8m beacons

There is a growing interest around the world in the 8m band for propagation research. 

The band is between 10m and 6m, at the transition between HF and VHF. Sadly, the few beacons there are there are on different frequencies and modes.

In my view, they would be far more use if they all included an FT8 sequence and were all on a single USB dial setting (different audio tones so they are not on top of each other). They could be on 24/7 and widely monitored with ease by many.

Personally, I think we would all benefit from this. Propagation research would be greatly advanced.

FT8 works with weaker signals than CW, WSJT-X software is free, and even very brief openings get spotted.

Sunspots - Monday May 23rd 2022

 Solar flux is 165 and the SSN 138.  A=11 and K=2.

Ultra simple RX for 80m or 40m

This is one of the most simple designs that  you will ever find for 80m or 40m RX. It will readily scale to 160m or 60m. I went on to make a transceiver version based on an idea from W2UW (SK). Imagine that - a complete transceiver using just 1 FET (see the FETer).

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/80m-or-40m-regen-rx .

Corfu food - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday we ate in Corfu Town. 

My wife had sea bream caught in the morning and I had slow cooked lamb shank.  

Both were perfect as was the tzatziki Greek starter of yoghurt and cucumber.

70cm activity contest

Results for this activity contest organised by the RSGB have just been published.

See https://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/vhfresults.pl?Contest=432MHz%20UKAC&year=2022 .

EI7GL's blog

John's blog always seems to have interesting stuff on it. He has news of the 40 and 60 MHz bands as well as much more. On the web version of my blog is a link to the EI7GL blog is on the right.

Sunspots - Sunday May 22nd 2022

 Solar flux is 167 and the SSN 110. A=10 and K=4.

ICOM at Dayton 2022

This is a video of the ICOM stand at the Dayton Hamvention. I am underwhelmed. 

The VHF transceivers look "same as", the linear looks big, and the SHF concept looks like it will never happen. Where is the truly handheld version of the IC-705? 

If Yaesu is similar I can see them both leaving this market within 5 years. I suspect they both can see the writing on the wall. 

Corfu view - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows the view looking from Corfu Town across to Albania and mainland Greece. 

OFCOM news

 OFCOM has announced consultations on licence proposals affecting 5G and updates to its weekly updates. See the OFCOM website for details.