EU referendum - NOT amateur radio

The UK votes in a referendum on whether to remain in the EU or leave on June 23rd.

Like many, I am undecided.

The UK is not a world power with an empire - this went years ago. The EU is a gravy train for bureaucrats and is an unelected quango in the main creating so many laws that most small companies cannot keep up with them. At the same time, WW3 starting in Europe has not occurred and as long as there is an EU is unlikely. There is much wrong with the EU but much of it is a force for good. The EU needs to reform.

No I am still undecided. What I do know is this is a very important decision which will effect us for years to come. I think the vote will be very close. Should we vote to leave, I think others will follow too not many years down the line. My gut says leave but my logical self says stay in.

UPDATE 1400z:  I am really fed up with NEGATIVE messages and spin. 

Now on 10m WSPR (TX only 500mW) and 630m (5mW ERP TX, 80% RX)

With just a single spot all day on 6m from a station 33km away, I have left the 10m beacon still running (still Es about) and QSYed from 6m to 630m WSPR with the earth-electrode "antenna". In recent days 630m has not been brilliant.
 
UPDATE 1915z:  PA3ABK/2 (306km) being spotted on 630m (472kHz) WSPR.

UPDATE  2256z: On 10m WSPR I have been reported at incredible strength (+4dB) by DF4UE (758km) when running 500mW. This implies he would copy me at uW levels!

Dad's Army Van - NOT amateur radio

Our local village museum held a "Classic Car" day today.  Among the exhibits was the original Jones the butcher van used in the filming of "Dad's Army" back in the late 1960s and 1970s. This was a classic comedy about the Home Guard. It is still funny even now. Also at the museum was G6ALB (Andrew) and his wife, his father-in-law and Andrew's boys.

IC7300 video

This was received from Steve G1KQH yesterday. I think he expects me to buy one. With no FT817 replacement shown at Dayton, he may well be right, when the price drops and the bugs are ironed out, but I am in no hurry. It uses 15 band-pass filters in the front end. These stop overload in most, but not all, cases.

15 bandpass filters Roger?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaWmFoLp9Bc

73 Steve
http://www.g1kqh.talktalk.net/

Sunspots and 10m - Sun May 22nd 2016

Solar flux is 99 today. Sunspot number is just 17 (K=2).  The 10m propagation forecast remains "poor". I doubt we will see better F2 conditions until the autumn. Come that time we will be falling solar activity so F2 openings to the USA will be much less often.

Sunday 10m WSPR Es

Today I put the 500mW (TX only) beacon on 10m WSPR. As well as lots of spots by local G4KPX (14km) I was spotted at 1008z by I4ZTO (1185km). This is quite early in the day for Es.

Although also active on 6m WSPR (TX and RX), there have been no spots (yet) on 6m.

UPDATE 1140z:  Quite a few 10m WSPR spots (Es) received in the last few hours, but still no spots on 6m WSPR. Either people are using SSB/CW or there is no Es on 6m.

10m WSPR Es here

Around teatime there was a widespread 10m Es opening with spots from all over western Europe on 10m WSPR. It is not at all unusual for Es to peak at lunchtime and teatime.

I think tomorrow I shall try 6m WSPR with the FT817 and stick the 500mW beacon (TX only) on 10m.

Even fewer G3 calls

In the Silent Keys list in June RadCom I see another 4 G3 stations have died. Most months there are 4-6 who have died. My G3XBM call was issued in December 1967. Some date much earlier, probably just after WW2?  If the G3s are a dying breed then those issued between the wars must be even rarer. In 20 years there will be very few of us left. There is a real chance that our hobby will just die unless the younger generation is enthralled.  I very much hope I am wrong.

Young people get excited by different things. As a youngster, amateur radio was the only way to communicate around the world. TV was limited to Europe. Short-wave was magic: hearing Radio Australia with heavy QSB early in the morning was very exciting.  These days young people can video conference for nothing with any part of the world. No, amateur radio is no longer magic as it was to me. Getting my G3 call was a passport to worldwide communications. This is no longer the case.

We are not alone: many churches seem to be totally unattractive to young people and the bulk of their congregations are old women. In time, these will die and these churches will die too. There are some exceptions.

