Mars - NOT amateur radio

I think a manned expedition to Mars is unlikely in my lifetime. It still seems amazing that the first Moon landing was 1969, before I had started work! That is a long time ago.

For news of Mars, try http://marsnews.com/ .

Mars has fascinated us for a long time. There is little doubt it is a hostile place, but mankind will go there some day. I suspect this will be in the lifetime of my children.

The bigger question is, "is there other intelligent life in the universe?".  CETI has been looking now for over 50 years without success. When (if?) we do detect other life out there, it will be a profound moment. If we are truly alone, we have to ask, "why?".

Sunspots and 10m - Tuesday May 23rd 2017

My friend G4NUA in Cambridge was copying PY on 10m JT65 last night. He re-erected his half sized G5RV higher and it now seems to work well. I think my 10m antenna is several dB down on an optimised 10m antenna.

Solar flux is 74 today and the sunspot number a respectable 55. A=10 and K=3.

6m JT65 transceive and 10m WSPR TX

This morning I am on 10m WSPR (500mW 100% TX and 6m JT65 (1W ERP beacon mode, as well as RX). On 6m I have been spotted by 3 stations (all G) and received stations including GW3TKH (252km). On 10m WSPR nothing yet. So far, no signs of Es on either band.

UPDATE 0900z: HA4ULB (1456km) has spotted my 10m WSPR and 4 G stations have spotted my 6m JT65. Still no Es on 6m JT65 here.

UPDATE 1045z: Now being spotted widely in Europe on 10m WSPR, even with my poor 10m antenna. What has amazed me is the number of 6m G and GW JT65 spots. These are either tropo or aircraft reflections which would be possible at any time, irrespective of conditions.

UPDATE 1300z:  Plenty of 6m Es now with several stations in the eastern Baltic area spotted or spotting me on 6m JT65. Widespread Es spots on 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 1317z: Widespread 10m spots mainly from Denmark and Germany. Decent Es on 6m JT65 too with best report from ES4NY (1806km) in Estonia.

Stroke update - NOT amateur radio

One of the side effects of my stroke in 2013 is that I get totally exhausted doing anything physical or mental for about 15-20 minutes.

My worst time, normally, is just after breakfast when I am "done in" and have to rest. After a short rest I am OK. I much regret being as I am, but it has left me with a great deal of sympathy for those with conditions like ME and MS. Before, I had no idea what total exhaustion meant.

Today, I put some plants in the garden. In the past this would have been trivial, but I was totally exhausted and had to rest to recover. It is very hard for others to understand.

60m (5MHz) band

More and more countries are being allocated the narrow WRC15 60m allocation. Many suffer from man-made interference on the lower bands from SMPSUs and similar. Nonetheless, this is an important new band that will be increasingly important as the sun gets quieter.

I have tried WSPR on this band in the past and must try again soon, although I have no suitable antennas, so use a random wire and my ATU.

In the UK we have not been granted access to the WRC15 allocation yet, so it important to stick to the bits we do have access to.

6m and 10m WSPR

Already this morning I have spotted an Italian on 6m WSPR, but nothing yet on 10m WSPR where I am again running 500mW 100% TX. On 6m WSPR I am 80% RX and 20% (1W ERP).

UPDATE 1625z:  2E0VDS (29km) has exchanged 6m WSPR spots with me. My 500mW WSPR beacon has been reported by several stations by Es. On 10m WSPR, most spots were from Denmark and Germany.

UPDATE 1800z: OH3LMN (1747km) is the best DX on 6m WSPR RX today. I may try JT65 tomorrow. This will probably be 6m JT65 so I can still use my WSPR beacon on 10m at the same time.

Sunspots and 10m - Monday May 22nd 2017

Solar flux is 73 today and the sunspot number has risen to 35. A=9 and K=2. There has already been some Es on 6m, but nothing yet on 10m WSPR.

QRP and QRP Club

As usual, an update from Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous Report (May, 21, 2017)
Visitors  of  the week: DK1HW, US5ERQ, HB9DAX, RV3GM, PA0WDW, OH6NPV,
US3EN,  UR3VZ,  ON6WJ,  OM6TC, UA0SBQ, RU3NJC, UR0ET, UR5EFD, UW5EKR,
OK1KW,  IK5SRD, I0KWY, SP3JFK, F6ABG, G3XJS, UA1CEG/p, DF2IC, UA1CEX,
R1CAN, ON6KZ, IT9IFI, R2FAE, R1CAF, F4HLY
Congrats new Frequenters - PA0WDW, IK5SRD, DF2IC, R1CAN
Welcome new Visitors - I0KWY, SP3JFK, F4HLY
See full Visitors and Frequenters lists on the Club 72 page
Comments.....
see full WQR Report with comments and pictures on the blog -
http://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/

Warning!  Since  no activity in the evening 40 m Rendez-Vous over two
months,  this  event  deleted  from  QRP  Rendez-Vous  schedule. Keep
activity  in  the 9.00 UTC on 14060 kHz +/- (alternative 10116 kHz if
contests QRM) weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays.

