Oscar 100

My occasional listens on Oscar 100 (geosynchronous) suggest slightly higher usage in the narrow-band section. I listened in the early evening (in Western Europe) on a weekday. This is a far from scientific study!

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/

Have we past the solar minimum?

Although the recent days have been spotless yet again, the solar flux seems to be above 70 pretty consistently. Are we now on the start of the slow climb to the next solar maximum or is this just a blip? It will be some months before we can be certain.

Sunspots - Friday January 17th 2020

Solar flux is 72 and the sunspot number 0 again. A=5 and K=1.

472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP)

A few minutes ago I returned to 472kHz WSPR TX using 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. So far, 4 stations have spotted me as the table shows.

Stations spotting my 10mW ERP
on 472kHz WSPR to 1655 today

UPDATE 2016z:  Now spotted by 9 stations with best DX PA0LSB (326km).

UPDATE 2233z: 15 stations have spotted me this evening.

Stations spotting me this evening

Poster 2020 - NOT amateur radio

Since 2012, my wife has done a poster for the kitchen summarising our year. This is the one for this year.

Seen on Facebook - NOT amateur radio

This photo was on Facebook. The husband is at the bottom of the cake.

Random kindness - NOT amateur radio

Just now I went to the local co-op shopping. The man in front of me at the check-out bought and just gave a scratch-card to the lady behind the till. She was so pleased.

The world can be a cruel place, but such kindness gives pleasure to those giving and receiving.  We do well to remember that their are lots of kind people in this world.

In the past I have received generosity from others: they neither wanted nor expected thanks; they were just kind people.  It reminded me to try to be kind to others.

2m FT8

At about 1025z I switched to 2m FT8 calling CQ initially (10W to the big-wheel). No QSOs, but 4 spots including by DL6YBF (471km). On 2m FT8 RX just DL6YBF spotted so far this morning.

UPDATE 1152z: So far this morning, 5 stations in 2 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1318z: Now 11 stations in 6 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX today.

Stations spotted on 

2m FT8 RX to 1412z

UPDATE 1412z: Now 16 stations spotted in 6 countries on 2m FT8 RX today as the map shows.

2m AM

These days there is very little AM on 2m whereas at one time it was the only mode! The RSGB seems to have an aversion to AM and the 2m AM centre of activity (144.55MHz) appears as a begrudging footnote in the band plans every year. They bang on about worries over adjacent channels when AM transmissions usually occupy less spectrum than FM!!

AM can be quite effective on weaker signals than FM. Often AM gear (ex-PMR) can be found very cheaply. AM has a place and many newcomers are often totally unaware of this mode.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/2am

Sunrise - NOT amateur radio

We were treated to a dramatic sunrise earlier over our close as the photo shows.

Childhood pets - NOT amateur radio

The photo dates from the late 1950s and shows our pet hen and terrier eating from the same bowl.

160m FT8 overnight

Well it was a funny night on 160m FT8 RX overnight. Fewer North American stations copied, but 1 Caribbean and 2 South Americans spotted.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX overnight 

Seasons - NOT amateur radio

As I get older time seems to pass faster. It seems only a few moments since Christmas 2018. We blink and the clocks will be going back to GMT yet again. We adapt to darker evenings without even noticing.

Sunspots - Thursday January 16th 2020

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

160m FT8 RX

About 30 minutes ago I switched to 160m FT8 RX using the earth electrode "antenna" in the ground (see earlier post today for details). So far, 21 stations spotted with best DX RU3FM (2504km).

It will be interesting to see how many North Americans are spotted overnight. 

UPDATE 1730z:  30 stations spotted so far this evening.

Earth-electrode "antenna" in ground

As many know, this simple arrangement has given me great success on 1840kHz FT8 and 472kHz WSPR. I am sure a "proper" antenna and ground would be better, but for me, at 2 QTHs, it has worked.

On 160m QRP TX it has allowed me to be copied in North America! Although I used the mains earth at this QTH (you need to check if this is safe with your mains system), I used an external ground at my old QTH with the interconnecting wire on the ground with broadly similar results. My theory is this arrangement acts as a loop in the ground on VLF, LF and MF. At the old QTH I did not need the matching transformer.

