10m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

 Assuming it all works, I intend to go on 10m QRP FT8 after breakfast with my QDX.

UPDATE 1744z: It did not work! Apparently the QDX has to be power cycled. Not only that, but the Windows update wants to move to Windows 11 and the PC has not enough disk space. If I was more confident, I would convert it to Linux, but I do not understand how to do it and then install WSJT-X under Linux. Ideally, I would like someone locally to do it!

Some notes on WSPR 4 from G3UDI

This came from Bob G3UDI:

A few notes on WSPR-4
Downloading software Follow George M1GEO: http://www.george-smart.co.uk/wiki/Compiling_WSPR Linux and Windows. Another useful site is VK2TPM: http://blog.marxy.org/2014/11/wspr-on-ubuntu-1410.html Linux only. I used older instructions as here: http://www.george-smart.co.uk/w/index.php?title=Compiling_WSPR&oldid=5027 I am using Linux Mint-17 and have no direct experience of running WSPR under Windows.
Issues WSPR-4 is a bit flaky, particularly in uploading to the database and maps, in both Linux and Windows. There is a newer version, WSPR-X, and this appears to be even more flaky according to various forums.
Uploading Spots to WSPR database: Spots are held in file ALL_WSPR.TXT. This file is a complete log of all WSPR activity rx and tx. It can be cleared from the gui. The location of the file is not too obvious: ~/.local/share/WSPR/ALL_WSPR.T

XT They are uploaded to the WSPR database. Confusingly there are references to the "old database interface" although this is the working interface. 1. In real time: check "Upload spots" box in WSPR gui; starts from the time when the box is checked. Sometimes data is not shown in interface, but it is always registered. 2. To upload all new spots manually. Open site http://wsprnet.org; click on "Database" in top right- hand corner; scroll to bottom of Database; click on Link to old database interface. Enter callsign and Maidenhead locator. In the box labelled "Location of ALL_MEPT.TXT" enter the location of ALL_WSPR.TXT. Then click on "Upload spots".
3. To upload all new spots automatically.
1. Obtain a copy of curl. In linux : sudo apt-get install curl . This is a general program for transferring data to/from a server, with a huge number of options. 2. The key command is, all on one line: curl -F allmept=@Desktop/ALL_WSPR.TXT -F call=g3udi -F grid=JO02de wsprnet.org/meptspots.php Desktop/ALL_WSPR.TXT is the location of ALL_WSPR.TXT, callsign and Maidenhead locator are obvious, allmept is the receiving file at the wsprnet target. The rest of the mumbo-jumbo are curl options. 3. Under Windows the procedure is similar. 4. See attached for my Linux script and the Windows option of N8FQ, taken from the WSPR site. Also screenshot of operation using HiQSDR + Quisk software.
Bob g3udi 18/3/2016

Netbooks

For many years I used a little Asus EEE PC701 (7 inch screen) netbook running a pre-loaded Linux OS. This was ideal for basic net surfing and emails, but it lacked the flexibility of a Windows OS when looking for ham radio software. At the moment I am looking at a possible replacement that I can use for general web browsing and also to run WSPR, OPERA and hopefully Spectran and Spectrum Lab freeing up the main PC. Such a small netbook would also be useful for field use with VLF tests, lightbeam experiments etc.

It is quite amazing what £200-250 will buy today. My first laptop cost me £1499 back in 1998 and the performance was nowhere near that of even my little Asus EE PC701!

My inclination is to buy another Asus machine unless someone can give me good reasons to choose another make.

Linux Journal - special ham radio edition

The January 2010 edition of this US Linux OS magazine is a special one dedicated to amateur radio. Although I'm not a Linux freak, I'm sure that many readers will find it of interest.

See http://www.linuxjournal.com/ham

In praise of the Asus EEE Netbook PC

For over a year I've used a little 7 inch screen Asus PC701 Netbook PC running the preloaded Linux operating system "as is" as my main PC. It has never crashed, always boots up in seconds, does 95% of what I ever need from a PC and is inexpensive. It went with me to New Zealand on holiday (allowing me to do a daily blog from hotel rooms and to video Skype our sons) and fits easily in the hand luggage. Today in the UK the version ships with 8GB of solid state memory (mine just has the 4GB) from around £151 brand new.

If you want simple, low cost and effective computing you'd be hard pressed to beat this little beauty. Of course there is now a lot of choice in netbooks with larger screens, XP etc, but for me the original Asus EEE is hard to fault.