Sunspots and 10m - Tues March 29th 2016

Solar flux is 87 today and sunspot number just 23 (K=3). 10m propagation is again expected to be "poor". I think today will be another disappointing day on 10m, but the band often throws surprises! I have been on 10m WSPR for about 10 minutes so far.

UPDATE 1035z:  No 10m WSPR spots so far.

QRT on all bands

As we have people staying, I decided to go QRT on all bands until after breakfast. I shall probably return to 10m WSPR sometime in the morning. 10m WSPR was very quiet today.

Big Es openings are unlikely before May on 10m and 6m. I shall soon return to using the 500mW 10m W5OLF WSPR beacon so I can use the PC and FT817 on 6m WSPR at the same time.

QRP

More from Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

QRP Rendez-Vous weekly report (March 21 to 27, 2016)
See full report with "soapbox" and picture here -
http://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/

Visitors  of week: UR7VT, OH6NPV, R1CAD, UA1ADF, G6HUI, RD6A, DL8NGC, DL3NAA,  DL1IE,  M6KET, HA7REM, GM0WED/p, OK1ACP, UT2LP, OM6TC, R1OA, UA2FAI,  UA4NU,  RV3GM, UA0SBQ, UA1ASB, LA3ZA, LZ1HM, DL4KE/m, UA9WM, UT7MT, RD6MZ, DF2SJ, DL4FO/p, RU3NJC, SM2FIJ, UI8CM, UA1CEG/p, UT8NR, ON6KZ, DL4HG, UA1CEX, UA4HQM, UR0ET, UR5EFD, RC4A/m

G6HUI, RD6MZ, DL4HG entered in the honor "Frequenters" list
See full Visitors and Frequenters lists - www.club72.su
Welcome  all  QRP  operators to "rendez-vous" each Tuesday, Thursday,
Saturday  at 9.00 UTC on 14060 kHz (alternative 10116 kHz if contest)
+/- QRM, QRL, keep RIT for xtal stn's.

72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"

Windmill and Museum Open - NOT amateur radio

As it is a bank holiday here in the UK, our local museum and windmill in Burwell, Cambs are open. It is a very fine museum and windmill.

There is an Easter Egg Hunt for the little ones, but there is loads here always to interest youngsters. Our grandchildren love it.

We can see the windmill and museum from our kitchen and lounge. Ours is the bungalow on the left in the photo. As you can see, we are very close!

See www.burwellmuseum.org.uk .

Irish 2m contest

See http://www.irts.ie/cgi/st.cgi?test_calendar .

If you are in range, you may be interested in this contest this afternoon organised by the IRTS in Eire. There is an FM section too. It runs Easter Monday and in August.

Winds - NOT amateur radio

It has been very windy over much of the UK in the last 12 hours. It was worse in other parts than here although Storm Katie was enough to blow over our bird table and I notice quite a few fallen branches on the ground when I walked to our local Co-op shop earlier.

The winds are subsiding as the storm slips into the North Sea, leaving behind sunny intervals and blustery showers. We have all the family due here later.

Sunspots and 10m - Mon March 28th 2016

Solar flux is 88 today. Sunspot number is 23 (K=1) and the forecast for 10m propagation remains "poor".

UPDATE 1635z:   No 10m WSPR DX seen here all day.

10m WSPR all night

Partly because I forgot to QSY to MF night, I stayed on 10m WSPR overnight. I did a resync to internet time at breakfast, although it should do this automatically every 10 minutes.

UPDATE 1005z:  No spots on 10m WSPR since yesterday and even these were just G stations.

UPDATE 1122z:  Just a single 10m WSPR spot from local G4KPX (14km) this morning at -16dB S/N.  No DX.

East Anglian Church Blog Updated - NOT amateur radio

I have just updated the East Anglian Churches Blog with our local church here in Burwell.

It was designed by the architect responsible for the world famous Kings College Chapel in Cambridge.

See http://eachurches.blogspot.co.uk/

Sunspots and 10m - Sun March 27th 2016

Solar flux is 86 today. Sunspot number is 23 (K=3) and the forecast for 10m propagation remains "poor" again. I have not been on 10m WSPR very long.