Thanks all for activity and comments, see you on next 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.

Classic Car Day - NOT amateur radio

Our local museum staged a Classic Car Day today. Here is a short video of it.

Sunspots and 10m - Sunday ay 21st 2017

Solar flux is 72 today and the sunspot number 22. A=24 and K=3. 10m? Who knows. There was some early 10m Es.

Back on 10m and 6m WSPR

Today I am again on 10m WSPR (500mW,100% TX) and 6m WSPR (20% TX 1W ERP, 80% RX). There was early Es to Poland on 10m but nothing yet seen on 6m WSPR.

UPDATE 0804z: Now my QRP WSPR on 10m is being spotted in Austria and Germany.

UPDATE 1152z: Now my QRP 10m WSPR is being spotted in Italy. Nothing, as yet, on 6m WSPR.

UPDATE 1734z: Now being copied in Germany again on QRP WSPR, but nothing as yet still on 6m WSPR.

UPDATE 1945z: Best 10m WSPR DX was OE3BUB (1229km), but nothing at all on 6m WSPR.

Another UK Rally

MAY 21st 2017 : 34TH DUNSTABLE DOWNS RC ANNUAL NATIONAL AMATEUR RADIO CAR BOOT SALE

Stockwood Park, London Road, Luton, Bedfordshire LU1 4LX in Luton on Sunday 21st May 2017. Entry/car park fee is £3. All the usual facilities will be there. www.ddrcbootsale.org
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

10m and 6m WSPR

Being back from holiday, I am active on 10m and 6m WSPR. On 10m I am using my stand-alone beacon (500mW, 100% TX). On 6m I am using the FT817 and PC (1W ERP TX 20%, 80% RX). Plenty of 10m Es spots, but nothing yet on 6m.

UPDATE 1915z: Plenty of 10m WSPR spots, but just one on 6m OZ7IT (853km) at 1206z.

Sunspots and 10m - Saturday May 20th 2017

Solar flux is 72 today and sunspot number 24. A=11 and K=4.

Back from holiday - NOT amateur radio

We are back from our week in Corfu. I did a blog to help us remember things in years to come. It is surprising what you forget.

See http://corfu17.blogspot.co.uk/

Sunspots and 10m - Friday May 19th 2017

Solar flux is 72 today. Sunspot number is 24.  A=11 and K=2.

Swifts nest - NOT amateur radio

There is a swift's nest on the adjoining hotel balcony in Corfu. Despite waiting over 15 minutes I was not able to take a photo of the bird which I saw return once.

Rallies

MAY 20th 2017 : RADARS FLEA MARKET INDOOR SALE

St Vincent de Paul's, Caldershaw Rd., off Edenfield Rd (A680), Norden, Rochdale OL12 7QR Doors open at 10.30am with disabled visitors gaining access 15 minutes earlier. Admission is £2.50 with those under 12 years free. There will be a Bring & Buy as well as commercial traders, a junk stall and amateur radio sellers. Traders can set up from 8am. Pitches must be booked at least 2 weeks beforehand with prices starting at £5. There will be refreshments available including bacon and sausage butties. Dave, G3RIK by email to rally@radars.me.uk www.radars.me.uk

MAY 20th 2017 : MORAY FIRTH ARS SURPLUS EQUIPMENT SALE

Forces Reserve Centre, Edgar Road, Elgin IV30 6YQ Doors open 12 noon and entry is £2 for buyers. Tables cost £3 and access is available at 10am for set up. Refreshments are available on site. A raffle will be held. Details from Victor, 2M0JVR on 01343 820 489 or by email to jvr911@yahoo.co.uk A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

Pedestrian HF Portable

We are in a period of good Es conditions on 10m and 6m. This usually lasts through May, June, July and August. It happens at other times too, but less often. Under such conditions just a few watts SSB can work DX even with a whip antenna. When F2 is good, DX to very far away is possible with QRP SSB.

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

New ICOM and Yaesu products at Dayton?

Dayton is often the place where ICOM and Yaesu announce new products. I'd like to see a replacement to the FT817 from Yaesu, but have all but given up hope. Certainly a few years ago they would have released at a time of sunspot peak. As it is, we have years of falling conditions, so not the best "window of opportunity".

Lizards - NOT amateur radio

There were two large lizards watching us have lunch in the hotel garden earlier as the photo shows. We have seen quite a few smaller ones this week.

Sunspots and 10m - Thursday May 18th 2017

Solar flux is 71 today and the sunspot number 13. A=8 and K=4.

Northern Corfu - NOT amateur radio

Thunderstorms later today in Corfu, but some great skies as in this view at Kassiopi in north east Corfu. Albania is in the background.

Dayton (USA)

MAY 19-21st 2017 : DAYTON HAMVENTION® (new venue)

Greene County Fair & Exposition Center, Xenia, Dayton, Ohio, USA. 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.

