10m FT8

At about 0830z, I QSYed to 10m FT8 calling CQ with 2.5W briefly. Since then I have been on 10m FT8 RX. Not entirely unexpectedly, no spots this early.

UPDATE 1003z: Still no spots.

UPDATE 1315z: Just 2 spots on 10m FT8 RX so far - G0OPI (229km) and MM3NRX (516km).

UPDATE 1657z: Just 4 UK stations all day. Very disappointing on 10m FT8 RX. Soon be time to QSY to MF.

3Y0I Bouvet Island

Southgate News reports on a possible second attempt to activate this very rare DXCC country as long as funds cover it.

It appears that mounting such DXpeditions to inaccessible places is very expensive. If you are a DX chaser (I am not) you may want to considering chipping in.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/november/3y0i-bouvet-island-dxpedition-news-preparations-resumed.htm

472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP)

Overnight and last evening my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground was spotted by 14 stations with best DX being LA9IY (1374km) up in Norway. The table is arranged in distance order.

Sunspots - Tuesday November 5th 2019

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=1.

472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP)

As 10m is probably of little good now, I have decided to QSY to 472kHz (630m) WSPR TX with my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. I have just QSYed at about 1840z. In among the first 4 spots was DL/PA0EHG (493km).

With 7 unique stations spotting me within 20 minutes, this is looking promising.

Every time I TX on 472kHz WSPR about 3-5 stations seem to spot me. In the last hour 8 different stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 2150z: So far this evening, 12 stations have spotted me on 472kHz WSPR. See table arranged in distance order.

BREXIT and UK elections

Basically I have given up on our politicians Just before an election they all make rash promises that rarely get changed into actions. They are all guilty of it! As my mother-in-law said their promises are like pie crusts.

As for BREXIT, most have lost the will to live, whether we voted "remain" or "leave" the EU. It seems few in politics or the UK can agree or even agree to disagree!

Mothercare - NOT amateur radio

When our children and grandchildren were very little, Mothercare was a great High Street shop. Today we hear they have called in administrators and 2500 jobs are at risk.

It seems nowhere in retail is safe on the High Streets in the UK and probably elsewhere. There is no doubt our shopping habits are changing as more and more of us shop online for more convenience and often better prices.

Only today my wife chose to buy a new tablecloth online. Otherwise it would have been a 26 mile round trip only to find out it was probably not in stock anyway.  The whole order online took 3 minutes and the tablecloth will be here this week. We ordered some leather balm online on Saturday and it was here Sunday.

No, our retail habits are changing.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-50287153

Miracle Antennas

For some years now I have hosted Yahoo Groups on Sub-9kHz amateur radio, VHF AM and Miracle Antennas. Yahoo is effectively ending its groups, so new groups have been created at .io . As an example see https://groups.io/g/miracleantennas.

To migrate a group costs $110 in the first year, whereas starting a new group is free. Of course you lose the message archive, photos and files unless these are manually transferred when a new group is created.

Windows or Chromebook?

Our lounge PC is an HP Pavilion running Windows 10. We have had it for several years now (I cannot yet find out when we got it - does anyone know how to interrogate the PC to tell me?) and it is mainly used for web surfing and local picture storage (these are backed up). I am seriously tempted by a Chromebook as I think this would serve this purpose fine. I'd need to add a big memory micro SD card for local picture storage.

I do not run any amateur radio stuff on this PC. I know the Chromebook would not run Windows programs; there may be a way, but I have not looked i.e. a bit like Wine on Linux OS. The advantages of the Chromebooks would be fast boot-up, few viruses (if any), much less bloatware and low cost.

Anyone got any views they'd care to share?

UPDATE 1220z: The BIOS of the Pavilion is late 2016.

LF and MF RX

Over a year ago I bought an E-field probe from PA0RDT. It has still to be erected!

In the meantime I have been busy on 472kHz WSPR using my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground using 10mW ERP.

My idea was to concentrate on 136 and 472kHz RX with the EFP high up in a tree. As ladder work would be needed, and I am no good on ladders these days, this may have to wait.

The tree I want to put the EFP up at the top of is the silver birch, which has still to shed its leaves. See photo. It is furthermost from all nearby houses.

See  https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/mflf/winter

WRC-19 Egypt

As many know, WRC-19 is taking place currently in Egypt to discuss spectrum issues, some of which have an impact on amateur radio. Discussions have just started and there are several weeks to go.

See https://rsgb.org/main/blog/news/gb2rs/2019/11/03/wrc-19-day-5-dont-count-your-chickens/

FT8 (and other digital modes) frequencies

If you are like me, you forget frequencies of various digital modes and need reminders. As an example when I went on 10m FT8 at first I went on 28.174 whereas the correct FT8 frequency is 28.074MHz. When in doubt I look here. He has a series of frequencies listed by mode.

See https://www.qsl.net/sv1grb/psk31.htm

10m FT8 RX

Although I briefly called CQ with 2.5W, I am now on 10m FT8 RX. As yet, no spots.

