Solar flux is 80 and the SSN 11. A=3 and K=0.
Solar flux seems to be in the high 70s or 80s most days now.
15 Nov 2020
14 Nov 2020
Covid-19 locally - NOT amateur radio
Compared with many areas in England we are not bad. The table shows the state of play in our county. We live in East Cambridgeshire.
New normal? - NOT amateur radio
For those not in the UK, the National Trust owns some gardens, homes and wild places for the nation. Members can visit free and non-members can visit for a fee.
6m FT8
At 1417z, I QSYed to 6m FT8 using 2.5W to the V2000 vertical. If I spot anyone today, or if anyone spots me, I shall be pleasantly surprised.
UPDATE 1426z: Well, pleasantly surprised! M0MVB (31km) has spotted my 6m FT8 QRP already. As I recall he has a very good 6m antenna and station. We are probably cross polarised.
UPDATE 1807z: Just the single spot of me today on TX. 2 stations spotted on RX with the furthermost GW0GEI (308km) in west Wales.
UPDATE 2300z: QRT.
2m FT8 QRP
Since 0855z, I have been on 2m FT8 with the usual 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. It is now 0930z. So far, I have been spotted by a couple of stations with the furthermost being G4MSA (222km).
UPDATE 1400z: 6 stations in 3 countries have spotted me today with the furthermost being GI6ATZ (479km).
Antenna video
A friend, Chris, passed on the link to this old talk and demonstration about antennas. You might find it helpful.
For some reason, the video did not work, so I hope this link works!
See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEigIMS6bo4
13 Nov 2020
8m (40MHz) band
As far as I know, the blog of EI7GL has the best data on the 40MHz (8m) band. This was allocated in Eire some years ago and a few amateurs in Europe have been operating on the band with special permission.
70cm super-DX
Southgate News reports on some super 70cm DX in the Southern Hemisphere. They report on an FM QSO between South Africa and Saint Helena. This over 3100km!! Makes you wonder if they will work Cape Verde Is at some future date from South Africa especially with FT8.
See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/november/3000km-plus-contact-made-on-433-mhz.htm#.X67fv7uTLrc
2m FT8 QRP
17 stations spotted me today in 6 countries as the map shows. On RX 30 stations spotted in 6 countries.
Fungus - NOT amateur radio
Anyone for pizza?
Royal blood? - NOT amateur radio
Many years ago, my brother and I traced our family tree on my dad's side continuously back to the 1500s. We have an isolated record from 1428.
Now, each of us has 2 parents, 4 grand-parents, 8 great-grand-parents and so on. Going back to the 1500s I would have had about 8000 ancestors. Going back a few more generations and I would have had more ancestors than the whole population of England at that time! So, in all probability I am related to royalty, as are most in England!
If just one of these had not had children, I would not be here today. Sobering and humbling thought.
12 Nov 2020
OFCOM and short range radar
OFCOM has announced that some short range 24GHz radar for cars is to be made licence free. See the OFCOM website for more details.
Another cancelled rally
The West London Radio and Electronics show, that should have been at Kempton Park Racecourse this Sunday, November 15th, has been cancelled. Let's hope things are better next year.
Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio
2m FT8 QRP
It is now 1007z. For about 10 minutes I have been on 2m FT8 using 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far, I have been spotted by 4 stations.
UPDATE 1036z: Spotted by 6 stations in 2 countries. What amazes me about FT8 is that even with QRP the signal actually gets to where it is going. Every day I get spotted by stations at great range on 2m FT8 with 2.5W and the simplest of stations.
UPDATE 1055z: On 2m FT8 RX so far today 5 stations in 3 countries spotted. the grabber at http://82.71.9.63:8080/cap/ run by G0LRD is useful.
UPDATE 1844z: 30 stations in 5 countries have spotted my 2m FT8 QRP today.
UPDATE 2240z: 32 stations have spotted me today on 2m FT8 QRP with 1 QSO. Now QRT.
Stations spotting
me today
Amateur television
One of the aspects of our hobby I have never tried is ATV apart from SSTV reception. My SSTV reception was with some free software using a smartphone on the desk. It worked surprisingly well.
There used to be some interest in narrow band TV (30 or 32 lines) that used ordinary speech bandwidths much like the very early days of TV.
These days there is quite a bit of interest in digital TV as the bandwidths are narrower and we have some experimental frequencies near 70 and 144MHz. One local has been building the Portsdown 4 transceiver based on the Raspberry Pi.
