Sunspots and 10m - Friday January 20th 2017

Solar flux is 79 today and the sunspot number 26. A=11 and K=2.

630m and 10m WSPR

For a change today, I am staying on 630m (472kHz) WSPR all day (5mW ERP) on battery PC power so the noise floor on RX is low and I am on 10m WSPR (500mW, 100% TX) rather than JT65. PA0RDT (243km) was copying me on 630 WSPR in daylight. Overnight (actually yesterday evening) the best DX on 630m WSPR was LA3EQ/MW (769km) in Norway.

Memory - getting ever less expensive

It is fascinating to see the price of PC and camera memory getting lower and lower and the capacity increasing. Only a few years ago we thought a 1GB SD card was amazing. Now you can get 128GB (at least) on a mini SD card at quite respectable prices.

Ten years from now I expect we will be used to 1-2TB mini SD cards and think how did we manage in 2017? I recall the hard drive on my first PC was 0.5GB and we thought that was massive.

UPDATE 2035z: You can already buy a 512GB SD card!!

630m (472kHz)

Around 1830z I returned to 630m (472kHz ) WSPR. Initially I used the PC on batteries but it is now on mains power. On battery power the noise floor is low and best RX DX was LA8AV (1035km) in JO59 square. I am hopeful of reaching Norway again on TX tonight (5mW ERP, earth-electrodes).  It would be great to break the 1000km barrier on 630m TX this season, as I have yet to do so this year.

In past years, I reached Finland, which is much further. Another absentee this year is EA5DOM who was regularly copied last season on 630m WSPR. Maybe he is using a different mode or is on 137kHz?

See http://wsprnet.org/drupal/wsprnet/spots putting in "g3xbm" to see what is being spotted.

UPDATE 2000z: So far, only G4FTC (123km) is able to be spotted in my S8 noise  "fog" when I use the SMPSU on the shack PC.

UPDATE 2028z: Yet again, my best spot on 472kHz TX so far this evening is by PA0RDT (243km).

UPDATE 2104z: Still not been spotted further than Holland so far this evening on 630m WSPR TX.

Sunspots and 10m - Thursday January 19th 2017

Solar flux is 78 today.  Sunspot number is 25.  A=17 and K=3.

UPDATE 1240z: So far today, nothing remotely "DXy" seen on 10m JT65.

OFCOM

They have just published a statement about space spectrum.

See https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-1/space-spectrum-strategy?utm_source=updates&utm_campaign=Space-spectrum-statement&utm_medium=email

10m JT65

Following my usual pattern, I went QRT on 630m WSPR around 0800z and am now on 10m JT65 (2W), but no spots yet. 10m JT65 will probably be my "thing" until tonight.

UPDATE 1235z: Just G4CJC (73km) in North London spotted on 10m JT65 so far today. Nothing outside the UK spotting me, or being spotted, so far today.

472kHz WSPR overnight

No great excitement overnight with the best TX DX being spots from Holland on 472kHz WSPR (5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground). Only 6 unique spots last night, which was rather disappointing.  At some point I must count how many unique spots I have had on the band this season, but I am sure it is fewer than a few years ago.

Ice Clouds? - NOT amateur radio

It was cold and bright here today. The photo was taken by my XYL on our way to Cambridge this afternoon.

472kHz last evening and overnight

Best DX on 472kHz WSPR TX was LA3EQ/E (769km). As usual I was using 5mW ERP from the earth-electrodes in the ground. Best RX DX was DH5RAE (995km).

Don't judge a book by its cover - NOT amateur radio

We often hear bad things about young people, but let me tell you what happened yesterday...

As usual, I was on the bus coming back from my Polar Studies course in Cambridge. It was a crowded single decker bus with several people standing. On got an old couple and immediately a young girl with "punk" styling got up and offered the old lady her seat. It was kindness itself. She just did it. Well done.

Sunspots and 10m - Wednesday January 18th 2017

Solar flux is 78 today and sunspot number 26. A=4 and K=3. If there was more activity on 10m I am sure we'd see the band was open N-S by F layer. No winter Es evident here on 10m so far.

Return to 10m JT65

About an hour ago I went QRT on 630m WSPR and returned to 10m JT65.

UPDATE 1124z: No spots as yet.

UPDATE 1332z: Still no 10m JT65 spots.

Back to 472kHz WSPR

In the last few minutes, I have returned to 472kHz WSPR (5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground). As the SMPSU is on I am not expecting to spot stations unless they can beat my local S8 noise floor. However, I am only on TX for 20% of the time with 80% of the time on RX.

I may turn off the SMPSU so I can listen through the night on batteries with a nice low noise floor.

UPDATE 2124z: So far this evening best TX DX is just G4FTC (123km) in IO91 square.

UPDATE 2244z: PA0RDT (243km) is now the best TX DX so far.

UPDATE 2304z: PI4THT (448km) is now the best TX DX. So far, only G3KEV (232km) has managed to be copied over my local noise!

CEPT

Southgate News has an interesting piece linking to the CEPT pages about amateur radio.

See http://www.cept.org/ecc/topics/radio-amateurs/ .

