2m FT8

6m has been given up and I am instead on 2m FT8. Initially I called CQ (2.5W to the big-wheel omni antenna) and was spotted by 10 G stations, although no 2-way QSOs resulted. I am now RX only.

My best report on TX was by G0OFE (229km).  On RX the best DX so far is F6KBF (387km).

It looks like the big DX opening is over.

UPDATE 2114z: Now 29 stations in 6 countries so far tonight on 2m FT8 RX.

Still surprises

On Oscar 100, the geostationary amateur satellite, activity levels do not seem to have increased on the narrowband transponder. I still cannot get over listening to ZS stations chatting away on 10GHz!

For some people this could be an answer, although most seem to enjoy the journey to communicating via the satellite rather than just chatting. Once they can do it, the "repeater in the sky" holds less interest.  It seems novel to be able to work DX from Brazil to South East Asia and the whole of Africa at any time without QSB.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/

Trump and North Korea - NOT amateur radio

OK, I admit that President Trump is not one of my favourite all time leaders, but credit where credit is due.

Meeting Kim in the Korean demilitarised zone and stepping into North Korea, although probably good for next years' elections, has probably done some good. All credit to him for taking the risk that he would be snubbed. Mind you, I am sure behind the scenes their aides were working hard.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-48814975

Getting older - NOT amateur radio

Late last year I turned 70. I am not sure if this is because I am getting (got?) old, but things feel somehow different.

Maybe it is the realisation that I may die next year or in 25 years. My health is likely to get worse as the years progress. Maybe it is the realisation that all that I want to do cannot be achieved. Memories become more important.

Some of these feelings may be as a result of my 2013 stroke.

Live for and in the moment. What will be will be.

More trans-Atlantic 2m DX

Southgate News reports on the EI7GL blog saying that the trans-Atlantic path from Cape Verde to the Caribbean has been worked again on 2m. Not only that, but the Cape Verde Islands have been spotted in Venezuela on 2m FT8. When will we see the first 2-way QSO from Venezuela to the Cape Verde Is. on 2m?

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/june/144-mhz-trans-atlantic-path-opens-up-again.htm#.XRiW9PZFy00 

Eddystone EC10 RX

When I was younger, I always wanted one of these. In the late 1960s they retailed for £48. They were, I think, the first transistorised communications receiver Eddystone made. The RX used OC171 germanium transistors and a low IF. Actually they were useless! The only good thing was the wonderful Eddystone dial.

A friend of mine had a dad who worked for Eddystone and he managed to get me a pre-production Mk 1 EC10. The entire 10m band covered about 1cm of dial and the image rejection must have been almost non-existent. By today's standards it was a useless RX. Mine was mainly used on 160m and 80m and as a tunable IF for 2m.

Even today I think they still command good prices on eBay, although this must be for collectors rather than performance.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/ec10

6m FT8 RX

This morning there is lots of Es on 6m FT8. Stations are being spotted from all over Europe with best DX on 6m FT8 RX  EA8DBM (3016km). Still no "real DX" on my modest set-up.  So far 65 stations spotted on 6m and it is just 0833z.

UPDATE 1010z: Now 94 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX this morning. As before, no "real DX"

UPDATE 1330z: Now 99 stations in 17 countries spotted today on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1345z: It seems the Es opening on 6m must have ended. No more spots now for some time.

UPDATE 1612z: With just 100 stations spotted so far today on 6m FT8 RX, I think the Es opening earlier has definitely ended. Es sometimes peaks again around teatime, so there is hope yet.  Nothing special here today. Nothing from the Americas or Caribbean. Nothing from Asia.

SAQ VLF (17.2kHz CW) transmission TODAY

A few times a year, the historic VLF alternator TX is fired up. Today is one of those rare times.

See  https://alexander.n.se/the-radio-station-saq-grimeton/saq-transmissions/?lang=en

Sunspots - Sunday June 30th 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the SSN 0. A=3 and K=3.

