Solar flux is 78 and the SSN 14. A=6 and K=2.
20 Jan 2021
19 Jan 2021
2m FT8 QRP (Tuesday)
At about 2020z, I QSYed to 2m FT8 QRP using 2.5W and the big-wheel omni. So far, I have been spotted by 4 stations on TX with the furthermost G7RAU (461km). On 2m FT8 RX just 1 station spot ted so far this evening.
UPDATE 2101z: already my QRP has been spotted by EI2FG (565km) as well as 6 others. On 2m FT8 RX I have spotted 4 stations with DL6YBF (410km) the furthermost.
UPDATE 2305z: QRT.
New digital mode coming?
Southgate News reports that a new digital mode may be coming later this year called Q65 as part of WSJT-X suite. I have just downloaded the latest release candidate for WSJT-X (2.3.0-rc3), but I have not checked if it is there.
See https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/Q65_Quick_Start.pdf
See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2021/january/new-digital-protocol-q65.htm#.YAbrz_GTLrc
Lunch out - NOT amateur radio
Funny how a trip to the local bakers is now exciting! I expect when this pandemic is largely over we will value the small things denied us all.
USA future - NOT amateur radio
Tomorrow the new USA president is sworn in. I hope that President Trump is magnanimous and his followers respect democracy.
Me in 1959 - NOT amateur radio
6m FT8 QRP (Tuesday)
It is now 1042z. For the last few minutes I have been on 6m FT8 with 2.5W and the V2000 omni vertical. 2 spots of me so far with the furthermost M0AGP (122km).
UPDATE 1102z: Now spotted strongly by OL7M (1128km). Winter Es or aircraft? Probably aircraft.
UPDATE 1112z: 5 stations have spotted me so far. Amazing. No spots on 6m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1152z: Just one station spotted on 6m FT8 RX so far today: G4FKA (206km).The photo shows the stations spotting me today so far.
18 Jan 2021
2m FT8 (QRP) Monday
I am mainly on 2m FT8 RX using the FT817ND and big wheel. When briefly on TX at 2.5W the report on G0LRD's (26km) grabber was poor, suggesting something is wrong either with the rig or antenna. On RX things seem to be as expected. Odd. The output power seemed low as if the SWR was poor.
The SWR looks fine, so this might be another fault in the FT817ND. Tomorrow I might try with a dummy load, and then the FT991A.
20m FT8 RX
It is now 1205z. For about an hour I have been on 20m FT8 RX with the FT817ND and the indoor loop. So far, 188 stations spotted on RX.
UPDATE 1434z: Now on 2.5W TX too. So far today, 424 stations spotted on 20m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1900z: 2 stations have spotted me on TX and 503 stations spotted on 20m FT8 RX today.
17 Jan 2021
2m FT8 QRP (Sunday)
At 1954z, I QSYed to 2m FT8 QRP using the usual 2.5W and big-wheel omni antenna. So far, 5 stations have spotted me with the furthermost being EI2FG (565km). This sort of range is always possible even with my QRP set-up. It is now 2002z. Nothing spotted on RX yet.
UPDATE 2225z: After 4 QSOs this evening, now QRT.
QSY to 20m FT8 QRP (Sunday)
As 10m was pathetic here I QSYed to 20m FT8 at about 1517z using 2.5W to the tiny indoor loop.
At 20m this is so tiny that it does not look like it could ever work!
At 1525z lots of USA stations already spotted. So far, 23 stations spotted on 20m FT8 RX, but nobody has yet spotted me on TX.
UPDATE 1810z: 1 station has spotted me on 20m FT8 QRP TX and 59 stations spotted on RX. The stations spotted are shown on the map.Church bells - NOT amateur radio
One of the things I've missed recently is hearing the local church bells ring. As well as the clock that strikes on the hour, there is a peel of bells used for change ringing.
10m FT8 QRP (Sunday)
For about 30 minutes I have been on 10m FT8 with the tiny indoor loop antenna and 2.5W. No spots yet.
UPDATE 1440z: Still no spots today.
16 Jan 2021
"A journal of the plague year" by Daniel Defoe - NOT amateur radio
Earlier, I read Defoe's book about his trip around Britain, which was fascinating.
This book on the plague was harder reading, but worth it.
See https://www.amazon.co.uk/Journal-Plague-Year-Illustrated-Daniel/dp/B086M2VZYN
2m FT8 grabber
New radios
Buying a new transceiver here is a big decision for me.
When I buy one, it is usually kept for many years. I quite fancy the IC-705 as a QRP enthusiast, but it seems expensive. I do not expect the price to drop unless they get real competition.
2m FT8 QRP (Saturday)
It is now 1257z and I have just turned on my 2m QRP - 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. Already 7 stations have spotted me.
UPDATE 1449z: 18 stations have spotted my QRP 2m signal so far today (see photo).
Hornet tree - NOT amateur radio
Another successful Zoom talk
I am a great fan of Zoom as we can enjoy the talks from the comfort of our own homes. Also, people around the world can take part. Of course, by holding "virtual" meetings, we miss the face-to-face contacts, but Zoom with video is far better than I expected.
Promise - NOT amateur radio
It is still mid-January and as I write we have cold driving rain.
136kHz beacon TX
15 Jan 2021
E-field probes
In the past I have used E-field probes very successfully on 136kHz RX and good ones can be quite as good (or better) than large antennas and can work from VLF to 30MHz despite being very tiny. Typical ones are just a few cms long.
One of mine, used taped to the window, is shown in the photo. Normally they are placed outdoors away from noise sources. They work because as antennas get smaller the signal level falls, but so does the noise. At low frequencies external noise usually dominates.
Winter promise - NOT amateur radio
2m FT8 QRP (Friday)
It is now 1125z and I have been on 2m FT8 for about 10 minutes. So far, my 2.5W to the big-wheel has been spotted by 11 stations on TX and 1 station spotted on RX.
UPDATE 1225z: 12 stations have spotted my QRP on TX and 14 stations in 4 countries spotted here on RX. 1 QSO.
UPDATE 1630z: 24 stations in 5 countries has spotted me so far today on 2m QRP TX with 2 QSOs.
UPDATE 1826z: 27 stations in 6 countries have spotted my 2m FT8 QRP so far today.
2m FT8 QRP (Thursday evening)
Last evening I was on 2m FT8 using 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. Although as usual I was spotted in EI and GI, not a single station was spotted here on RX. I am pretty sure all was working here. Odd.
14 Jan 2021
OFCOM report
OFCOM has published a report on emerging technologies. See the OFCOM website for more details.
ICOM IC-705
The nearest competition is the Yaesu FTDX10, but this is not a 5/10W radio and does not have 2m and 70cm, but does have an ATU and 4m.
Art with Ed - NOT amateur radio
15m FT8
At 0854z I went on 15m FT8 with 2.5W and the tiny indoor loop.
So far (0935z), 8 RX spots. It is a dreadful day outside: cold and rainy.
I get the feeling 15m is only just open today. I have seen far better days.
UPDATE 1322z: 9 spots of my 2.5W QRP FT8 so far.
UPDATE 1526z: 16 spots of my 2.5W with the furthermost K1CA (5246km). On RX 156 stations spotted with the furthermost YB3LZ (12245km).
UPDATE 1925z: 26 spots of my 2.5W to the indoor loop antenna today on 15m FT8 TX.