Germany. Today could be a good day.
UPDATE 1418z: 5 different stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon today. All were Es with best DX EA1FAQ (1249km) in northern Spain.
UPDATE 1536z: 29 spots today on 10m WSPR, all morning ones.
UPDATE 1747z: 33 spots today. My best spot is by EA8BFK (2880km) in the Canary Is again.
UPDATE 1418z: 5 different stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon today. All were Es with best DX EA1FAQ (1249km) in northern Spain.
UPDATE 1536z: 29 spots today on 10m WSPR, all morning ones.
UPDATE 1747z: 33 spots today. My best spot is by EA8BFK (2880km) in the Canary Is again.
6m FT8
An earlier call to G3PXT went unanswered, but I was spotted by 6 G stations. Best was M0BEW (194km) near the Welsh border.
On 6m FT8 RX there is already (0840z) Es evident with spots from southern Europe already.
On 6m FT8 RX there is already (0840z) Es evident with spots from southern Europe already.
2 Jul 2018
BREXIT - NOT amateur radio
Apparently the UK Cabinet meets on Friday to agree the UK's position on leaving the EU. Some tough talks are ahead.
Members of the EU are paranoid about it failing, worried about losing our budget contribution and perhaps a bit jealous. At the same time, the UK Prime Minister is weak with much squabbling in her ranks. Later this week we'll really see the truth.
I voted "REMAIN" 2 years ago, but there is a lot wrong with the EU. In my view, it has to reform or it will fall apart. Leaving the EU is fraught with economic dangers.
Members of the EU are paranoid about it failing, worried about losing our budget contribution and perhaps a bit jealous. At the same time, the UK Prime Minister is weak with much squabbling in her ranks. Later this week we'll really see the truth.
I voted "REMAIN" 2 years ago, but there is a lot wrong with the EU. In my view, it has to reform or it will fall apart. Leaving the EU is fraught with economic dangers.
Missing 12 year olds found alive in Thai caves - NOT amateur radio
I really really hope this news is correct. What a traumatic experience.
See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-44688909
UPDATE July 3rd 1302z: It looks like getting them out will be hard.
See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-44688909
UPDATE July 3rd 1302z: It looks like getting them out will be hard.
6m FT8 RX
Not a great day. Spots from the Baltic area and around the UK but nothing else today so far.
UPDATE 1514z: There you go - I speak and 6m FT8 opens up! Stations in France, Italy and Sicily spotted on 6m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1632z: Now Es from all over the place in Europe on 6m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 2010z: Whilst using my V2000 vertical omni on the 2m FM net I gather an HH (Haiti) was coming through on 6m FT8. I missed him! EA8JK (2999km) was worked on 6m FT8. As always, I was using 2.5W to my V2000 vertical omni fed with CB coax.
UPDATE 1514z: There you go - I speak and 6m FT8 opens up! Stations in France, Italy and Sicily spotted on 6m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1632z: Now Es from all over the place in Europe on 6m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 2010z: Whilst using my V2000 vertical omni on the 2m FM net I gather an HH (Haiti) was coming through on 6m FT8. I missed him! EA8JK (2999km) was worked on 6m FT8. As always, I was using 2.5W to my V2000 vertical omni fed with CB coax.
10m WSPR TX
Well, it is better than yesterday! So far, my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon has been copied in Germany and Italy today. Not great, but yesterday I got no spots at all.
UPDATE 1635z: Another spot from a different Italian on 10m WSPR.
UPDATE 2018z: 10 different stations spotted my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon today with EA8BFK (2880km) my best DX.
UPDATE 1635z: Another spot from a different Italian on 10m WSPR.
UPDATE 2018z: 10 different stations spotted my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon today with EA8BFK (2880km) my best DX.
1 Jul 2018
630m (472kHz) WSPR receive
For a total change, I am using WSJT-X to receive 630m WSPR. This is high summer so there are few stations active. If I copy anyone at all, it would be good. I shall stay on overnight.
UPDATE JULY 1ST: PA3ABK (306km) copied last night.
UPDATE JULY 1ST: PA3ABK (306km) copied last night.
My early recording!
Whilst looking for something else, I came across it earlier today. Of course, these days I have nothing to play it as all my record decks went long ago. My son has a deck, so I could ask him sometime.
It was with Francis that we made some early experiments with optical communications. OC171s with paint scraped off. Memories.
FT8 - like Marmite?
