Operating Pedestrian Portable

This has been on before, but as it is holiday season, now is a good time to remind people. Some surprising results can be had out portable. Even though the power is normally low, the antenna can be optimised for the best angle and some remarkable DX can be worked, especially in the Es season on the higher HF bands and 6m.

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

2m FT8

At the moment, I am on 2m FT8 RX using the FT817ND and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far, 8 stations in 4 countries spotted today, with the best being DF7IW (612km).

UPDATE 0858z: A brief CQ call (2.5W to the big-wheel) was spotted by G4RRA (334km) in Devon amongst others.

UPDATE 1400z: A recent 2m FT8 CQ (about 10W to the big-wheel omni)) was spotted by 6 stations in 3 countries. At +3dB S/N I think the spot by F4HRD (182km) must have been aircraft reflection.

Sunspots - Monday August 19th 2019

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN 0.  A=6 and K =1.

Back to 2m FT8

A few minutes ago, I switched to 2m FT8 QRP (2.5W to the big-wheel omni). My best report on TX is G7RAU (461km) in Cornwall. On 2m FT8 RX the best DX is DJ6AG (689km).

The impression I am getting is that there are fewer stations now on 2m FT8. This may just be a "time of day" thing, but it could be people now know what is possible on this mode and band and are moving on.

Stations spotted this evening 

on 2m FT8 RX to 2118z

UPDATE 1925z: So far this evening, 7 stations spotted including 3 Germans.

UPDATE 2052z: Now 14 stations spotted on 2m FT8 this evening. Judging by previous occasions, I think this is normal "flat band" tropo although I guess it could be some aircraft reflections and MS.

UPDATE 2123z: Now 17 stations spotted on 2m FT8 this evening.

Yaesu FT991A

The dealer, MLS, has been contacted (web form) and I am awaiting a phone call tomorrow. This has been a good radio, but certainly in its current state, it is not fit for its intended purpose. If a software upgrade can fix this fine.

Oscar 100 - never seen it so busy!

As you know, I periodically check the Goonhilly SDR that monitors the narrowband transponder on this geosynchronous satellite. I have never seen it so busy! When I looked a few moments ago there were 10 SSB signals at once. I get the feeling that people are realising this is up and works and is a reliable route to DX.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/

QRP again on 6m FT8

Well, I decided to go back on 6m FT8 using the FT817ND at 2.5W. Almost immediately my CQ call was spotted by 4 stations with the best being SM7CAD (1140km). On 6m FT8 RX the most distant station spotted so far this morning is EA5BRE (1548km).

UPDATE 1330z: 79 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX so far today and a QSO with an HA7 earlier (I was using 2.5W to the V2000 vertical). Most of the time I have been on FT8 RX. We had an internet outage, so I may have spotted more that did not get uploaded to PSKreporter. Best FT8 RX DX is SV3BSF (2275km).

UPDATE 1342z: A recent 6m FT8 QRP CQ call was only copied by G8VR/P (69km).

UPDATE 1553z:  A recent 6m FT8 QRP CQ was copied by M1BXF only. So far today, 85 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX, many Es.

2m FT8

As reported in an earlier post, I am currently on 2m FT8 using the FT817ND (2.5W) and the big-wheel omni antenna. Best DX on TX is G4HGI (244km) and on 2m FT8 RX PD1BHZ (366km).

6m FT8 and FT991A bugs?

I think my FT991A has some bugs.

Yesterday I mentioned that I could not adjust the bandwidth to 3000Hz on 2m FT8 using USB digital. Now, the power on 6m FT8 is far lower and it looks like the audio to the PC is "different". On a different rig (my FT817ND) all seems fine. The antenna is the same.

Unless I can prove this is "finger trouble", I am afraid the rig is going back. This is a pity as the rig suits me well.

UPDATE 0845z: Back to the FT817ND. On 2m FT8 I have been spotted by 3 stations in 2 countries using 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. On 2m FT8 RX the best DX so far is ON3ML (236km).

15m Pipit QRP CW transceiver

It is amazing to think this was first designed and made in the 1980s! It worked some impressive DX in its day and worked very well with just a low wire dipole. At one time I used a borrowed trap dipole from G3TFX for 10m and 15m and even this worked well.

With just this rig on the bench, it looked quite empty! I am pretty sure this has been on the blog before, but it may give some people some ideas. You definitely don't have to spend much or have high power to have good fun! This rig was 800mW output. If you bought all parts new you'd probably get change from a £20 note.

