No storm risk

As the nearest storms are a long way away, I think I'll leave my 10m WSPR TX and 6m JT65 transceive running overnight.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/?lang=en#y=52.2238;x=-4.5678;z=5;t=3;m=sat;r=0;s=0;o=0;b=0.00;n=0;d=2;dl=2;dc=0;

UPDATE 2135z:  With nothing great happening I have decided to turn things off and save the electricity.  I know, in the morning someone will tell me I missed the best transatlantic 6m conditions in years!

WSPR versus JT65

For the last couple of years I have been comparing WSPR versus JT65 on 10m and 6m. Theoretically, WSPR is a little better, but I seem to get much better results with JT65. Maybe it is because the TX period on JT65 is shorter, so transient openings are seen? Maybe there is more JT65 activity?

With my little 500mW 10m W5OLF WSPR beacon, I can be on 10m WSPR TX whilst using the shack PC and FT817 for 6m JT65. These use different antennas.

I really ought to try PSK31 too. Later!

UPDATE 1758z:  Today on 10m WSPR no spots at all. On 6m JT65 plenty of Es spots given and received. Best DX on 6m JT65 RX was 4X4DK (3582km).

Manchester Terror Attack - NOT amateur radio

Sadly Manchester was the centre of a terrorist attack which killed 22 and injured many more, mainly children and young girls. It was a pointless, evil act, carried out by someone who could not care less about those he injured or killed. My wife's nephew knew one of the victims, so the pointlessness of this evil act hit us on a personal level. Look, evil in the form of terrorism will never, ever win. As for vestal virgins awaiting the perpetrators in Heaven, I think the very opposite awaits!

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-40141450 .

"Real" DX on 6m

At the moment, F2 worldwide 6m DX is rare and we rely on Es to get decent ranges. Es tends to peak in the late spring and summer. "Real" DX, by which I mean ranges well in excess of normal Es ranges, seems to occur when Es is good, although I am not a great believer these are due to multi-hop Es. OK, some might be, but I think some of the distances suggest some kind of chordal hop Es. I am frequently wrong!

UK to Israel even with my poor antenna and lossy coax and QRP every summer for several years? Also, occasional reception at much greater ranges on 6m?

I'd be interested to hear your views, especially from real experts with far more knowledge than I'll ever have. These long distance Es paths have puzzled me for years. They do happen most seasons, if not all Es seasons.

Sunspots and 10m - Saturday June 3rd 2017

Solar flux is 77 today and the sunspot number 19. A=5 and K=1.

6m JT65

One correspondent tells me 6m JT65 stations on the west coast of the USA were able to work Europeans on 6m yesterday. Although there is some Es around today, conditions here are nothing like they were yesterday. I am active on 6m JT65, but so far most spots are Gs with a few EU stations.

UPDATE 1128z: Best DX spot today on 6m JT65 TX, so far, is LA1BFA (1331km).

10m WSPR TX

Once again I have my 500mW WSPR beacon TXing on 10m. As yet, no spots. Yesterday by this time I had been copied all over Europe by Es.

Rallies on Sunday

4 JUNE 2017 : SPALDING & DARS ANNUAL RALLY
The Sir John Gleed Technology School, Halmer Gardens, Spalding, Lincs PE11 2EF. There is free car parking on site. Doors open at 10am. There will be trade stands, an outside car boot area and there is catering on site. Details from John G4NBR 0794 630 2815 or Graham, G8NWC 0775 461 9701 or email rally-secretary@sdars.org.uk www.sdars.org.uk

4 JUNE 2017 : 21st RED ROSE QRP FESTIVAL
The Rose Centre (Lowton Civic Hall), Hesketh Meadow Lane, Lowton, Warrington WA3 2AH There is easy access from all directions M6, M61, M60 and A580. The venue has a large spacious halls at ground level with free car parking. There are disabled facilities. Doors open from 11am to 3pm and admission is £2 with children under 14 free. There will be trade and individual stalls as well as Club stands, including the RSGB and GQRP. There will be a Bring & Buy. Catering is available on site. Some tables are available at £8 but please book early. Contact Les Jackson, G4HZJ by email to g4hzj@ntlworld.com or 01942 870 634.