Here in the UK we have a savoury spread made from yeast called Marmite. Some love it and some hate it.
It is a bit like that with FT8. Personally, I like FT8 and Marmite! FT8 works with weak signals, but is definitely not a mode for chats. With my poor voice if fits well for me, as chatting is much harder these days. If you enjoy a good old rag-chew, this is probably not the best mode for you.
In its favour people are constantly monitoring a few kilohertz of each band so brief openings are noticed. In the past a CQ on SSB or CW could easily be missed.
It is a bit like that with FT8. Personally, I like FT8 and Marmite! FT8 works with weak signals, but is definitely not a mode for chats. With my poor voice if fits well for me, as chatting is much harder these days. If you enjoy a good old rag-chew, this is probably not the best mode for you.
In its favour people are constantly monitoring a few kilohertz of each band so brief openings are noticed. In the past a CQ on SSB or CW could easily be missed.
SAQ (VLF) transmission today
An earlier transmission on 17.2kHz CW from the historic Alexanderson transmitter at Grimeton, Sweden was well received in Italy. I cannot remember if there is another transmission later.
June solar data available
The data for June is already available. Unsurprisingly, it shows sunspot numbers up on the previous month. Don't be fooled. The most probable trajectory is a further slow decline to the next minimum probably next year or the year after.
See http://www.solen.info/solar/
Interesting that this site thinks the solar minimum could be this year. We will see in another few years. I quote:
See http://www.solen.info/solar/
Interesting that this site thinks the solar minimum could be this year. We will see in another few years. I quote:
While smaller spots with the correct polarity alignment of cycle 25 regions have been observed at high latitude locations as early as 2016, this overview will only include spots large enough to have been visible at a 1K resolution. In the case of reversed polarity cycle 24 regions, those that are not at a sufficiently high latitude (ie. 30 degrees or more), are considered most likely to belong to cycle 24 and will not be included in this list until closer to the actual solar cycle minimum (likely to be sometime between April and December 2018).
Poor start today
Although I have been on 10m WSPR TX (500mW) since before breakfast not a single spot!
There was some Es evident on 6m FT8 RX early on, there was not that much. At this time, you get good days and bad. Often 6m opened to the USA in early July on SSB and CW.
I shall continue, more in hope than expectation.
UPDATE 1432z: Despite the very average Es today (actually poor) I have spotted 41 different stations in 13 countries today on 6m FT8. Still no spots of my beacon on 10m WSPR TX.
UPDATE 1948z: 53 different stations in 14 countries spotted on 6m FT8 in the last day. 10m? Still no spots today of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon TX.
There was some Es evident on 6m FT8 RX early on, there was not that much. At this time, you get good days and bad. Often 6m opened to the USA in early July on SSB and CW.
I shall continue, more in hope than expectation.
UPDATE 1432z: Despite the very average Es today (actually poor) I have spotted 41 different stations in 13 countries today on 6m FT8. Still no spots of my beacon on 10m WSPR TX.
UPDATE 1948z: 53 different stations in 14 countries spotted on 6m FT8 in the last day. 10m? Still no spots today of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon TX.
Patio breakfast - NOT amateur radio
30 Jun 2018
Storms getting closer to the UK
It looks more likely that the storms from Iberia will hit the UK tonight or tomorrow. As a precaution, everything has been disconnected: rigs, PSUs and antennas.
See https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortung/europe/index.php?lang=en
See https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortung/europe/index.php?lang=en
Not a great day
All day, I have been on 10m WSPR TX and 6m FT8 RX. It was a poor day here. Yes, there was Es on both bands but it was way down on the days before. All being well, I shall try again tomorrow. Some days will be average. I have still to copy the USA and Japan on 6m FT8 RX this summer.
More stroke - NOT amateur radio
Many are not interested, and this I can understand, but I feel the need to express to others just how I feel inside. Life is tough.
Giddy, exhausted, fog is how I'd best describe how I feel most of the time, especially when on my feet. My voice is also poor. Outwardly I look well with a heathy tan. However, inside I feel awful. However hard I try, I am unable to convey just how I feel.
On a recent holiday, someone else who had had a stroke said, "others just don't understand". How right he was. These are exactly my feelings and this precisely expresses my frustration. Others cannot possibly understand.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/stroke
Giddy, exhausted, fog is how I'd best describe how I feel most of the time, especially when on my feet. My voice is also poor. Outwardly I look well with a heathy tan. However, inside I feel awful. However hard I try, I am unable to convey just how I feel.
