7 Feb 2015
FT817 sensitivity
Today I checked the sensitivities of my FT817 and FT817ND using a loaned signal generator. Although about 10dB deaf at 472kHz (expected) both were easily able to copy down to -127dBm on CW on all bands to 70cms. -127dBm is as low as the generator would go. I could have added a 10dB attenuator, but did not. I also managed easy access of GB3PY and GB3OV 70cms repeaters at the 500mW level into the V2000 vertical. My conclusion is things are OK at my end and I wonder if G6ALB has some additional cable loss at 70cms at his end (water in the feeder?). My antenna has been up for about 2 years whereas his has been up for around 20 years.
A pity we don't have an 8m (40MHz) band.
An amateur band at 40MHz would be really useful as I suspect the F2 MUF has been in this region several times in the last few years. There are a very few beacons around 40MHz (UK and Denmark only I believe) but wouldn't it be good to have even 100kHz around this frequency? Sadly it is very unlikely, but I would happily lose 100kHz at the top of 10m in exchange. It would also be a very useful Es band.
Somehow I can't see this happening, more is the pity. The world of radio science would really benefit. This would have been so much more useful than 146-147MHz recently released to UK amateurs by NoV. I know a handful of UK amateurs are trying narrowband DTV but the 2m band is mainly Japanese "black boxes" and is mostly white noise in most areas.
Somehow I can't see this happening, more is the pity. The world of radio science would really benefit. This would have been so much more useful than 146-147MHz recently released to UK amateurs by NoV. I know a handful of UK amateurs are trying narrowband DTV but the 2m band is mainly Japanese "black boxes" and is mostly white noise in most areas.
Radio Shack going?
Radio Shack is a familiar name in the USA, but maybe not for much longer? This news from Steve G1KQH yet again. I hope you can access the link as sometimes ARRL links can only be seen by ARRL members.
Looking at some of the range claims by Radio Shack for their handhelds I expect they get lots of returns from very disappointed customers. I am sure that these ranges are achievable from hill and clifftop, ideal, locations, but such ideal conditions are rare. In the UK and the rest of the EC such claimed ranges would be illegal. Much more realistic would be ranges of 0.5 to 2 miles at best, and often far less. Caveat emptor!
Is this the end of Tandy’s original owner?
http://www.g1kqh.talktalk.net/73 Steve
Looking at some of the range claims by Radio Shack for their handhelds I expect they get lots of returns from very disappointed customers. I am sure that these ranges are achievable from hill and clifftop, ideal, locations, but such ideal conditions are rare. In the UK and the rest of the EC such claimed ranges would be illegal. Much more realistic would be ranges of 0.5 to 2 miles at best, and often far less. Caveat emptor!
10m WSPR USA spots today
Although I have been copied much further today, my first report from the USA was from KZ8C (6290km) at 1258z. This is quite a lot later than yesterday.
UPDATE 1356z: Although I am being spotted in the USA, early indications are that there are fewer USA stations spotting me than yesterday. Of course, it may be that some stations who were using WSPR yesterday have chosen other modes today.
UPDATE 2030z: The last spot of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon was by WG2Z (5600km) at 1954z, which is quite late.
UPDATE 1356z: Although I am being spotted in the USA, early indications are that there are fewer USA stations spotting me than yesterday. Of course, it may be that some stations who were using WSPR yesterday have chosen other modes today.
UPDATE 2030z: The last spot of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon was by WG2Z (5600km) at 1954z, which is quite late.
More VK (really long distance) reports on 10m WSPR today
My little 500mW 10m WSPR beacon has been copied in Australia 3 times today already, and conditions are meant to be just "fair"! VK6XT spotted me a couple of times this morning (again) but the best was VK5MR (16144km) at 1230z.
It never fails to amaze me that this tiny little stand-alone 500mW WSPR-AXE-CW WSPR mode beacon is copyable in a shack on the other side of the planet. I have now been copied at this range many times.
Reports from YV5ESN (7294km) in South America seem almost local, HI. USA stations really do seem like locals now!
It never fails to amaze me that this tiny little stand-alone 500mW WSPR-AXE-CW WSPR mode beacon is copyable in a shack on the other side of the planet. I have now been copied at this range many times.
Reports from YV5ESN (7294km) in South America seem almost local, HI. USA stations really do seem like locals now!
4X1RF on 10m
4X1RF (3519km) was spotting my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon early today at 0854z.
UPDATE 1425z: 4X1RF has spotted by 500mW 10m WSPR beacon no less than 30 times so far today.
UPDATE 1425z: 4X1RF has spotted by 500mW 10m WSPR beacon no less than 30 times so far today.
Sunspots and 10m - Feb 7th 2015
Sunspot number today is 71 and 10m propagation forecast to be "fair". It sounds quite similar to yesterday. So far only G4IKZ spotting me, and now 4X1RF.
UPDATE 1354z: With the 10m band open (even for me using 500mW WSPR) to North and South America and Australia, it seems much better than a "fair" day.
UPDATE 1354z: With the 10m band open (even for me using 500mW WSPR) to North and South America and Australia, it seems much better than a "fair" day.
6 Feb 2015
40m Pixie from AliExpress
From my bank statement I see my 40m Pixie kit from China, that has shipped, cost a little over £7. This includes all parts including crystal and PCB. At this price it would be hard to buy the individual parts. I very much want to build this as it will be the first amateur radio construction here in a very long time. It is sufficiently simple and low cost that I should manage it, even if I am a little clumsy still with the soldering iron.
No doubt Andrew G6ALB (3km) will help with a first test.
No doubt Andrew G6ALB (3km) will help with a first test.
Not amateur radio again
Today we visited the next village, Swaffham Prior, 3km west of here, home to G6ALB where there are 2 churches and 2 windmills. Andrew G6ALB and I are testing low cost AM modules on 70cm. As yet these tests have only been partially successful. Tomorrow I need to check the sensitivity of my receivers.
After our visit, I have updated our blog http://eachurches.blogspot.co.uk/ where you can follow our visits around East Anglia.
After our visit, I have updated our blog http://eachurches.blogspot.co.uk/ where you can follow our visits around East Anglia.
UK National Grid status link
Again, from Steve G1KQH, a link that may well be of interest to UK readers:
In the left hand corner you can also check for France.
Many times we hear that closing old and polluting power stations is putting us at risk of power blackouts. Check the electricity capacity yourself.Did I send you this one Roger?
73 Steve
http://www.g1kqh.talktalk.net/
In the left hand corner you can also check for France.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
