10 Apr 2018

Yet more OFCOM rubbish (my view)

Now we are told that the next stage in their auction of microwave spectrum has been reached. Big deal. Most of us are just plain bored.

You can also read this in Welsh. It is a good job green people with one leg living in Stoke-On-Trent don't have their own language or they'd have to employ another person!

See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/8B6148651C1AA1D42540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

2m FT8

After a quick CQ in which my 5W to an omnidirectional antenna was received by G0LUJ (279km) I shall be on 2m FT8 RX most of the day. I may try 10m FT8 much later.

As yet,  just a couple of Gs spotted on 2m FT8.

UPDATE 0918z: Now 3 Gs spotted.

UPDATE 0930z: Now one F and DK spotted. Best DX is F6APE (551km).

UPDATE 1148z: Now 24 unique stations in 4 countries spotted today on 2m FT8.  Best DX is DK2DTF (644km).

UPDATE 1605z: Now 45 uniques. Time to QSY to 10m FT8 RX.

The Pixie

This is a classic QRP CW transceiver. Like all simple transceivers it is a compromise. Chinese versions are available at less than the cost of the crystal alone in the UK. The Chinese kit I built was for 40m and worked first time.

The Pixie is a derivative of the Micro-80.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/pixie

Simple Regen Circuit

Regen receivers amaze me. How something so simple can work so well never fails to intrigue me.

I was looking for a photo I took some years ago, but so far I have failed to find it. I still have the RX in a drawer!


See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/regen

Sunspots - Tuesday April 10th 2018

Solar flux is 69 and the sunspot number 0.  A=10 and K=2.

9 Apr 2018

Soloists - NOT amateur radio

At my wife's concert one of the soloists was sick, so at the very last minute he was replaced.  Thankfully he was excellent.

See www.cambschoral.org.uk

10m FT8 RX today

As usual these last few days, I have been keeping an eye open on 10m FT8 RX. So far today, just G4CJC (74km) spotted. No EU stations spotted yet and no DX.

UPDATE 2019z: As well as a an Italian, PY1SX (9301km) spotted.

Sunspots - Monday April 9th 2018

Solar flux is 68 today and the sunspot number still zero. A=5 and K=2.

8 Apr 2018

Wife's Concert - NOT amateur radio

My wife's concert in Cambridge was last night. Here is a picture.

Sunspots - Sunday April 8th 2018

Solar flux is 67 today and the sun remains spotless.  A=5 and K=2.