QRPguys digital transceiver

Although I have no experience of these kits, apparently QRPGuys now make a true SSB version of their digital transceiver.

See https://qrpguys.com/qrpguys-digital-fsk-transceiver-iiia

Immigration

There seems to be a scapegoating of migrants in the UK at present.

 Like many countries the level of net immigration is actually falling despite what you might be led to believe. 

Also, without immigration our population would be falling and many jobs would be unfilled . 

We need some migration into the UK to sustain our society.

Earth-electrode antennas

Many years ago I tried to compare my vertical Marconi vertical with my earth-electrode antenna in the groundi on  472kHz.I think these tests were mainly in 2012 and 2013. 

My conclusion is that on the LF bands it is a very few S points down. If you have problems erecting a big antenna and extensive ground do not ignore this antenna as it is surprisingly good.

“These are my conclusions:

1. The earth-electrode antenna at 472kHz (2 earth rods in the soil 15-20m apart fed from the TX output) behaves like an H-field loop transmitting antenna.
2. It has directivity, with strongest signals in the line of the loop and weakest signals at right angles to it.
3. It works as an effective RX antenna too. 
4. In my environment the loop looks like about 50-60 ohms resistive, so a good match to my transverter directly without matching.
5. The structure works because much of the return current flows deep within the soil and rock beneath the earth-electrode antenna. In my case Rik OR7T calculated that the loop area in the ground is effectively 290m sq with a radiation resistance of 0.017 ohm and a loss resistance of 66 ohms.This is a BIG loop!
6. Performance compared with my 9m high top loaded Marconi antenna averages only around 8dB down, not a bad figure at all, even with the connecting wire on the ground and not elevated at all.
7. Where no other antenna option is available, the earth-electrode antenna is well worth trying both on 472kHz and on 136kHz both for RX and TX. Although it works well here, your geology may be different and results not the same.

These last few days have been most interesting and, with the help of many people - listeners giving me WSPR reports, advice from others on the Internet forums, suggestions by email - I have been able to do some quite useful science. Thank you one and all“. 

Sunspots- Friday May 22nd

 Solar flux is 118 and the SSN 76. A=7 and K=1.

No friends like old friends

We first met in 1968 at university. 

Here we are now all in our late 70s enjoying a meal together in Letchworth earlier today.

Trump and Iran

Most days I take a look at the Trump Report. Recently President Trump visited China. I was left underwhelmed. 

Although the USA claims victory in Iran, why are so many ships unwilling to transit the Strait of Hormuz?

10m 200mW WSPR (Thursday)

 My beacon has been on for hours.

UPDATE 1915z:  Spotted by just 2 stations all day. If there was any Es at all, it was marginal.

Sutton Hoo

We visited here yesterday. This is a famous ship burial from Anglo-Saxon times. 

It is located near Woodbridge in Suffolk, UK. 

It was excavated in 1939. 

QRP fun

To the uninitiated running QRP is like a masochistic activity! 

Actually, it is surprising how little difference running low power makes. 100W down to 5W is only a couple of  S points which most times would not be noticed. 

With modes like FT8 and WSPR the world can be spanned with amazingly low power levels.

Sunspots - Thursday May 21st

 Solar flux is 114 and the SSN 67. A=8 and K=3.