7 Jan 2017

472kHz WSPR

Another disappointing 472kHz WSPR session with just 6 unique spots of my 5mW ERP in the session which started last evening and lasted until 1010z this morning.

Fewer stations are spotting me this season. Maybe the noise floor is rising and my QRP is just not getting copied so easily? Activity levels are higher than last year, so there must be a good reason. I really must have a better antenna for 472kHz WSPR TX. I know an E-field probe would be better on RX but I want to TX as there are too few active TX stations on the band. Even a few dB extra ERP would help.

10m JT65

I have been on 10m JT65 (2W) since about 1023z after an overnight session on 630m WSPR (5mW ERP). As yet, no 10m JT65 spots. There are quite a few Europeans active I see.

UPDATE 1448z: Es on 10m with SB7W (932km) spotted. G4CJC (73km) spotted by tropo or aircraft reflection.

Sunspots and 10m - Saturday January 7th 2017

Solar flux is 72 today and the sunspot number zero again. A=16 and K=3. Unless we get some winter Es I think we'll be lucky to catch much DX on 10m today, but I am often wrong.

6 Jan 2017

Lightwave Comms

Because of my poor health I have not been able to pursue 481THz (lightwave) experiments especially "over the horizon" NLOS tests. Thankfully, others are "carrying the torch" .

See http://qsl.net/ve7sl/westcoast%20lightwave%20project.pdf

Crystal Sets

It is some years since I last made a crystal set, but I well recall a UK book called "The Boy's Book of Crystal Sets" which I think was first published in 1954. It is available on-line.  At the time "Boy's" was OK. If published now, we'd have to say "Young Person's".

Years back I made a short-wave crystal set and heard some impressive DX with it including Radio Australia and Radio Havana. Both these and many others were NOT more local relays. Radio Australia was a real catch and totally amazed me at the time.

See http://www.vintageradio.me.uk/crystal/boys_book_xtal.htm .

There is also some information on my main website. Crystal sets are easy to make and capable of surprising results.

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

Ducks at Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio

We got very close to a couple of mallard ducks at Anglesey Abbey a few days ago as the picture shows.

Sunspots and 10m - Friday January 6th 2017

Solar flux is 72 today. Sunspot number is again zero.  A=18 and K=3. Luckily there is winter Es around to lift the gloom on 10m.

Is 5G a myth? - NOT amateur radio

 Is 5G all a myth? A new book seems to suggest this. This was on the Elector site today.

No solar data - yet

As of 1247z, my source of solar data has still not been updated, so I will post this later, assuming it comes!

Bike - NOT amateur radio

We are lucky to have 4 grandchildren aged 4 to 9 years old. When they come to stay, they enjoy going on their bikes as our quiet Close is ideal. As our smaller bike was too small, we've just got a bigger one that our granddaughters can use.

Return to 10m JT65

A few moments ago I returned to 10m JT65 (2W) from 630m WSPR.

On 10m, I seem to get better results on JT65 than WSPR, probably because there is more activity. JT65 is a useful 10m mode at this part of the cycle as there are usually people monitoring and uploading spots to PSK Reporter Maps.

When not looking for 2-way QSOs it is possible to beacon and get these uploaded to PSK Reporter Maps by sending "B callsign QTHlocator".  It is rare for a day to pass without being spotted or spotting someone on 10m JT65, despite low or zero sunspot numbers. It is certainly better than calling CQ on CW or SSB and just giving up on 10m.

JT65 works with weaker signals than SSB and CW and only a few watts and simple antennas are needed to work the world. Software is free too and very easy to use.

UPDATE 1112z: M5ZAP (125km) spotted on 10m JT65, but no DX yet.

UPDATE 1245z: EA8CYL (2988km) is my best 10m JT65 spot so far today. I am using 2W and a low, indifferent antenna. There is now widespread Es on 10m.

5 Jan 2017

Return to 472kHz WSPR

A few minutes ago I QSYed to 472kHz WSPR and went QRT on 28MHz (10m) JT65. So far just fairly locals (see below).
472kHz initial spots





UPDATE 1925z: PA0RDT (243km) has just spotted me.

UPDATE 2026z: Still the same stations spotting me.

Microshaft - NOT amateur radio

A few moments ago my wife tried to log onto her on-line email account. Up came a pop-up window allegedly from Microsoft encouraging her to change to the Bing search engine and change the default browser to a Microsoft one. There was no way to close the pop-up window and no cross in the corner! Instead we closed the PC and started all over again.

We choose the browser we use and we choose the search engine we use!! If these are not Microsoft, so be it. We deeply resent this sort of intrusion. Sorry, but I was not at all impressed and will never now use Bing. I use Windows 10 but I hate this sort of behaviour. STOP IT NOW!!!

Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio

This is a National Trust house not far from us. We visit the grounds every month. The house dates (in parts) from the 1100s.

In the last season, there were some daffodils out in late November 2015. This year we saw none out and just a few snowdrops. We have had more frosts this winter than last.

Return to 10m JT65

After an overnight session on 630m WSPR, I have now returned to 10m JT65 hoping to catch some winter Es.

UPDATE 1052z: No 10m spots yet today.

UPDATED 1742z: Just a spot of G3LDI (70km) today on 10m JT65. No Es and no F2 seen here.

Sunspots and 10m - Thursday January 5th 2016

Solar flux is 73 today. Sunspot number is zero. A=11 and K=2 .

On the whole I find JT65 on 10m is an excellent mode to catch fleeting openings, although of late these have really been fleeting! JT65 is theoretically not as good as WSPR, but activity levels are higher and I think the 1 minute TX slot helps. We need a WSPR1 with 1 minute TX periods!

4 Jan 2017

MFJ and InnovAntenna partnership

More from Southgate News. InnovAntenna is teaming with MFJ to make and sell the InnovAntennas in the USA.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/january/mfj-in-partnership-with-innovantennas-and-g0ksc.htm#.WG2CbIXXLIU

I think this makes sense. However expect more companies to "join forces" in the years ahead. By combining resources they have a better chance of synergy and success. Times are going to get much tougher in the years ahead as the amateur population ages and less is bought. We can expect fewer dealers in years ahead.

472kHz WSPR

Since teatime I  have been back on 472kHz (630m) WSPR. As an experiment, I ran the shack PC from its internal battery so the noise on RX dropped 7 S points. What I forgot was that the PC sleeps on batteries!

Tomorrow, I'll change the settings so the PC does not sleep ever when on batteries. On batteries the PC should last an evening and maybe a whole night session.  I have since returned to the external SMPSU but this means only the strongest stations are spotted on MF. So far this evening the best DX on TX (5mW ERP) is PA0RDT (243km) who has spotted me a few times.

AmateurRadio.com website

See http://www.amateurradio.com/ .

There is usually something of interest on this site.

OFCOM's proposed 2017/18 Annual Plan : reminder about public meetings

OFCOM has sent out a note to remind people of its planned public meetings around the UK. Sounds jolly!

See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/60CF42DF8E524333/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

Sunspots and 10m - Wednesday January 4th 2017

Solar flux is 72 today and sunspot number 11. A=12 and K=2.

10m JT65

Although I have been on 10m JT65 since before breakfast, no-one has spotted me and I have spotted no-one at all so far today on 10m.

UPDATE 1206z: Still no spots today yet.

UPDATE 1400z: DL0ZB (601km) spotted. Es or aircraft?

UPDATE 1748z: No further 10m spots today, so soon be time to QSY to 630m.

472kHz (630m) WSPR overnight

Although there was a new reporter overnight, it was yet another disappointing session. I seem to be getting spotted by fewer different stations this season on MF and I have still to break through the 1000km barrier with my 5mW ERP. I shall persevere, but I think I need to radically improve my antenna before my sphere of influence increases.

3 Jan 2017

New 472kHz reporter

PA0LSB/RX1 (326km) was spotting my 472kHz WSPR this evening (5mW ERP). He is a new reporter for me.

The next WRC in 2019

We are still several years away from the next ITU World Radio Conference that looks at frequency allocations. This takes place in 2019.

See http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/conferences/wrc/2019/Pages/default.aspx .

For CEPT (Europe) prep see: http://www.cept.org/ecc/groups/ecc/cpg/news/latest-news-from-the-2nd-cpg-19-meeting/ .

Personally, I'd like to see a CEPT 100kHz wide 60m allocation (secondary), a small 8m allocation (for Es research) as well as better access across CEPT nations to VLF/ULF. These will only happen if we press for them.

Propagation Prediction Tool

Thanks again to Southgate News for pointing me to this resource for propagation prediction. I have  yet to try it, but it assumes 100W and a dipole, so JT65 should work with much lower powers, as long as the path is "open".

See http://www.predtest.uk/ .

See also: http://www.itu.int/oth/R0A0400006F/en

10m JT65 - all quiet so far today

Having been on 10m JT65 most of the morning, no spots as yet. Not even UK spots and no winter Es so far today.

UPDATE 1356z:  Still no 10m spots.

UPDATE 1725: Still no 10m JT65 spots today. Time to QSY to 630m WSPR.

Panto - NOT amateur radio

Curtain call at Aladdin, Ely
It is a UK tradition to go to a pantomime with children at Christmastime. Pantos are usually daft with the lead woman played by a man, with lots of ad libs and jokes. We went to Aladdin in Ely Maltings as we did last Christmas (different panto theme). We went a few days after Christmas and everyone enjoyed it.

