15 Feb 2021
1908 harsh winter - NOT amateur radio
In 1961, my wife's grandmother wrote a letter to the Sheffield Star newspaper about the harsh winter of 1908 in the UK. We don't know how lucky we are and how hard life was.
14 Feb 2021
160m FT8 QRP (Sunday)
As an experiment, I am trying my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground on 160m FT8 using 2.5W. Immediately, stations across Europe were copied on RX. Already spotted strongly in Oxford on 160m FT8 QRP TX. Furthermost on RX is R9GM (3499km) in Perm.
Stations spotted on 160m FT8 so far with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground by 1830z |
UAE Mars orbiter - NOT amateur radio
Mars will one day be explored by humans. For now, we have oribiting satellites and robots on the surface. The recent UAE satellite has been put in an orbit around the red planet.
2m FT8 QRP (Sunday)
Once again I am on 2m FT8 QRP with 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far, spotted on TX by 8 stations with the furthermost GI6ATZ (479km) and one station spotted so far on RX. It is now 1052z.
If I come on randomly, the chances are high that I will be spotted in EI or GI. This is definitely some sort of scatter, although the randomness makes me think aircraft scatter is unlikely.
UPDATE 1306z: Several QSOs already on 2m FT8.
UPDATE 1418z: 19 spots of my QRP so far today on 2m FT8.
The USA - NOT amateur radio
Ex-president Trump has been cleared of impeachment. This is not too surprising as the senate would have needed a 2/3rds majority.
What I sincerely hope is that the USA can move on peacefully. Judging by the votes, he clearly has a large following in the USA, although I very much doubt most of those would have wanted the violence that erupted.
As a beacon of democracy, the violence that erupted some weeks ago was ugly and self-destructive. Now is a time to heal.
Earth-electrode "antenna" replaced
Yesterday, I replaced the wire that I used successfully on 472kHz WSPR TX with a very low ERP.
It was also used successfully on 160m and 80m.
As yet, it has still to be tested.
UPDATE 0940z: Tested on 160m and 80m. Still high VSWR. Totally puzzled.
UPDATE 1538z: I cleaned the contacts at the far end and the VSWR remained high on 80m. With the auto ATU it matches on 160m. I have not tried 630m, which needs the transverter. My conclusion is that over the years tree roots have grown and effectively shorted out across the "loop" in the ground rendering this "antenna" no longer useful. I may try 160m WSPR or FT8 tonight, but may remove it tomorrow.
Me 1968 - NOT amateur radio
13 Feb 2021
CDARC (Cambridge) talk
Last evening, the Cambridge radio club had another Zoom talk, this time on the monitoring station at Baldock.
This time, we also had a viewer in Russia! On previous times we have been watched in Canada and Northern Ireland. In all, 29 people attended.
Zoom has exceeded my expectations. Attendance is at least as good as a face-to-face meetings. At least with Zoom, the whole world can watch!
2m FT8 QRP (Saturday)
At 0945z, when we went for a walk, I went on 2m FT8 RX. Since getting back, I have been on TX too with 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna.
It is now 1145z and I have been copied on TX by 7 stations in 2 countries with the furthermost being GI6ATZ (479km). On RX, 20 stations spotted in 4 countries.
South Africa - NOT amateur radio
Nanowaves
Before my stroke, I enjoyed going out in the field to see how far I could cover, especially over the horizon using QRSS (very slow CW) with PC decoders.
Much greater distances would have been possible, then my health got in the way. 😕
All the gear was home made. This was one of the attractions: all the gear was simple, including the test gear.
This is a field of experimentation open to everyone. You may find some ideas on my main website.
Sunspots - Saturday February 13th 2021
Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 0 still. A=5 and K=2.
12 Feb 2021
2m FT8 QRP (Friday)
At about 1845z I QSYed to 2m FT8 QRP using 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far, my 2m FT8 QRP has been spotted by 8 stations with the furthermost being GI6ATZ (479km). It is now 1904z.
