472kHz WSPR

A few minutes ago, I returned to 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP 20% TX) using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. It usually takes about 20 minutes for TX to settle and drift drops to essentially 0Hz. The lightening risk seems low now. At the moment I am spotting 3 stations and 2 are spotting me. Best DX on RX is LA8AV (1035km).

Lightning

A few moments ago I thought I saw a flash of lightning. I may have been mistaken, but it made me check the UK lightning map.  According to this it is further west and moving away. Taking no chances, everything has been disconnected, at least for the next hour or so. If everything looks OK, I may try 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP) later.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortung/europe/index.php?bo_page=map&bo_showmap=uk&bo_period=0.25&lang=en

Seed? - NOT amateur radio

By no means am I an expert of seeds and the like!

This "thing" was found on the ground at St Johns College Cambridge earlier today.

It was about 4cms across. It looks like some sort of tree seed case, but I could easily be wrong.

Stroke update - NOT amateur radio

Only some are interested, and that I can understand, but I have updated the page about the after-effects of my 2013 stroke.

If you are interested the updated version is at:

https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/stroke

It was updated April 8th 2019.

10m FT8 again

My usual pattern is to go on 10m FT8 in the day and either 630m WSPR or 160m FT8 at night. I shall soon have to think about 6m. I have been on 10m FT8 calling CQ (2.5W) initially and then RX only for about 10 minutes. Guess what? No spots.

UPDATE 1152z: Looks like we may be seeing some Es with 3 stations spotted including EA3AXV (1213km).

UPDATE 1555z: 6 stations in 3 countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX so far today, all EU. Possibly some tropo, some aircraft reflection and some Es.

Philosophical question - NOT amateur radio

Every now and again, I ask myself a philosophical question.

This time it is about the nature of time. We usually think of time being a linear thing going from the past into the future. We assume our memories are records of past events. However, it is entirely possible that time is an illusion. Perhaps we think we have memories, but these are illusory. Indeed, our awareness of space may be an illusion.

One thing we know is how limited our brains are. Every year we seem to learn new things about our universe(s). In 50 years' time we may look back and say, "did they really believe that?".

Imagine you were suddenly back in 1819. Would you have believed in aircraft, moon landings, the internet, radio, TV and quantum physics? Even in 20 years things have changed a great deal. My wife is reading a book written in 1995, when pagers were the "in thing" and nobody could imagine how mobile phones and the internet would develop.

What will we take for granted in 2119 that we know nothing about today?

160m FT8 overnight

In all, 302 stations were spotted overnight on 160m FT8 RX with the best being KV4FZ (6764km) in the Caribbean. 5 North Americans spotted on 160m FT8 RX overnight.

Stations spotted here on 160m FT8 RX overnight 

using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground

5.6GHz ATV

Apparently it is easy and low cost to get on 5.6GHz ATV using drone modules available on the internet. A figure of £20 was quoted. A very useful point of reference is this wiki:

https://wiki.batc.org.uk/5.6_GHz

Local to me G3KKD has 5.6GHz gear amongst others.

Sunspots - Monday April 8th 2019

Solar flux is 76 today and the sunspot number 11. A=5and K=3.

160m FT8 RX

For the last few hours, I have been on 160m FT8 RX. At the moment it looks like recent evenings with lots of Europeans coming through. It will be interesting to see how many North Americans are spotted. At 2118z 154 stations have been spotted this evening.

Stations spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX 

using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground

.

That hum - NOT amateur radio

A fair proportion of people say they can hear a very low frequency audio hum. I can hear it. I have heard it from very early morning (about 5.30am UK time) until now. At first I thought it was someone's washing machine, or perhaps a plane.

Could it be the distant noise of traffic? Low audio frequencies may propagate through rocks. It is a very low level, but definitely there. It is worse today than I recall. Weather conditions are a little misty and we can sometimes hear traffic on the A14 road (about 2 miles away) clearly on misty days, which must allow audio signals to propagate further. Normally we do not hear A14 traffic.

I expect someone could "see it" with suitable audio transducers and software.

Building gear

Somewhere, in a drawer, I have an unbuilt Rockmite transceiver kit for 20m CW. It is some years since I built anything (it is much harder since my 2013 stroke), but maybe I should have a go and see how I get on.

My 20m antenna is not too great. The test is building it. Having a few QSOs would be a bonus. I must have bought the kit in 2012. Obviously I was in no hurry!

Placemats - NOT amateur radio

Christmas 2017 I bought my wife some drinks mats showing the children and grandchildren. Last Christmas I bought some plate mats. She loves them. It proves that you don't have to spend a lot to make someone happy. 😊

10m FT8

Although I have been on 10m FT8 most of the daylight hours, it has been disappointing with just 3 stations spotted in 2 countries here so far. A CQ call (2.5W) earlier was spotted by no-one. After dark I think I'll QSY to 160m FT8.

UPDATE 1540z: EA7DT (1781km) now spotted.

