18 Apr 2019
OFCOM and 5G licences
OFCOM is consulting on possible changes to operator licences at 3.4GHz to bring them into line with the EU.
Labels:
ofcom
At last! - NOT amateur radio
See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swallow/
Labels:
swallow
Coffee in the garden - NOT amateur radio
As it was warm and sunny this morning we had coffee in the garden for the first time this year. My wife also hung out some washing for the first time this year.
10m FT8
A few moments ago I QSYed from 2m to 10m FT8, calling CQ initially (2.5W) and then RX only. So far, no spots. Mind you, it is only 0850z.
UPDATE 0950z: A couple of spots so far with best DX on 10m FT8 RX being F5OHM (631km) in central France.
UPDATE 1148z: Now 5 stations in 3 countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX this morning with best DX CS7AKZ (1651km).
UPDATE 1322z: 9A7JCY was an amazing +17dB S/N signal - this must be Es!
UPDATE 1516z: 10 stations spotted in 6 countries so far on 10m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1806z: Now 11 stations in 6 countries today on 10m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 0950z: A couple of spots so far with best DX on 10m FT8 RX being F5OHM (631km) in central France.
UPDATE 1148z: Now 5 stations in 3 countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX this morning with best DX CS7AKZ (1651km).
UPDATE 1322z: 9A7JCY was an amazing +17dB S/N signal - this must be Es!
UPDATE 1516z: 10 stations spotted in 6 countries so far on 10m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1806z: Now 11 stations in 6 countries today on 10m FT8 RX.
2m FT8 RX
Although it is only 0835z I have already spotted 16 stations in 7 countries in the last 6 hours. It really is amazing.
Shortly, I shall probably QSY to 10m FT8.
Shortly, I shall probably QSY to 10m FT8.
17 Apr 2019
2m FT8
At about 0745z I started on 2m. After an unsuccessful call to a Dutch station and a brief period calling CQ (2.5W to the horizontal omni antenna) with 9 reports so far with my best being a spot by G4RRA (333km) in Devon, I have been RX only.
So far this evening, 20 stations spotted in 4 countries with best DX on 2m FT8 RX DL6YBF (471km).
Interesting that in just 45 minutes on 2m FT8 RX I have spotted more stations than all day on 10m FT8.
UPDATE 1955z: 21 stations spotted so far on 2m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 2125z: 28 stations spotted so far on 2m FT8 RX this evening in just over 2 hours (see photo).
So far this evening, 20 stations spotted in 4 countries with best DX on 2m FT8 RX DL6YBF (471km).
Interesting that in just 45 minutes on 2m FT8 RX I have spotted more stations than all day on 10m FT8.
UPDATE 1955z: 21 stations spotted so far on 2m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 2125z: 28 stations spotted so far on 2m FT8 RX this evening in just over 2 hours (see photo).
Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio
We went for a walk here today, mainly to take some photos. Being the school holidays, it was very busy. If there were swallows about I thought I would see some at Anglesey Abbey, but we saw none.
Labels:
anglesey abbey
Well trained? - NOT amateur radio
Yesterday I think I showed my son, who was staying with us for a few days, eating the breakfast he had cooked. The photo shows him washing up afterwards.
It's usually my job, but he insisted I sat down. Usually at breakfast and just after I feel very giddy.
It's usually my job, but he insisted I sat down. Usually at breakfast and just after I feel very giddy.
Labels:
breakfast
10m FT8 again
Yet again, I am on 10m FT8. At the moment, I am on RX only. So far this morning a couple of spots with best DX being DO9REF (526km). It is still very early.
UPDATE 1202z: Still no further 10m FT8 RX spots today.
UPDATE 1418z: Now 6 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today with best DX DJ1AA (660km).
UPDATE 1731z: Now 7 stations in 4 countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX today. The distances make me think these may be aircraft reflections, although some might be Es.
UPDATE 1202z: Still no further 10m FT8 RX spots today.
UPDATE 1418z: Now 6 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today with best DX DJ1AA (660km).
UPDATE 1731z: Now 7 stations in 4 countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX today. The distances make me think these may be aircraft reflections, although some might be Es.
Still waiting - NOT amateur radio
It is now April 17th and I have still not seen a swallow (migrant bird). There may have been a couple in the last few days flying over, but these were not definite identifications. Often, a few days after seeing the first I see plenty.
Labels:
swallow
Sunspots - Wednesday April 17th 2019
Solar flux is 74 and the sunspot number 11. A=6and K=1.
Labels:
sunspots
16 Apr 2019
Young me - NOT amateur radio
Oh to be that age again. I seem to have changed a lot since then. I think it was originally part of a school photo.
I seem to recall having the lapel badge as I was a librarian in the 5th year.
Notre Dame Paris - NOT amateur radio
The images of this world famous cathedral last night looked horrific and I was dreading seeing the photos this morning. Precious medieval ceilings and the spire have gone, but I was surprised just how much managed to survive. It will be rebuilt, although I may not be around to see it finished. Thick 850 year old walls stand some treatment!
