Swifts - NOT amateur radio

It is now August 3rd and I have not noticed the swifts (birds). During May, June and July they are a very common summer migrant. They feed and sleep on the wing. During August most fly south. Suddenly we look up and notice they are no longer there. A few stragglers may stay a bit longer, but most will have started their long journey south. They usually return in late April or early May.

To me, their antics on the wing and their screams are part of an English summer. Safe travels and I hope to see you next summer.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/

6m FT8 - no early Es here, but some later

Today, I am again on 6m FT8. On 6m FT8 RX 2 G stations were spotted so far (0855z). On TX 5 stations spotted me, but all were Gs. As yet, no Es seen here.

UPDATE 1037z:  No 6m Es today? As of now, just 4 G stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX today. You get the feeling the main Es season is ending.

UPDATE 1117z: Well there is Es on 6m FT8 today, with Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Scotland on 6m FT8 RX this lunchtime.

UPDATE 1633z: 16 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX and my CQ was spotted by 16 stations in 4 countries with best DX a spot by EC1CT (1065km) in northern Spain.

UPDATE 1815z: Now 19 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX today with EA8AQV (2989km) being the best DXs as the map shows. No "real DX" here today.

UPDATE 2105z: Now going QRT, so check 6m for a massive opening that I am just about to miss!  😒

Sunspots - Saturday August 3rd 2019

Solar flux is 67 today and the SSN 0. A=8 and K=1.

Dahlias - NOT amateur radio

Most months we visit nearby Anglesey Abbey, a National Trust property, to walk around the extensive grounds. Every summer they have a great show of dahlias. At the moment these are not quite at their best, but some are already wonderful, as the photo shows. There was one on the blog yesterday, but I could not resist sharing this one too!

The Tenner 10m CW QRP transceiver

Apart from summer Es, 10m is not the best DX band. Give it a few years, it may be quite different and 10m DX should be easy with QRP.

Perhaps now is the time to get building. Remember that all of Europe can be worked with QRP every May, June and July. Once the F2 openings really get going the USA should be workable with QRP regularly. In both cases, just a low wire dipole is all that is needed - no beams, nothing big in the air.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/10m_tenner

Facebook and Microsoft Edge - NOT amateur radio

For the last few weeks it seems as if my browser (Edge) is blocking all "push" notifications from Facebook. I am also unable to post. With Firefox all works. When I tried to turn "on" Facebook push messages FB would not allow me to turn this "on".  It is almost as if an update to Edge is preventing this. Anyone else seen this?

Giddiness - NOT amateur radio

Since my stroke in 2013 I have felt giddy on my feet. In the last year this has got worse. Not only that, but all car driving has become more stressful. Even a 4 mile trip to Tesco fills me with dread. When I drive I seem to be OK. My wife says I am the same as ever and it is all in the mind. 45 mph feels like 70-80mph to me! I am aware I must drive slowly and this embarrasses  me.

Es this season

There have been some spectacular 6m openings this Es season. These include Europe to North and South America, the Caribbean, Japan and even Australia. However, here this season, 6m Es has been less good than last year.

This summer, I have copied North America and the Caribbean but not South America or the Far East. The last time I spotted Japan on 6m was in 2017 with JT65. For 2018 and 2019 I have concentrated on FT8, which is less good than JT65 on weak signals. My antenna system is just a V2000 vertical omni. This is probably 10dB down on better equipped stations.

Although better equipped stations are able to copy some of this "real DX" it suggests with my set-up I struggle.

6m FT8

Overnight I stayed on 2m FT8 RX. Although a few new stations were spotted late yesterday, very little new this morning, so I decided to go on 6m FT8 instead.

On 6m FT8 RX just a brief CQ by an LA7 (called but not worked). On 6m FT8 TX I was spotted by 8 stations with the best spot being by OZ9QV (861km).

UPDATE 1114z: Now 17 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX with the best DX spotted EA8AQV (2989km).

UPDATED 1402z: Now 30 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX.