Shack - April 2019

This is a view of the operating position in the G3XBM shack. As you can probably tell, I quite like QRP. Actually I like small things generally - small PCs, small houses, etc. Maybe I should operate with my hands tied behind my back!

Garden Room - NOT amateur radio

We are lucky to have 2 reception rooms. This room is very calming and a great place in which to just sit and read. We also use it as a dining room sometimes. The settee on the left also pulls out to make a double bed.

Amateur radio 71 years ago

Southgate News reports on an RSGB post on YouTube of a 1947 DF Hunt.

See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_LHb3wPAfE

Good night on 472kHz WSPR

For some unknown reason, last night was probably my best all season with 10 stations spotting my 10mW ERP including 2 Norwegians. I spotted 6 stations. I was quite surprised to see so many spotted me last night. The motto seems to be "don't give up too soon".

472kHz WSPR here overnight

Sunspots - Sunday April 7th 2019

Solar flux is 72 today and the SSN 0. A=7 and K=2.

472kHz WSPR

All evening I have been on 472kHz WSPR. At the moment as many stations are being copied here as are copying me, which is more typical of earlier in the season. Actually it is more usual for me to spot more stations than copy me.

Best DX here on RX currently is EA4GHB (1300km). I shall be on overnight again. Yet again I am using 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.  According to WSPRnet, there are only 2 UK stations on 472kHz TX, which is pathetic.

10m FT8

After (at last) spotting some "real" DX on 10m FT8 yesterday, I am again on 10m FT8 during the daylight hours. Initially I called CQ (2.5W), although I am now RX only. As yet, no spots given or received.

UPDATE 0916z: 2 G spots so far on 10m FT8 RX here. Best DX so far on 10m FT8 RX is G4HZW (212km).

UPDATE 1047z: Now an Italian and Sicilian spotted. Es? The map shows stations spotted on 10m FT8 in the last 24 hours.

UPDATE  1514z: With 21 stations in 7 EU countries I am wondering if we are seeing the real start of the Es season? Of course, it could be there are more stations active wanting to catch Es and these stations might be available outside the Es season if they were active.

472kHz last night

Again more stations spotted me than stations that I spotted. The best spot of my 10mW ERP was by DL0AO (865km). On RX LA8QV (1035km) was again the best spotted here.

Overnight on 472kHz WSPR here with

 the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

Sunspots - Saturday April 6th 2019

Solar flux is 72 today, but the sunspot number is again 0. A=14 and K=3

472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP)

OK, I am a masochist!  Overnight I am again on 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground). Within a few minutes I have been spotted by 3 stations and spotted 1. I doubt there will be many more!

UPDATE 1927z: Now 4 stations spotting me with best DX PA0O (440km).

Tan House - NOT amateur radio

This may have been on before, but it matters not.

This is probably the loveliest house and garden in our village. Before we came to the village it was the home of the Right Honourable Sir Francis Pym who was UK Foreign Secretary at some point.

I remember seeing him in his office at the Houses of Parliament and was surprised to see a model cruise missile on his desk. In person, he was a very approachable person, although politically we were poles apart.

6m FT8 - soon

With the Es season just a few weeks away, I shall have to start monitoring 6m FT8 again. Last year a surprising array of countries and continents was spotted.

Last year I just sat the RX on 50.313MHz USB. Unless the frequencies have changed, I shall do the same this year, probably starting next week.

It means the HF antenna is free for 10m WSPR, or 10m SSB or CW QSOs.

10m FT8

For about 15 minutes I have been on 10m FT8 calling CQ (2.5W) initially, then RX only. Guess what? No spots given or received.

UPDATE 1019z: Still no spots, although I see that a couple of Gs were spotted earlier that did not get uploaded to PSKreporter, perhaps as a result of losing internet connection?

UPDATE 1242z: Just a single G spot so far - G8UBJ (108km).

UPDATE 1609z: Just 3 Gs spotted all day on 10m FT8.

UPDATE 1908z: Real DX at last! VP8LP (12773km) spotted on 10m FT8 earlier.

472kHz WSPR overnight

I was going to give up on 472kHz now the "season" is drawing to a close, but I weakened and went on 472kHz WSPR overnight. Again, more spotted me than I spotted. suggesting some are leaving the band now.

472kHz WSPR here in the last day on 

the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

Hackers back - NOT amateur radio

Usually early in the month visits to my blogs suddenly shoot up. It would be good to think people were suddenly interested in my blogs and this accounts for why I have already had more visitors than all day yesterday.

Sadly this not the case, and, like many bloggers, I get the occasional "probe" by hackers looking for vulnerabilities so some malicious code can be installed to steal bank details or similar from vulnerable people who click the links. Hopefully they will decide to look elsewhere soon.

I change passwords regularly to avoid these issues, but if you suddenly see odd things, you know why. As a rule never ever click links if you are unsure where it takes you. Hover over the link to see what the URL is. If it is odd, go away.

Sunspots - Friday April 5th 2019

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=10 and K=3.

Return to 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP)

As usual, I am on 472kHz WSPR with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Within a few minutes of switch-on a couple of stations were spotting me. I have not spotted anyone else as yet.