UPDATE 1005z: Just one spot so far: G0OYQ (177km).

UPDATE 1105z: Now 2 10m FT8 RX spots with best DX being RA2FL (1343km).

UPDATE 1209z: So far 4 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today. 3 are Gs.

UPDATE 1430z: 5 stations in 3 countries spotted so far today on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1848z: Now 7 stations in 3 countries spotted today on 10m FT8 RX. I noticed an EB8 earlier calling a W6 that did no make it to PSKreporter. In the "good old days" W6 would probably be California. These days it can be anywhere in the USA. Stupid FCC I assume.

472kHz WSPR overnight (10mW ERP)

Although I did not reach Norway last night, 14 stations spotted me as the table shows. Not a bad night, once I had my setting correct!

River Ouse, Ely - NOT amateur radio

As I mentioned yesterday, we went for a walk in Ely yesterday. This is a view of the River Ouse which runs through the city. Delightful even on a dull day.

Sunspots - Monday November 4th 2019

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN 13.  A=2 and K=0.

Julian G4ILO's blog

Julian died 5 years ago from a brain tumour. He was a great amateur who was well liked. Even now, I still get people coming here having read his blog! His blog is still there and it is a fitting tribute to a brave man.

472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP)

Although I have not got "split" working currently on the FT817ND, I am on TX again, with the antenna current back to what I expect on DIG. I am still awaiting spots to confirm TX is working correctly.

UPDATE 1807z: Although everything seems OK, I have got no spots so far. Antenna current looks normal, the transverter PA is running cool as normal. Time has just been resynced. Anything else wrong? Is the WSPRnet website not working properly?

UPDATE 1927z: At last some spots! When I did the reset I had to select DIG as USB-U. Before it was something else, so I was probably on the wrong frequency, which probably explains why I was getting no spots. Split still does not work on the FT817ND, so I am just on WSPR TX this evening and overnight. So far, 5 stations have spotted my 472kHz 10mW ERP WSPR. Best DX was a spot by 2E0ILY (209km). With brain fog it has been very hard getting to the bottom of why things were not working.

UPDATE 2015z: 7 stations have spotted me so far this evening with the best being in The Netherlands. I am really pleased I found out why I was getting no spots.

UPDATE 2207z: Now 11 stations have spotted me this evening with best DX being a spot by PA0LSB (326km).

2m FT8

On TX several spots again with best DX The Netherlands and the Isle of Man. On 2m FT8 RX 6 spots so far (to 1611z).

UPDATE 1636z: Now 7 stations spotted with best DX spotted PD3FRA (408km).

Repairs

I soldered several joints on my 472kHz ATU but still nothing in DIG mode from the FT817ND. On AM, it works. So, either I have some "finger trouble" with the FT817ND in digital mode or there is fault. I tried both front and rear connections and both seem the same (works on AM but not on DIG). I also tried "split" mode, making sure both RX and TX were on DIG. Still it insisted on 474.2kHz TX whereas TX should be on 80m. At the moment I still hope this is me rather than the rig. My brain is so fuzzy. For now I have left it.

UPDATE 1552z: Well I think one fault has been found. When I moved the lead from my SignaLink USB to different rig the plug would not go in. After bending the lead, it inserted fine. I suspect this is why the DIG was not working. I shall try on 472kHz WSPR TX tonight. It is quite hard when you have brain fog.

Ely - NOT amateur radio

It was not raining, so we decided to do a walk around Ely this morning. This is a delightful city (as it has a magnificent cathedral) with some lovely walks by the river and up to the cathedral. The first photo shows the view from near the Maltings towards the city. The River Ouse is just behind us.

The second photo shows the cathedral from a nearby meadow.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ely,_Cambridgeshire

The next solar peak (cycle 25)

At the moment the indications are for the next solar peak to be the same or slightly larger than cycle 24. Of course it is still too early to be sure, but I hope the signs that we are not going to experience another Maunder Minimum are correct.

Compared with several years ago the solar peaks are much smaller, but at least 10m was pretty good for several years around even the last peak.

See https://solen.info/solar/polarfields/polar.html

FT817ND split

Someone has reminded me that the "split" mode on the FT817ND only works if VFOa and VFOb are on the same modes. It is just possible that after the resets I forgot to put the TX frequency on to DIG. Later I will try again. It is far more likely to be "finger trouble" than a fault. I do hope so.

UPDATE 1608z: Split still not working!

Sunspots - Sunday November 3rd 2019

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 13. A=2 and K=2.

Brain fog - NOT amateur radio

This may be old age creeping up, but I think it is another artefact of my 2013 stroke.

I am nearly always tired and my brain feels foggy, as if living in a bit of a daze. Of course, others are unaware, but I find physical or mental tasks much harder. Years ago, with a clear head, I would apply logical thinking to problems. It is much harder now.

Intermittent?

When fiddling with the split mode on my FT817ND I noticed no antenna current on 472kHz from my transverter. When I went back some hours later I checked the 3.2MHz oscillator was running by listening on another rig - it was. To my relief the antenna current was normal. Then it disappeared again. My brain was too foggy to investigate, but it looks like an intermittent in the antenna matching. I shall investigate tomorrow and make a few soldered connections.

Finger trouble with FT817ND?

For reasons I do not understand "split" seems to be working again on the FT817ND. I have not done anything, so perhaps it only works from just one of the VFOs? Anyway, with luck, I can be RX and TX on 472kHz WSPR again tonight. Mystery.

Without "split" my operation on 472kHz was restricted to TX or RX sessions. Now, I should be able to go TX for 25% of the time and RX for 75%.

UPDATE 1758z: Well the "split" ICON is back, but I cannot get it to program! This may be me (finger trouble) or a real hardware fault.

Rain - NOT amateur radio

Today looks like it will be "the pits" of a day.  Already it is raining heavily and there is strong wind forecast. A good day to stay home!

MLS "deals"?

As usual, MLS has sent me an email with their deals this weekend. I am not exactly excited.

The FT991A is selling at £1189.95 after a £135 cashback.  Seems to me like a price hike has been slipped in and this is not a great deal.

ICOM IC-705 transceiver

As many already know, I am a keen QRP man and low power suits me fine. In the past, very few radios have excited me, but the ICOM IC-705 does. When it eventually appears in the UK (late 2020?) I can see myself getting one.

It is 5W from the attached battery and 10W from an external PSU. It covers 160m-70cm including 4m in the European version. This is SDR based like the IC7300 and well suited to my sort of operating. My main bands are 10m, 6m and 2m using FT8.

I can see it appearing in Japan first and then in the USA and Europe. I hope they add an auto ATU in the production units as this seems an omission in a rig that is supposed to be used in the field. Maybe they should make it slightly deeper and include this and a better heatsink?

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/ic705

472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP) overnight

Last night was good with spots from Norway and Finbar in the north of Eire. Altogether very satisfying. The table is in distance order and shows the stations who spotted me in the last 12 hours on 472kHz WSPR.

Mud - NOT amateur radio

Every year they have a splendid set of dahlias at nearby Anglesey Abbey. However, the grass in front is always badly churned up. In recent years they have tried to address this issue, but failed. This year they restricted access until the end of August, but now it is a sea of mud. They really want gravel, but this will not look as good of course.

10m FT8

Although a recent FT8 CQ call on 10m was spotted by no-one, I have already spotted 7 stations on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1030z: Now 23 stations in 8 countries spotted here on 10m FT8 RX in the last couple of hours. So far, all are Europeans.

UPDATE 1255z: 52 stations spotted this morning on 10m FT8.  A recent 10m FT8 CQ was spotted by no-one, which rather surprised me.

UPDATE 1530z: Still 52 stations spotted, suggesting that whatever sort of opening we had is now over. A recent 10m FT8 CQ again was spotted by no-one.

Sunspots - Saturday November 2nd 2019

Sunspots return!

Solar flux is 71 and the sunspot number 11. It looks as if the more active side of the sun is now visible again.  A=4 and K=0.

Revised solar data

My favourite site for solar data was updated today.  The candidate for sunspot minimum was June 2019. If correct, we can expect conditions to improve, on average, for several years. Of course, it is still too early to be sure.

See http://www.solen.info/solar/

5MHz newsletter

Southgate News reports that the 5MHz newsletter is now available for free download. I have tried 5MHz WSPR in the past.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/november/latest-edition-of-5-mhz-newsletter.htm

472kHz WSPR TX

Yet again I am on 472kHz WSPR TX for the evening and overnight running 10mW ERP. So far 10 stations have spotted me with best DX being PA3FNY (330km)

472kHz (630m) WSPR TX overnight

Not a bad night with my 10mW ERP being copied by 15 stations (see table). Norway was not reached again last night, but a fair smattering of reports.

13 of the 15 stations spotting my 

10mW ERP on 472kHz WSPR overnight

10m FT8

Today, I am on 10m FT8 with a bit more power (around 15W). A recent 10m FT8 CQ at about 0900z was spotted by no-one, but on RX a couple of stations already spotted with best DX spotted being IV3FGT (1143km) near Venice.

UPDATE 1040z: Now 8 stations in 6 countries spotted today on 10m FT8 RX with best DX spotted so far being EA8ACW (2988km). Results this morning confirm once again that many people have moved from WSPR to FT8. It also confirms that 10m is far from dead!

UPDATE 2024z: For some time now I QSYed to 630m WSPR, but today was a revelation on 10m FT8. I had 1 QSO and copied 37 stations including ZB6WN (8932km). This outside the Es season and at sunspot minimum!

Sunspots - Friday November 1st 2019

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 0. A=8 and K=3. Are we seeing the start of a slight improvement?