The USB position just chose a VXO frequency in the SSB part of the band so I could have cross mode QSOs. Most QSOs were CW around 21.060MHz.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/15m_pipit

2023 WRC threat to 23cm band?

Southgate News reports that the 23cm band could be threatened at the 2023 WRC (World Radio Conference). The main issue is possible interference to Galileo satellite systems.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/august/threat-to-amateur-radio-23cm-band.htm

Sunspots - Sunday August 18th 2019

Solar flux is 66 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=2. Basically still poor.

What is it? - NOT amateur radio

This insect, about 2cm long, was climbing up our front wall here in the UK earlier. I think it is a cricket, but really I haven't a clue! If you know what it is, please let me know.

Old friends - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday, a couple of my wife's friends from her school teaching days popped around. The photo shows them in our lounge. My wife is on the right. They normally get together each year in the summer.

Iran tanker Grace 1 - NOT amateur radio

As Gibraltar has received assurances from Iran that this vessel will not break EU sanctions, they say it can sail. It was impounded as it was thought bound for Syria.

However, the USA now wants to seize it. I am not party to the USA's intelligence, but this looks like President Trump is out to show how tough he is in the run-up to the next elections. He may impress some, but not me. So far his foreign policies have seemed poor to me. Others may disagree.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-49379144

6m FT8 - amazing

Just now I called CQ on 6m FT8 TX. 7 people copied me with the best being 4Z5LX (3633km) in Israel. On RX 3 stations spotted with 2 probably being by Es. The Es season is far from over.

6m dead did someone say? Rubbish I say!

UPDATE 0937z: 31 stations spotted so far this morning on 6m FT8 RX with best DX being 5B4ALX (3259km) on Cyprus.  A recent CQ call got lots more Es spots, but no QSOs.

Stations spotted today on 

6m FT8 RX to 1135z.

UPDATE 1135z: Now 43 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX today as the map shows.

UPDATE 1812z: A recent 6m FT8 CQ was spotted by 4 Gs and nothing further.  Best was G0GGG (211km). The Es seems to have stopped for the day here.

UPDATE 1852z: Just now, I called CQ again on 6m FT8. Just 1 G spot by G1IDZ (182km).

Heathkit HW8

One of my favourite transceivers was the Heathkit HW8 QRP CW rig.  I bought this ready built from a local who later bought it back!

This rig covered the main HF bands and produced about 1.5W. It had a direct conversion RX. For a while it was my only rig.

You occasionally see these for sale and lots were modified, although mine was fine just as it was.  I liked it and worked some good stuff with mine using just low wire dipoles.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/hw8

6m propagation at this time of year

According to "the experts" the main northern hemisphere's Es season should be over. In my experience, 6m is good for European DX (even with QRP SSB) way beyond now and way into September.

With FT8, which can work with stations well below CW levels, stations are in the same few kilohertz of band. If 6m opens, even briefly, there are plenty of monitors able to catch the opening.

On CW or SSB, you have to have stronger signals and know where to look. Also, it is harder to look back at what happened over the day.

FT8 only occupies 50Hz of bandwidth and a single transmission only takes 15 seconds. If the band opens, even briefly, the chances are someone, somewhere, will notice. This why I like FT8.  I agree it is not a chatting mode, but it is an ideal Es mode.

When the band opens with F2 propagation, which it will do nearer sunspot maximum, FT8 should be ideal for brief openings, especially TEP ones N-S.

Sunspots - Saturday August 17th 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the sunspot number 0. A=5 and K=1.

DST100

We all have a tale to tell about how we started. Although I had been interested for several years, my interest was really started when my dad bought me a DST100 receiver from a local garage for £7. It was huge and needed 2 people to lift it. It was "attended to" by local amateur Roger Thorn G3CHN (SK) and this served me well for several years. I think it was designed for use in tanks in WW2.

In the 1950s and 1960s there was a lot of war surplus gear around and many of us used these as a start in amateur radio. Common receivers were the AR88, CR100 and HROs. These days new amateurs often buy a Japanese SSB transceiver.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/dst100

Enough? - NOT amateur radio

The UK pound has been gaining against most major currencies this morning. This may be a blip as BREXIT uncertainties continue. However, maybe the world has said, "enough".

International Politics - NOT amateur radio

The world is in a mess.

