Newcastle markets - NOT amateur radio

Last week we spent a few days in Newcastle and Durham. 

We were very impressed with the fine indoor markets in Newcastle and the food prices there.

Overall, Newcastle was a pleasant surprise.

Ferrite rod antennas on TX

It is many years since I tested my own ferrite rods as transmit antennas. Quite by accident I came across this photo from 2012.

In my view these will work as TX antennas as long as the ferrite does not saturate. With modes like WSPR and FT8 on very low power I would expect to be spotted, even though the antenna might be well down on a "proper" antenna.  

As an E-field antenna made of ferrite sort of magnifies space within it it acts like a bigger antenna.

See G3XBM4 - Ferrite Rod TX antennas

It gets worse (Google AdSense) - NOT amateur radio

Every now and again I get a message from Google AdSense. Most of these messages mean nothing to me! Take this one received today (attached). 

Basically, I just ignore these. I am awaiting a message in plain English. No doubt I shall be dead before this comes!!

10m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

My IC-705 at 6W FT8 was turned on mid-morning. 

UPDATE 1428z: 90 stations have spotted me. 

UPDATE 1636z: 105 stations have spotted me today. See map.

UPDATE 1934z:  115 stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 1943z:   QRT.

Wednesday plans

 Probably 10m QRP FT8 later.

Sunspots - Wednesday April 30th

 Solar flux is 149 and the SSN 105. A=6 and K=3.

Quansheng TK11 portable

This product had passed me by until today. It looks like an improved UV5 portable coving more bands and modes. It is available from AliExpress.

10m QRP WSPR (Tuesday)

My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon was turned on just after lunch. So far just spots by EA8BFK (2880km) in the Canary Is.

UPDATE 1500z:  One spot from Brazil in addition to the multiple spots from the Canary Is..

UPDATE 2004z:  4 stations have spotted me with the furthermost the German base in Antarctica. See map.

6m 6W FT8 (Tuesday)

My IC-705 was turned on just after lunch.

UPDATE 1255z:  Just 8 spots from English stations. See map.

UPDATE 1515z: Spots also now from Eire and the north of Scotland.

Tuesday plans

 Later I expect to go on 6m FT8 with 6W and 10m WSPR at 500mW.

Lilac - NOT amateur radio

The lilac next door is fully out.

Sunspots - Tuesday April 29th

 Solar flux is 154 and the SSN 134. A=4 and K=0.

10m 6W FT8 (Monday)

Stations spotting me at 1010z

My IC-705 was turned on just before breakfast.

UPDATE 1231z: Spotted by 68 stations with the furthest Australia.

UPDATE 1903z: QRT. 102 stations have spotted me today.

Our close in spring- NOT amateur radio

 

This was our close yesterday. Our bungalow is just out of sight.

8m FT8 during the Es season

During the Es season I expect to be active on 8m with my usual QRP FT8 using either the FT817ND or the QMX+. 

To be honest I have become disillusioned by the negative attitude to real experimentation at 8m by the FCC, ARRL, OFCOM and the RSGB. 

When my TX permit expires I currently have no intention of renewing it. I refuse to pay to do genuine propagation research any longer. Sad. Self training? 

After this year I doubt we'll see much F2 activity, apart from TEP N-S on occasions. Most useful research would have been around sunspot maximum. Too late!!

Sunspots - Monday April 28th

 Solar flux is 156 and the SSN 119. A=6 and K=2.

London Marathon - NOT amateur radio

 

As someone who struggles to walk 2 miles I have nothing but admiration for my niece who is running 26 miles in the London Marathon for the Mind charity. 

Also it’s hot today!!

She has a Just Giving page to raise money for the charity.

See Anna Moore is fundraising for Mind

UPDATE 1833z: She did it!!

FT8 beginners guide

FT8 is like the UK spread Marmite: some really love it whereas others hate it. Because of my poor voice I use it, but understand both sides of the debate. There is no doubt at all that it is a very effective mode for basic QSOs, but it it not designed for keyboard chats. JS8call may be used for this.

This YouTube video may be of help to newcomers to FT8.

10m 6W FT8 (Sunday)

My IC-705 was turned on at about 0830z.

UPDATE 2140z: Spotted by 98 stations. Furthermost Reunion Island (9727km). QRT.

Newcastle bridges - NOT amateur radio

 

The River Tyne has many famous bridges.

10m QRP FT8 yesterday

 After coming back from Newcastle yesterday I went on 10m FT8 with 6W. 241 stations spotted me. See map.

