This morning, I am again on 6m JT65 receive after a very brief transceive period (1W ERP). Best DX so far are Israel, Jordan JY9FC (3650km) and Bahrain A92GE (5068km).
UPDATE 1022z: Although I see some EU stations are working JAs on 6m this morning, I spotted none today. I guess they have better gear or the propagation was right for them.
10 Jun 2017
Amateur radio prices
Just now, I received an email from MLS giving details of their "something for the weekend" special offers. Now I appreciate that dealers have to make a profit - after all, this is their business - but I remain amazed by some of the prices. All dealers are similar, so I am not singling out MLS.
For example, one HF antenna sells for £409 when the manufacturing cost is unlikely to be more than £10, especially if made in China. Someone is making a huge profit. Of course, dealers sell for the prices we are prepared to pay. Reasonable is fine, but rip-offs are not. More fool us for playing the game.
In 20 years many dealers will be gone. Those that remain should be those that provide a good service, make reasonable profits and do not rip off their customers. Any dealer that rips off customers deserves to fail.
For example, one HF antenna sells for £409 when the manufacturing cost is unlikely to be more than £10, especially if made in China. Someone is making a huge profit. Of course, dealers sell for the prices we are prepared to pay. Reasonable is fine, but rip-offs are not. More fool us for playing the game.
In 20 years many dealers will be gone. Those that remain should be those that provide a good service, make reasonable profits and do not rip off their customers. Any dealer that rips off customers deserves to fail.
Low cost amateur radio
As many of you know I am a miser who does not like spending money on amateur radio. My ethos has always been to get the most for the least money. If I do spend real money, it is an investment that has to last years. My FT817 is almost 17 years old!
Perhaps this is one reason why I have always liked QRP: gear is low cost to make and every contact gives you a sense of pride, especially if home made. I hope you can take some inspiration from the various projects on my main website.
See http://www.g3xbm.co.uk . Drill down on each page to find all the various projects.
Perhaps this is one reason why I have always liked QRP: gear is low cost to make and every contact gives you a sense of pride, especially if home made. I hope you can take some inspiration from the various projects on my main website.
See http://www.g3xbm.co.uk . Drill down on each page to find all the various projects.
ARRL book about JT65 and JT9
There is an ARRL book on the digital modes JT65 and JT9. These are among my favourite modes and ideally suited to QRP. I have used JT9 on bands up to 10m. I have used JT65 on bands up to 6m.
See http://www.arrl.org/shop/Work-the-World-with-JT65-and-JT9/ .
At the moment there is a special ARRL deal so you get this book free when you buy a new ARRL Handbook.
See http://www.arrl.org/shop/Work-the-World-with-JT65-and-JT9/ .
At the moment there is a special ARRL deal so you get this book free when you buy a new ARRL Handbook.
9 Jun 2017
6m to the USA (again)
JT65 is proving useful for finding brief Es openings on 6m. In the last hour WN5LUF (6886km) in Missouri just appeared and disappeared. Maybe others will appear and maybe not. Earlier in the day a station in New England just came and went on 6m JT65.
Although you might expect 10m WSPR to be better, I seem to get better results on 6m JT65. This could be down to antennas, although there seems to be more activity on 6m JT65 than 10m WSPR.
Although you might expect 10m WSPR to be better, I seem to get better results on 6m JT65. This could be down to antennas, although there seems to be more activity on 6m JT65 than 10m WSPR.
New 6m yagi
Hype!
Although I have copied JA for 3 days on the trot on 6m JT65 I see InnoVAntennas want you to part with lots of money. Here I just have a triband omni vertical fed with lossy CB coax and an FT817.
Don't believe hype. You can enjoy the hobby spending very little.
OK, I agree that a big yagi may help, but I seem to do fine with a very modest station.
See http://www.innovantennas.com/antennas-a-accesories/on-line-shop/view/productdetails/virtuemart_product_id/507/virtuemart_category_id/3.html
If I erected the MONSTER shown on the Southgate News page my neighbours would have a fit! No, you can enjoy the hobby much more modestly. Each to their own, but to me this is not amateur radio.
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/june/lfa-3-third-generation-lfa-yagi-make-ja-possible-on-6m.htm#.WTp
If I wanted to talk to the USA and Japan why not use Skype?
Although I have copied JA for 3 days on the trot on 6m JT65 I see InnoVAntennas want you to part with lots of money. Here I just have a triband omni vertical fed with lossy CB coax and an FT817.
Don't believe hype. You can enjoy the hobby spending very little.