11 Nov 2020
2m FT8 QRP
At 1935z I QSYed to 2m FT8 with 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. Already 3 stations have spotted me with the furthermost being G8TIC (170km). No stations yet spotted on RX.
UPDATE 1905z: 6 stations have spotted me so far today on 2m FT8. GI6ATZ (479km) is the furthermost station spotting my QRP on 2m FT8 TX. 3 stations spotted so far on 2m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 2250z: QRT. Several German stations spotted on RX.
Political correctness? - NOT amateur radio
Now, let me start by saying all people of whatever colour or religion have equal worth in my book. I have many friends of all colours and religions.
However, I was appalled that the head of the FA, Greg Clarke, felt compelled to resign when he referred to "people of colour" as "coloured" if I recall correctly.
This reminds me of the BBC sacking Carol Thatcher some years ago because she said someone looked like a gollywog. Years ago we innocently collected gollies on jam jars and really looked forward to the golly badge.
Personally I think we have all gone PC mad!! Soon we will be afraid to say anything in case we offend someone or get sacked.
ICOM IC-705
This still attracts me, although the price is too high. Now, if they were to throw in the 5 year warranty for "free", I might be more tempted.
As I have said before, you can buy it in France with VAT with a 3 year warranty for less than you pay in the UK. One thing is certain: were I to buy one in the UK the 5 year warranty would be free the month after! So far, Yaesu is still playing catch-up and we seem some time from a Yaesu equivalent. It seems ICOM has this market for themselves.
Every review I have seen for the IC-705 has been positive, although some think the lack of a stand or support is an omission. Will 4m TX coverage come with a firmware upgrade?
At one point my website tried to give the latest news, but YouTube has new videos every few days.
This month, even PW has a review. of sorts. I expect a detailed review in RadCom will be soon.
Exchange rate against the euro - NOT amateur radio
At the moment, the pound is appreciating in value against the euro. This may be just a blip or it may be sustained.
The big unanswered question is will there be a trade deal. I hope so, as this is in the interests of the UK and EU. Expect some brinkmanship in the next few weeks! If the UK leaves without a deal I think this would be the height of stupidity. Having said that, nothing would surprise me with Boris, the UK Prime Minister. He has some very similar traits to Donald Trump.
6m FT8
At about 1025z, I turned on my 2.5W 6m FT8 to the V2000 vertical omni antenna again. No spots yet. Yesterday, I was only spotted by a couple of Gs on 6m FT8.
UPDATE 1223z: No spots. At the moment, today is even worse than yesterday on 6m FT8! I shall stick with it for now. The problems are poorer conditions and fewer stations. I am quite surprised not to have been spotted by some Gs.
UPDATE 1430z: 2 stations spotted on RX with G4FKA (207km) the furthermost. Nobody has spotted me.
UPDATE 1620z: 2 Gs have spotted me today on 6m FT8.
Oscar 100 satellite - activity still low
Every few weeks I give an update on narrow-band activity through this geosynchronous satellite. I listened last night and this morning.
When I listened there were between 5 and 7 QSOs only on SSB, so plenty of room. I am sure the lack of easy commercial gear is stopping more people getting on. I guess compared with an SDR HF rig, the quantities are just not there. Also, there is the risk: if a part fails and the satellite just stops working the whole market just goes.
Last night's 70cm activity contest
In all, 6 stations were worked with 10W and the 2m (not 70cm!) big-wheel omni antenna. The contacts are shown on the map. This is a friendly contest.
10 Nov 2020
Practical Wireless QRP Contest
In this contest I worked just 3 locals when active. I was quite close to the bottom in the results.
The last time I seriously entered this contest (30-40 years ago?) I was using 1W AM and ran a large parabeam antenna /P from a good QTH.
This time we could not operate /P and only from home. My antenna is just the big-wheel omni antenna.
70cm activity contest
Unless I am mistaken, this evening, starting at 2000z, is the 70cm activity contest organised by the RSGB. I use 10W and the 2m big-wheel. As yet, I have not seen an email reminder. I usually stay on for less than 1 hour, although the contest lasts 2.5 hours.
UPDATE 1815z: Guess what? The reminder email has just arrived.
2m FT8 QRP
At 1433z, I QSYed to 2m (FT-817ND) FT8 with 2.5W to the big-wheel omni antenna. At 1445z, 3 stations had spotted me with the furthermost being G7RAU (461km) on the Lizard in Cornwall. So far today, just 1 station spotted and that was G8VDP (182km).