UK Pound UP - NOT amateur radio

Since the Prime Minister clarified our position on leaving the EU following the BREXIT vote, I see that the UK pound is up against every currency. I guess people had already factored in that we are leaving the EU and are happy to have some certainty.

Although I have said this before, it would not surprise me at all if the Euro lost a lot of value this year. The EU is in grave danger of falling apart. We may be the first to vote to leave, but we will not be the last.

OK, I voted to "remain" in the EU, but think many nations want free trade but not a United States of Europe. Originally the EU was about maintaining peace in Europe but it has grown a lot in recent years and has rather lost its way.

Free trade? Yes.
Uncontrolled immigration? No.
U.S.E.? No.

Unless the EU changes, it is in grave danger.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business/market_data/currency/default.stm .

Sapphire Jubilee Coin - NOT amateur radio

I see there is new £5 coin being minted to celebrate the sapphire jubilee of the queen. She has done well to reign for so long. The £5 coin is legal tender in Guernsey. I think I shall give this a miss.

50MHz UKAC - missed

This was last Tuesday, so I missed it. The next one is Feb 9th 2017 2000-2130z.

Although I only have a vertical V2000 on 6m and 5W, I occasionally come on to see what I can work. Usually I can work the locals. A few watts and a vertical are easily enough to work all over Europe in the Es season.  However, such an antenna is not so good for working Gs.

See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?contest=6mukac&year=2017 .

Blackbirds - NOT amateur radio

Every other Tuesday I have been going in to Cambridge on the service bus to my U3A course on Polar Studies at the Scott Polar Institute. As the speaker today was commanded to go to the Economic Forum in Davos, we had a different speaker at short notice: he was very good.

On the way in, I just relax and count the bird species I see. Usually it is between 8 and 12 different species, although in total I have seen many more.

What struck me today was the vast number of blackbirds. They were everywhere. I am not sure why there seem to be so many: are the marking territory or seeking mates?

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bird-and-wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/b/blackbird/. The image on the LHS is on the RSPB site.

There are some waxwings in Cambridge. These birds come from Scandinavia and are quite rare most winters. I have yet to see one. They are often seen eating berries in supermarket car parks.

Sunspots and 10m - Tuesday January 17th 2017

Solar flux is 77 today and sunspot number 24. A=2 and K=0 .

Back on 10m JT65

As is my usual pattern, I was on 630m WSPR last night but returned to 10m JT65 at breakfast time.

Overnight the best DX on 630m (472kHz) WSPR RX was LA8AV (1035km) and on 630m WSPR TX (5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna") was PI4THT (448km) in JO32 square.

UPDATE 1042z: No spots as yet on 10m JT65.

UPDATE 1902z: Another very quiet 10m day with just G4CJC (73km) spotted and no DX.

SAQ (17.2kHz) VLF

Southgate News reports that there was a successful transmission this last Christmas. There was some doubt due to a fire earlier in the year. I did not try to copy them this year. My VLF converter may be used to copy them. I have a QSL card from them from years ago.

See http://alexander.n.se/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/SUMMARY-REPORT-ON-SAQ-TRANSMISSION-CHRISTMAS-2016-12-24-1.pdf for a summary report.

See also https://sites.google.com/site/sm6lkm/saqrx/ for a very good software RX. On my You Tube channel (G3XBM) there is a video of this in use.

AAA Screening - NOT amateur radio

AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm) screening - this available free in the UK to all males in their 65th year or older. I did not know and was not screened until today. All clear.

If you are male and in this category then get checked. Ring your nearest AAA clinic (in Cambridge this is 01223 256909). If you do have an issue it can be fixed with a stent.

Sunspots and 10m - Monday January 16th 2017

Solar flux is 78 today.  Sunspot number is 23. A=5 and K=1 .

QRP and QRP Club

More from Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,
Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous report (January 15, 2017)
Visitors of the week: UR7VT, DK1HW, RV3GM, RA1M, UY1IF, SM7RYR, US3EN,
UR0ET,  EW1CY,  UA0SBQ,  DH0DK,  EA6BB, RU3NJC, R1CAF, UA1CEG, RA7RA,
RW3AA,  G3XJS,  UR5EFD,  US5ERQ,  LZ1IC,  DL3XZ, ON6KZ, LZ2RS, OM6TC,
DL4HG, UW5EKR, OH6NPV, RU7KD
Comments...
see full WQR report on the blog page - http://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/

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.

Surprise on 472kHz

Late yesterday, I turned on the shack PC's SMPSU and went on 472kHz WSPR TX as well as receive. I was NOT expecting to copy much as my PC's SMPSU is noisy. However my best DX on 472kHz RX was after turning on the SMPSU.

On 472kHz WSPR TX the best DX (5mW ERP) from the earth-electrode "antenna" was LA3EQ (769km). On 472kHz RX the best DX (best so far this season too) was LA1TN (1269km).

Overall last night I was spotted by 9 unique stations in 3 countries on 472kHz WSPR. In the tables below are the unique station spots. Many were copied many times over.