Sunspots - Thursday August 2nd 2019

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN 0. A=8 and K=1.

By-election - NOT amateur radio

At the moment people are still voting in a by-election for their new MP. The outcome should be known in the morning.

UPDATE 2120z: Voting has now closed.

UPDATE Aug 2nd 0844z: The seat was won by the Lib-Dems.

2m FT8

A recent 2m FT8 CQ was spotted by 13 stations with best DX being DL6YBF (471km) who called and worked me. On 2m FT8 RX I have spotted 5 stations in 4 countries.

UPDATE 2111z: Now 12 stations spotted in 5 countries today in the last few hours.

6m FT8

Since lunchtime, I have been on 6m FT8. After a QSO with an EA4, I have been RX only. So far, 34 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX. All were European apart from 1 North African. At the moment my theory about Es openings later in the season favouring more northerly stations seems a load of rubbish with most stations being in southern Europe. Ah well, you cannot be right all of the time!

UPDATE 1850z: 49 stations spotted so far on 6m FT8 RX and my CQ call was copied by 26 stations with the best report being by CN8LI (2114km) in Morocco, N. Africa.

The 2 edged sword - NOT amateur radio

Like many, we want to support our local shops. We use our local baker, butcher and co-op shop. However, when our local chemist had no nail scissors and doubted they'd be getting more my wife turned to Amazon and they arrived within a few days.

Yesterday we ordered some new sheets and pillow cases via Amazon. I was able to track the delivery man's van and told my wife he'll soon be here. In just 24 hours they arrived at our doorstep. In the end I am sure high street shops that want to survive will alter their working models. In the next 20 years the high streets will undergo radical change.

Part of me wishes things were as they were, but the Amazon model is surely the way of the future. Like King Canute and the Luddites, one cannot stop the inevitable: we either change or die. In the next 20 years a lot will change. This not just the high street shops. Think of churches and other institutions. As people get older and die so will many institutions. Amateur radio tends to be an old man's hobby in many places. Where will that be in 20 years?

Dahlias at Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio

Usually there are good displays of dahlias at Anglesey Abbey. This year they are not quite at their best. In another week or so they will be. The photo shows one earlier today.

Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio

This is a nearby National Trust place we try to visit most months for a walk around the gardens. At this time of year schools are on holiday and it can be quite busy. We went early before the hoards arrived! The bridge in the photo was recently repaired by one of our neighbours.

UK rallies this Sunday

Sunday 4 AUGUST : 30th KING'S LYNN ARC GREAT EASTERN RADIO RALLY

Gaywood Community Centre, Gayton Road, King's Lynn, Norfolk. PE30 4EL. NGR is TF638203. Doors open at 9am, traders have access from 7am. Admission is £2.50 with free car parking. There will be trade stands and a Bring & Buy. There are Amateur Radio pitches outside as well as tables in hall. Onsite catering. Details from Ted, G4OZG on 01553 768701, 07946 838656 or Jeff, G6YPJ on 01366 727997, 07999 426025 or Email rally@klarc.org.uk www.klarc.org.uk.

Sunday 4 AUGUST : CRIANLARICH RADIO RALLY

Crianlarich Village Hall, Main Street, Crianlarich, Perthshire FK20 8QN. Organised by Lomond Radio Club, the doors will open at 10am. There will be a Bring & Buy, traders and RSGB Bookstall. Catering will be available on site. Contact Bill, mm0elf@blueyonder.co.uk for further details.

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

70cm FT8

After a brief outing on 6m FT8, I am now on 70cm FT8. At first I called CQ (no spots) and am now RX only. I am on 432.174MHz horizontal with the big-wheel 2m omni which normally gets me 100km on SSB in contests.

UPDATE 1112z: Success!! G0KTN (211km) managed to spot me on 70cm FT8. This was success at first try! Thank you Trevor. On horizontal using the 2m big-wheel omni, where the match was not so good, I could only run 14W. Trevor copied me on this. A later transmission with the V2000 vertical (good match) was at 50W but got no spots. I am now back on 6m FT8.