See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-47945465
See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-47945465
Labels:
notre dame
Breakfast - NOT amateur radio
For the last few days we have had one of our sons and his family staying here. For that period he got breakfast. Normally, I do breakfasts. It was a real treat.
The photo shows him eating his breakfast today. They have now gone home.
The photo shows him eating his breakfast today. They have now gone home.
Labels:
breakfast
10m FT8 again
Yet again I am on 10m FT8. An earlier CQ call (2.5W) got no spots, but I have spotted 6 stations so far with best DX IU0MBJ (1471km). I suspect this latter one is Es.
UPDATE 1226z: So far today 8 stations in 4 countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1820z: Now 10 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1226z: So far today 8 stations in 4 countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1820z: Now 10 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX.
Sunspots - Tuesday April 16th 2019
Solar flux is 74 and the sunspot number 11. A=8 and K=3.
Labels:
sunspots
15 Apr 2019
Main Website
A reminder that my main website is at www.g3xbm.co.uk . Although not as frequently updated as this blog, it contains lots of data on my projects. At the bottom of most pages are links to further pages on the subject. If you are interested, you should find something to inspire you. Often my projects are simple ones.
Labels:
www.g3xbm.co.uk
Notre Dame fire (Paris) - NOT amateur radio
Notre Dame is a major cathedral in central Paris. As I write it is on fire and firefighters are battling to contain the fire. For the French it is a major disaster, visited by millions every year.
See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-47941794 .
See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-47941794 .
Labels:
notre dame
76GHz Cubesat?
Anything above 432MHz seems beyond me. 76GHz seems positively stratospheric! Apparently, according to Southgate News there is a new Cubesat from Australia that uses 76GHz.
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/april/australian-cubesat-to-use-76-ghz.htm#.XLTFQPZFy00
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/april/australian-cubesat-to-use-76-ghz.htm#.XLTFQPZFy00
Labels:
76ghz,
southgate news
Still waiting - NOT amateur radio
The earliest I have seen a swallow (bird) here is April 7th. It is now April 15th and I have still to see one here. These birds migrate, spending the winter in southern Africa. They fly around 6000 miles back here crossing seas and deserts. Often they come back to the very same nest! The return of the swallow is an important date in my year. It is a sign that what has happened long before I was around is still going on. I patiently wait.
Labels:
swallow
10m FT8
Since about 0900z I have been on 10m FT8 calling CQ initially. No spots as yet (1122z).
UPDATE 1744z: Only 2 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 with best DX being DL1DH (715km) in Bavaria.
UPDATE 2011z: The pits! Only 3 stations spotted all day on 10m FT8 RX
UPDATE 1744z: Only 2 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 with best DX being DL1DH (715km) in Bavaria.
UPDATE 2011z: The pits! Only 3 stations spotted all day on 10m FT8 RX
Sunspots - Monday April 15th 2019
Solar flux is 75 today and the SSN 11. A=4 and K=3.
Labels:
unspots
14 Apr 2019
Duxford - NOT amateur radio
Last Thursday my wife went to the air museum at Duxford. The photo shows my wife with one of our grandsons.
Labels:
duxfor
Still on 6m FT8 RX
6m FT8 is amazing with 9 stations in 2 countries already spotted (0852z). I suspect these are normal "flat band" tropo and aircraft reflections. Best DX so far is PA3EWP (291km).
UPDATE 2120z: 38 stations in 5 countries spotted in the last day on 6m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 2120z: 38 stations in 5 countries spotted in the last day on 6m FT8 RX.
Stations spotted here on 6m FT8 RX here in
the last day using the V2000 vertical omni antenna
|
13 Apr 2019
Very tiny VLF TX antenna?
Just possibly this research could lead to compact (inches only length) VLF transmitting antennae. This link was sent to me by Jay W5OLF, who designed my 10m WSPR beacon, which is still working fine.
See https://phys.org/news/2019-04-slac-compact-antenna-radios.html
See https://phys.org/news/2019-04-slac-compact-antenna-radios.html
Labels:
vlf
Captain Lapthorn - NOT amateur radio
On Thursday my wife took one of our sons and grandsons to the air museum at Duxford. The photo shows our grandson on (I think) Concorde.
Labels:
duxford
Interesting blog - EI7GL
John EI7GL in southern Eire has a very interesting blog and he usually posts the DX he is copying there on 10m. This is lots of other stuff too.
Judging by his results, I suspect my antenna is several dB down on his, at least in some directions.
See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/
Judging by his results, I suspect my antenna is several dB down on his, at least in some directions.
See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/
Labels:
ei7gl
6m FT8 RX today
After yesterday's success, I am again on 6m FT8 RX. As someone said, some of the signals copied here may have been aircraft reflections. Some may have been ordinary "flat band" tropo. As yet, no spots received here today on 6m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1315z: So far, 7 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX with best DX OH0Z (1498km) in the Aland Islands.