OK, I agree that a big yagi may help, but I seem to do fine with a very modest station.
See http://www.innovantennas.com/antennas-a-accesories/on-line-shop/view/productdetails/virtuemart_product_id/507/virtuemart_category_id/3.html
If I erected the MONSTER shown on the Southgate News page my neighbours would have a fit! No, you can enjoy the hobby much more modestly. Each to their own, but to me this is not amateur radio.
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/june/lfa-3-third-generation-lfa-yagi-make-ja-possible-on-6m.htm#.WTp
If I wanted to talk to the USA and Japan why not use Skype?
Sunspots and 10m - Friday June 9th 2017
Solar flux is 72 today and the sunspot number 12. A=4 and K=1.
Plenty of 10m Es about, although I have not received any F layer reports of my 500mW 10m WSPR.
Plenty of 10m Es about, although I have not received any F layer reports of my 500mW 10m WSPR.
QRP and QRP Club
More from Oleg:
Dear Club 72 members and friends,
op. Wolf DK1HW became Club 72 member.
His membership certificate # 98. You are welcome Wolf!
Who's next?
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.
Dear Club 72 members and friends,
op. Wolf DK1HW became Club 72 member.
His membership certificate # 98. You are welcome Wolf!
Who's next?
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.
Back on 6m JT65 (but higher up the segment)
Earlier this morning, I returned to 6m JT65 (transceive - 1W ERP) but I have moved slightly higher to avoid causing local issues. There is a lot of Es and my signal has been widely copied in Europe. Last night Canada was copied on 6m JT65 in the form of VE3DS (5711km). As yet, no Far East stations received on 6m JT65: yesterday it was a bit later that they came through.
UPDATE 1052z: Both Israel and Bahrain spotted on 6m JT65 RX, but nothing from the Far East today. A92GE (5068km) is currently to best RX DX on 6m this morning.
UPDATE 1052z: Both Israel and Bahrain spotted on 6m JT65 RX, but nothing from the Far East today. A92GE (5068km) is currently to best RX DX on 6m this morning.
QRP and QRP Club
More from Oleg:
Dear Club 72 members and friends,
welcome all QRP operators to play the game "Fir'n'Sticks" in Saturday and Sunday. Two periods of 4 hours each. You can play in the Field or/and Home categories. 20 and 40 m around QRP freq's any modes you like. It's not a contest, no points-winners. There are lot of nominations for Field and Home gamers. No contest logs but complete the declaration form only. See exactly rules on the Club 72 web page, please - club72.su
Keep humor sense and enjoy QRP!
72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"
Dear Club 72 members and friends,
welcome all QRP operators to play the game "Fir'n'Sticks" in Saturday and Sunday. Two periods of 4 hours each. You can play in the Field or/and Home categories. 20 and 40 m around QRP freq's any modes you like. It's not a contest, no points-winners. There are lot of nominations for Field and Home gamers. No contest logs but complete the declaration form only. See exactly rules on the Club 72 web page, please - club72.su
Keep humor sense and enjoy QRP!
72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"
8 Jun 2017
6m JT65 QSY
Some locals have complained that my beacon mode "B G3XBM JO02" transmissions are causing some local issues, so I have QSYed a little further up the band when not looking for 2-way contacts.
I use beacon mode so that I can look on PSK reporter maps to see where I am reaching. I do not use this beacon unattended. At the same time, I do not want to cause anyone problems. At the moment, I am RX only on 6m JT65.
I use beacon mode so that I can look on PSK reporter maps to see where I am reaching. I do not use this beacon unattended. At the same time, I do not want to cause anyone problems. At the moment, I am RX only on 6m JT65.
Rally this Saturday in N.Ireland
10 JUNE 2017 : ANTRIM & DARS BRING & BUY SURPLUS SALE
Muckamore Community Centre, Ballycraigy Road, Antrim, Co.Antrim , BT41 2DH. Doors open 12.30 to 5pm with sellers gaining access from 12 noon. Entry is £2 for buyers and a table charge for sellers is £5. Refreshments available to purchase and a raffle will be drawn.
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/
Muckamore Community Centre, Ballycraigy Road, Antrim, Co.Antrim , BT41 2DH. Doors open 12.30 to 5pm with sellers gaining access from 12 noon. Entry is £2 for buyers and a table charge for sellers is £5. Refreshments available to purchase and a raffle will be drawn.
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/
Japan (again) and South Korea on 6m JT65 this morning
For the third morning in a row Japan was again coming in on 6m JT65. Today there were 10 Japanese stations copied! Also a couple of South Koreans. Amazing conditions for a VHF band! All this was around 0830-1000z.