472kHz antenna calculator

See http://www.472khz.org/pages/tools/antenna-simulator.php for a very useful tool to estimate the performance of antennas on 472kHz. This tool was produced by Rik ON7YD.  Based on my own limited experience you do not need big ERP at all to have fun with WSPR on the band.

If you know your antenna current you can use it to work out your ERP or EIRP. The tool will show how much power you need to reach the ERP or EIRP limit for the band.

Home again. Active on 10m WSPR

After 9 nights away, we are now home again. I have turned on the 10m WSPR (20% TX 2W, 80% RX). As the gear has only just been turned on, it may be some time before 10m WSPR spots are given or received.

UPDATE 1338z:  Just 10m WSPR spots exchanged with G4KPX (14km) at good strength so far.

UPDATE 1540z:  Still just exchanging 10m WSPR spots with G4KPX (14km).  No Es or F2 seen here today. The best report was -9dB S/N. This was probably aircraft reflection as there was a lot of Doppler.  I seem to exchange spots with Richard more typically at -11dB S/N to -20dB S/N.

10m Es and F2

This morning there is Es on 10m WSPR already and N-S F2 propagation. A promising start.

From Steve G1KQH - Spybot anti-beacon for Windows

This came in on an email from Steve G1KQH. I have not tried the link.

Someone sent me this link stops them spying on you!

Seems to work

https://www.safer-networking.org/spybot-anti-beacon/

73 Steve
http://www.g1kqh.talktalk.net/

Rallies this weekend.

Notification has been received about these rallies:

Sunday 22 MAY : BLACK COUNTRY RADIO RALLY MARK 2
Portway Lifestyle Centre, Newbury Lane, Oldbury, West Midlands B69 1HE. The venue is 1 mile from junction 2 of the M5. Doors open at 10am and the admission is £2. A raffle will be drawn at 2pm.

Sunday 22 May : 33RD DUNSTABLE DOWNS RC ANNUAL AMATEUR RADIO CAR BOOT SALE
Stockwood Park, Luton All the usual facilities will be there. www.ddrcbootsale.org.

Sunday 22 MAY : BroadBand HamNet MEETING
A get together of BBHN Mesh Operators and those interested in this system of digital communications on the amateur microwave bands has been arranged at Tilgate Forest Rec. Centre, Hut 18, Tilgate Forest, Crawley, West Sussex, RH11 9BQ. For details and an agenda contact Ted, G4ELM via BBHN.Event.2016@gmail.com.

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

Sunspots and 10m - Sat May 21st 2016

Solar flux is 101 today. Sunspot number is 43 (K=3) and the 10m propagation forecast remains "poor" today.

6m WSPR Es

This evening there has been a little Es on 6m WSPR. Not a lot, but some. We need more stations on WSPR.

I have not been on 6m WSPR for more than a week as we have been away but I shall be on 6m and 10m WSPR once home again.

Sunspots and 10m - Friday May 20th 2016

Solar flux is 100 today. Sunspot number is 38 (K=1) and the forecast for 10m (F2) propagation remains "poor".

No longer in Devon - NOT amateur radio

We are on the way home, having left Devon this morning. It was a very good break and I enjoyed being back in my home county after a break of three years because of my stroke. I was surprised that I was able to do most things that I enjoy.

6m Es

In the last 24 hours there has been 6m Es noted on WSPR.

Elecraft KX2

Elecraft has announced a new SDR based QRP rig covering 80-10m (not 160m and 6m) which is available ready-built only. It is considerably smaller than the KX3. It can house an internal ATU and LiIon battery and can produce up to 10W. I have no idea how good the RX is. It is likely to be considerably less to buy than the KX3.

See www.elecraft.com .

Dayton Hamvention 2016 and the FT817

Well, if there is to be a replacement for the FT817 we are likely to hear about it this weekend at Dayton. This is the biggest amateur event in the world.

There was a rumour about this last year. If there is no announcement then I think Yaesu will have missed the boat for ever and they will not bother to replace it. I for one will be looking with interest.

What amazes me is that none of the other Japanese manufacturers has tried to beat the Yaesu FT817. ICOM?

Rallies

21-22 MAY : DAYTON HAMVENTION®
Hara Arena, Dayton, Ohio, USA. There are large car parks as well as transport to the event from various locations. The venue also has disabled facilities. Doors open at 8am. There will be trade stands and a huge flea market as well as special interest groups and an RSGB bookstall. A lecture programme will take place each day. There are multiple catering outlets and family attractions on site. US exams are available and there is a raffle. Details by email to international@hamvention.org. www.hamvention.org.


