Hong Kong - NOT amateur radio

After a very long and 2 hour delayed flight, my son and family have arrived in Hong Kong on their way to Brisbane. As they missed their flight, they have been rebooked on a flight this evening and put up in a hotel for a few hours.

They have been there before, as have I.  It used to be a real "east meets west" place with post boxes and double decker buses. I have only been through the new airport once since China took over and remember being intrigued by the W. H. Smith shop at the airport! That was 2004 I think.

6m FT8 RX

Already (0808z) I am on 6m FT8 RX. As yet, no spots. No early Es here.

UPDATE 0835z: Mind you, it does help to plug the antenna in! Antenna now connected. So far, just G3WOS (128km) spotted.

UPDATE 0917z: Now they are coming in thick and fast. So far, 28 stations spotted with best DX EA8DBM (3016km).

UPDATE 1046z: Now 61 stations spotted this morning on 6m FT8 RX. Although Japan was being worked again on 6m FT8 from the UK, again nothing spotted here. 😕

Sunspots - Friday July 5th 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the sunspot number still zero. A=5 and K=1.

Initial feedback on the FT-991A transceiver

As reported yesterday, I have a new Yaesu FT-991A radio. So far it has only been used on 6m and 2m where the power is limited to 50W. On HF at the moment I have no antennas.

Initial feedback is good. On 6m it has worked SSB DX via Es and been used on FT8. On 2m I have used it on a local FM net and FT8. So far, I have used my Signalink USB for interface between the PC and transceiver.

My main criticisms are:

• The fan is on more often than I expected.
• The waterfall display speed seems too slow.

Now the speed of the waterfall may be adjustable after I read the manual! At 5W and on RX I would have expected the fan to be off.

Overall good.

Son and family on their way to Australia - NOT amateur radio

At the moment our younger son and his family is on a plane bound for his in-laws in Australia. Currently they are over Estonia. They have a long way to go still!

UK pound versus the euro - NOT amateur radio

We have already seen quite big falls in the value of the UK pound against several major currencies. With the continued uncertainty over the UK Prime Minister and BREXIT, things are likely to get worse. Personally, I can't see any quick fix on the horizon. What is more likely is the UK pound will continue to lose money.

We are ruled by a bunch of public school toffs who haven't a clue about life for the majority. Sadly we voted them in!

It is in their (financial) interest to show non-Conservatives in a bad light. Remember, most of the written media is owned/controlled by right wingers. We are manipulated more than we realise.

Corpus clock - NOT amateur radio

One of the most photographed things in Cambridge must be the strange clock outside Corpus Christi college shown here in the photo. The picture was taken yesterday.

2m FT8

At the moment I am still using my Signalink USB with my FT991A and the big-wheel omni. As far as I can tell, the interface to the rig is the same as for the FT817 via USB.  If I can work out the drivers, the rig can be CAT controlled and audio interfaced directly from the PC over USB.

A recent 2m FT8 CQ got 17 spots including 2 from Cornwall. FT8 works! I was also copied in Germany earlier on 2m.

UPDATE 1357z: As well as working a station in N.Wales on 2m FT8, I have spotted so many stations on 2m FT8 RX with the big-wheel omni antenna. The map shows where my 2m FT8 signal has reached so far today on TX.

UPDATE 1900z: Amazing! OK I am running 50W at the moment but I have worked (i.e. 2-way)  DL6YBF (471km) and received 31 spots on 2m with just the big-wheel omni antenna. 2m behaves so differently with FT8. Stations I could never ever imagine working are possible. And this is probably flat conditions!

2m FT8 spots of my 

transmission today

UPDATE 1955z: I have never before been received in Eire from this QTH on VHF, but EI2GLB (499km), along with many others, is spotting me. 60 reports so far today on 2m FT8 TX.

Rallies this weekend

6 JULY 2019 (Saturday) : STOCKPORT RS RALLY

Walthew House, 112 Shaw Heath, Stockport, Cheshire SK2 6SQ. Doors open 9.30am to 4pm with disabled visitors gaining access at 9.15am. Admittance is £2. There will be trade stands, special interest groups and an RSGB Bookstall. Catering is available on site. A talk-in station will be on the air. Nigel Roscoe, G0RXA, 07506 904422, info@g8srs.co.uk.

Sunday 7 JULY : BARFORD NORFOLK RADIO RALLY

Barford Village Hall & Green, Barford, Norwich, NR9 4AB. Opens 0900 (traders from 0800) with talk in on S22 and featuring trade stands, car boot sales, bring and buy, raffle, repeater groups, catering and free car parking. Entry £2 per person / under 16's free. Pitches £8. Contact radio@dcpmicro.com www.norfolkamateurradio.org.