UPDATE 2120z: So far this evening I have been spotted by 5 stations with best DX a spot by PA0O (440km). I have spotted 3 stations with best DX LA8AV (1035km).

BREXIT - NOT amateur radio

However you voted in the 2016 referendum on leaving the EU we can all agree on something. The last few years have been very badly handled by the UK and EU politicians.

In the UK, surely we should have agreed our position (across all shades of opinion) before triggering Article 50 to signal our intention to leave the EU. In my view, the UK Prime Minister has lost a great deal of credibility over BREXIT. Yes, she has a hard job, but she should learn to listen!

Surely the EU would realise the Irish border would be a sticking point and they should have done far more to assuage fears over being trapped in the EU for years and years. Clearly there is an element of sour grapes and punishment involved. Mind you, I can well understand that the EU is frustrated with the UK.

No, overall I am not at all impressed.

Rallies

Saturday 6 APRIL : GMDX CONVENTION

Afternoon lectures on DX and technical subjects, in the evening the DX Dinner. www.gmdx.org.uk.


Sunday 7 APRIL : CAMBRIDGE REPEATER GROUP RALLY

Foxton Village Hall, Hardman Road, Foxton, Cambridge CB22 6RN. Car parking is free. Doors open 9.30am for public entry and 7.30am for traders. Entry is £2. There will be a talk in station. You will see traders a Bring & Buy and an RSGB bookstall. Catering is available on site - the burger van has been booked. Contact Lawrence M0LCM on 07941 972 724, email rally2019@cambridgerepeaters.net www.cambridgerepeaters.net.


Sunday 7 APRIL : YEOVIL ARC 35th QRP CONVENTION

Digby Hall, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3AA. Doors open 9.30am to 3pm, admission is £3. The event is supported by the RSGB, RAFARSand BYLARA. There will be club stands as well as new and 2nd hand stalls. Two talks are scheduled during the day; A Remarkable Very Young Lady Radio Amateur and An Introduction of Mag Loops. Regrettably only Guide Dogs can be admitted. Refreshments will be available on site. Bob Harris, G8UED wjh069@gmail.com or secretary@yeovil-arc.com [http:// Yeovil-arc.com].


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

160m FT8 RX overnight

When I went to bed the internet was off. I have no idea how long it was off in the night, so what follows will not include stations spotted that were not uploaded to PSKreporter maps.

In all, 180 stations spotted here (and reported to PSKreporter) which included 5 North Americans with best DX KC5FFV (7612km) in Texas. No doubt there would have been others too. The Texan was spotted in the middle of the night.

Stations spotted here on 160m FT8 overnight with 

the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

10m FT8

Shortly, I shall QSY to 10m FT8.

In the end yesterday on 10m FT8 I spotted 4 stations in 3 countries. Interestingly, the CT and EA were working "real" DX (VP8 and ZS) that I could not copy here. This is obviously some F2 propagation further south. OK, my 10m antenna could be better, so I could probably spot more with a better antenna.

UPDATE 0906z: Have been on 10m FT8 for about 15 minutes. Guess what? No spots!

UPDATE 0937z: Real DX (not)! G1NHG (5km) spotted. Well, I am grateful to spot anyone.

UPDATE 1115z: IU0MBJ (1471km) spotted. Es?

UPDATE 1306z: F5OHM (631km) spotted.

UPDATE 1450z: DL5XL (563km) spotted.

Sunspots - Thursday April 4th 2019

Solar flux is 69 and the sunspot number 17. A=12 and K=2.

160m FT8 RX

For about the last 25 minutes I have been on 160m FT8 RX. Yet again, there are loads of Europeans. It will be interesting to see what comes in from "over the pond" tonight on the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. The last time I tried a few nights ago, a surprising number were spotted.

UPDATE 2131z: So far, 136 stations spotted this evening with best DX on 160m FT8 RX being R8CA (3788km) in Asiatic Russia.

Brunei - NOT amateur radio

When it comes to relationships all I think that matters is that the partners are happy in the relationship, so I was shocked that Brunei has introduced seemingly medieval laws that take us back many centuries. Perhaps in the 1300s, but in the 21st century? Barbaric comes to mind. Brunei - bad press? Their fault.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-47769964

Malicious Adverts - NOT amateur radio

OK, grumpy old man time again!

Have you noticed how many ads say things like, "seniors in XYZ are astounded by SUCH AND SUCH hearing aids" or "never pay for TV ever again" or "do you know that SUCH AND SUCH bank has put aside £40B for PPI claims".

This sort of pernicious advert makes me wild. I don't know about you, but I think they all should be banned. They are meant to convince you that you are in a stupid minority. In actual fact it is just another marketing angle. Ignore them all!

Rant over. I feel better now! 😏

East Cambs Net

East Cambs Net - 144.575MHz vertical FM (in the all mode section). This will in future meet at 7.30pm UK clock time on Wednesdays. Discussions on various subjects (nothing too technical!) rarely go beyond 30 minutes. Newcomers are ALWAYS welcome. Feel free to call in if you are in the area.