Polyakov RX idea

For modes like WSPR, FT8 and similar you may find inspiration in this very simple RX designed many years ago for 10m WSPR. Although direct conversion and hence DSB, it worked well.

At the time I used very low cost GQRP 14.060MHz crystals, pulled up a little bit. For FT8 you would need low cost crystals at half  28.074MHz. The audio parts alone might give someone ideas.

BBC MW closures - NOT amateur radio

Southgate News has a further piece about BBC Medium Wave local radio closures planned.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/january/further-changes-to-some-bbc-local-radio-medium-wave-services.htm#.Xh7f8fKTLnE

2m FT8

On 160m FT8 nothing copied for 2 hours now, so  I have QSYed to 2m FT8. Initially I called CQ (10W to the big-wheel) and was spotted by 7 stations including 2 in Cornwall. Best DX was a spot by G7RAU (461km). On 2m FT8 RX 2 spots so far with F5APQ (180km) the best DX.

UPDATE 1104z: 6 stations spotted today so far on 2m FT8 RX. Best DX is G6YBV (261km).

UPDATE 1135z: So far today my 10W 2m FT8 to the big-wheel omni antenna has been spotted by 11 stations with best DX being PE7FG (445km). BTW, I am using WSJT-X v2.1.2. I get very annoyed when people call me after I have finished a TX CQ session. This happened this morning when I was called by a French station way after I had left the shack. Call me when I am on a  transmitting session, or you are very unlikely to a reply! If I am on TX calling CQ I always try to reply.

UPDATE 1155z: Currently 11 stations in 5 countries spotted this morning on 2m FT8 RX with best DX HB9MOZ (765km).

Poor on 160m FT8 RX last night

Overnight was poor on 160m FT8 RX. The number of North American stations spotted was the smallest seen all season. 317 stations spotted in the last 12 hours. Although no 160m expert it looks, to me, as if conditions are changing.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX overnight 

Sunspots - January 15th 2020

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 0. A=2 and K=0.

70cm activity contest tonight from 2000z

Although I am not really equipped for 70cm SSB, I shall have a go again using the 2m big-wheel and 10W SSB. Because of my poor voice I usually stop after about 40 minutes.

The band can be quite active, although with strong winds and rain, I expect some /P stations will stay at home! Often I manage over 100km on 70cm with this less than optimum set-up. If taking part, have fun. If you are really keen, the contest lasts 2.5 hours I think. My log is usually submitted by 2130z!

UPDATE 2100z: Well tonight with the high winds and rain, conditions were dreadful. After just 2 contacts I gave up and returned to 160m FT8 RX.

Return to topband FT8

A sort while ago I decided to QSY to 160m using the earth-elecrode "antenna" in the ground. My 10W CQ was spotted by 16 stations with best DX being SP1FJZ (1086km). On 160m FT8 RX 24 stations spotted within a few minutes with best DX being 9K2HN (4567km) in Kuwait.

UPDATE 1920z: Now 159 stations spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2200z:  313 stations so far spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX. Nothing from North America spotted yet.

UPDATE  2317z:  378 stations so far spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX with best DX WP4G (6803km) in Puerto Rico. No North Americans yet.

ERP solutions? - NOT amateur radio

Today I got an email advertising Microsoft's ERP solutions.

OK, I have been retired now for almost 12 years, but I have no idea at all what this is about!  Perhaps I am out of touch with modern acronyms used in industry. To me ERP stands for "effective radiated power".

Please would someone enlighten me, and some others?

UPDATE 1015z:  Enterprise Resource Planning. I Googled it!  Sounds a similar idea to throwing cushions to break ice at meetings - equally stupid.

6m FT8 RX

As I am out later at my U3A course, I am on 6m FT8 RX only, so I can monitor the band on my phone. I only go on TX on any band when I am at home and can turn things off within a few seconds. I prefer FT8 on HF, 6m and 2m as I can have basic QSOs.

At the moment, no spots.