There was also a spot of C3NY/UM0NGN, but I was not sure if this was Andorra or Turkmenistan!
The best DX on 6m JT65 RX was 9495km - quite an incredible distance for a VHF band.
There was also a spot of C3NY/UM0NGN, but I was not sure if this was Andorra or Turkmenistan!
The best DX on 6m JT65 RX was 9495km - quite an incredible distance for a VHF band.
Broadband interference?
If you were thinking of complaining to OFCOM about broadband noise you may want to think again.
See http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2017/06/ofcom-finds-no-evidence-claims-interference-vdsl-broadband.html
The fact that our HF noise floor is gradually getting worse is of little concern to OFCOM. Only money matters sadly. In the UK the amateur radio service is unimportant.
See http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2017/06/ofcom-finds-no-evidence-claims-interference-vdsl-broadband.html
The fact that our HF noise floor is gradually getting worse is of little concern to OFCOM. Only money matters sadly. In the UK the amateur radio service is unimportant.
6m JT65
This morning I am again on 6m JT65 transceive (currently in beacon mode) running 1W ERP. There is already Es on the band, with spots on RX and TX from all over Europe.
No Japanese stations copied here on 6m JT65 today. Last night, 6m opened to the USA with 8 unique USA stations spotted on 6m JT65. Japanese stations were spotted on 6m JT65 both yesterday and the day before.
No Japanese stations copied here on 6m JT65 today. Last night, 6m opened to the USA with 8 unique USA stations spotted on 6m JT65. Japanese stations were spotted on 6m JT65 both yesterday and the day before.
10m WSPR
Yesterday was quite productive on 10m WSPR TX with 42 unique spots in the last day (see photo).
Sunspots and 10m - Thursday June 8th 2017
Already there is Es on 10m and 6m. No 10m F2 seen here on 10m yesterday.
Today, the solar flux is 74 and the sunspot number 13. A=4 and K=0.
Today, the solar flux is 74 and the sunspot number 13. A=4 and K=0.
UK General Election today: VOTE - NOT amateur radio
This is your chance to back the candidate of your choice. Whatever your political persuasion, I urge you to use your vote. Voting is private, so only you know the person for whom you voted.
7 Jun 2017
General Election in the UK tomorrow - NOT amateur radio
Whatever your political views you have a democratic right to vote for the candidate of your choice. A vote not used is just wasted. Use it, please.
Even if your choice does not get elected, it tells the others of your support.
Even if your choice does not get elected, it tells the others of your support.
10m WSPR
My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon is on TX again. So far just one spot received from IU1DZZ (973km).
UPDATE 1424z: Although there is Es right across Europe, I get the feeling there is less than yesterday? 13 unique spots of my 500mW so far. All Europeans.
UPDATE 1644z: 23 unique spots so far with best DX SQ2DMX (1268km).
UPDATE 1424z: Although there is Es right across Europe, I get the feeling there is less than yesterday? 13 unique spots of my 500mW so far. All Europeans.
UPDATE 1644z: 23 unique spots so far with best DX SQ2DMX (1268km).
Japan again copied on 6m JT65
Although not reported to PSK reporter maps I again spotted Japan on 6m JT65 this morning when JH6VXP (-23dB S/N) was copied calling a European at 0749z. There is plenty of European Es on 6m this morning as well as 4X4.
UPDATE 1420z: Although there is reasonable amount of Es on 6m JT65, I think there is a bit less than yesterday.
UPDATE 2126z: 6m JT65 has opened to the USA this evening after an excellent Es day. My 1W ERP JT65 was widely copied across Europe.
UPDATE 1420z: Although there is reasonable amount of Es on 6m JT65, I think there is a bit less than yesterday.
UPDATE 2126z: 6m JT65 has opened to the USA this evening after an excellent Es day. My 1W ERP JT65 was widely copied across Europe.
Sunspots and 10m - Wednesday June 7th 2017
Solar flux is 76 today and the sunspot number 18. A=5 and K=2.
OFCOM updates
OFCOM has provided an update on the things it does.
See http://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/7BF7162766734776/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C
See http://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/7BF7162766734776/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C
6 Jun 2017
2m UKAC activity contest this evening
From the RSGB:
This is an automated message, please do not reply to this email address.
You registered for an RSGB Contest Alert 2 hours before the 144MHz UKAC.
This contest takes place on Tue 6-Jun-2017 19:00 UTC
The rules for the contest can be found here
You can list/edit your contest alerts here
Regards,
RSGB CC
UPDATE 2000z: 5 QSOs before I had to go QRT because of my poor voice.
