Back on 472kHz (630m) WSPR

Since about 1714z I have returned to 472kHz WSPR. Best TX DX (5mW ERP) is G8HUH (250km).

WSJT-X v1.7

One thing to be aware of with WSJT v1.7 is the TX watchdog timer. I was on 10m JT65 and was wondering why the "TX enable" kept going off. Then the penny dropped. There is a TX watchdog  timer which by default is set to a number of minutes. If beaconing, this has to be set to "never" so the TX continues. Since adjusting this, I have had no further problems on JT65.

Bridge at Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio

Everything looks wintery at this time of year. It is little wonder that Christmas, and before that a pagan festival, is held close to the winter solstice.

Another month and new growth starts to appear clearly. By mid January there should be some snowdrops and daffodils. Dark nights, short days - roll on spring!

Sunspots and 10m - Friday December 23rd 2016

Solar flux is 74 today. Sunspot number is 12.  A=24 and K=4.

10m JT65

We should soon see the small winter peak in Es bringing more Europeans in on 10m JT65. I returned to 10m after breakfast using WSJT-X v1.7 after an evening and overnight on MF (630m). On MF the best TX DX was again DL-SWL (701km).

As yet, no 10m spots.

Winter Trees - NOT amateur radio

Anglesey Abbey, near Cambridge yesterday. There were a few daffodils out at the end of November last year but none this year. Just one patch of snowdrops so far. Another month and things will really be happening.

472kHz (630m) WSPR

For the last few hours I have been on 472kHz (630m) WSPR (5mW ERP) using WSJT-X v1.7. I expect to remain on MF overnight. Best DX is again DL-SWL (701km) but this may be bettered during the night. There was a new reporter G4ETG (44km).

Burwell Museum - NOT amateur radio

See https://www.facebook.com/burwellmuseum/

May I suggest ALL locals visit in 2017? It is probably the biggest and best local museum, certainly in the area and probably in the whole of the UK.  A real gem with so much to see and do. When they can't go, our little grandchildren cry!

Return to 10m JT65 (with WSJT-X v1.7)

My shack PC did a Windows update and WSJT v1.7 installed perfectly without me needing to manually install any missing files. I suspect my earlier issue may have been due to the Windows update.

Anyway, I am now back on 10m JT65, but as yet no spots.

Winter Sun - NOT amateur radio

We live next door to a windmill. Here it is bathed in winter sunshine.

OFCOM and 3.6GHz

OFCOM are looking at the 3GHz region of the spectrum and are consulting. This part of the microwave spectrum could be where 5G goes. With all this attention on parts of the spectrum ripe for commercial use (i.e. money), I hope this results in amateurs getting more access to low VHF and other less popular slices of the spectrum e.g. at HF, MF, VLF and ULF.

See https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-3/changes-to-spectrum-trading-regulations

Shack PC and WSJT-X v1.7

Later today, I shall again try to install WSJT-X V1.7 on my shack PC and get active on JT65 again. If all else fails, I can swap the lounge and shack PCs, but that should not be necessary.

5MHz in Germany

My German is poor, but I think the Germans have been granted early access to the WRC15 15kHz wide band at 60m (5MHz).

I have said many times before, it would have been better if CEPT countries were allocated a contiguous 100kHz wide 60m band. 15kHz is good, but a wider band would have been so much better.

As the solar conditions worsen, the 60m band will become very important. As a secondary allocation, I am surprised that a contiguous wider band is not being allocated as many countries have daft allocations in channels, which differ around the world.

See http://www.darc.de/der-club/referate/hf/aktuelles/

SAQ this Christmas Eve?

Encouraging news from Sweden following the recent fire at SAQ (17.2kHz VLF):

"We are now planning for the traditional transmission with the Alexanderson 200 kW alternator on VLF 17.2 kHz on the morning of Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24. The message transmission will take place at 08:00 UTC and the transmitter will be tuned up from around 07:30 UTC.

Since the plant is old, there is always the risk that the transmission will be cancelled with short notice. An updated information will be published on our website www.alexander.n.se.

There will be activity on Amateur Radio Frequencies with the call SK6SAQ.
Frequencies: - 7,035 CW or 14,035 CW

QSL-reports on the SAQ transmission or SK6SAQ are kindly received via:
- E-mail to: info@alexander.n.se
- or via: SM bureau
- or direct by mail to:
Alexander - Grimeton Veteranradios Vaenner,
Radiostationen Grimeton 72
SE-432 98 GRIMETON
S W E D E N

The radio station will be open to visitors.