UPDATE 1038z: A brief 10W 6m FT8 CQ using the V2000 vertical was spotted by one station G0SYP (222km). Otherwise, no spots.

A better session on 160m FT8 RX

Last night was better with far more North Americans spotted plus a couple of Caribbean stations.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX overnight 

with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground

Lundy - NOT amateur radio

Years ago I was fascinated by this island in the Bristol Channel. It has no cars and a turbulent history.

These days it is owned by the Landmark Trust and managed by the National Trust.

At one time it had a black rat problem which decimated some of the bird life. For some years it has been rat free and many of the bird populations have recovered.

See https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/Lundyisland/

2019 70cm activity contests

The results of the 2019 UKAC activity contests have just been published. In the low power section I came 78th out of 155 stations. Considering I was running QRP and a 2m big-wheel omni antenna and always on for less than 40% of the contest time, I am very happy with this. With a beam I am sure a lot better could be achieved.

See https://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/vhfresults.pl?Contest=432MHz%20UKAC&year=2019

The home QTH

The photo shows my QTH next to the windmill. You can just make out the V2000 triband vertical antenna on the side of the bungalow. Mind you, you have to know where to look!

CQ100 .io group

If you are a fan of "virtual" ham radio, you may want to join this group. As sunspot count is currently very low, this may appeal to some people who enjoy chatting. Although I have tried "virtual" ham radio, it did not appeal to me. It uses software and the internet to simulate the ionosphere.

Sunspots - Tuesday January 14th 2020

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 0. A=3 and K=0.

160m FT8 RX

A few minutes ago I QSYed to 160m FT8 RX using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. 57 stations spotted with UA9CGL (3793km) as best DX spotted so far this evening.

View from the London Eye - NOT amateur radio

Years ago we went with our sons and grandsons for a trip on the London Eye. This is the view west on a dull, wet day.

Flybe - NOT amateur radio

As I write there is a danger of Flybe collapsing. This airline is based in Devon and serves many airports around the UK and Europe. I hope this can be avoided.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51089118

2m FT8

A few moments ago I switched to 2m FT8. At first I called CQ (10W to the big-wheel omni) and now I am RX only. Best DX on TX was G7RAU (461km) in Cornwall. All the other spots of me (7) were by G stations. On 2m FT8 RX 3 stations in 2 countries spotted so far today.

UPDATE 1423z: 11 stations in 5 countries so far spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1751z : Now 21 stations spotted.

Stations spotted today on 2m FT8 RX 

UPDATE 2115z: About an hour ago I called CQ (10W) on 2m FT8. In all, 10 stations in 3 countries spotted me. On 2m FT8 RX 40 stations in 6 countries spotted so far today.

UPDATE 2144z: A recent FT8 CQ call on 2m was spotted by several stations including GI6ATZ (479km).

Hyacinths - NOT amateur radio

My wife was given a collection of hyacinths. These came out a few days ago and have given us much pleasure.

G3XBM shack and antennas

Just over a year ago I made a video showing the shack and antennas in use at that time. My voice is very poor!

Since then, I have made a few changes, but still mostly use FT8. There are other videos on the G3XBM channel, most made when my voice was OK!

WISPY

It is some years since I designed this TX. At the time I needed a quick and low cost way to TX WSPR on 10m.

I opted for a DSB TX using low cost 14.060MHz crystals and doubling. The PA used low cost transistors. These days many prefer FT8, although WSPR works with much lower signal levels.

You may find some useful ideas in the circuit even if you do not use it for WSPR. The site below also has a transceive option. This was breadboarded as separate RX and TX units but never tried as a full transceiver. It should work.

The same circuit (and the transceive option) should also work on PSK31. Just think of it: work the world for a few pounds!

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

Worst night yet on 160m FT8

Overnight 160m was the worst I can remember this season with just 9 North Americans spotted. Nothing from the Caribbean or South America. Again, using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. A week ago I was spotting more than 50 North Americans on 160m FT8 RX nightly!

160m FT8 RX stations spotted overnight

Sunspots - Monday January 13th 2020

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K =1.