On a recent holiday, someone else who had had a stroke said, "others just don't understand". How right he was. These are exactly my feelings and this precisely expresses my frustration. Others cannot possibly understand.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/stroke
Status quo - NOT amateur radio
Life has a nasty habit of surprising us. We go along with certainties we have known for years, then suddenly something happens to remind us that change always happens. It can be someone dying or getting gravely ill, a different house or something far more trivial.
Change is part of life and the future holds all sorts of shocks. Those best able to accept are people who are not phased by changes or endings: people who can say, that is the end of a chapter and the start of a new one.
Today, we had my wife's cousin-in-law and his granddaughter for lunch and tea. My wife was very close to her cousin when she was little. A few months ago she died.
Sadly, I find endings hard. Perhaps we all do in our own way.
Change is part of life and the future holds all sorts of shocks. Those best able to accept are people who are not phased by changes or endings: people who can say, that is the end of a chapter and the start of a new one.
Today, we had my wife's cousin-in-law and his granddaughter for lunch and tea. My wife was very close to her cousin when she was little. A few months ago she died.
Sadly, I find endings hard. Perhaps we all do in our own way.
UK Thunder?
See https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortung/europe/index.php?lang=en
10m WSPR TX
Yet again, I am trying with my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon. So far, just spots earlier from local G4KPX (14km) and no Es. Things may change.
UPDATE 0912z: EA8FBK (2880km) is again the best spot.
UPDATE 1911z: Just 5 different stations spotted my little 500mW 10m WSPR beacon today so far.
UPDATE 0912z: EA8FBK (2880km) is again the best spot.
UPDATE 1911z: Just 5 different stations spotted my little 500mW 10m WSPR beacon today so far.
6m today
After the excitement yesterday with Japan being worked from the UK and others in Western Europe on 6m FT8, today has started quietly with just G spots and one German spotted on 6m FT8 so far. A brief TX period (2.5W to my V2000 vertical omni) netted 6 G spots, but no QSOs.
UPDATE 1138z: Far less Es today. 21 stations in 6 countries here so far.
UPDATE 1138z: Far less Es today. 21 stations in 6 countries here so far.
29 Jun 2018
OV140 German SDR project
This started from the mcHF project and is an open source software and hardware project from Germany. When it is ready, it should be a very interesting SDR transceiver covering up to 2m with 75W. It is expected to be low cost.
See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tdi0wjO1UwM&feature=youtu.be&t=11282
See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tdi0wjO1UwM&feature=youtu.be&t=11282
Another UK Rally
1 JULY 2018 : Barford Norfolk Radio Rally
Barford Village Hall & Green, Barford, Norwich NR9 4AB. Doors open 9am (traders from 8am) with talk in on S22. Car parking is free. There will be trade stands, car boot sales, Bring & Buy, raffle and repeater groups. Catering is available on site. Entry £2 per person / under 16s free. Pitches £8, indoor tables £10. Contact radio@dcpmicro.com www.norfolkamateurradio.org.
Barford Village Hall & Green, Barford, Norwich NR9 4AB. Doors open 9am (traders from 8am) with talk in on S22. Car parking is free. There will be trade stands, car boot sales, Bring & Buy, raffle and repeater groups. Catering is available on site. Entry £2 per person / under 16s free. Pitches £8, indoor tables £10. Contact radio@dcpmicro.com www.norfolkamateurradio.org.
10m FT8 good so far
My 10m (500mW) WSPR beacon seems to be doing a good job so far today. Yet again EA8BFK (2880km) is the best DX.
Sunspots - Friday June 29th 2018
Back to normal?
Solar flux is 69 and the sunspot number 0. A=6 and K=2.
Solar flux is 69 and the sunspot number 0. A=6 and K=2.
Japan-UK on 6m FT8
Although I have not spotted one yet, G stations were working Japan on 6m FT8 earlier. This very long path opens on 6m most seasons in June.
Personally, I think this is due to ionisation of the E layer due to noctilucent clouds and not multi-hop Es. If it was multi-hop it would happen at any time in the Es season. It only happens when noctilucent clouds are about.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/noctilucent .
UPDATE 1225z: WP4G (6803km) spotted on 6m FT8.
UPDATE 1331z: No 6m Es here currently - just Gs and near Europeans.