Interesting clouds - NOT amateur radio

When it comes to clouds I am definitely no expert!  Last evening, at about 2030z, there were some interesting clouds over "our" windmill next door, so I took a quick photo out of the lounge window. I think they are fibratus clouds, which are a form of cirrus, but as I said, I am no expert!

Front lawn - NOT amateur radio

In the heatwave last summer, part of our front lawn died and never recovered.

The rear lawn went brown, but fully recovered. It has, arguably, a bit more shade.

In the last few weeks I de-thatched the front lawn and reseeded it. Much to my surprise the seeds germinated (some in just 6 days) and the lawn already looks much better. Give it a few weeks and a grass cut and it should look quite good again.

The photo shows as it was and as it is now.

2m opening

2m has been wide open and could be good again this weekend. The map show the 2m FT8 RX DX spotted in the last 12 hours. Not bad for an omni antenna on a bungalow!

6m FT8

For about 30 minutes now I have been on 6m FT8. Initially I was on TX calling CQ with my 2.5W to the vertical omni V2000 (just G spots). I see that JA was being worked from EA8 on 6m FT8, although no JAs spotted here (again).

There is already Es on 6m with I , DL and EA8 spotted.

UPDATE 1252z: So far today 39 stations in 8 countries spotted on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1403z: Now 61 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX. Mostly EU by Es.

UPDATE 1514z: 4 North Americans now coming through on 6m FT8 RX with W2TT (5651km) currently the best DX. In total, 80 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX here.

UPDATE 1644z: Now 102 stations (8 North Americans) spotted on 6m FT8 RX today with best DX WA5ZFP (7455km) in Louisiana, USA.

UPDATE 2148z: 173 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX.

Sunspots - Saturday June 29th 2019

Solar flux is 65 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=1.

2m wide open

Stations spotting me on 

2m FT8 in the last hour.

A local friend in the village Richard G3TFX alerted me that 2m is wide open. He tells me he just worked a station in Windermere who was using a handheld and 2.5W. I decided to call CQ at 2.5W to the big-wheel with FT8. No QSOs yet (apart from 1 G), but reports from several European countries with the best report being by OZ1BEF (721km). I shall stay on RX when I go to bed. On RX best DX is SM7MMQ (930km).

UPDATE 1055z: My best report (me on TX FT8 at 2.5W to the big-wheel) is SQ6POM (1059km). 3 QSOs so far, all Gs). Off to bed so time to switch to RX only.

Gooderstone, Norfolk - NOT amateur radio

As mentioned yesterday, we visited Gooderstone Water Gardens in Norfolk yesterday. It was the first time.

For some reason, this gem of a place had passed us by. We were both surprised that it had not been mentioned by a friend, even though I have been hereabouts since 1970! It really was great.

Far East again being worked from Western Europe on 6m FT8

As often happens in June, the very long 6m path from Western Europe to the Far East is again being worked, at least by the better equipped stations. It remains to be seen whether or not I spot any with my very basic set-up here! I use a V2000 omni vertical fed with CB coax. There are plenty of Europeans being copied her via Es on 6m.

UPDATE 1133z: 63 EUs spotted on 6m FT8 RX, but no Far East here again 😕

UPDATE 1246z: 74 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX. At the moment my impression is that "real DX" is not as good as last season. Yes, I have spotted Europe, Asia, Caribbean and North America on 6m FT8, but I think this year there were fewer stations. OK, it is still June and things could still get better.

UPDATE 1552z: 121 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX. No "real DX" on my modest set-up!

UPDATE 2238z: Some minutes ago I QSYed to 2m FT8 (see later post).

Sunspots - Friday June 28th 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the sunspot number 11 (just be thankful it is not zero!). A=4 and K=2.

Frog or Toad? - NOT amateur radio

Today we went to Oxburgh Hall (National Trust) and then on to Gooderstone Water Gardens where we saw this little fellow. Pretty sure it is a frog and not a toad, but I am hopeless! See https://www.gooderstonewatergardens.co.uk/

Both places are in Norfolk, UK.

Rally

Saturday 29 JUNE (Saturday) : HOUGHTON-LE-SPRING ARC FREE RADIO RALLY

Dubmire Royal British Legion Club, Britannia Terrace, Fencehouses, DH4 6LJ. Doors open 10.15am (10am for disabled). The rally is open to trade, clubs and private sellers/exhibitors. Table space is limited so it will be allocated on a first come first served. There is no charge for sellers and is free entry as well. Donations welcome to the Royal British Legion Club. Hot drinks available and a licenced bar will be open from 11am. Bookings/info: Amanda Weston, M6LXK, 0778 715 5745, westona1@tiscali.co.uk.

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

Bury St Edmunds - NOT amateur radio

Bury St Edmunds has a fine market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Often fruit and vegetables are as good as in the supermarkets and far cheaper.

There is a small museum in the market square (at the back of the photo) called Moyses Hall in what is, I think, the oldest building there.

6m FT8 RX

In the last few hours 10 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX. Some could be Es.

UPDATE 0848z: Now 25 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX in 7 countries so far today. Some are Es, but I suspect some nearer ones are aircraft reflections as they are very strong and too near for Es.

UPDATE 1547z:  Now 77 stations spotted in 15 countries today on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1915z: 170 stations spotted so far with best DX on 6m FT8 RX being 4X4DK (3580km)

The summit prowler QRP SSB/CW, 4 HF bands

Hot on the heels of the Peregrino is the Summit Prowler from Australia.

See https://vk3hn.wordpress.com/2019/05/01/summit-prowler-6-a-pocket-sized-ssb-cw-transceiver-for-80-40-30-and-20m/

Sunspots - Thursday June 27th 2019

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN 11. A=6 and K=1.

New Pixie Kit

Steve G1KQH has told me about a new Pixie kit from China which now comes with a case.

See https://www.aliexpress.com/i/32988482921.html

Latest SPRAT and the Peregrino QRP SSB rig

The latest version of SPRAT has arrived. This is issue 179 of the GQRP club magazine. This has colour on inside pages too. I think this is the first time. Presumably it is cost-effective. It certainly looks good, making a good magazine even better.

On page 20 is described the Peregrino, which is a basic SSB transceiver for 17m. It all fits on a single, small PCB designed by a couple of Spanish stations. It uses only 84 parts.

Could we lose 2m?

France has proposed the re-allocation of the 144-146MHz band to aeronautical mobile.

In the distant past I seem to recall having to avoid certain spot frequencies in the EU 2m band, presumably as this band must have, at one time, been shared with aeronautical mobile services. If my memory is correct, this was a long time ago, possibly in the 1960s.

I suspect this would be discussed at WRC-2023 and implementation, if approved, could take a few years. In the end, I can see this becoming a shared band perhaps. With the low band occupancy, I cannot imagine much risk of interference. I guess they could make the higher band exclusive (145-146MHz) and the lower part shared (144-145MHz).

See http://www.arrl.org/news/no-strong-opposition-to-144-146-mhz-reallocation-proposal-at-cept-meeting

BREXIT uncertainty - NOT amateur radio

We seem to be sleep walking into one of the biggest political crises in the UK in hundreds of years. Personally, I think we are being "led" by a bunch of career politicians with little to commend them. And this is in all political parties! There is a real lack of politicians with backbone and integrity.

As for the EU and BREXIT I am convinced there is no plan, but lots of crossed legs and lots of hope. I think the country and UK parliament are deeply divided over BREXIT and it could be several years before wounds are healed.

My own views on BREXIT reflect many in the UK. We see the benefits of EU membership and want free trade and no tariffs, but want no political union and to have control over our borders and who lives and works here. Basically we want the EU with looser control and free of gravy trains.