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

OFCOM Communications Market Report

OFCOM has updated this. I quote:

"Ofcom has today published its Communications Market Report (CMR), which provides data on industry trends and consumer behaviour in the UK’s telecoms, broadcasting, post and digital markets.

This year marks a significant change in the format of the CMR. The report is now an interactive data portal containing all the major datasets for these markets, accompanied by a short summary of the main findings. The interactive portal will be updated throughout the year.

In-depth analysis of this data and commentary on each of these markets can now be found in four major Ofcom reports published each year:

• Online Nation – published in May; examines how people are served by internet content and services, and their attitudes towards being online.
• Media Nations – published in August; reviews major trends in the television, radio and audio sectors across the UK and its nations.
• Annual Monitoring Update on the Postal Market – published in November; sets out data and trends within the postal sector.
• Connected Nations – main annual report published in December, with two updates during the year; looks at the latest coverage of fixed broadband and mobile networks in the UK and its nations, as well as the security and resilience of those networks."

See https://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/547BBAABA0147EEB2540EF23F30FEDED/952AB8F022CBFC94BA4AF9908B8D85ED

6m FT8 RX

Although the better UK stations on 6m FT8 are working Japan, none spotted here today again on my modest set-up. I guess signals are weak and a big, high beam helps. So far today,16 stations spotted with best DX EA8BEV (3126km) in the Canary Is. It would be good to spot just one!

UPDATE 0943z: Now 35 stations spotted this morning on 6m FT8 RX. Still no Japanese! 😢

UPDATE 1115z:  70 stations spotted this morning on 6m FT8 RX with best DX 4X4DK (3580km). My own CQ was widely spotted across Europe.

UPDATE 1525z: My 6m FT8 signal has been spotted by 61 stations today, so far. There was some Es 4 hours ago, but most reports are from the UK and nearer Europe.

Sunspots - Thursday July 4th 2019

Solar flux is 66 and the SSN still 0. A=4 and K=1.

Still looks like we are bouncing along the bottom of sunspot minimum.

Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

Several times I have mentioned that we are lucky to live so close to Cambridge. We went shopping there after lunch in the sunny summer weather.

The BBC outside broadcast van was parked outside Kings. I guess they were recording a service.

The photo shows the university church, Great St Mary's, which is about 200m from Kings.

New radio

It is not often I get new radios. When I get these, they usually do me for years.

I bought a Yaesu FT991A, which seems to do my sort of operating and covers 160m to 70cm (no 4m) with all modes and an auto ATU. It is supposed to have a 3 year warranty, although I could not find this in the paperwork. I shall have to get MLS to make this explicitly clear. There is also a cashback offer from Yaesu. At the moment, I am still finding my way around. For example, I have still to figure out how to add speech processing in SSB. I need to read the manual in bed!

This evening it was used for a 2m FM net with locals and to work an Italian by Es on 6m SSB. Good reports so far at well below the maximum powers on these bands.

At some point I shall try FT8, which is my favourite mode with my poor voice.

It is smaller than the IC7300, although not SDR based and probably not as high spec. The fan only come on when the rig is hot. Covering 2m and 70cm suits me more. I can turn it down to 5W.

BREXIT - what a mess! - NOT amateur radio

Whatever your viewpoint we are in a right mess.

We are due to leave the EU at the end of October and, as far as I can tell, we are no nearer an agreement. The election of Boris Johnson or Jeremy Hunt as UK Prime Minister solves nothing.

Assuming the turkeys vote for Christmas and there is a vote of no confidence in the UK government that is passed, I guess we'll have a general election. Most see the Labour leader as a left wing "loose cannon". Perhaps the best outcome would be a Labour-Lib-dem coalition,  but this does not exactly fill me with confidence either.

In my view we face rough times ahead and perhaps the biggest constitutional crisis since the 1600s.

Shack - 1992?

This picture shows my radio gear in about 1992. These days I have far less! Looking back, I had quite a bit of gear. It was all on a "spare" table in our main bedroom. These days I have a dedicated shack, and less gear! As I recall, all the Standard gear was free. This was obtained from work as we were considering a tie-up at one time when they were part of Philips if I remember correctly.

6m FT8

Plenty of 6m Es this morning early with 142 spots already at 0818z. All Europeans so far.

UPDATE 1139z: Now 204 stations spotted today on 6m F88 RX. All were European, mostly Es.