UPDATE 1104z:  So far just local G4KPX (14km) spotted on 10m WSPR.

British Summer Time - NOT amateur radio

If you are in the UK did you remember to switch to BST? We lose 1 hour but get this back in the autumn. At least we get lighter evenings.

Late switch from 472kHz WSPR

I have only just moved to 10m WSPR from 630m WSPR where the best DX overnight on RX was EA5DOM (1525km). On TX my best DX on 472kHz WSPR was PA7EY (306km).

10m WSPR - spotted in Brazil yet again

Yet again, I was spotted in Brazil, with a late spot at 1928z as well as earlier in the afternoon. 

I have now QSYed to MF for the night until after breakfast.

UPDATE 2012z:   Lots of 472kHz WSPR spots received and given. Best DX on 472kHz WSPR RX so far this evening is LA8AV (1035km). On 472kHz WSPR TX (5mW ERP) the best DX so far is a spot by G3KEV (232km).

More OFCOM rubbish?

See http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/undueinterference/statement/ .

See the "note to stakeholders". They can't even get their dates right!!

I very much doubt we'll see them reduce the noise pollution in the radio spectrum. OFCOM - get off your backsides and DO SOMETHING USEFUL.

Pronouncements ring hollow. Actions speak louder than words.

Red legged partridges - NOT amateur radio

We frequently get these birds wandering around our close. There are also 3 Mallard ducks that appear regularly. Red legs now far outnumber ordinary partridges. I think red legged partridges were introduced but they are now widespread in the UK.

Last night on 472kHz WSPR

Last night I was active on TX (5mW ERP) and RX on 472kHz WSPR using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the back lawn. My best DX on TX this season was LA3JJ (993km) who spotted me several times last night. This is the second Norwegian (if I remember rightly) station to spot me on the band this year.

Southgate Amateur Radio News

There is often something of interest here and I frequently link to posts that I found of interest. Check it out from time to time.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/ .

Sunspots and 10m - Sat March 26th 2016

Solar flux is a low 85 and sunspot number is 24 (K=1). The forecast for 10m propagation remains "poor" again today.

Even with yesterday's "poor" forecast I was spotted in Brazil and conditions today are a bit better today than yesterday. I've been on 10m WSPR for just over 1 hour now.

UPDATE 1346z:  No 10m WSPR spots as yet.

QRP

A bit late to remind you about this Saturday, but it serves as a reminder for the future! From Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,
new member in the Club 72 -
op. Georgiy R2FAI (# 84)
Also reminder about Saturday QRP Rendez-Vous at 9.00 UTC around 14060,
alternative 10116 kHz if contest QRMs.
72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"

Return to 472kHz WSPR

Just after dark, at about 1900z, I turned off the 10m WSPR and QSYed down to 472kHz (630m) where I shall remain all evening and night.  Last night the best DX on 472kHz WSPR RX was EA5DOM (1525km). We'll see what tonight brings. On TX (5mW ERP) and RX I am still using the earth-electrode "antenna". I am on RX for 80% of the time.

To Brazil (again) on 10m WSPR

KD0VWO (7412km) monitoring in Brazil spotted me on 10m WSPR this afternoon. With a low sunspot number, it again shows the value of WSPR. Such brief openings would go unnoticed otherwise.  G3JKV (123km) was spotted. The report from Brazil was better than the report I gave G3JKV.

Spring? - NOT amateur radio

There are probably another 6 weeks before we see the trees coated in fresh green, the blossom well out, and fields of yellow rape. Already the first sand martins are returning to Devon and there has even been a report of a returning swallow in Devon. It will probably be into April before I spot swallows up here in East Anglia. Usually I see my first swallows here April 7-14th. Swifts are not usually seen (by me at least!) until the end of April.

These returning migrants bring joy to my heart: long after I am gone they will still be doing this journey as their ancestors have done for thousands of years. I admit there have been times when I never thought I'd see this spring.

Lackford Lakes - NOT amateur radio

Before lunch we visited Lackford Lakes, a nature reserve not far from Newmarket. There were plenty of water birds plus we heard at least 2 chiffchaffs, which have probably just got back from Africa although some of these now over-winter in the UK.  Driving through Lackford there was a red kite overhead. We also saw a tree creeper in the reserve.