Welcome!

Yours
Lars SM6NM"

Low cost 10GHz

My thanks yet again to Southgate News for finding this very low cost approach to 10GHz. My friend G6ALB has also been using these low cost motion sensor modules at 10GHz.

See http://home.deds.nl/~knol/HB100/

Sunspots and 10m - Thursday December 22nd 2016

Solar flux is 75 today. Sunspot number is 15. A=23 and K=4, so things look quite disturbed.

WSJT-X V1.7

As yet, I have still to install V1.7 of this software on the shack PC. On another machine it installed OK. We had visitors this afternoon and I am still doing my tax return online. Basically I ran out of time.

Christmas Tree - NOT amateur radio

My wife took this photo of our Christmas tree earlier. My birthday is Friday and one son is coming up tomorrow. I hope we have a peaceful Christmas.

Winter Solstice Dec 21st - NOT amateur radio

So, we are at the turn of the year and the days get longer from now. Not before time! Although I enjoy all seasons and enjoy cosy dark evenings, I prefer lighter and longer days. The one thing I do not like is just how fast time seems to fly: it seems no time since the summer.

January always feels a long,dark month, but February flies by. Then it is March and spring is coming and lighter, brighter days.

Sunspots and 10m - Wednesday December 21st 2016

Solar flux is 77 today and the sunspot number 25. A=6 and K=1. Not too bad.

No WSPR or JT65 currently

As mentioned in an earlier post, I am downloading WSJT-X v1.7 to my shack PC, but it failed saying it was missing a dll. I have a clean copy of the file and have emailed it to myself and will try to reinstall on the shack PC later with this dll installed first. Until then, I am not currently active.  With Christmas, operation is likely to be intermittent!

WSJT-X and missing Qt5core.dll

WSJT-X V1.7 (available now from https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html) successfully installed on one PC but not on my shack PC saying "Qt5core.dll" was missing. Version 1.6 installed on the shack PC fine earlier this year.  I am no Windows expert and have not a clue what this is! BTW both PCs use Windows 10.

Does anyone know where I can get a free and virus free copy of this file please?

More OFCOM

OFCOM has outlined why it is reviewing the Wireless Telegraphy Act licences held by the BBC for its TV and radio services across the UK.

See http://ofcom.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/i/4AD2C82AB9E3890B/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

Sunspots and 10m - Tuesday December 20th 2016

Solar flux is 73 today. Sunspot number is 12. A=5 and K=1.

More ULF amateur DX

The latest ULF DX news from Stefan DK7FC:

Hi ULF,

In addition to the informations from older mails about this experiment, here are the results of the post-processing:

First, a spectrogram in 424 uHz FFT bin width (after sferic blanking) showing the whole transmission: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/19882028/ULF/65km_424uHz.jpg
The SNR reached levels up to 22 dB. Even during the (relatively) strong QRN periods at night, the transmissions are still visible. Even the EbNaut transmissions were visible. All this is about 10 dB stronger than i expected. The low winter noise levels and the quiet location certainly plays a big role here. The 'short' DFCW-10800 (3h per element) message "FC" is O copy as the experts say. Inbetween the "F" and "C" there is an EbNaut message (#2) with the content "73". One more example showing the power of EbNaut.
In the last experiments i've shown reference spactrograms beeing generated in low distance (tree grabber) just to give a better overview of what was transmitted, but this is not necessary here :-)

3 EbNaut messages were transmitted. All of them have been decoded with a strong SNR:
1st message: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/19882028/ULF/65km_EbNaut_2970Hz_Message1.png
2nd message: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/19882028/ULF/65_EbNaut_2970Hz_Message2.png
3rd message: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/19882028/ULF/65km_EbNaut_2970Hz_Message3.png

Last but not least a spectrogram showing the recorded range from 0...12 kHz, without a noise blanker: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/19882028/ULF/65km_wide.jpg

A new experiment in 140 km distance is in the pipeline. The plan is to run it in 2016.

73, Stefan

Waters and Stanton

My friend Steve G1KQH has sent me this:

http://blog.hamradiostore.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/IHSG.pdf

Is this the end for W&S as we know it, or a new beginning? I hope a new beginning, as they have been fair to me in the past.