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

This is "the big one" in the USA and is often used by big companies to launch new products, often way ahead of them being on sale. I suspect rivals also see what their competition is up to. Maybe Yaesu created the FT991A after seeing the ICOM IC7300 at Dayton?

Sunspots and 10m - Wednesday May 17th 2017

Solar flux is 70 today. Sunspot number is 23.  A=8 and K=2.

Dragonfly - NOT amateur radio

A few days ago we visited the Blue Eye spring in southern Albania. I have never seen such clear water anywhere. These small blue dragonflies were everywhere.

Realtime HF Band Conditions

Southgate News reports on a real-time HF band conditions website. When I looked 10m was not even shown, encouraging the (often false) assumption that this band is a total waste of time for DX. OK, 10m is harder work now, but if no-one is there it will appear dead when in fact DX contacts can be made!

See http: //www.bandconditions.com/ .

Hacking attempts again? - NOT amateur radio

Even though I have posted little today so far, the blog visits are high again, with lots of "interest" from a certain nation in eastern Europe. Genuine visits are welcome, whereas "probes" are not.

Sunspots and 10m - Tuesday May 16th 2017

Solar flux is 70 today. Sunspot number remains zero. A=14 and K=2.

Albania: a surprise - NOT amateur radio

In my mind Albania was a scruffy, post-communist place. Remember Radio Tirana in the communist days? I was expecting a polluted dump. How wrong can you be!

Sarande, on the coast, is a vibrant town with lots of building work.  The waters near the Blue Eye spring were crystal clear and clean. In fact cleaner than most rivers.

The remains at Butrint date back to the early Greeks and were remarkable.

There are beautiful mountains, lakes and forests. Everyone we met was kind and helpful.  Prices were reasonable and far less than in Corfu.

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

Sunspots and 10m - Monday May 15th 2017

Solar flux is 70 and sunspot number zero again. A=10 and K=2.

QRP and QRP Club

From Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous Report (May, 14, 2017)
Visitors  of  the  week:  DK1HW,  G3XJS, UR7VT, RV3GM, I1DBD, IK2RMZ,
DK2SC,  R2FAE,  R1CAN, UR5EFD, PA5XM, HA7NE, IZ0RQF, US5ERQ, EW7BW/1,
R1CAF,  UA1CEG,  ON6WJ,  HB9DAX, UA1CEX, UR0ET, US3EN, DL1HSI, OM6TC,
IK3GHZ, LZ1AQ, RU3NJC
Congrats!
PA5XM, DL1HSI entered in the Honor Frequenters list (regular visitors)
Welcome new Visitors - I3DBD, IK3GHZ, LZ1AQ
See full Frequenters and Visitors lists on the Club 72 web page
Some comments...
See full version of the WQR Report on the blog page -http://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/
Special thanks Peter G3XJS for regular comments!
See all QRP operators on the next 'rendezvous" round tables

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.

Sunspots and 10m - Sunday May 14th 2017

Solar flux is 70 today and the sunspot number remains zero. A=4 and K=3.

Sunspots and 10m - Saturday May 13th 2017

Solar flux is 69 today and the sunspot number is again zero. A=7 and K=1.

Rally

MAY14th  2017 : 36th LOUGH ERNE ARC ANNUAL RALLY

Share Centre, Smiths Strand, Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh BT92 0JZ Doors open at 11.30am. There will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy and an RSGB bookstand, Catering is available on site. Mark Mullaney, EI4HDB by email to ei4hdb@gmail.com.

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

Sunspots and 10m - Friday May 12th 2017

Solar flux is 69 and the sunspot number is again zero.  A=6 and K=1.

More OFCOM consultation

OFCOM are consulting on 4G and hearing aids at 2.3GHz.

See http://ofcom.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/i/A85E9C86813AF526/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

Bee - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday, for a change in East Anglia, we had sunshine most of the day. Since the start of May it has been cloudy although a lot of the UK has been bathed in sunshine. Anyway, we decided to eat outside. A bee decided to take a fancy to my blue shirt. It was there for about 10 minutes.

Sunspots and 10m - Thursday May 11th 2017

Solar flux is 69 and the sunspot number is again zero.  A=6 and K=3.

6m MSK144 RX and 10 WSPR TX again

Currently, I am on 6m MSK144 RX (14 stations in 8 countries in last 12 hours) and 10m WSPR TX (500mW) but nothing yet on 10m.

UPDATE 1053z: On 6m MSK144 RX the score is currently 18 stations in 9 countries. Best DX on 6m MSK144 RX is SP3OCC (1222km). GS3PYE has again been spotted on 6m sending IO76VL which is near Loch Tay. I assume this correct as they were /P on Islay. On 10m WSPR EA1FAQ (1249km) has again spotted my 500mW a couple of times.

UPDATE 1436z: The 6m MSK144 RX score is 26 stations in 13 countries. Meanwhile, 6 unique stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon.