EI7GL's blog?

This is one of the best blogs around for amateur radio related stuff. 

But I noticed it has not been updated for several months. I hope John is OK.

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/

EI7GL's blog

 John's blog is always worth a look. He seems to find out lots of news! In my view, it is one of the best.

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/

EI7GL blog

A reminder that one of the best amateur radio blogs I have come across is the one by John Desmond EI7GL.   Whenever I look it is a goldmine of information.

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/ .

EI7GL blog

 After being absent for a while, John's excellent blog is back. John has one of the best amateur radio blogs on the internet.

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/. 

8m legal amateur radio

At the moment there are about 6 countries that have granted radio amateurs access to the 8m band. Others have granted access by means of some kind of experimental licence. Also, I believe others may access the 8m band using ISM rules, the power being dependent on the administration. Several people have had success with 10mW ERP (the limit in the UK) using licence free ISM rules.

In my view the situation is a total mess, which could be simply rectified if administrations gave limited amateur radio access as follows:

• 40.680 - 40.683 MHz (just 3 kHz).
• Narrow digital only (modes like FT4/8, WSPR and CW)
• 10W ERP maximum.
• By application only.
• Possibly with a 2 year time limit (around sunspot maximum).
• Strictly no interference to other services.

I cannot understand why this should be such a problem. Essentially it would give radio amateurs access to a tiny part of the 8m ISM band for serious research.

In the meantime, it would be good to have a list showing which administrations have granted legal amateur radio access to the band and which have allowed experimental access.  One possible solution would be for EI7GL (John) who has an excellent blog to add this to his 40MHz pages.

In my view OFCOM (and the RSGB) and the FCC have been unbelievable over this.

  

EI7GL's blog

John's blog is always interesting. I note he has a fascinating report of a 23cm QSO in Australia by lightning scatter. The blog is always worth a read.

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/

EI7GL blog

This blog has not been updated since June 10th sadly.  I do not know why, but I for one miss it.

More on that Belgian 8m amateur band

Details are still very sketchy, but I see John has put a bit about this on his excellent blog. We can only hope this allocation is the first of many.  There is a real case of a small amateur allocation here to encourage real research.

Personally, I would happily give up 5 kHz of any band for 5 kHz at 8m. Really, I cannot see the harm in any country allocating a small bit in the ISM band 40.66-40.70 MHz to amateurs on a secondary basis. Oh sorry, this requires brains and thinking!!  😁

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/ .

6m incredible DX

First we had reports of a short path 6m opening for Europe to New Zealand. Now we have news of this DX via the long path (22100km). Totally amazing. No wonder they call it "the magic band"!

I get exited by seeing NZ on 10m, but this is 6m!!

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/ .

EI7GL blog

John's blog is back and I see he has already posted something today. His blog is always interesting.

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/ .

EI7GL's blog

John posted on his blog after a break of 5 months. I can honestly say it is probably the very best blog I have ever seen. This is a reminder to us all that this is just a hobby and we can do as much, or as little, as we choose.

A very warm welcome back John.

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/ .

EI7GL - more

It would appear that EI7GL was spotting on 10m WSPR RX yesterday. Assuming this was indeed John and not a pirate, I am puzzled. I have no further information.

UPDATE 1915z: Just had an email from John. All is well, but he was too busy to blog over the summer, but hopes to resume in September. Basically good news. 

EI7GL ?

John has (had?) one of the best blogs, that I found really helpful, but it has not been updated since May. I wrote to John over the weekend, but got no response. 

Does anyone have any news please? 

If he, or others who know, is able to read this, a response would be helpful.

EI7GL's blog

This blog was regularly updated and a useful source of information, but I cannot see any updates since May 22nd. I hope John is OK.

EI7GL?

John's blog has not been updated since May 22nd. There is a link to it on this blog as it is interesting and useful. It is one of the really good blogs that I often visit. 

Does anyone have any news? I hope he is OK. 

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/ .

UPDATE 1633z: I have received 11 10m WSPR spots from John today.

ICOM SHF transceiver?

The EI7GL blog has quite a bit about this. 

Sadly, I cannot see this ever coming to market. Surely the big manufacturers are only really interested in making money. I can only see this selling in low numbers, hardly covering development costs.

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/2022/04/icom-shf-microwave-project-for-24-ghz.html .

EI7GL's blog

John's blog always seems to have interesting stuff on it. He has news of the 40 and 60 MHz bands as well as much more. On the web version of my blog is a link to the EI7GL blog is on the right.

Transatlantic 2m beacon stopped

EI2DKH, the Irish transatlantic 2m beacon is off air according to the EI7GL blog. This is partly due to the site and cost of electricity as well as no reports in 7 years. I have recommended the use of FT8 if the beacon is re-sited. This works with fleeting signals weaker than CW.

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/ .

8m QSO between Croatia and South Africa

The EI7GL blog has details of a first 8m QSO between Croatia and South Africa.

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com .

Really long distance 6m QSOs

In the last few days the EI7GL blog has been reporting some extremely long distance QSOs on 6m. 

These are eye watering distances and although TEP may explain some of this, it makes you wonder what propagation mechanisms were involved. 

No wonder they call it "the magic band".