In my view many UK, mainland European and US amateur radio dealers will be looking for ways to streamline their businesses and reduce costs. The alternative is closing down. Dealers in the amateur market have seen better times.

We can expect many well known names to disappear in the years ahead as the amateur radio hobby evolves, active amateurs get older and maybe buy less. One thing is certain. That is we can expect the amateur radio hobby to be very different in the years ahead.

I have said this before, but expect fewer and smaller radio magazines, fewer adverts, fewer suppliers, fewer kits and fewer dealers.

Have you counted the number of radio magazines on the newsagents stands recently compared with mags on other subjects? 30 years ago there were several magazines about amateur radio, but these days they are rare.

2m UKAC results

In the yearly totals, I was 80th out of 193 in the AL section of the RSGB's 2m UK activity contests held on the first Tuesday evening each month. As I only run 5W QRP to a big-wheel omni (3dBd gain max) and am only on for 30-60 minutes because of my poor, stroke impaired, voice, I think this is not too bad.

If you want 2m SSB activity in the UK, then I can recommend these Tuesday evening contests, even if you don't send in a score. Activity levels are usually very good and a very modest set-up works. It has been successful for me with just an FT817ND.  My typical maximum distance is 200km in this contest. On RX it is unusual not to hear lots of DX even in the short time I get on.

Sunspots and 10m - Monday December 19th 2016

Solar flux is 72 today and the sunspot number 13. A=9 and K=1.

More OFCOM

OFCOM is consulting on the use of UHF bands in the UK from 410-470MHz. I think this will not involve a look at amateur radio use of the 70cm band in UHF (band 1).

They are also looking at some microwave allocations.

See
http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/4559A73E8304B6CD/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/67C9780756CAEC6A/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

Snow - NOT amateur radio

This picture was taken 7 years ago today. It shows our local churchyard enveloped in snow. Today by contrast it is mild and dull! Last winter we got very little snow.

10m JT65 all yesterday evening and overnight

Instead of moving to MF WSPR, I decided to stay on 10m JT65. I am still on 10m now. Perhaps none too surprisingly, nothing spotted overnight.

Most (sensible?) people QSYed or went QRT.

QRP and QRP Club

More from Oleg:

WQR Report (December 18, 2016)
Visitors  of  the week: US3EN, SQ7SAU, OH6NPV, DK1HW, UA1ADF, UR5EFD,
UR7VT,  ON6KZ,  OK2PDT, US5ERQ, EW1CY, RU3NJC, DL3HXX, HA5AEK, R1CAF,
UA1AQC, RA1M, LZ2RS, G3XJS, OK1AQW, UR0ET, RW3AA, UU1CC, F5IN, DJ2DW,
UW5EKR,  UA0SBQ,  DK2SC,  R2FAE, YU7SOL, DF9QV, UY1IF, OH5LP, UA1AQS,
RX3DFU, RV3GM
Congrats!
OK2PDT,  DL3HXX,  UA1AQC,  F5IN,  DJ2DW,  UW5EKR,  DK2SC became Honor
Frequenters (regular visitors) of the "rendezvous"
See full Frequenters and Visitors lists on the Club 72 page -www.club72.su
Comments...
See full report with comments and pictures on the blog page -http://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/

72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"

This is a periodic Newsletter of the Club 72. Don't reply to Newsletter address! Send any requests or news to mr72@club72.su please.

Local Pub - NOT amateur radio

Our local pub is the "Five Bells". It looks very Christmassy with the lights tonight.

Climate Change - NOT amateur radio

At the moment, the jury is still out, but most seem to be saying the Earth is getting warmer and that this is largely down to Man in recent times. Some argue this is just natural variation and we should ignore it. A recent Guardian article makes you wonder.

See https://www.msn.com/en-gb/weather/other/arctic-ice-melt-could-trigger-uncontrollable-climate-change-at-global-level/ar-AAkJqic?ocid=spartandhp

In the USA, there seems to be a "Canute" attitude: it is all a Chinese conspiracy and it will just go away. I am far from convinced! We ignore these worldwide risks at our peril. Some cities and island states could be inundated and we should get all the facts and act accordingly.

New radio - later

As you may recall, I was thinking about investing in either a KX2, FT991A or IC7300. At the moment, the IC7300 is the favourite, although I am still expecting the price of this rig to drop next year, despite the exchange rate.