Britain is busy navel gazing and losing friends in Europe. North and South Korea have fallen out again, Israel continues to treat Palestine as if it didn't exist, the USA is spoiling for a war with Iran, civil war continues in Syria, Yemen continues to be fought over by proxi, Kashmir continues to be troublesome to Pakistan and India, the USA seems to want a trade war with China, and we have a climate crisis that the world chooses to ignore. These are to name but a few.

Oh for some common sense! Almost all these conflicts could be solved by compromise and talking.

6m FT8 today

Just a few moments ago, I switched to 6m FT8. Initially I called CQ with my best spot one from SP5ENA (1392km). I assume this was Es, but it could be aircraft reflection. At the moment, I am RX only.

UPDATE 1045z:  Unless my internet has been off most of the morning, this looks like a very poor morning on 6m FT8 RX with just 1 G spotted. I shall try another CQ call shortly. Probably more are monitoring than transmitting now that most think the Es season is largely over. This is a pity as I have found 6m open via Es way into September. As user numbers go down, this can lead to feeling the band is dead when it is anything but. With FT8, brief openings can be utilised and users are looking in the same spectrum space. Also, FT8 can work with signals weaker than CW.

UPDATE 1112z: A recent FT8 CQ call was spotted by 7 stations with my best DX being a spot by OH2FQV (1751km). So, there is some Es, just a lack of activity!

UPDATE 1238z:  My recent FT8 CQ was copied as far apart as Spain, Finland and the Faroes. As I said, many think the Es season has ended!

UPDATE 1338z: So, they tell me the Es season is over on 6m. Please tell someone then! The photo shows the stations that have spotted me already today using just the V2000 vertical omni antenna.

UPDATE 1454z: A recent 6m FT8 CQ call resulted in just 2 G spots and no QSOs.

UPDATE 1812z: So far 33 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX with the best DX being EA8BEV (3126km). No Es?

UPDATE 1934z: Today, I have been spotted by 27 different stations in 11 countries on 6m FT8 TX with the best DX being SV9CVY (2728km) on Crete.

UPDATE 2023z: I was about to go QRT, but found the 6m band wide open, so for now I am still on. In the last few minutes I have been spotted in Italy and Poland on 6m FT8. The Polish station was worked on FT8.

UPDATE 2055z: Now QRT.

160m FT8 overnight

160m FT8 RX overnight resulted in 117 stations being spotted in 3 continents. The earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground was used. 160m certainly was good.

Sunspots - Friday August 16th 2019

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN is still 0. A=4 and K=1.

160m FT8

As of a few moments ago (1855z), I am on 160m with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. An FT8 CQ call was spotted by a couple of stations with best DX F1TFT (353km). It is still light here. Nothing yet spotted on 160m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1915z: A recent FT8 call to PA1CC failed, but was spotted by 6 stations including HB9DSZ (822km).

Recent 160m FT8 spots of me using 

the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground

UPDATE 2008z: My recent FT8 CQ was spotted by 11 stations with my best DX being a spot by OL7M (1126km). No QSOs resulted. By the way, on RX my noise floor with this antenna is below S1.

UPDATE 2025z: On 160m FT8 RX my best DX so far this evening is LY3BRA (1573km).

UPDATE  2120z: On 160m FT8 RX my best DX is 5T5PA (3791km). This "antenna" certainly works!

Then they were gone - NOT amateur radio

Until a few weeks ago, the skies were filled with the sound of swifts screaming overhead. Then, one day you realise they are no longer here. A few stragglers may still be around. Indeed, we saw a single one in Norwich as few days ago, but most have flown south after warmth and insects. They fly thousands of miles returning next April or May. To me the sound of swifts overhead is archetypal English summer.

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

Butterfly - NOT amateur radio

 

This butterfly was spotted earlier today at Anglesey Abbey. We saw quite a few. Anglesey Abbey is about 5 miles away by car. We visit most months.

FT991A software bug?

When I returned to 144.174MHz FT8 earlier, the bandwidth was 500Hz maximum in digital USB. On 160m, 6m and 70cm it was 3000Hz. Now, this may be finger trouble, but I am sure that this was 3000Hz the last time I tried 2m FT8!  I am beginning to doubt my sanity. Reading the manual, I am none the wiser.

Anyone any ideas please?