UPDATE 1520z: A quick look at G0LRD's grabber showed my QRP signal a little down on normal, so I have increased the ERP just a little by adjusting the SignaLink USB. See http://82.71.9.63:8080/cap/ . Now being spotted by 7 stations in 3 countries with the furthermost being EI2FG (565km). Also spotted by GI6ATZ (479km). If I got these ranges on 2m SSB with QRP I would be totally amazed. On 2m FT8 this is daily.
UPDATE 1800z: 18 spots of me so far today.
6m FT8
OK, I must like white noise!
For a change today I am on 6m FT8 QRP with 2.5W and the V2000 vertical omni. It would not surprise me at all if the whole day passes without any spots. Outside of the Es season people often leave the band. With FT8, there is some chance.
UPDATE 0945z: Well, I have already been spotted by G0PQO (50km) at -21dB S/N. This was almost immediate. So much for the whole day without spots!
UPDATE 1035z: I have been spotted by a second station! M1ABK (70km) at -18dB S/N. I suspect this is ordinary tropo i.e. these stations, if active, would spot me most of the time.
UPDATE 1430z: 1 station has spotted me and I have only been spotted by the 2 G stations earlier. I think I shall QSY to 2m FT8 shortly.
9 Nov 2020
OT2CARE
This is a special Belgian call that I spotted this evening on 2m FT8. At first I wondered if it was a pirate!
2m FT8 QRP
At about 1645z I QSYed to 2m FT8. So far (it is now 1652z) 6 stations in 3 countries have spotted my 2.5W to the big-wheel omni antenna. On RX no-one yet spotted.
UPDATE 1757z: 9 stations in 5 countries have spotted me so far on 2m FT8 today with the furthermost being GI6ATZ (479km). On RX 3 Gs spotted so far.
UPDATE 2055z: 18 stations have spotted me and I have spotted 8 stations.
Repairing the "better" 10m loop
This afternoon, I tried in vain, to mend my "better" 10m loop antenna. I failed.
Before, there was a distinct peak when tuned and the SWR dipped significantly on resonance. Sadly, just a few minutes of soldering work left me totally exhausted and giddy. I shall have to try again another day. After about 10 minutes of physical or mental work I am just knackered. Whether this is my stroke or just old age I do not know.
At the moment I am still on 15m FT8 on the "poorer" loop.
Covid vaccine - NOT amateur radio
There is news today of a Covid-19 vaccine. Already the stock markets have reacted positively. Hopefully this will be the first vaccine of many. 2020 has been a nightmare year. Let's hope 2021 is better.
History
I have been involved in amateur radio for over 50 years and in that time quite a few things have changed. On my main website there is a potted history of G3XBM in amateur radio.
15m FT8
It is now 0916z and I have been on 15m FT8 for about an hour with 2.5W and the tiny indoor loop antenna on the shack windowsill. So far, just 1 station spotted on RX and no-one has spotted me.
UPDATE 0950z: 12 stations spotted on 15m FT8 RX and nobody has spotted me yet.
UPDATE 1040z: 1 station in Germany near the Danish border DJ3LE (666km) has spotted my QRP and I have spotted 21 stations so far today on 15m FT8.
UPDATE 1235z: 3 stations have spotted me so far today.
UPDATE 1340z: So far today, 81 stations spotted on RX and 4 stations have spotted me with the furthermost being UA3D (2519km). With QRP and the tiny tiny loop indoors I am amazed that anyone spots me!
UPDATE 1512z: 4 stations have spotted me and I have spotted 107 stations today on 15m FT8 RX.
Connectedness - NOT amateur radio
Ever wondered if you are related to royalty? Well, certainly in Europe, you probably are.
I can trace my father's line back to the 1500s. Everybody has 2 parents, 4 grandparents, 8 great-grandparents and so on. Going back to the 1500s that means I needed over 8000 people to marry and have children. Going back just 10 more generations, way after Magna Carta, and I have over 16M ancestors, which is far greater than the whole UK population at that time!
Now I am sure some of my ancestors married distant relatives, so the number will be a bit less, but you get my point: if you go back far enough we are connected. If we go back to the time the Romans came to England certainly one of those is in my family tree.
This is humbling. Just think, we are only here now because those people had children. If just one had not, we would not be here now.
Sunspots - Monday November 9th 2020
Solar flux is 90 and the SSN 40. A=5 and K=0.
Humming again! Not sure what the latest forecasts for cycle 25 are, but we are off to a promising start.
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