 

472kHz WSPR TX last night

472kHz WSPR RX last night

Return to 472kHz WSPR RX

After another dismal day on 10m JT65, I  am about to go QRT and return to 472kHz (630m) WSPR RX with the shack PC on battery power and hence a low noise floor. I shall switch to 472kHz WSPR  TX (5mW ERP) later tonight and overnight.

As usual, I am still using my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground for MF. It seems to work pretty well even though the FT817 is a bit deaf on MF. Last year adding the preamp may have helped a little, but made surprisingly little difference, to my surprise.

472kHz WSPR RX this evening so far

The UK, Saudi Arabia and Yemen - NOT amateur radio

We happily trade with corrupt regimes like Saudi Arabia selling them arms so they can fight our wars by proxy. It seems we are just interested in their money. Does the UK government think this is right? Yes, I know Yemen is supposed to be a failed state and a home to dangerous terrorists.

British bombs are falling on Yemen as 1.5 million children face starvation. This must stop. There's a line that must never be crossed - and it’s called the Arms Trade Treaty. By refusing to stop British bombs falling on Yemen, the UK government has crossed that line. Please write to your local MP: po.st/RedLineYemen and urge them to draw a #RedLineForYemen.

Back on 10m JT65

Since breakfast time, I have been back on 10m JT65 after spells on 630m WSPR last night and overnight. I was on 630m RX most of the evening and on 630m TX (5mW ERP) overnight.

UPDATE 1118z: So far just G4NUA (12km) spotting me on 10m JT65.

UPDATE 1240z: G8ZZL (78km) and G4CJC (73km) both in N. London spotted on 10m JT65 but no DX yet.

Sunspots and 10m - Sunday January 15th 2017

Solar flux is 76 today and sunspot number 25. A=4 and K=2.

Takeaway food - NOT amateur radio

Although I can only speak for myself, I am appalled by the amount of litter on the roadsides as a result of takeaways. If you look at the litter most (certainly in our area) is a result of takeaway meals and drinks.

So, I have started a petition to force takeaway shops to use recycled, biodegradable packaging or face a hefty tax bill. In this day and age they should be using biodegradable packs.

See  https://www.change.org/p/roger-lapthorn-use-of-recycled-packaging-for-takeaway-food-and-drink

10m JT65 now

I have switched from 630m (472kHz) WSPR to 10m JT65 (2W) for the rest of the daylight. There is an outside chance I might catch some F-layer or winter Es on 10m.

Probably go back to 472kHz WSPR RX this evening. This is without the SMPSU charging the shack laptop. I'll probably go on 472kHz WSPR TX (5mW ERP) later and overnight.

Sunspots and 10m - Saturday January 14th 2017

Solar flux is 74 today and the sunspot number is 24. A=4 and K=0.

472kHz WSPR TX (5mW ERP)

Today, I have decided to stick on 472kHz TX all day, again using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. G3KAV (243km) and G8HUH (250km) are both spotting me as is M0TAZ (59km).

Amaryllis - NOT amateur radio

Each winter we grow an amaryllis indoors during the winter. We take a photo each week. Since planting about a week ago it has really started to grow. It takes about 6 weeks to flower.

QRP and QRP Club

From Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

Today January 14 is 7'th Birthday of the Club 72.
I thank all members and friends for support club's events and wish you
all  the  best. Welcome all QRPers to the QRP Rendez-Vous round table
today at 9.00 UTC on 14060 kc (alternative 10116 kc if contest QRM).

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.

472kHz WSPR RX on PC battery power

For the last few minutes I have been on 472kHz WSPR RX using the shack PC on battery power. Without the SMPSU charging the noise floor is 7-S points lower and already I have spotted LA8AV (1035km) and lots of others. The lower noise floor is amazingly lower.

BREXIT and the UK pound - NOT amateur radio

The UK pound has fallen since BREXIT although perhaps not as far as some expected. It could fall further, especially if a "hard BREXIT" becomes more probable.

I am no financial expert but I could imagine the euro losing a lot of its value in 2017. The Eurozone has some hard times ahead: Greece is very unlikely ever to be able to pay off its debts. There are strong right wing (anti EU) forces in many European nations. It would not surprise me to see the euro tumble. I may be very wrong, but the signs are there.

As for the UK, I think in the end we will be OK. I voted "remain", but there is a lot wrong with the EU. There is a lot wrong with the euro too: the idea is right but all nations need to be in step and abiding by the same rules as if they are in one nation. Greece should never have adopted the euro in my view.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business/market_data/currency/default.stm .

Rally reminder

JANUARY 15th 2017: RED ROSE WINTER RALLY

Organised by West Manchester Radio Club, Lowton Civic Centre, Hesketh Meadow Lane, WA3 2AH, just off the A580 East Lancs Road. Doors open at 11am, car parking is free. There will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy, special interest groups and an RSGB bookstall. Catering is available on site. Further details from John, on 07870 161953. http://wmrc.org.uk/lowton_winter.htm.

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

Sunspots and 10m - Friday January 13th 2017

Solar flux is 75 today and the sunspot number has risen to 11. A=5 and K=1.

Although conditions look "not bad" for N-S F layer DX on 10m, it remains to be seen. Of course, there is always a chance of winter Es on the band.