Low cost spectrum analysers

In my working life spectrum analysers were very useful, but expensive. MLS do mail shots near the weekend and this is no exception. I see this time they are featuring certain accessories including some low cost spectrum analysers. I expect these are a poor substitute for the machines I used, but these are just a fraction of the cost.

See https://www.hamradio.co.uk/

St Ives (Cambs) - NOT amateur radio

Today we went to St Ives in Cambridgeshire on the guided busway. It was a great journey, free with our bus passes! St Ives is a decent UK market town by the river. Today was market day.

2m FT8

Today, I decided to go on 2m FT8 again. At the moment I am RX only, but will put out a few CQs later. Already (within an hour) I have spotted 14 stations in 6 countries with best DX DL6YBF (471km).

UPDATE 1620z: So far today on 2m FT8 RX 37 stations spotted in 7 countries with the best DX on 2m FT8 RX being DJ6GK (607km).

UPDATE 1655z: A recent CQ call (2.5W to the big-wheel omni antenna) was spotted by 10 stations in 2 countries with G7RAU (461km) being the best.

UPDATE 1955z: A very recent QRP CQ call om 2m FT8 TX resulted in no QSOs, but I was spotted by 8 stations with the best DX 244kms away.

UPDATE 2003z: Now 42 stations in 7 countries on 2m FT8 RX today.

Yesterday on 20m FT8

For a complete change I went on 20m FT8 RX yesterday. My antenna is very low and would not match! Even so, the photo shows the stations received. 20m FT8 is just too easy. Imagine if I had a decent antenna!

Sunspots - Friday October 5th 2018

Solar flux is 67 today and the sunspot number 12. A=5 and K=1.

Liner-2 2m SSB rig

How many remember the Liner-2? For me, it transformed 2m operation.

Back in the 1970s it was the ubiquitous rig for DXing on 2m in the UK and rest of Europe.

Coupled with a 30W linear and 9 el Tonna antenna, this was the rig of choice for many. They had plenty wrong with them, but I look back on mine with fond affection.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/liner2

FT8 article for RadCom

A few weeks ago I submitted another article for possible inclusion in RadCom the RSGB's monthly magazine. It looks like this will appear in the near future. It was only short, but probably apposite. Watch this space.

Writing articles is quite enjoyable. Usually I write about things done by myself, as I find these "flow" naturally. Sadly, my poor health has meant few articles about field work of late. Let us hope this changes.

Grandkids - NOT amateur radio

At the weekend we went to Kent to see one of our sons and his family.

Our grandson was a bit under the weather, but he is much better now. My wife is on the left.

UK Rallies this Sunday

Sunday 7 OCTOBER : 45th WELSH RADIO RALLY

Rougemont School, Malpas Road, Newport,, South Wales NP20 6QB. Doors open 10am and admittance is £2.50. There will be a Bring & Buy sale, catering, lectures/seminars, talk-in, RSGB bookstall, trade stands, special interest groups, and a prize draw/raffle. Lectures: Eric Edwards, GW8LJJ - Free Digital Voice on HF; Andrew Rushton, GW0UZK - Aerial Basics. Contact Michael Rackham, GW4JKV on 01495 226 149 or rackhamone@aol.com.


Sunday 7 OCTOBER : HACK GREEN BUNKER RALLY

Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker, French Lane, Hack Green, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 8AL. This will be a sale of electronic equipment, amateur gear, components, military radio items and vehicle spares. Doors open 10am, there will be refreshments available onsite. Contact 01270 623 353, coldwar@hackgreen.co.uk www.hackgreen.co.uk.

A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

20m FT8 RX

For a total change I am on 20m (14MHz) FT8 RX.  My antenna is very poor and I cannot get a good match. Even so, I am spotting JA stations.

Within an hour on 20m FT8 RX with a useless, low, antenna!

UPDATE 1252z: Too easy! Spots on 20m FT8 RX today so far. Remember my antenna is low and not even resonant!

UPDATE 1515z: At the moment, Indonesia is the best DX spotted at 11977km. Also, west coast USA is being spotted but nothing from Africa, Australia or South America. I am unfamiliar with 20m, so I do not know the best times for these.