UPDATE 2120z: 13 stations have spotted my QRP TX this evening. Now QRP.
2021 481THz tests
So, today I dug out my optical beacon TX and RX and tried some tests across the house. Although I could find the RX, my TX beacon took some finding! This is mains powered. I eventually found it in a cupboard and did some tests.
Tonight after dark, I shall try bouncing the signal off the windmill.
The last test I tried was in early 2014, but I was too wobbly.
Small steps.
UPDATE 2200z: I tried "windmill bounce" and "tree bounce" on CW at 10 wpm but it was too easy! Signals were very strong. One thing is clear: I am much more wobbly than I was 7-8 years ago. I'd like to try much greater obstructed paths with QRSS, but wonder if I am up to it these days.
15m FT8 QRP (Friday)
This morning I am again on 15m FT8 with the tiny indoor loop antenna and 2.5W. So far lots of stations spotted on RX and EA8BFK (2882km) has spotted me on TX.
UPDATE 1400z: 63 stations spotted on RX and 5 stations have spotted my 2.5W QRP on TX.
Spots of me on 15m FT8 TX with 2.5W and the indoor tiny loop at 1535z |
126 years ago - NOT amateur radio
This photo shows where I come from in South Devon 126 years ago. What was rocks then is now sand. If it can come this fast (why?) I guess it can go as fast.
Kent snow - NOT amateur radio
11 Feb 2021
2m FT8 QRP (Thursday)
At 1842z I QSYed to 2m FT8 with the usual 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. At 1850z, I have been spotted by 6 stations on TX, although no stations yet spotted on RX here.
UPDATE 1935z: 1 station spotted on RX and 9 spots of my QRP on TX with the furthermost again being EI2FG (565km). The latter is every day.
Rallies cancelled
As we are still in the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic, a couple more rallies have been cancelled. The ones just cancelled are the Ballymena ARC rally on Feb 13th and the Harwell Radio and Electronics Rally in Didcot on February 14th.
More on our walk - NOT amateur radio
This collage summarises our walk today around the village. It was cold and sunny.
Winter walk - NOT amateur radio
15m FT8 QRP (Thursday)
In a few moments time, I intend to switch on my 2.5W QRP to the indoor loop.
UPDATE 1037z: Gear turned on and 4 stations spotted on RX and 1 spot of me already on QRP TX - EA8BFK (2881km).
4m transverter
G0KSC website update
As you may know, I like simple and small antennas that do not need towers and rotators. These have the advantage of being neighbour friendly.
Luckily we are all different which is one of the joys of our hobby. To many, big antennas help with DXing or EME. Each to their own.
The G0KSC website has been updated and this has a lot about antennas.
See www.g0ksc.co.uk
Reflections - NOT amateur radio
10 Feb 2021
Rant time - NOT amateur radio
Have you noticed that some things get worse over time?
My wife has a coat that she got many years ago, so she decided to buy a new one. It is thinner and has fewer pockets. She recently bought me some new pants - they are thinner and shorter. A new National Trust bag has fewer pockets. I could go on and on....
You can see what happens. The buyer tries to get the best "bang per buck" and has a fixed price. He asks the supplier to keep the price down so accepts some compromises to hold the price, hoping the consumer won't care.
Result? Thinner, poorer, material, fewer pockets. Basically poorer.
Rant over.
Recently seen flowers - NOT amateur radio
Yesterday's snow - NOT amateur radio
The last day on 2m FT8 using 2.5W
2m FT8 QRP (Wednesday)
The 2m FT8 gear was turned on early this morning. I am again running 2.5W to the big-wheel omni antenna.
UPDATE 0925z: 8 spots of my QRP including EI2FG (565km) again. If this is aircraft scatter (I have my doubts), it is there very often, which is why I wonder if some other form of scatter is involved on some paths.Elephants - NOT amateur radio