Newcastle kittiwakes - NOT amateur radio

Apparently Newcastle has the most inland colony of breeding kittiwakes in the world. They are like dainty small seagulls.

See Tyne Kittiwakes - Natural History Society of Northumbria

Sunspots - Sunday April 27th

 Solar flux is 156 and the SSN 169. A=7 and K=1.

10m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

Since arriving back home on late Saturday afternoon, I have been on 10m FT8 with my IC-705 at 6W. So far, 181 stations have spotted me. See map.

UPDATE 2116z:  238 stations have spotted me. QRT soon.

Swallows and house martins - NOT amateur radio

Whilst away in Newscastle and Durham I saw 1 swallow and 5 house martins. One swallow was seen down here before we went away.  

It was great to see 5 house martins on the wing simultaneously over the River Wear in Durham. Swifts usually appear later.  I shall keep my ears and eyes open as one often hears swifts screaming first.

These are all migrant birds back from Africa.

See House Martin Bird Facts | Delichon Urbica

Italy on 8m in 2025

 Italy has again been permitted to use 8m amateur radio in 2025 . Why oh why can’t OFCOM do the same? Idiots!!

Going home - NOT amateur radio

We’re on our way home after a few days in Newcastle/Durham. It was a good trip. Everyone in Newcastle was SO friendly. I can imagine it is a great place to be at university.

UPDATE 1822z:  Been home for a few hours.

Sunspots - Saturday April 26th

 Solar flux is 164 and the SSN 169. A=5 and K=2.

Durham Cathedral outside - NOT amateur radio

 This impressive Norman cathedral was built almost 1000 years ago before they had heavy lifting gear and CAD.

MLS prices

 I’m sorry but I don’t get it. Why do people waste so much on amateur radio gear? 

MLS is proudly advertising amateur gear at reduced prices, but still far more than I am prepared to pay! 

Each to their own  but I  have had as much fun with homemade gear costing a few pounds as anyone spending thousands.

Hotel breakfast -NOT amateur radio

This was my breakfast today with toast.

Weathered wall - NOT amateur radio

 This weathered sandstone wall was near Durham Cathedral yesterday.

Rally this Sunday

 Sunday April 27th - Cambridge Repeater Group Rally, Foxton near Cambridge ,  CB22 6RN. See www.cambridgerepeaters.net .

Durham Cathedral yesterday - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday we visited Durham Cathedral and an old school friend of my wife.

Apparently this was where Scottish 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 prisoners were kept hundreds of years ago. To keep warm they burned wooden things, but spared the clock as it has a small thistle. 

Sunspots - Friday April 25th

 Solar flux is 170 and the SSN 152. A=13 and K=1.

The tiny QDX is all you need?

 Because of my poor voice following my 2013 stroke I use WSJT-X digital modes almost all the time. I still use voice modes occasionally. Arguably, all you ever need is the QDX which is so small.

Newcastle artwork - NOT amateur radio

 This was seen in a shop window in Newcastle UK yesterday in the colours of Newcastle football ⚽️ team.

Sunspots - Thursday April 24th

 Solar flux is 167 and the SSN 132. A=7 and K=2.

Kitchin regenerative RX (more)

 I am a great fan of regen receivers as you get lots of “bang for your buck” in that they work well yet are simple.

Newcastle cathedral - NOT amateur radio

This was Newcastle cathedral earlier. The people are extremely friendly.

3D printed CW key

 This was on the DX Explorer YouTube channel earlier. I like this channel. There are lots of very informative videos on this channel.

Millennium bridge , Newcastle UK - NOT amateur radio

 This links Newcastle and Gateshead .

Sunspots- Wednesday 23rd

 Solar flux is 163 and the SSN 142. A=12 and K=1.

Train food - NOT amateur radio

This was the meal I had on the train from London to Newcastle. Only 3 hours and 10 minutes- really good.

Glasshouse - NOT amateur radio

 This is in Gateshead on the banks of the River Tyne, UK.

Sunspots- Tuesday April 22nd

 Solar flux is 163 and the SSN 137. A=35 and K=3.

Really low power WSPR

VK3YE is well known in amateur radio circles. This is his video on very low powered experiments with WSPR.

Pope dies - NOT amateur radio

Although I am not a Roman Catholic, I can understand the profound pain that must be felt across the globe on the death of the Pope announced earlier. He had been gravely ill, but appeared to be recovering.  His death must have been a shock to many people.

See Home - BBC News

Hmmm.. - NOT amateur radio

 Even if I was a Republican in the USA I would be concerned about this.