Personally, I think this is due to ionisation of the E layer due to noctilucent clouds and not multi-hop Es. If it was multi-hop it would happen at any time in the Es season. It only happens when noctilucent clouds are about.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/noctilucent .
UPDATE 1225z: WP4G (6803km) spotted on 6m FT8.
UPDATE 1331z: No 6m Es here currently - just Gs and near Europeans.
28 Jun 2018
X80 vertical antenna
In the garage I have an SRC X80 multi-band HF vertical. I used this briefly (before my stroke) at the old QTH. It blows around in the wind, but worked quite well as I remember. With my LDG QRP ATU it might serve me well next winter on WSPR on several HF bands.
Verticals tend to be noisier than horizontal antennas. This is a Rybakov antenna fed via a transformer so they can be matched with an ATU more easily. If erected it would replace my horizontal antenna that only covers 3 HF bands.
This is now on my main website at www.g3xbm.co.uk . This was a "cut and paste" job à nd needs attention on the other PC in the morning as I see some words are not visible.
See reviews at https://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/8727?page=1
Verticals tend to be noisier than horizontal antennas. This is a Rybakov antenna fed via a transformer so they can be matched with an ATU more easily. If erected it would replace my horizontal antenna that only covers 3 HF bands.
This is now on my main website at www.g3xbm.co.uk . This was a "cut and paste" job à nd needs attention on the other PC in the morning as I see some words are not visible.
See reviews at https://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/8727?page=1
Rally
30 JUNE 2018 : Houghton Le Spring Amateur Radio Club Rally
Houghton Le Spring Amateur Radio Club are holding their Rally on Saturday June 30th 2018. Doors open to the public at 10.30am and vacation by 3pm The Rally is open to trade, Clubs and private sellers/exhibiters. Table space is limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. The Rally will be held in The Dubmire Royal British Legion Club, Britannia Terrace, Fencehouses DH4 6LJ which is located between Durham and Sunderland. Chairman of the Club Ken M6ELL and members of HARC wish to invite you all to their completely fee free rally. There will be NO CHARGE for sellers and of course free entrance tea & coffee will be available and a licensed bar from 11:00 AM, Donations would be welcomed and donated in their entirety to The Dubmire Royal British Legion Club. Would anyone wishing to book selling/exhibiting space please contact myself Ian M0RZE by email ianlaidler1956@gmail.com or by telephone on 0797 731 0928 or our Chairman Ken M6ELL ONLY AFTER 6pm on 07547 690 844 or facebook inbox houghton amateur radio club events page We look forward to your support and seeing you all there.
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/
Houghton Le Spring Amateur Radio Club are holding their Rally on Saturday June 30th 2018. Doors open to the public at 10.30am and vacation by 3pm The Rally is open to trade, Clubs and private sellers/exhibiters. Table space is limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. The Rally will be held in The Dubmire Royal British Legion Club, Britannia Terrace, Fencehouses DH4 6LJ which is located between Durham and Sunderland. Chairman of the Club Ken M6ELL and members of HARC wish to invite you all to their completely fee free rally. There will be NO CHARGE for sellers and of course free entrance tea & coffee will be available and a licensed bar from 11:00 AM, Donations would be welcomed and donated in their entirety to The Dubmire Royal British Legion Club. Would anyone wishing to book selling/exhibiting space please contact myself Ian M0RZE by email ianlaidler1956@gmail.com or by telephone on 0797 731 0928 or our Chairman Ken M6ELL ONLY AFTER 6pm on 07547 690 844 or facebook inbox houghton amateur radio club events page We look forward to your support and seeing you all there.
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/
SSTV from the ISS Friday June 29th - July 1st
Southgate News reports that there will be SSTV from the International Space Station starting tomorrow, June 29th.
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/june/receive-sstv-from-space.htm#.WzS9ovZFzIU
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/june/receive-sstv-from-space.htm#.WzS9ovZFzIU
6m FT8 RX
Apparently Japan was being spotted and called on 6m FT8 earlier from southern Europe, although on my basic V2000 vertical omni system nothing was spotted here in the UK. Lots of Es received already. 45 countries spotted on 6m FT8 in the last day! 59 countries spotted in the last few days on 6m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1354z: A brief CQ call on 6m FT8 QRP (2.5W) a few moments ago brought 2 QSOs (SP6 and EA3) as well as spots from stations all over Europe. I have gone back to 6m FT8 RX only.
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