UPDATE 2020z: In the end before I went QRT on 6m FT8 RX 314 stations spotted.

Sunspots - Wednesday July 3rd 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the SSN still 0. A=5 and K=0.

2m UKAC July

In all 9 stations worked with my best DX being over near the Welsh borders. I managed to hear a couple of Italians by 2m Es, but these were not worked.

Not bad for 5W and a big-wheel omni antenna.

Little things please little minds - NOT amateur radio

These signs appeared recently in our village. I am sure to some they must be meaningful, but I had to laugh. There is a road closed not far away, but this is plain stupid.

OFCOM update

Every month, OFCOM updates its Communications Update.

See https://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/10EC7DAD498055A92540EF23F30FEDED/952AB8F022CBFC94BA4AF9908B8D85ED

6m FT8

Although I have been on 6m FT8 for a while, only Gs copied so far. A brief CQ (2.5W) was spotted by 5 stations with the best being G8VR (76km).

UPDATE 1238z: So far, this has been a very poor day with no Es and no "real DX".

UPDATE 1515z: Possible small Es opening mid afternoon, although it could have been aircraft.

UPDATE 1526z: Now widespread Es. This is definitely Es!

UPDATE 1817z:  There is now very widespread Es on 6m FT8 with 245 6m FT8 RX spots. Best DX is a single North American spot of WU1ITU (4831km).

6m FT8 RX today here

UPDATE 2118z: So in the end 6m came good with plenty of Es. In the end 355 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX today.

Updated solar data

My favourite solar data source has been updated. As far as I can see it still shows that we have passed the solar minimum.

If we see another month like last month maybe the predictions will change. If things improve this could mean last month was just a blip. Time will tell.

Sunspots - Tuesday July 2nd 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the SSN is 0. A=9 and K=2.

6m antenna

Although I would not like to see this in my neighbour's garden (or mine!), I must be a bit of a hypocrite as I want DX stations to have a decent signal on 6m. 4S7AB in Sri Lanka has been gifted a G0KSC 7el 6m yagi according to Southgate News. This is a big antenna. He has already worked Japan with it. I hope he works some Europeans soon on 6m.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/june/4s7ab-gets-a7el-50-mhz-lfa-wos.htm#.XRnz1fZFy00 

Solar forecast

Of late, we have had pretty poor conditions, suggesting we are very close to solar minimum. As I mentioned before, there is some divergence of views about the exact date of the sunspot minimum. One forecast was suggesting we had already passed this, whereas another was suggesting we are not quite there yet. At the moment, it feels like we are very close to sunspot minimum. My favourite forecast is usually updated early in the month, so it will be interesting to see if their dates for solar minimum have changed.

See http://www.solen.info/solar/

"Boney Was A Warrior" - NOT amateur radio

My wife mentioned that she used to sing this when she was 4-5 on the way to school. At the time she did not know who Boney was, did not know when it was written and did not know the full words.

As you can expect, a quick Google was called for to find the full lyrics and the date.  To the best I can discern, it was a sea shanty written in 1830. It talks about the Napoleonic wars, Waterloo and Napoleon's imprisonment on St Helena. He died in 1821.

See https://www.songfacts.com/lyrics/traditional/boney-was-a-warrior

6m FT8

As on previous summer days, I am again on 6m FT8 RX. Plenty of Es with 27 spots all over Europe as of 0830z.  No "real DX" here still.

UPDATE 1138z:   Now 59 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX today. Best DX today on 6m FT8 RX is 5T5PA (3791km) in Mauritania.

UPDATE 1346z:  Now 69 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX today. Most are European.

UPDATE 1752z: Now 150 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX including many stations in the USA and 1 in the Caribbean. Currently the best DX on 6m FT8 RX today is W4DXX (7010km) in Georgia.

Stations spotted here on 6m 

FT8 RX to 1915z today

UPDATE 1912z: With at least 35 USA stations spotted so far this evening on 6m FT8 RX, this must be the best evening so far for North Americans on 6m. And this is still with just the V2000 vertical omni fed with CB coax! An earlier CQ (2.5W) only got me around Europe.

North Americans spotted on 6m 

FT8 RX this evening so far.

UPDATE 2007z: The second map shows the North Americans so far spotted this evening on 6m FT8 RX. It is still wide open. I have spotted at least 45 so far tonight.

UPDATE 2140z: QRT.

Sunspots - Monday July 1st 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the sunspot number 0. A=4 and K=3.

July already!