Rally this Sunday

Sunday 18 AUGUST : RUGBY ARS RALLY

Princethorpe College, Princethorpe, Rugby CV23 9PY. Admission is £3 and the NGR for sat navs is SP395710. Doors open from 10am to 4pm, with traders having access from 8.30am. There is a car boot area. Catering is available on site. Details from Steve, G8LYB on 07956 855816 or email rally@rugbyats.co.uk www.rugbyats.co.uk.

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

Good optical comms site

On my own main website is some information (now very dated!) about my own experiments with optical communications at 481THz (red light). I was mainly interested in over the horizon, weak signal modes.

I was quite amazed to clearly detect my optical beacon over the horizon when nothing was visible in the sky. There were no clouds so I assume this was clear air scattering off dust particles.  This was using QRSS3 and a PC to "see" the signal. My own experiments stopped shortly after my 2013 stroke. I did try one experiment out portable since, but I was too clumsy. I have not tried anything portable since 2014.

All the gear needed is quite simple to make and all the test gear needed easy to fabricate. I made a very weak signal source using a very very dim LED to test the receivers. This was mounted near the ceiling of a darkened room. With a good RX this should be received OK. If you cannot detect modulation on a very dim LED your RX is not good enough.

I still have all my optical kit. If anyone local wants to borrow it to carry on the experiments, I'd be very happy. They must be local as I will want the gear back.

Another good resource is http://www.modulatedlight.org/optical_comms/optical_index.html

6m FT8

Lots of short pings on my waterfall, which I guess could be Perseids MS pings.

So far just a couple of Gs spotted my 6m FT8 TX CQ call just now.

On 6m FT8 RX 10 spots so far (0855z) with best being EA1TF (1164km) in northern Spain.

UPDATE 0908z: A very recent CQ call got only G spots. On 6m FT8 RX 11 stations spotted with best DX being IS0AWZ (1598km).

UPDATE 1010z: Now 15 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX, proving that FT8 allows the Es season to be seen going in far longer than many assume on 6m.  As 6m FT8 is so easy, I may QSY to 2m FT8 or even 70cms FT8.

UPDATE 1745z: It looks like the Es opening(s) today are over. In all, 26 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX. Soon be time to try another band.

Sunspots - Thursday August 15th 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the SSN 0. A=7 and K=1.

Out to old neighbours - NOT amateur radio

This afternoon, we visited our old neighbours for a cup of tea, so everything was turned off and disconnected fearing a thunderstorm. Although the power went off for a few minutes, we had no storms locally, so I have reconnected my radio gear and PC.

Nora Quoirin - NOT amateur radio

My heart bleeds for this girl's family. She had learning difficulties and was on holiday in Malaysia when she disappeared from her room. She was found dead a mile away in dense jungle. At the time of writing they are carrying out a post mortem. The family must be in a living hell.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-49340903

6m FT8

At the moment I am on 6m FT8 (RX mainly), but may go QRT later if there is any storm risk. On 6m FT8 TX 7 spots, mostly Gs with best DX HB9CQK (819km). On RX 5 stations spotted with the best being F1HMR (977km).

UPDATE 1112z: Now 23 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX, presumably many are via Es.

UPDATE 1641z: Gear was disconnected this afternoon, but now reconnected. 3 spots (all Gs) and 7 spots on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1912z: A recent 6m FT8 TX CQ call was spotted by 5 G stations, but no QSOs resulted. In total, 53 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX. As the Es seems to have stopped, I shall be going QRT shortly.

Thunder risk

We have a Met Office warning for possible thunderstorms later. At the moment I am on 6m FT8.

See https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?id=09df0131-989b-4f56-98fa-b14775c4344e&date=2019-08-14

Sunspots - Wednesday August 14th 2019

Solar flux is 66 and the sunspot number still 0. A=7 and K=2. Still poor.

UPDATE 1915z:  Latest K=1.

70cm activity contest

After about 30 minutes I (well my voice!) had had enough. With 10W pep SSB 4 stations were worked with G4CLA (105km) as my best DX.  Antenna is just the 2m big-wheel omni.

6m FT8

Since returning from Norwich, I have been on 6m FT8. On RX, 44 stations spotted in about 1 hour. On TX, 12 stations spotted me (no QSOs) with best DX report being from EA5BB (1505km).

UPDATE 2032z: Earlier CQ calls on 6m FT8 were spotted by 25 stations with the best being SV1DH (2430km). 2 QSOs resulted. On 6m FT8 RX 112 stations spotted.

UPDATE 2045z: QRT.