Hegseth shared Yemen attack details in second Signal chat, reports say - BBC News

10m QRP FT8 (Monday)

After breakfast I expect to be on 10m QRP FT8 again. I run the IC-705 at 6W.

UPDATE 1047z:  7 stations have spotted me (all near - tropo or aircraft?) and I have spotted 6 stations.

UPDATE 1458z:  Spotted by 20 stations and I have spotted 17 here with the furthermost Indonesia.

UPDATE 1910z: Spotted by 26 stations with the furthermost Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean. Now QRT.

Sunspots - Monday April 21st

 Solar flux is 156 and the SSN 108. A=14 and K=4.

Faroes - NOT amateur radio

As mentioned before, one of the joys of 365project.org is seeing different parts of the world, such as this collage by a friend up in the Faroe Islands. 

I expect auroras are far more common up there.

10m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

My 10m 6W FT8 was turned on late this afternoon. I think there was an issue getting spotted on PSKreporter earlier, so I gave up. 

UPDATE 1621z:  So far, 38 stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 1944z:  58 stations have spotted me. See map. QRT soon.

10m 500mW WSPR (Sunday)

 Just spots by EA8BFK and EA8/DF4UE today in the Canary Is..

Knitted Bible - NOT amateur radio

 Whatever our views on religion, Easter is a time for peace and kindness. So, I wish everyone a very happy Easter. There is an exhibition of knitted bible figures that is currently in our church. It is currently going around the country.

DE G3XBM JO02

I have been experimenting with formats that show up on PSKreporter when I am beaconing. 

The above format seems to work and does not show that I am actively seeking out stations for a QSO as "CQ de G3XBM JO02" does.

In future, when beaconing,  I shall use this format on FT8.

 "BCN de G3XBM" is another format that seems to work, but does not show my location.

Sunspots - Sunday April 20th

 Solar flux is 157 and the SSN 114. A=20 and K-=5.

The future of AI - NOT amateur radio

To say I am amazed and frightened by AI is an understatement. 

Recently I watched a video imagining a street scene in 1897. I have used AI every day to get the daily sunspot number. I put a few placenames in AI and got back huge amounts of accurate data. A friend said he used AI for most of his software coding. 

A few years ago AI often produced rubbish and could not be trusted. Now there are far fewer occasions when it "goes rogue". Today I discovered a painting produced by a humanoid robot that sold at action for over £1M. As time goes by AI will get even better! Imagine AI in 40 years' time.  It cannot be uninvented. There is little doubt that many jobs will be done in future by AI. 

We have to adapt.

See Meet the AI robot whose artwork sold for over $1m - BBC News

Lunch - NOT amateur radio

We quite enjoy thermidor for lunch occasionally. This one was king prawns.

Beaconing and PSKreporter?

Unless I am wrong, I do not think there is way of showing up on PSKreporter without calling CQ. It would be really good if messages like "BCN de G3XBM" would show up so stations could clearly see you are not currently looking for QSOs. On many occasions I just want to see where my QRP signal reaches.

More on regen receivers

 Yesterday I mentioned  just how effective regen receivers could be. They are especially suited to "first time" builders as they can be extremely simple, but remarkable receivers. If you have never tried one, I highly recommend you build one and try.

New life - NOT amateur radio

 

These horse chestnut trees in our village churchyard are very old. They were planted to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. 

Generations of children have collected conkers from these and I hope many more will do so. 

The rooks are busy mending nests high above.

More Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio

 

This was another photo of Anglesey Abbey, near Cambridge, that we visited earlier this week.

10m 100mW FT8 (Saturday)

This morning I am trying 10m FT8 at 100mW. There is far more chance of being clobbered by a stronger station, but it's fun to try. I have my IC-705 set to 1% power on HF. My gear was turned on at about 0845z.

UPDATE 1149z:  3 spots of me. Furthermost is 4X5KS (3545km). Who needs power!!? 52 stations spotted here.

UPDATE 1403z:  6 spots of my 100mW 10m FT8. 

UPDATE 1920z:  15 stations have spotted me at 100mW. See map. Now QRT at 100mW.

UPDATE 1930z:  Now at 6W and signing "De G3XBM JO02" hoping this appears on PSKreporter.

ICOM IC-705 versus Yaesu FTX-1F

You can see what ICOM need to do as an upgrade to the IC-705. Let's call this the IC-705A.  They could include an ATU internally and offer 4m. If they did these, they would probably easily compete against the Yaesu FTX-1F if it ever does come to market. 