Saturday 21 MAY : ROCHDALE AND DISTRICT ARS SUMMER FLEA MARKET INDOOR SALE
St Vincent de Paul's, Caldershaw Rd, off Edenfield Rd (A680), Norden, Rochdale OL12 7QR Doors open at 11am with disabled visitors gaining access at 10.45am. The rally finished around 3pm. Talk in with S22 on 2m (145.550MHz) and entry is £2.50 with those under 12 free. Coffee, tea, soft drinks, bacon/sausage butties, biscuits, crisps will be available on the day. Traders can set up from 8am. Tables may be hired from RADARS at £5/table. Pitches will remain at £5/pitch or £10/pitch and table. Further details from Dave, G3RIK on 01706 633 400 or by email to rally@radars.me.uk


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

/P operation

We leave Devon in the morning and I did not turn my amateur radio gear on once! This is a good sign as we spent far more time than I expected enjoying the walks and the scenery. No doubt I shall be  WSPRing again when I get home.  At least I know that I can still enjoy the things I used to do in my home county.

OK, I am more reluctant to use my (poor) voice on HF SSB. This is much harder than it was. Instead, I was happy to walk and look instead.

10m and 6m Es

In the last 24 hours there has been plenty of European Es on 10m WSPR, but none on 6m WSPR.

Salcombe - NOT amateur radio

Salcombe - I used to live in Coronation Rd which is central in this shot

This morning we went for a walk at Snapes Point, overlooking Salcombe (where I used to live as a child) and the Kingsbridge Estuary.

Kingsbridge Estuary, S. Devon

This is our last full day in Devon. I have been pleasantly surprised that I have been able to do so much. We'll be back.

Sunspots and 10m - Thurs May 19th 2016

Solar flux is 101 today. The sunspot number is 28 (K=1) and the forecast for 10m propagation (F2) remains "poor".

Crab sandwiches - NOT amateur radio

Salcombe crab sandwiches

This evening we did another walk ending with a pub meal. Lis had a crab salad and I had crab sandwiches and Tinners beer.

G3TDZ SK

I missed this but G3TDZ, John Hey is a silent key now. He wrote a very nice article in Wireless World on a 2m AM handheld some years back and was inventor of the Heyphone which was widely used by cavers. He did a version for the 73kHz band too. He wrote to me several times. I think he died earlier this year.

TEP at 10m, 6m and 2m

Although 6m Es has been rather quiet, there was some TEP between Japan and Australia. TEP often allows stations across the magnetic equator to work each other at MUFs far above those expected. I think chordal-hop is involved. TEP between the Med area and southern Africa has even occurred at 2m!

In most recent years there has been 6m propagation between Japan and Australia. This mode may well account for some of the N-S propagation on 10m. It favours stations a bit nearer the equator. In the UK we need Es as well to get us into the area where there is TEP. Just occasionally it happens this far north.

Bolt Tail - NOT amateur radio

Our holiday continues.

This is the view looking west from Bolt Tail in South Devon, UK. On the RHS is Burgh Island. We dodged showers! Real April weather in mid May.  Bolt Tail was once a promontory fort thousands of years ago. It would be wonderful to have seen the view back then - few settlements, the coast would have been further out, etc..

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promontory_fort .

The walk from Bolt Tail to Bolt Head along this coast is spectacular. We parked on Bolberry Down.

Sunspots and 10m - Wed May 18th 2016

Solar flux is a respectable 104 today. Sunspot number is 36 (K=3) and the forecast for 10m propagation is still "poor".

6m WSPR - Es at last

There was Es in evidence in Europe today on 6m WSPR. Now it has started, we can expect Es most days on this band. When there is Es about on 6m, it can be a really fun band. Even with 6m SSB, just low ERP is needed to work all over Europe and North Africa.

IARU

See http://www.iaru.org/ .

The IARU is the "umbrella" organisation guiding the amateur communities around the world.

In region 1 I very much hope that a 100kHz wide 5MHz band will be allocated to radio amateurs in Europe despite a 15kHz wide band being allocated worldwide at WRC15.