Sunspots - Thursday August 1st 2019

August already!

Solar flux is 66 and the sunspot number 0.  A= 8 and K=1.

Updated solar data

Early in the new month I look forward to reading the latest solar predictions. These are usually available by the 2nd of each month. With the solar conditions so dire in July, these are especially important as, until now they have forecast that we have passed the solar minimum.

In my view we are only now at, or near, the solar minimum. In the past, solar minimum conditions have lasted for many months. With luck, 2020 could see conditions start to improve, but only time will tell. In the meantime, we have to make the best of things. With luck, 10m could again be our best DX band again in a few years.

UPDATED 1855z: This page (see below) has now been updated and is still showing that we may have passed sunspot minimum.

See http://www.solen.info/solar/

G3XBM YouTube channel

A reminder that many of my projects are featured on my YouTube channel. Often a video helps to explain what is on the G3XBM website.

See https://www.youtube.com/user/G3XBM
See also www.g3xbm.co.uk

472kHz transverter

A few years ago my design for a simple 472kHz transverter was published in the ARRL journal QST. It is also on my website. Several derivatives have been constructed including a version using SMD parts.

Although simple and low power, it has been copied as far north as Norway on WSPR. Although the transverter produces 10-15W output, the ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" is a measured 10mW.

Now is the time to get ready for "the season" which tends to start in the autumn. In the summer months quite a few stations desert the band. This transverter and a simple earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground are all that are needed to get on the band.

Certainly with more power and a "real" antenna and ground system better results can be expected, but this "KISS" approach you can get over 1000km on WSPR on winter nights.

2m FT8

As the day draws to a close, I decided to QSY to 2m FT8. Best DX on TX was GI6ATZ (479km).

UPDATE  2025z: Despite TXing OK on 2m FT8 I was puzzled why nothing was being received. After investigating I found an error in my settings. Once corrected, stations were received OK. I called (without success) a PA0, but the best spot was by EI3KD (583km) in southern Eire.

3 year old falls from high-rise and survives

This is the sort of horror story you watch and hope. Apparently the 3 year old was caught in a blanket and escaped without injury.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-asia-china-49175524/china-toddler-three-year-old-falls-six-storeys-and-survives

70cm FT8

The last time I tried 70cm FT8 the results were abysmal with no spots!  I can now run a bit more power on TX, so may well try again tomorrow (Thursday August 1st 2019).

If you want to give it a go, I should be on most of the day on 432.174MHz FT8. Some of the time I shall try TX. I think I shall try horizontal polarisation.

Bell flowers - NOT amateur radio

My wife has a way with plants. I just cut the grass and make a mess!

This bell flower (sorry I do not know the Latin name) is growing on our patio. At the moment, it is looking good.

Clematis - NOT amateur radio

A few weeks ago I accidentally cut back a clematis whilst pruning a plant nearby. The whole stem with flowers was cut back to the root stock. Thankfully it has quickly regrown.

In the long run this "heavy" pruning was probably a good thing. Hopefully, there will be some attractive flowers on it next year, if not this.

Pye PF1 transceivers

My first job in 1970 at Pye Telecommunications was to convert the PF1 transceiver to 12.5kHz channel spacing. I am pretty sure this was a test to see how I got on.

We used 995 signal generators at that time and, boy, did they drift! For the first hour or so they were unusable and you might as well drink coffee and wait.

The PF1 was a 2 unit UHF transceiver widely used by the UK police in the  late 1960s. Some were converted to 70cms. I remember putting a 2m super-regen RX in a PF1 RX case.

This challenge was set by Mike Gotch who was later G0IMG (now SK). Apparently Mike was a pirate in his early days. In later years he was a keen 6m man.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/pf1
See also http://www.pyetelecomhistory.org/

6m FT8

As the storm risk locally is low, I am about to turn on 6m FT8, mostly RX. It is getting late in the Es season, so it will be interesting to see what comes through.

