Family gathering - NOT amateur radio

Our son and his family are here for New Year. The photo was taken just before tea today.

160m FT8 TX

Although my recent 160m FT8 (10W to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground) CQ resulted in no 2-way QSOs it was spotted by 31 stations. My best DX was I8QJU (1650km). Pretty sure this is my furthermost on 160m so far.

Stolen Repeater

Southgate News, and other sources, reports the theft of a Cambridgeshire repeater. These are the details as they appear on Southgate News. I rarely use repeaters, so I am not even sure of the band or mode! I think it is UHF and DMR enabled.  I wonder if the site has surveillance cameras. At less than £40 for an internet camera, this would be a wise investment.

Let's hope they get it back and the thieves suffer as a result.

"GB7PY has been stolen from Madingley, Cambridge, on 23rd December at approx 2115hrs.

Repeater info -
Motorola SLR5500 UHF
Model: R10QCGANQ1AN
Tanapa : PMUE4392AA
Serial: 478IRW1189
Also stolen Teltonika RUT950 4G router.

IMEI on the Router is 3516220701486502 - which has been network blocked and will therefore not work on any network now.

Any information please pass to Cambridgeshire Police on crime reference number 35/92597/19."

Mahonia (Charity) at Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio

This bush was at nearby Anglesey Abbey on Sunday. I think the common name for it is "Charity".

2m FT8

As many will be aware I had a stroke in 2013 that makes speaking difficult. I still occasionally use 2m FM and SSB on HF, 6m , 2m and 70cm, but it is hard work. Often I have to repeat myself to be understood, which is exhausting.

Instead I use FT8. This is a weak signal mode, that allows basic QSOs.  It works with signals weaker than SSB and CW. It does not allow "chatting" and if this is what you enjoy avoid FT8. If,  like me, you enjoy exploring propagation on bands thought to be "dead" then you may like FT8. It has certainly transformed many bands for me: on 2m, for example, ranges double what I thought great on SSB in a contest are possible with QRP every day! Totally amazing.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/2m-ft8

160m FT8 RX - over the last day

Last night was disappointing with just 10 North Americans spotted. In all, 688 stations on 4 continents spotted in the last day on 160m FT8 RX. Nothing from South America again. Still using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground as I have nothing else. No MF antennas available or in the air.

Stations spotted on 160m
FT8 RX in the last day

Sunspots - Monday December 30th 2019

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 0. A=2 and K=1.

2m UKAC activity contest results published

In the low power (AL) section I was 75 out of 201 entries. As I rarely stay on for an hour (let alone 2.5 hours!) and only use an omni antenna (big-wheel) I am quite pleased and this is making a silly error with one QTH locator!

Dead rose - NOT amateur radio

This was spotted at Anglesey Abbey earlier today. I like the reflections in the water behind.

Modulated light communications

When I was fit and healthy, I enjoyed experimenting with over-the-horizon optical communications using homemade kit and free software. As I recall my RX was based on one from the website below. Personally, I found optical communications more rewarding than microwaves. All the gear was homemade, including the optics and test gear. It was inexpensive and one was working "at the frontiers". Not forgetting the most important thing - it was fun.

See http://www.modulatedlight.org/optical_comms/optical_index.html

See also my own page at https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/optical