There is quite a bit going on to persuade amateurs to adopt a new band-plan for 6m which involves relocating beacons slightly further up the band. It will mean more space for CW lower down, as for most HF bands.

Quiet day - NOT amateur radio

Our Devon holiday continues. Often we hit bad weather, but so far we've been lucky with lots of sun. Today we are doing some washing, going into Kingsbridge for some shopping, and going around to my brothers for tea.

Ivor Dewdney pasties and local strawberries

Tomorrow we plan another walk along the cliffs and eating out at the Sloop Inn in nearby Bantham. We have eaten here before, but when we called for a coffee one winter's morning on a walk with my brother we were turned away. At the time I could not believe how stupid they could be to turn away easy business ...and on the door it said they were open!! Of course, this was a few years ago and the owners have probably changed hands since then. I was very annoyed at the time, but it was their choice and their loss. All they had to do was give us coffee! Madness. We had a coffee and brandy a few miles further on.

I have been pleasantly surprised just how much I can still do despite my handicaps.  As I said yesterday, I am learning to adjust to the "me" I am now. It is far from the end.

10m and 6m Es

There was Es in Europe on 10m WSPR, but little sign of it on 6m WSPR yesterday. As the Es season progresses Es is common (almost daily) on both bands and there have been regular 6m Es openings right up to mid-September. Es is the dominant mode on these bands in the summer months.

Multi-hop Es to some quite exotic places is not that uncommon even on 6m. In earlier seasons I have copied north and south America and the Caribbean on SSB and CW on 6m with very simple antennas. When the 6m band opens these signals can sometimes be strong.

Sunspots and 10m - Wed May 17th 2016

Solar flux is a respectable 102 today.  Sunspot number is 76 (K=3) and the forecast for 10m (F2) propagation remains "poor" again. Es is our only real hope although there was F2 DX from the USA to Australia on 10m yesterday.

Clifftop /P

Well, yet again I had intentions of walking out to the clifftops for some evening /P operating, probably on 15m. Instead the 2km walk was just that - a pleasant stroll in the late evening sunshine and a chance to take a few more photos. They have removed the 2 seats on the coastal path as well! The weather is becoming less settled, but I may try Wednesday evening as we are at my brother's for a meal tomorrow evening. I think with my voice being such hard work I am less keen than I was on /P operating.

In all we have walked much further this holiday than I was expecting, which is a good sign: I still have a poor voice, I still tire easily, I still feel giddy but I can do more than I expected. I guess I have to learn to adapt to the "me" I am now and not the "me" I used to be.

Before coming away I feared I would never be able to walk the south west coast path from Hope Cove to Salcombe ever again. Although I would be done in at the end, I think I could manage this - just. Maybe on a future visit....

QRP News

This came in from Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,
QRP Rendez-Vous weekly report (May 9 to 15, 2016)
Visitors  of  the week: UR7VT, RA1M, UA1CEG/p, RU3NJC, US3EN, IK2JET, IK5SRD,  GM0LVI/p, OY2CJX, R1OA, OM6TC, RV3GM, UA1ASB, RN4AO, UA1ADF, IK2RGV, UT8NR, G3UD, RJ3T, RL3DA
UT8NR became Honor Frequenter of the QRP Rendez-Vous
See  full  lists  of  Visitors  and Frequenters, also QRP Rendez-Vous
schedule here - www.club72.su
The  QRP Marathon "Look In the Horizon" finished in May 1. Thanks ALL for  activity.  The  memory  certificates  has  been  sent  to  all Marathoner's today. See you on the next 2017 year Marathon!
72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"

Coleton Fishacre - NOT amateur radio

See http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre .

This is a very fine Art Deco house near Kingwear, Devon with gardens in a sheltered valley going down to the sea. We visited it (again!) today. It is one of our favourites and the gardens were a riot of colour. It is owned by the National Trust but was owned by the D'Oyly Cart family in the 1920s and 30s.

Bolberry Down - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday, we went for a walk on Bolberry Down. 

It was from here that I worked a station in France (160km) with my handheld 10mW 2m Fredbox many years ago and South Africa with 1W pep on 10m. It is a lovely spot for a walk.

Sunspots and 10m - Mon May 16th 2016

Solar flux is 103 today. Sunspot number is 78 (K=3) and the 10m propagation forecast remains "poor". Let us hope there is 10m Es today, although there is a chance of N-S F2 on the band.