UPDATE 1019z: Initially I went on TX with 12 spots of me. My best spot was by OY1OF (1163km). On 6m FT8 RX just 3 spots so far with best being F6HGB (985km). Certainly not much early Es here today.

UPDATE 1122z: Now 7 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX today. Best DX spotted is OH8BXT (1916km).

UPDATE 1255z: Now 15 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX.

Sunspots - Wednesday July 31st 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the SSN 0. A=8 and K=3.  Still poor.

Politics - NOT amateur radio

Although I am not basically a political animal, the shift to the right in many countries bothers me. I well know that socialism does not hold all the answers, but extremism can so easily morph into fascism and hate.

In my view, we need moderate governments in which the will of the people is well represented. In many countries there is a knee-jerk reaction to the parties on the right that promise a lot, and which mostly cannot be fulfilled.

Simple regen RX

On my main website is the circuit of a very simple regen RX. I think mine was on 40m, but the same idea would work on most LF and MF bands. At higher frequencies the drift might be excessive. It is hard to make something simpler that will hear as much.

I seem to recall the late G3RJV (SK) referring to this in a PW magazine column some years ago.

There is a bigger schematic on the website. Click it and the image is bigger.

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

See also https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/feter-80m-qrpp-cw-transceiver

6m FT8

As the storm risk was low here, I reconnected the rig, PSU and PC. At the moment the worst storms are further north.

12 reports of my CQ (no QSOs) and 15 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX. Best DX spot on TX was 9A5CW (1253km).

UPDATE  1555z: "One swallow does not make a summer", as they say, but it is getting late in the Es season and the only Es here today on 6m FT8 RX is from the north. I said before that my unscientific observations were that late openings seem to favour more northerly stations. Yes, we'll still see southern Europe, but it will be interesting to see if northern Europeans predominate.

UPDATE 2030z:  Now QRT. In all, 18 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX.

Why? - NOT amateur radio

My home insurance reminder came through last week. It was far higher than last year. So, I did the same thing as last year and gave the same company a ring.

Next year's premium is now slightly less than this year. I guess they work on the assumption most people just pay. Personally, I think this is stupid and immoral. Surely it is in their interest to keep loyal customers who rarely, if ever, make a claim.

This is a silly, stupid, game.

Low thunder risk here

At the moment the Met Office weather forecast is showing no thunderstorms hereabouts today. I shall probably reconnect my shack PC and antennas shortly.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortung/europe/index.php?lang=en

Sunspots - Tuesday July 30th 2019

Solar flux is 65 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=1. Still bad - I suspect this is very close to sunspot minimum.

Hackers? - NOT amateur radio

Periodically, visits to this site shoot up, then die down again. I am sure this is not a sudden interest in amateur radio. More likely it is hackers doing their regular probing. As I have said before, I hope they go away.

6m FT8

So far today, 19 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX. I have not yet been on TX.

UPDATE 1445z: 128 stations spotted so far in the last half day, all Europeans.

UPDATE 2042z: Still 128 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX today. Soon be time to go QRT.

Sliding UK pound - NOT amateur radio

Perhaps it is not too surprising with a no-deal BREXIT possible with the Conservative right wing government led by Prime Minister Boris Johnson that the UK pound is sliding against major currencies.

In my view (others are free to disagree) we are being run by a bunch of total idiots. The sooner there is a General Election and a second referendum on leaving the EU the better.

Although I voted to remain in the EU in 2016, I can see a lot wrong with that institution. In my view, the EU needs reforming or it will fragment. The EU is doing itself no favours by carrying on as it does. This could turn even more people against the EU, which it can ill afford to do.

The UK has always (at least in my day) wanted free trade, but ultimate control of our laws and who lives and works here. Personally, I can see nothing wrong with that. No-one wants a hard border in Ireland, ever. We have never sought political union. Yes, we should come together for defence and good trade deals.

In my view, the EU needs to be more flexible. Sour grapes?

Coming back from York on the train - NOT amateur radio

On Saturday we returned from York by train. It was cheaper to come back first class than second! On LNER we had nice seats, free food and free drinks.