5 Dec 2018

G3XBM videos

Most of these date from before my 2013 stroke, although some are more recent. Most are about my projects.

See https://www.youtube.com/user/G3XBM .

Large diameter comet - NOT amateur radio

Southgate News has a report from SpaceWeather.com about a comet that looks as big as the full moon. It is actually quite small, but it comes quite close.

See http://spaceweather.com/

Sterling - NOT amateur radio

On the face of it, we are in for a rough time. The UK government was found in contempt of parliament last night and the UK parliament is quite likely to reject the Prime Minister's EU BREXIT deal next Tuesday when this is voted on in the House of Commons.

So what happens? Stirling goes up in value against the Euro!  As I write, it is up 0.48%. Maybe, the UK economy will be OK when we leave the EU or people assume we will walk away unless the deal is a fair one.

Mud - NOT amateur radio

Exactly 6 years ago, I visited my brother in Devon. Although the weather, as I recall, was quite decent, we had some mud!

As they say, "come to sunny Devon where it rains 6 days out of 7".

10m FT8

This morning, I am on 10m FT8 RX, although no spots here so far today.

UPDATE 1047z: Just one spot so far: GW0PLP (329km) in west Wales.

UPDATE 1242z: Abysmal! So far today, just 3 spots, probably aircraft reflections with best DX OH3JQ (1743km).

UPDATE 1406z: Just 5 spots total today on 10m FT8 RX. Best DX is OH5KT (1859km).

UPDATE 1636z: 9 spots in 6 European countries today on 10m FT8 RX. Shortly I shall QSY to 630m (472kHz) WSPR.

160m FT8 RX

Last night there were only 3 North Americans spotted here plus PY1BVY (9321km). I am a little suspicious of this one. He was widely spotted across Europe, including Russia and in North America, but no spots at all of him in South America. Pirate? Of course, this could just reflect activity levels, but you can understand my scepticism.  Again, lots of Europeans spotted on 160m FT8 RX.

Sunspots - Wednesday December 5th 2018

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN still zero. A=10 and K=1.

4 Dec 2018

Beetles - NOT amateur radio

The Zoology Museum in Cambridge has been refurbished and one of the exhibits are these beetles. Some beetles are huge.

2m UKAC activity contest

For those interested, the 2m leg of the RSGB's UKAC activity contest for December is this evening starting at 2000z. It goes on for 2.5 hours, although I usually manage only about an hour.

At 2100z (ish) I expect to return to top-band FT8.

UPDATE 2110z: After about 30 minutes I went QRT.  5 QSOs with best DX G4CLA (105km). As usual, I was running 5W to the big-wheel omni antenna.

160m FT8

Just before tea, I returned to 160m FT8. My 2.5W CQ was spotted by 8 stations with best DX being a spot by DL7BA (844km) in NE Germany. Best DX on 160m RX is RW6PA (3462km) in Chechnya.

As before, I am using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. I have to QSY to 2m SSB between about 2000z and 2100z for the 2m UKAC activity contest. Apart from that, I expect to monitor 160m FT8 until breakfast. Normally I start to spot North Americans after 2100z.

UPDATE 2222z: Although loads of Europeans again on 160m FT8, nothing yet from North America tonight.

Shopping - NOT amateur radio

Every other week, we tend to shop at Tesco in Newmarket. We try to buy UK goods, where possible, to save on airmiles.  For in-between shopping, we use our local co-op which is owned by us, its shareholders. Every purchase of co-op goods earns us cash back. Prices are not at all bad and we can walk there and back.

Like nearby Waitrose, we are appalled that the big supermarkets use so much plastics and are vague about recycling. Surely supermarkets the world over should insist on using recyclable materials always. They have only to say to their suppliers and they would jump.

472kHz WSPR overnight

Quite a reasonable evening with my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Even before 1700z my little signal was spotted in Norway. 3 Norwegians were spotted here, which is the most so far.
Stations spotting my 472kHz WSPR overnight
Stations spotted here on 472kHz WSPR overnight

10m FT8

10m is not too bad today. 14 stations in 7 countries so far spotted today on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1530z: So far today 20 European stations in 11 countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX, although nothing further afield. This evening, I shall probably try 160m again.

Sunspots - Tuesday December 4th 2018

Solar flux is 67 (very low) and the sunspot number 0. A=10 and K=3.

3 Dec 2018

Now on 472kHz WSPR

As 10m seemed dire today, I have already QSYed to MF. As usual I am running about 10mW ERP (20% TX) from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. It usually takes about 20 minutes for the transverter crystal to stabilise, so early spots of me tend to have up to 2-3Hz of drift. Normally, this stops thereafter.