To me, if the FT891 and FT450D are much lower priced, then so should be the IC7300, which has a much less complicated RX architecture.

At the moment, I am in no great hurry. Once the FT991A starts to make inroads, the IC7300 price will drop. Sub-£1000 is definitely likely in my view It is only at the current price because people are prepared to buy it at the current price.

At their present prices most users can't see a real difference between the IC7300 and the FT991A. OK one has 4m (IC7300) and one has 2m and 70cm (FT991A), but to the end user, the architectural differences mean nothing.

Sunspots and 10m - Sunday December 18th 2016

Solar flux is 71 today. Sunspot number remains zero. A=6 and K=2. Not great for the higher HF bands?

Stroke and taste - NOT amateur radio

It is fascinating (as well as very frustrating!) how my stroke 3 years ago is still affecting me. The worst aspects are feeling giddy all the time when on my feet (I think the giddiness makes me tired), poor voice and taking a long time with drinks.

My taste is also affected. Before my stroke, I always had a little sugar in tea and coffee. These taste sweet in their "naked" form these days, so no sugar is added.

Most people say how well I look and they are pleased I can do so much. This is how I look on the outside. Inside me it still feels odd. I'd be very pleased to return to the "normal", pre-stroke me, but I guess I have to come to terms with the "me" I am. No, things are still very difficult.

Solar updates

At the moment, my source of solar data has not been updated, so I am unable to update on this blog. I'll do this later in the day, all being well.

10m JT65 since breakfast

Although I have been on 10m JT65 all morning, no spots given or received as yet.

UPDATE 1212z: G4CJC (73km) has been spotted on 10m JT65, but no DX as yet.

UPDATE 1426z: G0LRD (25km) is spotting me on 10m JT65, but still no DX.

UPDATE 2115z: 2E0XXO (120km) has been spotted this evening on 10m JT65. I shall stay on 10m JT65 overnight  "just in case".

Return to MF

At about 2024z I QSYed to 472kHz (630m) WSPR. So far, 4 UK stations have spotted me.

Return to 10m JT65

After an evening and night on 630m WSPR, I have returned to 10m JT65.

There was no new DX on MF last night with my best TX DX (5mW ERP) being DL-SWL (701km) again. No spots from Norway sadly.

UPDATE 1115z:  Nothing as yet on 10m JT65.

UPDATE 1204z:  Still no 10m JT65 spots.

UPDATE 1530z: Still nothing on 10m JT65.

Lighter evenings - NOT amateur radio

Although mornings get darker until early January the sunset gets later from December 18th here. Winter Solstice is Dec 21st.

At first the change is very slow, but at least we are moving in the right direction! We'll blink and it will be the longest day.  By the end of January the sun sets almost an hour later. I enjoy all seasons but look forward to lighter evenings.

Sunspots and 10m - Saturday December 17th 2016

Solar flux is 72 today and the sunspot number is zero. A=2 and K=1.

Family Clock - NOT amateur radio

My brother-in-law recently had this grandfather clock restored.  It has been in their family since it was made in the late 1700s. It is wonderful to imagine how this has been in their family for well over 200 years and to think of all the generations that have gazed at its face down the years.

Alibris - NOT amateur radio

Well, I have had a moan about this company before.

Every week it seems they have a sale with at least 10% savings. To be honest it is a joke and their emails get deleted right way. If you we ever want to buy something from them, you can be sure it will be cheaper next week or later the same week!

Decision time?

Tomorrow, I shall probably ring around the UK dealers to see who can offer me the best cash deals on the IC7300, the FT991A and the KX3.  I have read the reviews, so I need a good deal on price and guarantee.

Back on MF WSPR

At around 1924z I returned to 472kHz (630m) WSPR. At the moment G4FTC (123km) in IO91 is the best DX on TX with 5mW ERP. As yet, we are seeing no skywave reports.

6m JT65 and 10m WSPR

Since breakfast, I have been on 6m JT65 and 10m WSPR. So far, nothing on either band.

Sunspots and 10m - Friday December 16th 2016

Solar flux is 72 today and the sunspot number 12. A=3 and K=0

OFCOM

OFCOM are holding some public meetings to review their plans for 2017.

See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/E6E549BF4512C7DC/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38A

They are also consulting on commercial gateways.

See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/B66A67CA9536B759/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C