2m FT8

6m has been given up and I am instead on 2m FT8. Initially I called CQ (2.5W to the big-wheel omni antenna) and was spotted by 10 G stations, although no 2-way QSOs resulted. I am now RX only.

My best report on TX was by G0OFE (229km).  On RX the best DX so far is F6KBF (387km).

It looks like the big DX opening is over.

UPDATE 2114z: Now 29 stations in 6 countries so far tonight on 2m FT8 RX.

Still surprises

On Oscar 100, the geostationary amateur satellite, activity levels do not seem to have increased on the narrowband transponder. I still cannot get over listening to ZS stations chatting away on 10GHz!

For some people this could be an answer, although most seem to enjoy the journey to communicating via the satellite rather than just chatting. Once they can do it, the "repeater in the sky" holds less interest.  It seems novel to be able to work DX from Brazil to South East Asia and the whole of Africa at any time without QSB.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/

Trump and North Korea - NOT amateur radio

OK, I admit that President Trump is not one of my favourite all time leaders, but credit where credit is due.

Meeting Kim in the Korean demilitarised zone and stepping into North Korea, although probably good for next years' elections, has probably done some good. All credit to him for taking the risk that he would be snubbed. Mind you, I am sure behind the scenes their aides were working hard.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-48814975

Getting older - NOT amateur radio

Late last year I turned 70. I am not sure if this is because I am getting (got?) old, but things feel somehow different.

Maybe it is the realisation that I may die next year or in 25 years. My health is likely to get worse as the years progress. Maybe it is the realisation that all that I want to do cannot be achieved. Memories become more important.

Some of these feelings may be as a result of my 2013 stroke.

Live for and in the moment. What will be will be.

More trans-Atlantic 2m DX

Southgate News reports on the EI7GL blog saying that the trans-Atlantic path from Cape Verde to the Caribbean has been worked again on 2m. Not only that, but the Cape Verde Islands have been spotted in Venezuela on 2m FT8. When will we see the first 2-way QSO from Venezuela to the Cape Verde Is. on 2m?

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/june/144-mhz-trans-atlantic-path-opens-up-again.htm#.XRiW9PZFy00 

Eddystone EC10 RX

When I was younger, I always wanted one of these. In the late 1960s they retailed for £48. They were, I think, the first transistorised communications receiver Eddystone made. The RX used OC171 germanium transistors and a low IF. Actually they were useless! The only good thing was the wonderful Eddystone dial.

A friend of mine had a dad who worked for Eddystone and he managed to get me a pre-production Mk 1 EC10. The entire 10m band covered about 1cm of dial and the image rejection must have been almost non-existent. By today's standards it was a useless RX. Mine was mainly used on 160m and 80m and as a tunable IF for 2m.

Even today I think they still command good prices on eBay, although this must be for collectors rather than performance.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/ec10

6m FT8 RX

This morning there is lots of Es on 6m FT8. Stations are being spotted from all over Europe with best DX on 6m FT8 RX  EA8DBM (3016km). Still no "real DX" on my modest set-up.  So far 65 stations spotted on 6m and it is just 0833z.

UPDATE 1010z: Now 94 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX this morning. As before, no "real DX"

UPDATE 1330z: Now 99 stations in 17 countries spotted today on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1345z: It seems the Es opening on 6m must have ended. No more spots now for some time.

UPDATE 1612z: With just 100 stations spotted so far today on 6m FT8 RX, I think the Es opening earlier has definitely ended. Es sometimes peaks again around teatime, so there is hope yet.  Nothing special here today. Nothing from the Americas or Caribbean. Nothing from Asia.

SAQ VLF (17.2kHz CW) transmission TODAY

A few times a year, the historic VLF alternator TX is fired up. Today is one of those rare times.

See  https://alexander.n.se/the-radio-station-saq-grimeton/saq-transmissions/?lang=en

Sunspots - Sunday June 30th 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the SSN 0. A=3 and K=3.

Interesting clouds - NOT amateur radio

When it comes to clouds I am definitely no expert!  Last evening, at about 2030z, there were some interesting clouds over "our" windmill next door, so I took a quick photo out of the lounge window. I think they are fibratus clouds, which are a form of cirrus, but as I said, I am no expert!

Front lawn - NOT amateur radio

In the heatwave last summer, part of our front lawn died and never recovered.

The rear lawn went brown, but fully recovered. It has, arguably, a bit more shade.

In the last few weeks I de-thatched the front lawn and reseeded it. Much to my surprise the seeds germinated (some in just 6 days) and the lawn already looks much better. Give it a few weeks and a grass cut and it should look quite good again.

The photo shows as it was and as it is now.