There seem to be plenty of spots on both RX ad TX. G1GKN (99km) is a new on, I think, for me on RX.  G1GKN spotted me as long ago as 2015. Some users may have decided to try other bands and,  of course, some may have sadly died.

OFCOM plans

OFCOM has published its plans for the coming year. Lots about goals and value for money.

See https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/128810/Proposed-Annual-Plan-2019-20.pdf

Christmas present?

My XYL said this morning, "you'd do me a favour if you ordered yourself that new radio as I never know what to buy you for your birthday or Christmas". Well, I am happy to oblige!  Fancy being told to buy a new radio? Next stage is to see what is the best deal from the dealers.

Old age worries - NOT amateur radio

In a few weeks I am 70. It is hard to see where the years have flown! As we get older, there seem more things to worry us, although few younger people seem to care, which is understandable.
  • Failing health (partner and yourself)
  • Children and grandchildren
  • Money
  • Declining sexual appetite
  • Mobility
  • Death (partner and yourself)
  • etc.
Perhaps these are sometimes best ignored.

Another 472kHz user

Jason, M1PRO has just got on 472kHz TX. He built a very neat version of the G3XBM Transverter and has been active on WSPR. I hope to spot Jason soon.

10m FT8

Since just before breakfast, I have been monitoring 10m FT8. As yet no spots at all. I'll keep trying all day, then switch to 472kHz (630m) WSPR late this afternoon probably.

UPDATE 1230z: Still no spots.

UPDATE 1500z: Just a couple of G spots today on 10m FT8.  Best 10m DX on FT8 RX is G4HZW (212km). I suspect I'll QSY to 630m sooner than planned!

Overnight on 160m FT8

Since "rolling back" to WSJT-X V1.9 I have spotted loads of stations. Last night there were 6 North American and 1 Caribbean stations spotted on 160m. Best DX spotted was K6ME (8251km) in California, USA.
Stations spotted on 160m FT8 last night 
with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground

Sunspots - Monday December 3rd 2018

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN zero. A=12 and K=2.

There is little doubt we are at sunspot minimum, but the question is when will we be on the upward slope towards the peak of cycle 25?

Manhattan style

In the past, when I was fitter, a favourite method of mine for small "one off" projects was Manhattan style. This allows neat layouts without the hassle of a PCB. The copper ground-plane makes a great RF earth. I used Me pads but as Steve VE7SL's note says, you can make your own. I have used this method from VLF to VHF to optical frequencies.

2 Dec 2018

Return to 160m FT8

In the last few minutes I have returned to 160m FT8, going back, for now, to WSJT-X V1.9.

A CQ call (2.5W to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground) was spotted by 3 stations in 2 countries with best DX a spot by G3TXL (360km) in west Devon.

On RX best DX is 9A3TR (1330km) with 6 stations in 3 countries spotted on 160m FT8 so far today.

UPDATE 1642z: So far today on 160m FT8 RX, 35 stations in 9 countries spotted with best DX RC9F (3504km).

UPDATE 2222z:  Lots of Europeans including Russians spotted on 160m FT8, but nothing transatlantic yet. Usually WU1ITU is the first spotted, but not tonight. Maybe this station has already moved to WSJT-X V2.0 rc5? Best DX on 160m FT8 RX is UN1L (4102km) in Kazakhstan.

Yet more houses - NOT amateur radio

It seems every available plot in our village is a great opportunity for a builder to make a quick profit. The houses in the photo were built in the last year. The problem is recalling what was there before!

2m FT8 - 77 bit (latest) version

For about 10 minutes, I have been on 2m FT8 using WSJT-X V2.0 rc5. I have been calling CQ during this period at 2.5W to the big wheel. No spots. At the moment I am RX only.

UPDATE 1140z: Well, I tried an uninstall and reinstall of WSJT-X V2.0 rc5 and still no spots! In desperation I have gone back, for now, to V1.9. Immediate spots with best DX PA3FMP (298km)!

UPDATE 1207z: Since rolling back to WSJT-X V1.9, for now,  5 stations now spotted.

UPDATE 1328z: Now 9 stations in 2 countries spotted so far today on 2m FT8..

UPDATE 1415z: Now 14 stations in 4 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX. I shall probably QSY to 160m FT8 at about 1500z.

160m FT8

As many will know, I upgraded to WSJT-X V2.0 rc5 yesterday. Despite being on all night, just the 2 spots from last evening on PSKreporter. A check on the lab PC showed quite a few stations actually received.

There can be several explanations. Firstly, my internet connection may have been non-functional at the time these signals were received. Secondly, maybe the PSKreporter site was unable to accept my reports. Thirdly, perhaps my PC failed to upload the spots, maybe due to a bug? I use Windows 10 with WSJT 2.0 and have not had any issues in the past.