UPDATE 1652z: So far today 18 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX. Mostly G plus a couple of EU stations, probably Es but just possibly aircraft reflections.
UPDATE 2140z: In all, 26 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1652z: So far today 18 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX. Mostly G plus a couple of EU stations, probably Es but just possibly aircraft reflections.
Stations spotted here today on 6m FT8 RX
with the V2000 vertical omni antenna.
|
Sunspots - Saturday April 13th 2019
Solar flux is 77 today and the sunspot number 14. A=8 and K=3.
If we really are on the way down still, these are still pretty respectable numbers at this part of the cycle. Are the experts really correct?
If we really are on the way down still, these are still pretty respectable numbers at this part of the cycle. Are the experts really correct?
Labels:
sunspots
New amateur ULF distance record
Paul Nicholson posted this on a Facebook group earlier:
"After much computing effort by Jacek Lipkowski SQ5BPF, Stefan's 2970.1 Hz message sent on 6th April was successfully decoded from well beneath the noise in Warsaw, 975km away - a new amateur radio distance record at ULF. Eb/N0 was -0.4dB."
Stefan DK7FC is in Germany and is a great VLF/ULF experimenter.
"After much computing effort by Jacek Lipkowski SQ5BPF, Stefan's 2970.1 Hz message sent on 6th April was successfully decoded from well beneath the noise in Warsaw, 975km away - a new amateur radio distance record at ULF. Eb/N0 was -0.4dB."
Stefan DK7FC is in Germany and is a great VLF/ULF experimenter.
Labels:
ulf
12 Apr 2019
Wow! - NOT amateur radio
Today my wife took one of our our sons and one of our grandsons to the Zoology Museum in Cambridge. As you can see he was blown away!
This museum was recently refurbished. It is very child-friendly with free entry.
This museum was recently refurbished. It is very child-friendly with free entry.
Labels:
zoology
G3RJV - special SPRAT
As you may recall, the Rev George Dobbs, one of the founders of the GQRP club died recently. To many of us he was an inspiration. Certainly I owe him a lot.
This morning I received a very special SPRAT, the magazine of the GQRP club. This special edition was filled with tributes to this great radio amateur. As the years roll on, I hope we can continue to work QRP in his honour.
See http://www.gqrp.com/
This morning I received a very special SPRAT, the magazine of the GQRP club. This special edition was filled with tributes to this great radio amateur. As the years roll on, I hope we can continue to work QRP in his honour.
See http://www.gqrp.com/
Slowly creeping up?
Every few days I take a look at narrowband activity on the geostationary Oscar 100 satellite using the web SDR at Goonhilly in Cornwall. Although activity seems to be slowly creeping up, activity levels are much lower than I expected.
A few minutes ago I counted 8 SSB transmissions. Some were CQ calls and some QSOs. OK, at first it is bound to be microwave enthusiasts and it will be some time before traditional HF types wake up to it.
I suspect some will never join the fun unless there are commercial offerings equivalent to a "shack in a box" starting to appear. After all, if you can afford several thousands for a rig, a tower, beam, rotator and linear, then an Oscar 100 set up with 1 or 2 small fixed dishes with no noise or neighbour issues is a bargain. Don't forget DX from South America to SE Asia is available at any time without QSB. A few watts and a small satellite dish are all that are needed.
See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .
A few minutes ago I counted 8 SSB transmissions. Some were CQ calls and some QSOs. OK, at first it is bound to be microwave enthusiasts and it will be some time before traditional HF types wake up to it.
I suspect some will never join the fun unless there are commercial offerings equivalent to a "shack in a box" starting to appear. After all, if you can afford several thousands for a rig, a tower, beam, rotator and linear, then an Oscar 100 set up with 1 or 2 small fixed dishes with no noise or neighbour issues is a bargain. Don't forget DX from South America to SE Asia is available at any time without QSB. A few watts and a small satellite dish are all that are needed.
See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .
Labels:
oscar 100
Solar minimum
So the experts disagree! This sounds like BREXIT. One prediction thinks the solar minimum could further deepen. Another thinks we are already past!
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/april/solar-minimum-will-be-long-and-deep-experts-predict.htm#.XLCd5PZFy00
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/april/solar-minimum-will-be-long-and-deep-experts-predict.htm#.XLCd5PZFy00
Labels:
solar minimum
6m FT8 RX surprise
I was quite expecting to spot no-one at all. Instead, 6 Gs spotted so far. My antenna is the V2000 vertical omni with low cost (lossy!) CB cable.
UPDATE 1415z: So far today 17 stations in 3 countries spotted on 6m FT8 RX with best DX HB9SHD (761km).
UPDATE 1846z: 22 stations in 3 countries spotted today on 6m FT8 RX. Far better than I was expecting. The photo shows the stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX with the V2000 vertical omni antenna.
Spring garden - NOT amateur radio
Our back garden is probably at its best in spring with blossom and fresh green leaves as the picture shows. Blossom is ephemeral: it lasts a few weeks and then is gone.
Labels:
garden
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