This is an automated message, please do not reply to this email address.
You registered for an RSGB Contest Alert 2 hours before the 144MHz UKAC.
This contest takes place on Tue 6-Jun-2017 19:00 UTC
The rules for the contest can be found here
You can list/edit your contest alerts here
Regards,
RSGB CC
UPDATE 2000z: 5 QSOs before I had to go QRT because of my poor voice.
Amateur satellites
I'm all my time, I have only ever had one QSO via an amateur satellite. Back in the 1970s I recall the thrill of hearing SSB from the USA on 2m via Oscar 6 and 7, fleetingly. Some people love working stations through satellite transponders. I see from Southgate News that one station is close to DXCC via satellites.
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/june/dxcc-needs-on-the-birds.htm#.WTaS97pFzIU .
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/june/dxcc-needs-on-the-birds.htm#.WTaS97pFzIU .
Sunspots and 10m - Tuesday June 6th 2017
Solar flux is 78 today and the sunspot number 22. A=5 and K=1. There has been good Es propagation on 10m and 6m today. As for F2 over the equator, we'll see later.
Another pirate on 6m JT65?
A station in Georgia (nr Russia) was recently spotted on 6m JT65. This had a very odd call, so this was, I think, either a false decode or a pirate.
10m WSPR TX
13 unique WSPR spots of my 500mW beacon on 10m so far, all European and presumably Es.
UPDATE 1838z: Best DX report today on 10m WSPR TX (500mW) is by FY5KE (7110km) in French Guiana, South America. Es?
UPDATE 1838z: Best DX report today on 10m WSPR TX (500mW) is by FY5KE (7110km) in French Guiana, South America. Es?
First JAs this season on 6m JT65
Copied a couple of Japanese stations early this morning on 6m JT65, first this season - JA5FFJ (9453km) and JG3QZN (9388km). Openings on 6m to Japan from Europe happen at this time of year. One possibility is E layer ionisation by mesospheric clouds which form high up at this time of year in the north. See my web page on this at https://sites.google.com/
I am sure there is more JT65 activity these days. It is better than CW. With PSK reporter maps (you need to check you WSJT-X v1.7 settings) you can see where you are reaching and the stations you are receiving.
A spot of a South American earlier on 6m JT65 was probably a pirate (unusual time), although it is just possible by Es.
I am sure there is more JT65 activity these days. It is better than CW. With PSK reporter maps (you need to check you WSJT-X v1.7 settings) you can see where you are reaching and the stations you are receiving.
A spot of a South American earlier on 6m JT65 was probably a pirate (unusual time), although it is just possible by Es.
5 Jun 2017
IC7300 and a slow death?
Recently, Rob Sherwood gave an interesting video presentation on disruptive technology in our hobby. In it he quoted the number of ICOM IC7300 transceivers sold in the first year. If I recall correctly, 11000 (ish) were sold in year one. Apparently, this is good. If the IC7300 SDR based radio sold this number, I'd guess Yaesu and Kenwood sold far fewer of their units.
Incidentally, when I was involved in radio pager design in the late 1990s, we made this number in one day!
As we get older, we can expect the numbers to fall away. People die and fewer new rigs get sold. In the end the Japanese manufacturers will decide it is just not worth their while as the profit margins are too small. Expect progressively fewer new models as the years go forward.
OK, in some countries there are younger people entering the hobby, but certainly here in the UK amateur radio is an old mans hobby and in 20-30 years we'll be gone.
One thing we'll see is cost cutting. There will be a move to SDR technology, as this will allow good performance for less money.
Expect dealers to dwindle and there to be fewer radio magazines. The hobby will be quite different in 2040.
Once again, I am grateful to Southgate News for this link.
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/june/disruptive-technologies.htm#.WTVAW7pFzIU .
Incidentally, when I was involved in radio pager design in the late 1990s, we made this number in one day!
As we get older, we can expect the numbers to fall away. People die and fewer new rigs get sold. In the end the Japanese manufacturers will decide it is just not worth their while as the profit margins are too small. Expect progressively fewer new models as the years go forward.
OK, in some countries there are younger people entering the hobby, but certainly here in the UK amateur radio is an old mans hobby and in 20-30 years we'll be gone.
One thing we'll see is cost cutting. There will be a move to SDR technology, as this will allow good performance for less money.
Expect dealers to dwindle and there to be fewer radio magazines. The hobby will be quite different in 2040.
