26 May 2017

Sunspots and 10m - Friday May 26th 2017

Solar flux is 77 today and the sunspot number 19. A=4 and K=1. I expect 10m will be good for South America later from the UK. We can also expect 10m and 6m Es.

6m JT65 today

Having had success for the last few days on 10m JT65, today I have switched to 6m JT65. So far, just spots from 3 G stations with the best DX being G8TTI (185km). This is either tropo or aircraft reflection. As usual, 1W ERP in use here from my V2000 omni vertical.

UPDATE 1056z: LX1JX (469km) is the best distance spotted so far today on 6m JT65. Probably too near for Es?

UPDATE 1230z: Still no sign of Es on 6m JT65 here.

UPDATE 1648z: Ten G station spots of my QRP 6m JT65 today, but no Es spots.

UPDATE 2002z: Eleven G spots of my QRP 6m JT65 today, but still no Es. Tomorrow may be a QRT day because of the storm risk.

UPDATE 2142z: Some very late Es spots of my 6m QRP JT65 from Portugal just before going QRT and disconnecting antennas, PC and plugs.

SW interval signals from the past

Many of us started in the hobby by building simple shortwave receivers and listening to the many broadcasters on shortwaves long ago. Did any of the communist stations really expect us to listen intently to their propaganda? I certainly did not! Mind you, I got some nice goodies from some. These days there are fewer and fewer BC stations on the air on shortwave, and very few in English.

If you want a dose of nostalgia try https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/interval . A Google search will find others.

I miss these and I am sure I'm not alone. They speak of an age long past. Certainly we were no safer then with the constant threat of nuclear war. And yet, they bring back such memories!

Colombia on 10m JT65

Quite late last night, HK6JCF (8601km) was spotted on 10m JT65 bringing the total to 3 South Americans spotted on 10m JT65 yesterday.

25 May 2017

Roses - NOT amateur radio

Our roses came out early this year. They look great at the moment but will be bare in a few weeks' time. Our garden looks good at the moment. The risk is muntjac deer will eat the flowers!

OFCOM reviewing 410-470MHz band

OFCOM is carrying out a strategic review of the 410-470MHz band. This is a busy part of the spectrum in the UK and others want access. The 70cm amateur band is here and under pressure. At times, it seems devoid of activity. We have secondary access only. Use it or lose it, especially as OFCOM derives no revenue from the amateur service.  It would not surprise me if we end up with fewer frequencies at 70cm or we find our band shared with more users.

See http://ofcom.createsend1.com/t/\ViewEmail/i/3E3A949980CE1596/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

10m JT65 today

In view of the successes with this band and mode yesterday, I have returned to 10m JT65 this morning. There is already widespread Es on the band and I have been spotted all over Europe already and this is boding well for the rest of the day. It would be good to be spotted in South America later.

UPDATE  1240z: So far 13 unique stations have spotted my 10m JT65 throughout Europe. Plenty of Europeans spotted here. I assume all this is Es. Nothing yet from outside Europe, but I am hopeful!

UPDATE 1604z: The first South American spotted on 10m JT65 is LU4HOQ (11342km) near Corduba. There is good Es in Europe, so I am again wondering if this is Es linking into TEP?

UPDATE 2010z:  So far, just 2 South Americans spotted on 10m JT65 this afternoon and evening. No-one has spotted me in South America on 10m JT65 today.

UPDATE 2110z: Well, it looks like just the two South Americans spotted on 10m JT65 today. I shall leave things running in case there is any Es in the night or early tomorrow. Again, like yesterday, my own signal was widely spotted across Europe, but not beyond.

Sunspots and 10m - Thursday May 25th 2017

Solar flux is 78 and the sunspot number 15. A=4 and K=1. There is already 10m Es, but I hope 10m opens for some real DX later.

Yesterday on 10m JT65

Yesterday, I spotted 14 different South Americans plus Madagascar and all over Europe on 10m JT65. 

Even with my low, compromise, antenna, 4 continents were spotted on 10m and my own signal was copied all over Europe. I guess the "real" DX could have been Es linking with F layer further south? Personally, I doubt this was Es alone as the distances were far too great.

N-S 10m propagation over the Equator has been possible with QRP SSB, even in sunspot minimum years. Often 10m opens, but no-one is there to enjoy it.