6m FT8 CQ (2.5W)

Just before breakfast I called CQ on 6m FT8 with 2.5W to the V2000 vertical. No QSOs resulted but I was spotted by 8 G stations with the best being a spot by M0BEW (194km).

Since then, I see there is Es about with 47 stations so far spotted and it is only 0816z.

6m FT8 RX here to teatime

UPDATE 1653z: Now 158 stations in 21 countries spotted so far today on 6m FT8 RX. All were EU (apart from a couple in North Africa) with no "real DX".

Japan worked on 6m

Yesterday, I gather Japanese stations were being worked on 6m from the UK. I presume this was FT8 although I am not sure. I spotted nothing on my modest set-up!

These openings seem to happen every year at this time. I am sure big antennas must help.  It is 2 years now since I last spotted Japanese stations on 6m. That was JT65. In the last 2 years I have concentrated on FT8.

There seems to be a correlation between these openings and noctilucent clouds in the mesosphere.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/noctilucent

Sunspots at last! - Wednesday June 26th 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the SSN 24 (yes sunspots!). A=4 and K=1.

UPDATE 1635z: I see the SSN has dropped to 12 now. Well that excitement did not last!

Virtual Amateur Radio

Although these internet based systems have never really appealed to me, they may to some. It is like amateur radio without the ionosphere, using the internet instead.

See also https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/virtual

OFCOM and 3GHz spectrum for 5G

OFCOM has announced changes to the licencing conditions for major 5G players.

See https://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/32E3F5227ADB863C2540EF23F30FEDED/952AB8F022CBFC94BA4AF9908B8D85ED

Ads I hate - NOT amateur radio

One sort of ad I really hate is one that says "Brits must read this"  or similar. In my view, this is like click bate. One is encouraged to read and clearly the ad is, well, an ad. I presume this is a new way to get our attention. In future such ads will be avoided.

6m FT8

After an early morning QRP QSO with EA5/G0KSC (1591km) I have been RX only on 6m FT8.  57 stations spotted so far this morning on 6m FT8 RX. It is now 0830z.

UPDATE 0858z:  63 stations spotted so far on 6m FT8.

UPDATE 1543z: Now 190 stations in 20 countries spotted on 6m FT8 RX today with best DX EA8DBM (3016km). Nothing from "across the pond".

UPDATE  1844z: Now 239 stations spotted today with best DX spotted on 6m FT8 RX 5T5PA (3791km).

WRC-19

Southgate News has a piece on the RSGB papers for the next World Radio Conference. If things go to plan, this might see a worldwide 50-54MHz band for radio amateurs. Often, we are disappointed.

Personally, I'd prefer a much smaller allocation around 40MHz (8m), which would have been far more use and interesting.

See https://rsgb.org/main/news/special-focus/wrc-19/wrc-19-papers/
See also http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/june/144-and-1240-mhz-bands-rsgb-information.htm#.XRG1g_ZFy00

6m last evening

6m FT8 RX yesterday here

After a rather poor day yesterday, things livened up, although I had to disconnect everything because of the storm risk. Before closing, 5 North Americans spotted on 6m FT8 RX. Had I stayed on longer, there is little doubt others would have been spotted.

At the moment the storm risk seems distant, so I may reconnect the 6m gear shortly.

Windmill starlings - NOT amateur radio

Apparently starlings are in decline in the UK. Well, not here! The photo shows the starlings gathering on "our" windmill next door last night. They roost elsewhere, but gather on the windmill sails before flying off.

The photo was taken from our front garden.

Sunspots - Tuesday June 25th 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the SSN 0. A=3 and K=1.

Storm risks

It is just starting to rain and we have thunder forecast for the end of the night. Later, all antennas and mains leads in the shack will be disconnected. At the moment the nearest storms are hundreds of miles away. By the end of the night it could be quite different here.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortung/europe/index.php?lang=en