Once again, I am grateful to Southgate News for this link.
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/june/disruptive-technologies.htm#.WTVAW7pFzIU .
New microwave records
Southgate News reports on new microwave distance records in the UK on high microwave bands.
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/june/new-122ghz-and-24ghz-uk-distance-records.htm#.WTUZ5LpFzIU .
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/june/new-122ghz-and-24ghz-uk-distance-records.htm#.WTUZ5LpFzIU .
Sunspots and 10m - Monday June 5th 2017
Solar flux is 77 today and the sunspot number 23. A=3 and K=2. Plenty of Es about on 10m and 6m.
10m WSPR TX and 6m JT65 transceive
As usual, I am on 10m WSPR TX (500mW, 100%) and 6m JT65 transceiver (1W ERP). There is Es on both bands.
UPDATE 1015z: Best DX so far on 6m JT65 RX is EA8DBM (3015km).
UPDATE 1625z: Best DX on 10m WSPR TX is SM2BYC (2015km). On 6m JT65 I have supposedly received my 3rd Indonesian, 7A7YYZ (13582km), although I am a bit suspicious of these spots. They seem a very long way.
UPDATE 1956z: Although not showing up on my PSK reporter map, maybe I lost internet connectivity (?) but WP2B was copied around 30 minutes ago. I think this is the Virgin Is in the Caribbean.
UPDATE 1015z: Best DX so far on 6m JT65 RX is EA8DBM (3015km).
UPDATE 1625z: Best DX on 10m WSPR TX is SM2BYC (2015km). On 6m JT65 I have supposedly received my 3rd Indonesian, 7A7YYZ (13582km), although I am a bit suspicious of these spots. They seem a very long way.
UPDATE 1956z: Although not showing up on my PSK reporter map, maybe I lost internet connectivity (?) but WP2B was copied around 30 minutes ago. I think this is the Virgin Is in the Caribbean.
CQ Japan on 6m JT65
It is that time of year when 6m opens from Europe to Japan on 6m. This morning I see that Spanish stations are calling JA on 6m JT65. This path opens every year on 6m around this time. The conventional view is this is multi-hop Es. Sorry, but I don't go for this. It may have something to do with E layer ionisation as a result of noctilucent clouds?
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/noctilucent .
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/noctilucent .
4 Jun 2017
20m? No, 6m!!
The photo shows the results so far on 6m JT65. It looks more like 20m, but this was 6m VHF today. Quite amazing conditions. And my antenna is a humble V2000 omni vertical fed with lossy CB coax.
UPDATE 2018z: WA1EAZ (5274km) in the USA was the first USA station spotted on the band here this year.
10m WSPR TX
The 500mW WSPR beacon has been running all day. Lots of European Es spots (see photo of the unique stations so far), although no reports from further afield.
UPDATE 1702z: So far, 20 unique stations spotting me on 10m WSPR with best DX 1734km
QRP and QRP Club
Oleg's usual update:
Dear Club 72 members and friends,
Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous Report (June, 4, 2017) Visitors of the week: UF6V/UA1CEX, US5ERQ, OH6NPV, UR0ET, RU3NJC, SM7RYR, US3EN, EW6FA, RV3GM, DK1HW, HB9DAX, IK2RGV, IK5SRD, ON6WJ/p, EA2EFI, UR5IFM, R1CAF, UA4NU, UY1IF, R1CAN New Visitor - EW6FA, Victor you are welcome to QRP Rendez-Vous round tables! See full Visitors and Frequenters lists on the Club 72 web page, please. Comments... see full version of the WQR Report including pictures on the blog page - http://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/ Thanks all for comments and pictures! See you on the next QRP 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. |
Sunspots and 10m - Sunday 4th June 2017
Solar flux is 77 today and the sunspot number is 22. A=9 and K=1. Both 10m and 6m are alive with Es.
Re-installed WSJT-X V1.7
My version of this program started to do odd things, so I deleted it and re-installed it.
Currently I am on 6m JT65 (beacon mode transceiver, 1W ERP) and 10m WSPR (500mW, 100% TX using the stand-alone beacon).
UPDATE 1522z: Best DX on 6m JT65 RX is TY2AC (5109km) in Benin, W.Africa and 3J3AGK (7646km) in China.
Currently I am on 6m JT65 (beacon mode transceiver, 1W ERP) and 10m WSPR (500mW, 100% TX using the stand-alone beacon).
UPDATE 1522z: Best DX on 6m JT65 RX is TY2AC (5109km) in Benin, W.Africa and 3J3AGK (7646km) in China.
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