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

Storms and 6m

Today has been the best day this Es season here on 6m, so I am keen to stay on this evening. Storms are currently to the east, so I'll remain on until bedtime, but ready to disconnect plugs at any time.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/?lang=en#y=52.2238;x=-3.0297;z=6;t=3;m=sat;r=0;s=0;o=0;b=0.00;n=0;d=2;dl=2;dc=0;

UPDATE 2100z: Still active on 10m WSPR TX and 6m JT65 transceive, but no transatlantic spots.

Close run? - NOT amateur radio

The UK General Election could be much closer than was expected. Of course, pollsters may be very wrong, but Labour seem to be doing much better than was expected. On the day what matters is who decides to vote.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2017-39856354 .

Sunspots and 10m - Friday June 2nd 2017

Solar flux is 81 today and the sunspot number 18. A=7 and K=1.

Conditions on 10m are good by Es and 6m conditions (Es?) seem exceptional (see earlier post).

10m WSPR TX

All morning, I have been on 10m WSPR TX (500mW, 100%). My signal is being widely received across Europe.

UPDATE 1455z: 34 unique spots of my 10m WSPR. All were in Europe.

6m JT65 - amazing conditions

Just spotted 7A4TOI (13582km) in Indonesia on 6m VHF!! This is the greatest distance I have ever received on a VHF band. Extraordinary long path - Es?  My own 1W ERP 6m JT65 signal was copied in Israel earlier by 4Z5ML (3571km).  Conditions on 6m seem extraordinary today.

UPDATE 1100z: At one time receiving Qatar and Asiatic Russia (5210km) would have seemed exceptional on 6m - both copied this morning on my poor antenna. Now I expect anything!

UPDATE 1600z: Today, 6m JT65 has been more like 20m with lots and lots of spots of my 1W ERP signal. I hope we see transatlantic DX this evening. It may not happen, but after today it is anyone's guess.

General Election in the UK - NOT amateur radio

We have a General Election in the UK next week. At the beginning of the campaign, the pundits were talking of a landslide victory for the ruling Conservative Party. Now, in the last week, things are much closer. Last time the experts were wrong. It will be interesting to see who is right.

Personally, I think we have a real lack of good leaders in all main parties. What we need is a "centre ground" party with strong, charismatic leadership. There is little to chose between the three main parties: the right of the Labour Party is very similar to the left of the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats are somewhere there too. Not one of these parties has what I'd call a good leader.

Home quiet - NOT amateur radio

We have had all our 4 grandchildren and parents here over the last week. These days I find them very tiring. It is great having them and it is "clean mess". Once they have all gone, the house does seem empty, but tidy!

CQ-DATV

TV is one part of our hobby I have never tried. After all, it is hard to do everything! If you are interested in DATV, issues of CQ-DATV may be downloaded freely.

See http://cq-datv.mobi/48.php  for the latest issue.

10m JT65 again

Once again, I am on 10m JT65. So far, just Europeans by Es. Yesterday was a good day with plenty of South Americans coming through on 10m JT65 in the late afternoon and evening.

UPDATE 2028z: After another good 10m JT65 Es day, it is time to go QRT. Tomorrow I may try 10m WSPR TX and 6m JT65 transceive.

OFCOM and mobile phones on ships - NOT amateur radio

See http://ofcom.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/i/742AAB4E823BB885/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

OFCOM is consulting on the use of mobile phones on ships.

Sunspots and 10m - June 1st 2017

Solar flux today is 75 . Sunspot number is 11. A=4 and K=1. Widespread 10m Es.

10m JT65

Conditions seem quite good this morning. On 10m JT65 RX my best DX is UN7DA (5276km). My own signal is being widely copied in Europe by Es. Other notable RX spots include YI3WHR (4186km) in Iraq late last night. I find it hard to believe this is Es. F2 is possible although the time is wrong for F2.

Are these long paths Es with some sort of chordal hop? I have long suspected this sort of mode. I am not a great believer of these being multi-hop Es. It would be interesting to hear what experts have to say.

Sunspots and 10m - Wednesday May 31st 2017

Solar flux is 73 today. Sunspot number is zero. A=7 and K=2. 10m is likely to be livened up by Es in the northern hemisphere.