24 May 2017

Nestbox robins - NOT amateur radio

I checked the nestbox in our garden in which a pair of robins were nesting. They were very busy before we went on holiday, but all is now quiet.

In the nestbox was a well made nest with no dead young and no eggs. I assume they all made it and flew.

Robins can live to 11 years but most die by their second year, killed by predators or the cold. I hope these little ones manage a few years. It would be good to see a second brood.

Milking it - NOT amateur radio

We had a tragic terrorist incident a few days ago in Manchester. Sadly, the dead and injured included children and other young people. It was horrific and pure evil.

What I do not like is how the BBC milk such tragedies for days and days. Surely this is just what the terrorist want. In my view, report the facts but do not milk the incident to death.

Antenna replacement?

I'm considering replacements for a couple of my antennas.

For years, I have used a Par EF10/20/40 end fed wire on these 3 bands. It works even though very low, but I am sure I could get out better.

Also, my big-wheel on 2m has done me well for a couple of years.

In the garage I have a little used SRC X80 vertical. This is essentially a Rybakov vertical fed via a UNUN so it can be matched on most HF bands with an auto ATU. I have heard mixed results with this antenna. As a vertical it is likely to be noisy on HF and it could be worse than my horizontal Par. It is also in need of grounding as lightning protection, mainly from static. It flexes quite a bit, so might be damaged by high winds.

I could replace my big-wheel with a Homebase-10 10m halo. As an omni antenna it would give me all round coverage and I know this works. With strapped feeders, I might be able to use the coax as an antenna on other HF  bands too.

It would also be good to get a better 630m antenna up.

Sadly, I probably need help these days as I get wobbly on ladders.

Sunspots and 10m - Wednesday May 24th 2017

Solar flux is 75 today and the sunspot number 47. A=8 and K=2. As for 10m, there is already some Es and better equipped stations may see some N-S F layer DX.

10m JT65 today

For a change, I am in beacon mode on 10m JT65. Best DX so far is a spot by ES1JA (1701km) - early Es, I think, although this could be F2.

UPDATE 0820z: Best DX spot of me is now EW2ABC (1811km) in Belarus.

UPDATE 1146z: Lots of Es spots today on 10m JT65. Lost count of the countries in which my 500mW WSPR beacon has been copied. Certainly being copied throughout Scandinavia and down to the Adriatic. Also spotted in Portugal.

UPDATE 1840z:  Real DX!! 8 stations in 4 countries in South America spotted on 10m JT65 plus Madagascar, which counts as Africa. Best DX was spotting LU8XAF (13413km). Sadly no-one spotted me outside of Europe. I'll leave things running.

23 May 2017

UK terror threat level raised to "critical" - NOT amateur radio

This evening, the UK terror threat level has been raised to "critical" meaning an attack is highly likely. I guess the UK government has got some new intelligence.

In the end, there are far more good people than evil ones. It is sad that a few people with evil intent can cause such widespread fear. In the end we must not be intimidated.

Back Garden - NOT amateur radio

This afternoon, we planted a few more bedding plants, cut the grass and enjoyed a cup of tea in the garden in the warm sunshine. At this time of the year, lots of birds are singing and, it seems, everything in the garden is coming out and looks fresh.

ICOM's new R8600 RX

Reading the latest RadCom I was amazed to read that the likely selling price of the new ICOM R8600 receiver based on the IC7300 is £2500!!!

Is this a joke? I was expecting the price to be below £1000.

I don't doubt this is a nice radio, but the price is stupid. At this price I hope no-one buys it and the dealers learn a lesson - don't take us for a ride to make inflated profits. By all means make a profit, but I smell the nasty side of capitalism.

See http://www.icomamerica.com/en/products/amateur/receivers/r8600/default.aspx

New antennas for 6m/4m from Hy-Gain

Southgate News has reported that Hy-Gain is producing a new dual-band antenna for 4m/6m designed by G0KSC.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/may/new-hy-gain-antennas.htm#.WSP_9bpFyP8

The person who usually creates the Southgate News postings is away, so someone else must be doing these.

New Yaesu and ICOM products

As yet, I have not heard about any new product announcements by the big players coming out of Dayton. I was expecting to hear news by now. I shall have to do another trawl for news.

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.

22 May 2017

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.

21 May 2017

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.

20 May 2017

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/

19 May 2017

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/

18 May 2017

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.