Sunspots - Tuesday August 6th 2019

Solar flux is 68 today and the SSN 12. A=35 and K=4 .

Trump NOT amateur radio

As usual, lead by example?  Inane comments.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-49230861

A blast from the past on 2m SSB/CW

Back in the 1970s, in the early days of 2m SSB, the most popular rig was the Belcom Liner-2.

Hot on its heals a few years later came the IC202 from ICOM. I had one of these and even used it on 10m with a Microwave Modules transverter. With internal batteries it could be used portable and even handheld. Some great DX was worked with it on 2m SSB and on 10m SSB using that transverter.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/ic202

Roses - NOT amateur radio

These fine roses are in a neighbour's drive. They are keen gardeners. They have a big garden that needs a lot of attention. The hedges alone must be 200m long. It's a good job they enjoy it!

Sunspots - Monday August 5th 2019

Solar flux is 66 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=1.

It still feels like sunspot minimum to me.

First FT8 160m QSO with new rig

160m FT8 log 
(stations that spotted me)

Earlier I worked G0BLB (211km) in IO81 in daylight on 160m FT8. This my first 160m QSO with the new radio. So, I think I have solved the mystery with the rig on HF and FT8. This was on the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Hopefully after dark some Europeans will be spotted.

UPDATE 2030z: My brief 160m FT8 CQ to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground resulted in 9 spots. The best was a spot by DJ9PC (821km). On RX my best spot on 160m FT8 RX is R2AL (2417km) near Moscow.

160m FT8 spots this 

evening of my CQ calls

UPDATE 2102z: A recent 160m FT8 CQ call (no QSOs resulted) was spotted by 15 stations with the best spot being by OL7M (1126km).

160m FT8 tonight

All being well, I intend to be on 160m FT8 this evening. I will be using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground with about 10W from the FT991A. As for the ERP, probably low mW!

On WSPR this (with even lower power) has got me to Sweden with this "antenna".

The 160m FT8 frequency is 1.840MHz USB digital. I have not tried FT8 yet on 160m.

UPDATE 1625z: I put out a couple of CQ calls, but no spots. I guess this is far too early as it will be light for hours yet.

FT8 issue fixed?

Yesterday I reported that I was struggling on FT8 RX on 20m, and other bands like 70cm RX. I knew the PC settings were right as these worked on 6m and 2m, so the issue had to be with the rig settings.

It appeared that the bandwidth settings on bands other than 6m and 2m was 500Hz. Setting this to 3000Hz seems to have fixed the issues. I am now receiving stations on 20m FT8 on 14.074MHz USB digital with the loop on the back of the rig. I have no idea why these settings were as they were. Maybe I can try 160m FT8 with the earth-electrode "antenna" tonight?

On TX with 8W I have not had any spots yet, but at least there are now RX spots from all over Europe on just the tiny loop.

UPDATE 1342z: Best DX on the tiny loop on 20m FT8 RX is RA1OD (2920km). Another CQ call got no spots.

80m QRP - the XBM80-2 transceiver

About 7 years ago I designed this ultra-simple QRP transceiver for 80m. It managed some local QSOs. These days, following my stroke, designing and building things is hard.

There is a YouTube video too shown here.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/80m_xbm80

Crossing the channel - NOT amateur radio

Today, a Frenchman crossed the channel between England and France by flyboard. I prefer the shuttle!

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-europe-49226353/man-crosses-english-channel-by-flyboard

Sunflower - NOT amateur radio

This sunflower in a garden down the road (complete with bee!) just had to be photographed.

Amateur signals from the Moon?

Southgate News reports on an AMSAT and ARISS initiative to get amateur involvement in the next NASA visits to the moon. They calculate path losses will be about 30dB higher than low earth orbit stations.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/august/amsat-and-ariss-designing-amateur-radio-system-for-lunar-gateway.htm

6m FT8 - Es?

Stations spotted today on 

6m FT8 RX to 1147z

Just now I reconnected my 6m gear and called CQ using FT8. Although no QSOs resulted I got 8 spots with my furthermost report coming from GS8VL (753km) in the far north of Scotland. This is further than many stations in Germany, so probably Es. It does seem odd that I tend to spot more northerly stations towards the end of the Es season. Maybe the things that trigger Es occur more frequently later in the season?

Interestingly, I have so far spotted no stations on 6m FT8 RX. There is no Es (here at least) to the south. Maybe there was Es to the north, but few stations.

You may recall I just use a V2000 vertical omni antenna.

UPDATE 0817z: As there were no spots at all on 6m FT8 RX, yet there were Gs copied I began to suspect my internet connection. I have reloaded WSJT-X to see if this makes things better and reconnected the wi-fi. Still quiet here.

UPDATE 0904z: Just 2 Gs spotted so far today on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1150z: With 19 stations now spotted on 6m FT8 RX, it looks like there is Es. Best DX spotted is IZ8FDH (1657km).

Sunspots - Sunday August 2019

Solar flux is 65 and the SSN 0.  A=5 and K=1.

Flying ants - NOT amateur radio

Black garden ant (Lasius niger). The queens are 

much larger than the worker ants. 

© JvL via Flickr (licensed under CC BY 2.0)

A few years ago our bedroom was inundated with flying ants. Since then we have seen just a few in the house. On a walk around the village today we saw quite a few and there was one in the lounge a few minutes ago. This is the first time I have seen these this year.

See https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/when-why-winged-ants-swarm-nuptial-flight.html

Erotica? - NOT amateur radio

Bet you didn't know that my wife's namesake wrote erotic novels? Well, she does! I have to confess I have never read them. I think you can get them via Amazon UK too. A quick look showed 6 pages on Amazon UK of Lapthornes, mostly books by this lady. I have never met her.

A search of Lapthorn on Amazon UK shows 3 pages including books by my nephew Nicholas Lapthorn, who is a geographer.

I bet this post gets quite a few hits!

See https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1311754.Merc_and_Her_Men

What am I doing wrong?

Up to now, I had not used my FT991A on any HF band because I had no antennas. Then I remembered I had a small loop antenna that can be tuned anywhere from 40m-10m. OK, I was not expecting great results, but I was expecting to spot stations and be spotted by some. I set the power down to 10W just in case the loop antenna had a power limit. It was some years since I last used this, so could not remember.

As far as I was aware all the FT8 settings were as for 6m, but it sounded different. In the end I spotted nothing on 20m or 30m. I am convinced this is "finger trouble". At some point I will say, "Of course! That is what's wrong.". It sounds like the PC is not getting the audio from the rig, but all the settings seem correct. I am using the SignaLink interface I am currently using on 6m and 2m. Odd.

In the meantime I am back on 6m FT8. On 6m FT8 things sound normal.

Patio flowers - NOT amateur radio

The flowers on our patios and in the hanging baskets have been pretty good this year. The picture shows some of these.

Swifts - NOT amateur radio

It is now August 3rd and I have not noticed the swifts (birds). During May, June and July they are a very common summer migrant. They feed and sleep on the wing. During August most fly south. Suddenly we look up and notice they are no longer there. A few stragglers may stay a bit longer, but most will have started their long journey south. They usually return in late April or early May.

To me, their antics on the wing and their screams are part of an English summer. Safe travels and I hope to see you next summer.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/

6m FT8 - no early Es here, but some later

Today, I am again on 6m FT8. On 6m FT8 RX 2 G stations were spotted so far (0855z). On TX 5 stations spotted me, but all were Gs. As yet, no Es seen here.

UPDATE 1037z:  No 6m Es today? As of now, just 4 G stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX today. You get the feeling the main Es season is ending.

UPDATE 1117z: Well there is Es on 6m FT8 today, with Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Scotland on 6m FT8 RX this lunchtime.

UPDATE 1633z: 16 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX and my CQ was spotted by 16 stations in 4 countries with best DX a spot by EC1CT (1065km) in northern Spain.

UPDATE 1815z: Now 19 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX today with EA8AQV (2989km) being the best DXs as the map shows. No "real DX" here today.

UPDATE 2105z: Now going QRT, so check 6m for a massive opening that I am just about to miss!  😒

Sunspots - Saturday August 3rd 2019

Solar flux is 67 today and the SSN 0. A=8 and K=1.

Dahlias - NOT amateur radio

Most months we visit nearby Anglesey Abbey, a National Trust property, to walk around the extensive grounds. Every summer they have a great show of dahlias. At the moment these are not quite at their best, but some are already wonderful, as the photo shows. There was one on the blog yesterday, but I could not resist sharing this one too!

The Tenner 10m CW QRP transceiver

Apart from summer Es, 10m is not the best DX band. Give it a few years, it may be quite different and 10m DX should be easy with QRP.

Perhaps now is the time to get building. Remember that all of Europe can be worked with QRP every May, June and July. Once the F2 openings really get going the USA should be workable with QRP regularly. In both cases, just a low wire dipole is all that is needed - no beams, nothing big in the air.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/10m_tenner

Facebook and Microsoft Edge - NOT amateur radio

For the last few weeks it seems as if my browser (Edge) is blocking all "push" notifications from Facebook. I am also unable to post. With Firefox all works. When I tried to turn "on" Facebook push messages FB would not allow me to turn this "on".  It is almost as if an update to Edge is preventing this. Anyone else seen this?

Giddiness - NOT amateur radio

Since my stroke in 2013 I have felt giddy on my feet. In the last year this has got worse. Not only that, but all car driving has become more stressful. Even a 4 mile trip to Tesco fills me with dread. When I drive I seem to be OK. My wife says I am the same as ever and it is all in the mind. 45 mph feels like 70-80mph to me! I am aware I must drive slowly and this embarrasses  me.

Es this season

There have been some spectacular 6m openings this Es season. These include Europe to North and South America, the Caribbean, Japan and even Australia. However, here this season, 6m Es has been less good than last year.

This summer, I have copied North America and the Caribbean but not South America or the Far East. The last time I spotted Japan on 6m was in 2017 with JT65. For 2018 and 2019 I have concentrated on FT8, which is less good than JT65 on weak signals. My antenna system is just a V2000 vertical omni. This is probably 10dB down on better equipped stations.

Although better equipped stations are able to copy some of this "real DX" it suggests with my set-up I struggle.

6m FT8

Overnight I stayed on 2m FT8 RX. Although a few new stations were spotted late yesterday, very little new this morning, so I decided to go on 6m FT8 instead.

On 6m FT8 RX just a brief CQ by an LA7 (called but not worked). On 6m FT8 TX I was spotted by 8 stations with the best spot being by OZ9QV (861km).

UPDATE 1114z: Now 17 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX with the best DX spotted EA8AQV (2989km).

UPDATED 1402z: Now 30 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX.

Sunspots - Thursday August 2nd 2019

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN 0. A=8 and K=1.

By-election - NOT amateur radio

At the moment people are still voting in a by-election for their new MP. The outcome should be known in the morning.

UPDATE 2120z: Voting has now closed.

UPDATE Aug 2nd 0844z: The seat was won by the Lib-Dems.

2m FT8

A recent 2m FT8 CQ was spotted by 13 stations with best DX being DL6YBF (471km) who called and worked me. On 2m FT8 RX I have spotted 5 stations in 4 countries.

UPDATE 2111z: Now 12 stations spotted in 5 countries today in the last few hours.

6m FT8

Since lunchtime, I have been on 6m FT8. After a QSO with an EA4, I have been RX only. So far, 34 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX. All were European apart from 1 North African. At the moment my theory about Es openings later in the season favouring more northerly stations seems a load of rubbish with most stations being in southern Europe. Ah well, you cannot be right all of the time!

UPDATE 1850z: 49 stations spotted so far on 6m FT8 RX and my CQ call was copied by 26 stations with the best report being by CN8LI (2114km) in Morocco, N. Africa.

The 2 edged sword - NOT amateur radio

Like many, we want to support our local shops. We use our local baker, butcher and co-op shop. However, when our local chemist had no nail scissors and doubted they'd be getting more my wife turned to Amazon and they arrived within a few days.

Yesterday we ordered some new sheets and pillow cases via Amazon. I was able to track the delivery man's van and told my wife he'll soon be here. In just 24 hours they arrived at our doorstep. In the end I am sure high street shops that want to survive will alter their working models. In the next 20 years the high streets will undergo radical change.

Part of me wishes things were as they were, but the Amazon model is surely the way of the future. Like King Canute and the Luddites, one cannot stop the inevitable: we either change or die. In the next 20 years a lot will change. This not just the high street shops. Think of churches and other institutions. As people get older and die so will many institutions. Amateur radio tends to be an old man's hobby in many places. Where will that be in 20 years?

Dahlias at Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio

Usually there are good displays of dahlias at Anglesey Abbey. This year they are not quite at their best. In another week or so they will be. The photo shows one earlier today.

Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio

This is a nearby National Trust place we try to visit most months for a walk around the gardens. At this time of year schools are on holiday and it can be quite busy. We went early before the hoards arrived! The bridge in the photo was recently repaired by one of our neighbours.

UK rallies this Sunday

Sunday 4 AUGUST : 30th KING'S LYNN ARC GREAT EASTERN RADIO RALLY

Gaywood Community Centre, Gayton Road, King's Lynn, Norfolk. PE30 4EL. NGR is TF638203. Doors open at 9am, traders have access from 7am. Admission is £2.50 with free car parking. There will be trade stands and a Bring & Buy. There are Amateur Radio pitches outside as well as tables in hall. Onsite catering. Details from Ted, G4OZG on 01553 768701, 07946 838656 or Jeff, G6YPJ on 01366 727997, 07999 426025 or Email rally@klarc.org.uk www.klarc.org.uk.

Sunday 4 AUGUST : CRIANLARICH RADIO RALLY

Crianlarich Village Hall, Main Street, Crianlarich, Perthshire FK20 8QN. Organised by Lomond Radio Club, the doors will open at 10am. There will be a Bring & Buy, traders and RSGB Bookstall. Catering will be available on site. Contact Bill, mm0elf@blueyonder.co.uk for further details.

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

70cm FT8

After a brief outing on 6m FT8, I am now on 70cm FT8. At first I called CQ (no spots) and am now RX only. I am on 432.174MHz horizontal with the big-wheel 2m omni which normally gets me 100km on SSB in contests.

UPDATE 1112z: Success!! G0KTN (211km) managed to spot me on 70cm FT8. This was success at first try! Thank you Trevor. On horizontal using the 2m big-wheel omni, where the match was not so good, I could only run 14W. Trevor copied me on this. A later transmission with the V2000 vertical (good match) was at 50W but got no spots. I am now back on 6m FT8.

Sunspots - Thursday August 1st 2019

August already!

Solar flux is 66 and the sunspot number 0.  A= 8 and K=1.

Updated solar data

Early in the new month I look forward to reading the latest solar predictions. These are usually available by the 2nd of each month. With the solar conditions so dire in July, these are especially important as, until now they have forecast that we have passed the solar minimum.

In my view we are only now at, or near, the solar minimum. In the past, solar minimum conditions have lasted for many months. With luck, 2020 could see conditions start to improve, but only time will tell. In the meantime, we have to make the best of things. With luck, 10m could again be our best DX band again in a few years.

UPDATED 1855z: This page (see below) has now been updated and is still showing that we may have passed sunspot minimum.

See http://www.solen.info/solar/

G3XBM YouTube channel

A reminder that many of my projects are featured on my YouTube channel. Often a video helps to explain what is on the G3XBM website.

See https://www.youtube.com/user/G3XBM
See also www.g3xbm.co.uk

472kHz transverter

A few years ago my design for a simple 472kHz transverter was published in the ARRL journal QST. It is also on my website. Several derivatives have been constructed including a version using SMD parts.

Although simple and low power, it has been copied as far north as Norway on WSPR. Although the transverter produces 10-15W output, the ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" is a measured 10mW.

Now is the time to get ready for "the season" which tends to start in the autumn. In the summer months quite a few stations desert the band. This transverter and a simple earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground are all that are needed to get on the band.

Certainly with more power and a "real" antenna and ground system better results can be expected, but this "KISS" approach you can get over 1000km on WSPR on winter nights.