I am losing faith with Yaesu, who appear to be drifting yet again. The last I heard was they were planning a worldwide launch after FCC approval. With the goings-on in the USA, I cannot see the FCC approving it soon. Also, Japan now faces a 10% tariff in the USA. I expect all Japanese manufacturers are revisiting their business plans. We have heard nothing more about this product since it appeared under glass last summer in Tokyo. I expect (if not withdrawn altogether!) Yaesu is trying to see which features will make it a real winner.

In my view the FTX-1F was put out in Tokyo to judge reaction. Unless it comes to market very soon, it is dead. It is interesting that we have not even seen updated specs! 

Meanwhile, the IC-705 is already years old, has many features already and the only thing against it is price. Just imagine if ICOM dropped its price by £150. Yaesu would be scrabbling around in a right mess.

Sunspots - Saturday April 19th

 Solar flux is 156 and the SSN 113. A=13 and K=4.

Regen receivers

 Regen receivers are simple, but effective. I have designed and built several. See my website. One of the classics was by Charles Kitchen N1TEV. It appeared in QEX.

See also Kitchin Regen is Revealed #soldersmoke #vintageradio #retro #regen - YouTube

Our village - NOT amateur radio

 

This photo collage was taken yesterday.

FT4 and JS8Call

These are two digital modes I have never tried. The former is faster than FT8, but less sensitive. JS8Call allows chatting with a keyboard, but is basically the same as FT8. JS8Call is meant for real communications.

See JS8Call | The official site for JS8Call

Easter - NOT amateur radio

Easter is traditionally a time for families to get together.....and eat. All these were bought from our local bakers yesterday. Just cooked.

10m QRP FT8 (Friday)

My IC-705 at 6W was turned on at about 0530z. 

UPDATE 1732z: 62 stations have spotted me. The furthermost is Reunion Is.. Quieter than I was expecting. Maybe several people are away over the Easter weekend? 

Friday plans

 As conditions seem less disturbed I plan to go on 10m QRP FT8 later.

Sunspots - Friday April 18th

 Solar flux is 151 and the SSN 70. A=11 and K=3.

Hilberling PT-8000A and linear bundle from MLS

MLS is advertising this bundle for the small sum of £17999. Maybe if you are an Arab Sheik you can afford this, but I certainly can not! 

Add on a tower and beam you would be talking about £20000!  Not my idea of amateur radio. Each to their own. 

If I was paying that, I would expect the buttons and knobs to be solid gold. Mind you, if you were a rich sheik I expect you can ask for that for a few thousands more!

The basic design is about 12 years old. You place the order and wait for it to be hand-built.

See The BEST Ham Radio You've Never Heard Of - Hilberling PT-8000A - YouTube

Rally this Saturday

The following has been notified to me. Always check details.

• Saturday April 19th - Moray Firth Amateur Radio Surplus Sale.  Roseisle near Burghead. See www.mfars.club .

Life in outer space? - NOT amateur radio

Scientists say they have found the strongest evidence yet that there is life on other planets. They have found 2 molecules that are signatures of life. This planet is 124 light years away, so a visit is unlikely! 

I guess intelligent life is far less common. However, this discovery, if confirmed, makes finding intelligent life "out there" more likely. I am sure if we found other planets with intelligent life it could have a profound effect.

See Scientists find promising hints of life on distant planet K2-18b - BBC News

10m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

My 6W FT8 from the IC-705 was turned on at 1054z.

Stations spotting me to 1836z

UPDATE 1215z:  Spotted by 28 stations with the furthermost LU8EX (11209km).

UPDATE 2004z:   Spotted by 379 stations. See map. Now QRT.

Anglesey Abbey this morning - NOT amateur radio

This is quite near us and a lovely place to walk around at any time of the year. 

Thursday plans

 Later I hope to be on 10m QRP FT8 again.

“Our” windmill - NOT amateur radio

This was the windmill next door yesterday.

Sunspots- Thursday April 17th

 Solar flux is 148 and the SSN 58. A=77 and K=4.

10m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

My IC-705 at 6W FT8 has been on since about 0800z.

UPDATE 2121z:  30 stations have spotted me today.

Quiet moment - NOT amateur radio

This was one of our grandsons enjoying a few moments of peace last week.

North Devon cottage 2012

 This is where we stayed in 2012. It was a small cottage with a wood burning stove.

Wednesday plans

Although it looks like conditions will be disturbed, I hope to go on 10m QRP FT8 later.

Sunspots - Wednesday April 16th

 Solar flux is 153 and the SSN 86. A=34 and K=5.

6m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

My IC-705 has been on 6m 6W FT8 since the second half of the morning.

UPDATE 1921z: 19 spots of me.