Sunspots and 10m - Fri March 25th 2016

Solar flux is 85 today and the sunspot number up a little at 25 (K=1). 10m propagation is expected to remain "poor" today.  I have been on 10m for a few hours now but no spots as yet.

IC7300

See https://twitter.com/Icom_UK?cn=ZmxleGlibGVfcmVjc18y&refsrc=email .

ICOM is now telling the world that the IC7300 is now on sale in the UK.

The picture on the LHS is a cropped version of that tweeted by ICOM_UK.  It will be removed if required as I have no wish to infringe copyright. It is shown here in good faith. I like this radio, but not the price!

2m WSPR?

Yesterday I received an email about 2m WSPR, to which I replied. It has got me thinking. I've not tried 2m WSPR since I had the big-wheel horizontal omni up, so I ought to have another go. The last time I tried was with Bob G3WKW. The main issue was rig drift, even with a TCXO. As I recall, even after a full day we only managed 1 spot! We are about 140km apart. It will need a long test. I guess I can check the frequency by using GB3VHF.

MLS selling ICOM IC7300s from today

Southgate News reports that MLS are selling IC7300 transceivers from today. It looks a nice radio but I think it is selling for too much. My opinion, others may disagree.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2016/march/ic_7300_announcement.htm .

Stroke update - NOT amateur radio

Today I had to visit the doctor for my check-up. Blood pressure and chest were fine and my PSA levels were lower than in December and "no action is required".

Overall, I still feel wobbly on my feet, thin liquids are hard work, my voice is poor and I still feel not as I was. Any improvements are hard to see. I guess this is how it is going to be now and I'd better learn to adapt.

Sunspots and 10m - Thurs March 24th 2016

Solar flux is 86 today and sunspot number just 14 (K=2). 10m propagation  is again expected to remain "poor". I QSYed from MF to 10m about 30 minutes ago, more in hope than expectation!

UPDATE 1252z:  10m never to amaze me! I was expecting nothing today and see that 4X1RF (3519km) has already spotted my 2W 10m WSPR 10 times already. It certainly shows that 10m is open far more often than casual SSB or CW use would suggest. Some of 4X1RF's 10m spots have been remarkably strong too.

UPDATE 1356z:  The spots from Israel seemed to stop after lunch. I am now beginning to wonder if the 10m band will open to S.America. Anything, it seems, is possible!

UPDATE 1626z:  No more spots on 10m since lunch.

QRP Club

From Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

Firstly, reminder about Thursday QRP Rendez-Vous at 9.00 UTC on 14060 +/-  QRM,  QRL,  keep  RIT for xtal op's. All comments send to "mr72" e-mail, please.

Welcome all QRP operators to annually April QRP Marathon "Look In the Horizon". See details on web page - www.club72.su

72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"
 

Time to QSY to 630m (472kHz) WSPR

Apart from 4X1RF (3519km) there been no DX on 10m WSPR here today. It is time to QSY I think to 630m. It will take a few minutes to swap bands and do a re-sync to internet time, if need be. 630m never fails on RX and TX.

UPDATE 2002z:  I have now moved to MF for the evening and night and within the first few minutes copied stations in Germany and Norway on 630m WSPR RX.  Signals are not yet strong.  Nobody has yet spotted my 5mW ERP signal. It is some time since I used the external preamp on RX. A slightly deaf FT817 on 472kHz seems to be no handicap.

More from OFCOM

OFCOM, yet again, adding so much value. They really must need help - said with a great degree of sarcasm.

See http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/amendment-regulations-2015/statement/?utm_source=updates&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=amendment-regulations-2015-statement

Riverside walk - NOT amateur radio

This morning we did a walk from Mildenhall to the village of Barton Mills and back to Mildenhall along the River Lark.  It was classic kingfisher country, although we saw none. Instead lots of mute swans, mallards and Canada Geese. A delightful walk and probably my longest walk since my stroke a few years ago (4km).

Mildenhall is better known for its US airbase, which is closing. I am not sorry as I found this base very threatening. Mildenhall is actually a very pleasant Suffolk town with some fine buildings, church and museum. Barton Mills is a delightful village too.