TEP and 10m (and 6m)

Newcomers may not be aware that trans-equatorial (TEP) propagation can extend to quite high frequencies. If memory serves me right, the signals cross the magnetic equator by spread-F, a sort of chordal hop. I think 2m has been used to work from Southern Africa to the Med. Today, a number of South Americans have been copied in the UK on 10m JT65.  I suspect this is TEP being extended to the UK by Es. TEP does not usually extend this far north.

Baking - NOT amateur radio

Today, we had all 4 grandchildren (all 9 and under) here for lunch. Here is our elder granddaughter busy baking in the kitchen.

SAQ transmission cancelled

Southgate News reports that the upcoming SAQ CW transmission on 17.2kHz VLF CW has been cancelled due to ongoing maintenance work.  This signal is often a good one to try if testing your VLF system. It is much harder receiving amateur VLF signals.

Often these transmissions result in a QSL card for reports. I have one from years ago.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/may/saq-transmission-cancelled.htm#.WS2KmrpFzIU

Sunspots and 10m - Tuesday May 30th 2017

Solar flux is 74 today and the sunspot number 16. A=10 and K=4.

10m JT65

This morning, I am on 10m JT65. As yet, no spots.

UPDATE 0848z: My 10m JT65 is being spotted in Switzerland and Austria  (Es) and the best DX on RX is the Canary Is.

UPDATE 1000z: Spots so far this morning on 10m JT65.

UPDATE 1614z: Best DX on RX was RA9N (4608km) in Omsk, Asiatic Russia. This is a long way for Es, if indeed this is the mode.

UPDATE 1715z: PY2FA (9580km) and another 3 Brazilians are now being spotted. Could be Es linking with TEP?

UPDATE 1957z: Now 8 South Americans spotted on 10m JT65 plus a couple of stations in the UAE at the far end of the Gulf. Still no spots of my own QRP 10m JT65 outside of Europe. Definitely a good Es day on 10m.

UPDATE 1725z: So far, 5 different Brazilians spotted on 10m JT65 today.

G7 meeting - NOT amateur radio

This photo was widely shared on Facebook. I have no idea where it was first made. Sadly, this is how much of the world sees the president of the USA. He needs not to be a joke.

6m JT65

Last night, as a precaution, I went QRT and disconnected plugs and antennas. We had thunder and lightning overnight (I'm told) but I slept through it!

At the moment I am on 6m JT65 (1W ERP). Best DX on TX is 9A2DI (1532km). There have been G spots, ON (tropo or aircraft?) and Es on 6m. On 6m JT65 RX the best DX is EA8JK (3021km).

UPDATE 1112z:  As well as the Es, I have been spotted in Cornwall by G8BCG (372km) in IO70 square. If this was tropo, it was a long way.

UPDATE 1604z: Plenty of Es from/to Europe on 6m JT65 today. What would be really good would be if we got Es to the Caribbean or South America on 6m JT65. Although it feels quite humid here, there are no thunderstorms shown in the UK. Unless thing change I intend to stay on 6m JT65 until late this evening.

UPDATE 2040z: Although the Es spots seem to have stopped, there are still plenty of G spots. As the thunderstorms seem to be mainly in Belgium and Germany I am remaining on the air.

UPDATE 2140: Today, my QRP 1W ERP 6m JT65 was spotted by 9 UK stations and I spotted 23 stations in the UK.

QRP and QRP Club

As usual, Oleg's report:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous Report (May, 28, 2017)
Visitors  of  the  week:  F6EAZ, DK1HW, SM7RYR, DL6UNF, RV3GM, UR0ET,
UR5EFD, UA1CEG/p, RA1M/mm, RU3NJC, US5ERQ, OH6NPV, US3EN, UF6V/UA1CEX,
R1CAF
Congrats!
DL6UNF became Honor Frequenter (regular visitor)
See full Visitors and Frequenters lists on the Club 72 page, please.
Comments...
see  full version of the WQR Report with comments and pictures on the
blog page - http://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/
See you on next QRP Rendez-Vous round tables! Schedule on Club 72 page

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 - Monday May 29th 2017

Solar flux is 77 today and the sunspot number is 20. A=51 and K=1.

10m JT65

At the moment the sun is shining at there is no risk of storms until much later. I am on 10m JT65 and am likely to be using this band/mode most of the day. I am not expecting "real" DX, but there could be some Es around Europe. No spots so far today.