Had we gone in Cambridge, it would have been much more expensive. The panto runs until next week. Great family fun.

See https://thelittleboxoffice.com/kdtheatre .

2m FMAC and UKAC sessions this evening

As reminded by Dave G0LRD yesterday, the RSGB's new FM activity session is in the hour preceding the 2m UKAC this evening. The FMAC is designed to encourage FM 2m activity and runs for the hour before the UKAC session. I hope to try both if my voice holds out!

In the UKAC sessions it is horizontal polarisation and mostly SSB with a little CW. For the FM sessions I am unsure which polarisation, so will start with vertical, but have the horizontal big-wheel if needed. Certainly the UKAC activity levels are high. I hope the FMAC brings plenty on the air.

See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?year=2017&contest=2mfmac&seq= .
See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?year=2017&contest=2mukac&seq=

UPDATE 2142z: Well the FMAC was a dead loss for me! I was unclear of where to look on the band and unclear about polarisation. Only one station heard calling CQ contest and no QSOs made! UKAC was better with 11 QSOs in just under an hour with 5W and an omni antenna. Best DX 123km.

Sunspots and 10m - Tuesday January 3rd 2017

Solar flux is 72 today and the sun is yet again spotless. A=7 and K=2. I am not expecting much on 10m today, but the band always brings surprises! Maybe some winter Es may liven things up in the northern hemisphere?

Overnight on 472kHz

As our grandchildren went home yesterday, I returned to 630m (472kHz) WSPR last evening and overnight. It was a bit disappointing with several Dutch spots of my 5mW ERP but nothing further. I have now moved to 10m JT65 for the day.

2 Jan 2017

Back to radio

Now the house is back to normal, I can concentrate again on my amateur radio hobby. The pattern is usually 630m WSPR in the evenings and overnight and 10m JT65 in the day time.

This year, I should try for more 2-way QSOs with JT65. At some point I may buy a new radio, but I am in no hurry and am waiting for prices to drop. I expect quite a bit of price cutting in 2017 as dealers fight for our trade. I would like to see them all survive, but they have to be totally fair to customers making a fair profit but without exploiting us.

Although my voice is not great, I try to go on the East Cambs 2m FM net at 2000z Mondays 144.575MHz (yes forty four) and the 2m and 70cm UKAC sessions on Tuesday evenings. I assume the first 2m UKAC is tomorrow evening? It is very easy to forget at this time of year!

As for New Year amateur radio resolutions, I have made none, although  I hope my health improves so I can do more building and field work again.

Quiet at last - NOT amateur radio

We seem to have had visitors for about a month! Firstly my brother came, then some old friends, then over Christmas and New Year both lots of grandkids and their parents, thankfully not at the same time.

Now we are alone again and the house feels empty. We love seeing them, but it is "good to see them come and good to see them go" as my mother-in-law used to say. It was "clean mess", but I was exhausted and now in need of a rest!

Sunspots and 10m - Monday January 2nd 2017

My source of solar data is either fit again or back from holidays!

Solar flux is 72 today and the sunspot number zero again. A=14 and K=2.

10m JT65

Although I have been on 10m JT65 since mid morning, no spots given or received as yet.

1 Jan 2017

Return to 472kHz WSPR

About an hour ago, I QSYed from 10m JT65 to 472kHz WSPR with about 5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.
Uniques in 1st hour on 472kHz WSPR this evening
Best TX DX so far is a spot by F1AFJ/1 (607km).

Solar Data - Sunday January 1st 2017

Yet again, my source is still showing old data, so I cannot provide the data I want today again. Sorry.

New Year 2017

As we enter 2017, may I wish all readers all the best in 2017. It will take me a while to get used to the new year and writing 2017 instead of 2016!

Luckily we do not know what is ahead but I hope the new year brings you lots of happy times.

QRP and QRP Club

More from Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,
Happy New Year for all you there!

WQR Report (December 31, 2016)
Visitors  of  the  week: IK2RMZ, RV3GM, US3EN, UR0ET, UR5EFD, IK2RGV,
R1CAF,  UA1ADF,  UA0SBQ,  UA1CEG,  G3XJS, DL2WA, RW3AA, US7IB, DK1HW,
UR5MKZ, EA5EQ, UA1CEX, UA1AQC, SV2BBK, UT5EDU, SM1IRS, G3KOJ, UW5EKR
Comments...
see full report on the blog page -
http://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/
See you all QRPers on the 2017 year Rendez-Vous!

72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"


This is a periodic Newsletter of the Club 72. Don't reply to Newsletter address! Send any requests or news to
mr72@club72.su please.

10m JT65

I was on 10m JT65 all night and am still on now. No recent spots and no DX.

UPDATE 1612z: A little winter Es on 10m with LA9NKA (929km) spotted but just Gs otherwise and still no real DX.