10m 500mW WSPR (Tuesday)

 Been on for the second half of the morning, but no spots of me.

UPDATE 2056z;  2 stations spotted me today.

Sunspots - Tuesday April 15th

 Solar flux is 153 and the SSN 86. A=24 and K=6.

Tuesday plans

  Probably 10m 500mW WSPR and 6m QRP FT8 later.

Habitable planets - NOT amateur radio

There are an unbelievable number of planets believed to exist in the universe. Human consciousness should just cease when we die. The truth is we have no idea what happens. If anyone claims to know, I don't believe them.

There are estimated to be more planets in the known universe than grains of sand in the whole world!  I find this and life totally mind blowing. We really know so little.

See https://www.livescience.com/space/how-many-planets-are-in-the-universe .

It is estimated there are 100 sextillion (10 followed by 23 0s!!!) planets. This is a huge number.

Considering the huge advances in AI in just a few years, it is hard to be certain what we find is sentient life.

Maine - NOT amateur radio

One of the aspects I enjoy about 365project.org is getting glimpses of other parts of the world such as this excellent photo of Maine by one of the members called Joan Robillard.

10m QRP FT8 (Monday)

My IC-705 at 6W FT8 was turned on at 0645z.

UPDATE 1534z: 97 stations have spotted me. See map.

UPDATE 2200z: 166 stations have spotted me my QRP today.

Sunspots - Monday April 14th

 Solar flux is 164 and the SSN 80. A=15 and K=4.

Exhibition - NOT amateur radio

At the moment there is an exhibition doing the rounds in the UK. At the moment it is in our church in Burwell. It shows stories from the Bible in knitted figures.

10m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

My IC-705 at 6W 10m FT8 has been on since breakfast. 

UPDATE 1750z:  241 spots of me so far. Furthermost is Western Australia. The USA has started to come through now. See map.

Ephemeral beauty - NOT amateur radio

 

The spring blossom does not last long. 

The blossom on our ornamental cherry lasts about two weeks only.

Sunday plans

 After breakfast my plan is to go on 10m QRP FT8. 

Sunspots - Sunday April 13th

 Solar flux is 165 and the SSN 120. A=20 and K=4.

"Our" windmill next door - NOT amateur radio

As mentioned before, we live immediately next door to a fully restored 200 year old windmill. 

Earlier this week our son took this photo at night.

The future of amateur radio in the UK

 It is hard to predict the future, but some trends are clear:

• Amateur radio is, in the main, a hobby of white older men.
• People less often use amateur radio for chatting, preferring the internet.
• The hobby is attracting and keeping fewer young people.
• There is far less building and experimenting.
• The national society (RSGB) depends heavily on old men volunteering.
• Far fewer transceivers will be sold in the future as we age.
• Japanese manufacturers will increasingly question if there are still profits in amateur radio.
• The licencing authority (OFCOM) gains no revenue from amateur radio, just costs.
• We increasingly rely on fewer UK dealers.
• Some dealers will retire and close.
• Some magazines depend heavily on advertising revenue and would really suffer if this revenue stream stopped.

Take together, things will inevitably change.  The same situation is likely in many countries e.g. the USA and Germany.

It is my view, quite possibly totally wrong, that deregulation is the most likely outcome. One possibility is:

• Amateur radio will cease in its current form.
• All amateur radio bands will be deregulated so no licence will be required.
• Callsigns will become optional, but allocated by the RSGB if still needed.
• No interference must be caused.
• Amateur radio will merge with other licence free services like CB and ISM.

It is far from clear what the future holds, but change will come. One possibility is than any frequency may be used with the exception of certain restrictions such as frequencies allocated to the military or commercial services and broadcasting as long as no harmful interference is caused.

Am I concerned?  No. My interest has always been experimentation and any such changes are unlikely to make things worse. Also, most amateur radio operators are appliance operators these days, buying their transceivers from a dealer with little or no idea about how it works! I know of one local who does not know how to even use the transceiver he bought!

VLF earthmode

This was 14 years ago when I was still fit. I used to drive out in the car to see where my 5W beacon could be received.

10m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

My 6W 10m FT8 was turned on at about 0620z.

UPDATE 0845z: 17 spots of me so far with the furthermost Gabon in central Africa. The impression I get is conditions are "average".

UPDATE  1546z:   114 stations have spotted me today with the furthermost Western Australia. Nothing yet from the USA or Canada. See map.

UPDATE 1818z:  146 stations have spotted me.

Village cottages- NOT amateur radio

 

These cottages are next to the church in our village . Although a private house now they have been an antiques shop and a dress shop in our time.