UPDATE 1115z: So far today just spots from G6SSN (75km) on 10m JT65. No Es. There are storms over the English Channel, moving our way. I need to keep an eye on these. but it is likely to be OK for several hours yet.

UPDATE 2112z: Widespread 10m Es with lots of spots of my 10m JT65. About to go QRT. Es still great!

Sunspots and 10m - Sunday May 28th 2017

Solar flux is 79 today and the sunspot number 21. A=14 and K=7. With disturbed conditions I am not expecting great things of 10m today, although Es may well help.

Storm risk has passed - now on 10m JT65

As the storm risk has passed I have turned on my FT817 and PC on to 10m JT65. No JT65 spots as yet.

UPDATE 1945z: ZP5PIA (10275km) in Paraguay was the first station spotted n 10m JT65 at 1926z.

UPDATE 2045z: The station in Paraguay looks like the only station spotted on 10m JT65 since late this afternoon when I first switched on.

Enforced QRT - storms

There is thunder and lightning about so I decided not to go on the air today. You can track the storms at https://www.lightningmaps.org/?lang=en#y=52.2238;x=0.0464;z=6;t=3;m=sat;r=0;s=0;o=0;b=0.00;n=0;d=2;dl=2;dc=0;

Sunspots and 10m - Saturday May 27th 2017

Solar flux is 79 today and the sunspot number 22. A=3 and K=1.

Rallies this Sunday

MAY 28th 2017 : DURHAM & DISTRICT ARS RADIO RALLY

Bowburn Community Centre, Co Durham, DH6 5AT The venture has disabled facilities and car parking on site. Doors open from 10.30am to 2.30pm with disabled visitors gaining access from 10.15am. Admission is £2. There will be trade stands, Bring & Buy, talk in and catering on site. There will be an RSGB bookstall. More details from Michael, G7TWX on 0782 692 4192 or by email to dadars@gmx.com


MAY 28th 2017 : CAUSEWAY COAST GLENS ARC RADIO RALLY

Bushmills Community Centre, 14 Dunluce Road, Bushmills, Co Antrim BT57 8QG There is car parking and disabled facilities at this venue. Doors open at 11am and entry is £3. There will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy and an RSGB bookstall. There is catering on site. Stevie Morrow, MI0ULK on 07544 923 956 or email stephen769@talktalk.net.


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

Are ICOM and Yaesu struggling?

I am beginning to wonder if some of the large Japanese companies are getting tired of amateur radio.

When ICOM introduced the IC7300, Yaesu looked like they reacted and quickly brought out the FT991A. Yaesu seems to have "gone off the boil" in recent years. System Fusion is being pushed, but years after DSTAR. Most of us remember Betamax, VHS and Video 8. The last thing we want is a standards war.

There were no new products launched at Dayton, at least nothing was reported. I am beginning to think the Japanese have decided to introduce fewer amateur radio products. Perhaps they see a dwindling market with less profits in the coming years?

As for an FT817 successor - I think this is never happening.

Dayton Hamvention 2017

This was last weekend. It is possible I missed announcements, but nothing new appears to have been announced by the big manufacturers.

I have never been, nor am I likely to, but this is the big one. It moved venues this year. Looking at the photos, most attendees look old.

See http://hamvention.org/ .

Trident and terrorism - NOT amateur radio

Some estimates put the bill to replace our "independent" nuclear submarine fleet at more than £100 billion. Most countries don't have nuclear weapons, let alone an "independent" nuclear deterrent.  Even the Labour party supports Trident's replacement. This is at a time when we complain there are not enough police or people able to analyse people who may be a terrorist threat to the UK.

Why not scrap Trident and spend some of the money on police and anti-terrorism?

No-one in their right mind would press the nuclear button. It would lead to widespread death and destruction. We need things to counter the threats of today. 

As for nuclear deterrence, how do most countries manage without such weapons perfectly well? Just a small fraction of the Trident replacement costs would go a very long way.

Mobile phones on aircraft - NOT amateur radio

So, OFCOM has changed the rules to allow mobile phones on aircraft. I objected. In my view this is stupid idea. Imagine phones ringing all the time on a long flight. People managed in the past.

See http://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/B17ECEB3D452F524/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C