Solar flux is 69 and the SSN 0. A=11 and K =3.
15 Sept 2020
14 Sept 2020
Solar predictions
The forecasts for the next solar cycle maximum varies from smaller than the last cycle to a huge high! All we can say is no-one really knows. I hope it is a decent one.
Narrow band TV
We have a very diverse hobby and there is only so much we can enjoy. One of my interests, although I have never tried it, is narrow band TV. This is how the first TV was sent with 30 lines on ordinary radio channels. These days there are digital scan converters to make NBTV from wideband signals. There certainly used to be a net on 80m where NBTV was sent. I suspect there are systems and software that allows NBTV to be watched on a PC.
Warning! NOT amateur radio
This photo appeared as a FB memory today. It is 10 years old. I remember being amused at the time and thinking people at the time would be pleased they did not drink!! :-)
Still no sunspots!
For several weeks now we have had no sunspots. By now I was expecting a few. It is not uncommon for this to happen, but we have seen no significant unturn yet.
13 Sept 2020
Beginning of the end?
According to Southgate News, the Brazilian authorities are considering abolishing all exams for radio amateurs. I think they are treating amateur radio as CB. I can see this happening around the world. From an administrative perspective you can understand that amateur radio is too much hassle.
North Norfolk Railway NOT amateur radio
A walk today took us to Waybourne station on the North Norfolk Railway. This was a 4.4 mile walk though Sheringham Park. We heard steam trains running.
12 Sept 2020
What a long way we've come
Baconsthorpe Castle Norfolk - NOT amateur radio
Just outside the sleepy village of Baconsthorpe in Norfolk is this hidden gem - Baconsthorpe Castle. It is about half a mile north of the village down a tatty farm track. There was hardly anyone there! It is maintained by English Heritage.
Blickling Norfolk - NOT amateur radio
Today we visited Blickling Hall in Norfolk. It is owned by the National Trust and has extensive gardens and a lake.
IARU preparation for WRC 2023
The IARU is already getting ready for the next World Radio Conference in 2023. It would be good if the first steps were taken leading up to an allocation at 8m.
See https://iaru-r1.org/
Sunspots - Saturday September 12th 2020
Still no sunspots! Solar flux is 69 and the SSN 0 still. By now I was expecting some sunspots. A=3 and K=2.
11 Sept 2020
Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk - NOT amateur radio
Felbrigg Hall remains closed, but the gardens, grounds, café and toilets were all open. The photo shows the plants mostly in the walled garden.
North Norfolk Railway - NOT amateur radio
Towers and beams
We have a very diverse hobby. My "thing" is getting around the world with simple, low power gear and simple wire antennas. Luckily we are all different and different aspects appeal to different people. Some like chasing DX and like high power, towers and big beams. My neighbours would have a fit!
10m WSPR TX
A number of years ago I designed and made this very simple TX for 10m WSPR based on low cost GQRP Club crystals on 14.060MHz. If you have suitable crystals you could easily duplicate it. There is still plenty of WSPR on 10m. If you want more power just add more PA transistors in parallel!
Castle Acre - NOT amateur radio
This is a delightful village on the way to North Norfolk. We stopped here for a coffee and bite to eat.
10 Sept 2020
Rose Crescent - NOT amateur radio
9 Sept 2020
Covid-19 videos - NOT amateur radio
Some months ago I was recommended the YouTube videos made by Dr John Campbell as a good source of data on Covid-19. Although I have only watched some, these do seem to be a good place to find decent data. As an example see the latest video.
17m FT8 RX
At the moment (0812z) I am on 17m FT8 RX using the small indoor loop antenna. One spot of a station in European Russia so far RA9DZ (3795km).
UPDATE 0952z: 13 stations spotted so far with RW0CR (8024km) in the Far East as best DX.
UPDATE 1837z: 42 stations in 4 continents spotted today on 17m FT8 RX so far.
UPDATE 2052z: 50 stations in 4 continents spotted on 17m FT8 RX in the last day. QRT soon.
D-star internet access?
OK, I admit my ignorance.
My question is, "can I access D-star using a computer only?".
At present I have no D-star equipped radios and was wondering if, like Echolink, one can access it using a computer? If you know the answer, please let me know.
As far as I know for DMR this is not possible.
Hard times ahead?
For a long time I have expressed my concern about the future of our hobby. One of the first things could be dealers stopping adverts. This may already be happening (see link).
With fewer adverts, national magazines will struggle. Amateurs will (on average) get older still and buy fewer radios. More dealers will close. Some will leave the amateur market. Magazines will get fewer and those that remain will be smaller.
The very nature of our hobby will change. It has already started.
One thing to be aware of is warranties. If a company ceases trading will warranties still be valid?
See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/september/waters-and-stanton-advertising.htm#.X1imeWjYq00
Cambridge - NOT amateur radio
North Norfolk Railway - NOT amateur radio
8 Sept 2020
Decorating - NOT amateur radio
432MHz activity contest
137kHz transverter
20m FT8
Overnight I left the 20m FT8 RX on. There were no spots during the night. Since breakfast there had been 10 spots of eastern European stations at 0648z. Still using the indoor loop antenna.
UPDATE 1245z: So far today, 110 stations spotted with 2 in the USA.
7 Sept 2020
20m FT8
15m FT8
Since just before lunch, I have been on 15m FT8 with the indoor loop. Apart from a very brief period, this has been RX only. With no spots at all, I suspect something is wrong. I am going to check!
UPDATE 1330z: Nothing untoward spotted, although there was a very high noise level on the band, possibly due to a local source?