10m WSPR DX

4X1RF (3519km) surprised me by spotting my 2W 10m WSPR many times today. G4CUI (172km) has also spotted me on 10m WSPR. Not too bad for a band many would choose to ignore as a dead loss.

Sunspots and 10m - Wed March 23rd 2016

Solar flux is 87 and sunspot number a very low 13 (K=4). The forecast for 10m propagation remains "poor" and I really am not expecting much on 10m WSPR today. I've been on 10m WSPR for about 15 minutes but no spots, well not yet anyway. 10m is always a band of surprises so who knows what the day will bring? I hopeful of some Gs, maybe some short-skip and just maybe some South Americans, but the latter are unlikely.

Packhorse Inn - NOT amateur radio

We ate lunch with our son (pity the other one wasn't there too) at the Packhorse Inn in Moulton near Newmarket. The food was very good and it was very busy, which is always a good sign. This is our third visit. This medieval packhorse bridge is just a few metres away.

QSYed to 630m (472kHz) WSPR

At about 1846z I moved from 10m down to 630m WSPR for the evening and night. It is getting a bit late in the season for new MF stations, but I remain ever hopeful. At some point I really must count all the spots with 5mW ERP on 472kHz WSPR this DX season. As you will recall, I am only using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. I have managed to hear stations all over western Europe with this "antenna".  It has reached Norway and Germany on TX.

Before too long I shall  move to 6m WSPR as activity on MF will drop off and the Es season will  really be with us on 6m. In previous years I have got to Israel, 4X1RF (3519km), several times on 6m WSPR with just 1W ERP to an omni vertical antenna. Mind you, 6m is more of a daytime band, so I will have to think about a band at night - maybe 40m.

I may try an E-field probe on 136 and 472kHz next season. These are tiny, but effective, RX antennas if carefully positioned in the garden. I suppose I could even do several bands scanning on RX. My old work colleague Bob G3WKW has used a Raspberry-Pi as a 10mW WSPR TX beacon switching across several bands. He has achieved some remarkable results - all credit to him.

UPDATE 1918z:  G4GIR (53km) is a newcomer on 472kHz WSPR - well he's new to me, I think. We just exchanged spots. Also in the RX log already is LA8AV (1035km) in JO59cs. I do like 472kHz WSPR - even with my set-up I seem to get very decent results. It is a great pity more don't join in the fun. As I have said many many times, if I can get out OK then anyone can! My "antenna" proves you do NOT need lots of wire in the air and a ground the size of a football pitch. No, a very small system works. The transverter I use was homebrew and is shown in the latest edition of the RSGB book "LF Today". It is also on my website at http://www.g3xbm.co.uk . This is very simple and several versions have been built. No, before you ask, I do NOT do a PCB for this. It has an output of 10-15W although my measured ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" is very low. To a half decent antenna just think what you could achieve!

WSPR on 472kHz already this evening

10m short-skip

EA1FAQ (1249km) spotted me on 10m WSPR at lunchtime. A few hours later I noticed the shack PC had closed the WSPR program and shut down, presumably to install updates. I did a time resync and restarted the WSPR program about 1 hour ago. I have no idea when the PC shut down, but there have been no more 10m WSPR spots.

Our rear garden - NOT amateur radio

This was our rear garden taken this morning. In a few weeks time all the blossom will be out. In the distance, in our neighbour's garden, is an apple and plum orchard.

More on the IC7300

See http://yo9irf.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/icom-ic-7300-review.html?utm_source=amateur-radio-weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter .

YO9IRF takes a look at the IC7300. MLS is offering this for sale but at a price over £1000, which may interest "early adopters", but is much higher than most are prepared to pay, I believe. Expect the price to drop soon. Even with  the dollar and yen exchange rates, I think a much lower price should be expected and demanded.

£799 would seem a fair price to me. Don't forget that early radios are often riddled with bugs that later get sorted. This is the first time the transceiver will have been mass produced so it is quite likely this will occur, although not inevitable. Personally, I can wait.

I found this via Amateur Radio Weekly at AmateurRadio.com. Always a good source of data.