If you have any explanations, I'd be interested.

There may be other reasons. By the way, I always sync to internet time before each session and use a program to always keep in sync to internet time. Timing is definitely correct.

I have done a total reboot of the PC and will see what happens on 2m FT8 today.

Stroke update - NOT amateur radio

It is 5 years since my stroke. Although compared with many I am quite lucky, I still feel far from right. Outwardly I look well and few realise how I really am. Some would call this a hidden disability. I feel sorry for others who look well on the outside, but inside feel very different.

The latest thing is clumsiness. Now this may be my stroke or just getting older, but I feel more clumsy than I did. This last few months have been particularly hard. Driving has always been harder, but now I avoid driving whenever I can.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/stroke .

QRPclub Vestnik magazine

The latest online magazine of the QRPclub is now available. Although mostly in Russian, you may be able to translate it using Google Translate or similar. The schematic will still be understandable as will the tables.

See http://club72.su/vestnik/qv15.pdf

Latest solar data

The latest solar numbers have been published and these still think we are at the minimum. Time will tell. If we are at the minimum, conditions should be not as bad this time next year. It usually takes several years to climb to the next peak.

See www.solen.info/solar .

"As of September 2018 the strength of the polar fields hints at a cycle 25 with a magnitude slightly stronger than that of cycle 24."  From the site linked above. We live in hope!

Another site (NOAA) seems to suggest we have a lot longer to endure! Maybe all of 2019 at least.


See https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/predicted-sunspot-number-and-radio-flux

Sunspots - Sunday December 2nd 2018

Solar flux is 69 today and the SSN zero. A=8 and K=2.

1 Dec 2018

Now on 160m FT8

As 10m FT8 was dire, I have QSYed to 160m FT8. As I was using an old "rc" version of WSJT-X 2.0 I have upgraded to rc5. Until others do so, I expect to copy many stations that don't decode.

UPDATE 1553z:  No decodes although plenty of stations. I guess few have upgraded yet!

UPDATE 2235z:  Just a couple of decodes, probably as few have upgraded. Plenty of stations on the screen. Will leave the RX on overnight "just in case", although until many more upgrade I doubt I'll get any more spots.

New version of FT8

Older "release candidate" versions of WSJT-X 2.0 ceased to work as from today. The latest version is "rc5" which is expected to be very close to the released version due soon.

With "rc5" a new protocol has been introduced. If people are using older "rc" versions FT8 signals will be treated as noise and will not decode. On 160m I have seen several signals already that have not decoded.

So, it is important that FT8 users upgrade right away to WSJT-X 2.0 rc5. Do it now!!

See http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/wsjtx.html

The Moon and Mars - NOT amateur radio

It seems amazing that man first went to the Moon in 1969, even before I had started work. Whether I will ever again see man on the Moon, or even Mars, in my lifetime is uncertain. It would not surprise me if the Chinese did it first!

I see the USA is looking for commercial companies to get involved, presumably to save money.

See https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-announces-new-partnerships-for-commercial-lunar-payload-delivery-services

2m DXing

Amateur Radio Weekly has a piece this week about a recent tropo opening in the UK. Apparently most were using FT8 with very few stations on SSB. This is a sad reflection of how things are today. I am as guilty as any, sticking on FT8 most days because activity is concentrated and FT8 works with weak signals.

What is happening with FT8 is similar to the demise of traditional shops and banks. Many find shopping on-line is easier and better.

Christmas Fayre - NOT amateur radio

Every year, there is a Christmas Fayre in our village hall. As usual, there were lots of stalls and lots of people. Local things. As we are now in December, this is fine. If they held this in October, I would boycott it!

All quiet again - NOT amateur radio

The old friends that were staying here have now left, so the house is quiet again. It's funny how some people are "easy" guests who just make themselves at home. These old friends are like that. If they wasn't a cup of tea they will just make one. We like that.

10m FT8 - dead?

For about 30 minutes now, I have been monitoring 10m FT8. As yet, nothing at all spotted on 10m today. Let's hope things improve!

UPDATE 1505z: Still nothing spotted on 10m FT8 RX today. Really bad. I am using WSJT-X rc5 now. Soon be time to QSY to 160m.

Best yet on 472kHz WSPR this season

Stations spotted here on 472kHz WSPR overnight
Overnight was my best yet this season with 16 different stations spotting my 10mW QRP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Best DX was by LA2XPA (1310km) way up in Norway.
Stations that spotted my 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP) last night

Sunspots - Saturday December 1st 2018

Still the pits...

Solar flux is 68 and the sunspot number still zero. A=2 and K=1.

Definitely at sunspot minimum!