630m "improvements"

My 630m radiating system has been altered with a couple of radials across the grass and an additional ground outside the shack. Measured antenna current is no higher, which surprised me. This evening and overnight we'll see if there are any improvements in reality.

USA on 10m FT8

Not long ago, WB2REM (7017km) in Florida was spotted on 10m FT8. There are South Americans and the Falkland Is coming through. Earlier Burkina Faso and South Africa were spotted on 10m FT8.

630m WSPR overnight

The big question for me was, "did the additional earth make any difference?". Well, with 6 spots of my QRPP 630m WSPR I think the answer is, " yes probably". It may have only raised the ERP a dB or so, but this could be the difference between being detected and not.

The next thing to try is some better grounds near the shack and some radials down the garden that can be rolled up when grass cutting.

UPDATE 1220z: 13 unique stations spotted on 630m WSPR last night.

10m FT8

Since breakfast, I have been on 10m FT8 RX. So far, the only spot was of PA0O (440km) near Groningen about 30 minutes ago. Aircraft reflection?

UPDATE 1210z: Lots of Europeans spotted on 10m FT8 rc2. I am told that WSJT-X V1.8.0 rc3 will be available soon.

UPDATE 1246z:  At the last count, 20 unique Europeans spotted on 10m FT8. This mode really is good.

UPDATE 1327z: XT2AW (4446km) in Burkina Faso (W.Africa) is currently the most distant station spotted today on 10m FT8. I have lost count of the Europeans! Maybe tomorrow I should give 6m a go on FT8?

UPDATE 1356z: Now the best DX is ZS2CR (9893km) in S.Africa.

Sunspots - Monday October 16th 2017

At last some sunspots!

Solar flux is 70 and the sunspot number 12. A=26 and K=3.

Switched to 630m WSPR

Even though 10m FT8 is still good, I have switched to 630m WSPR. So far just G4GIR (53km) spotted at -14dB S/N. I am keen to see if I can see any differences since I changed the grounding.

UPDATE  1838z:  Initial indications are things are better. Already I have had 4 unique spots of my QRPP 630m WSPR signal.

630m ground improvements

Just before lunch I made a "temporary" fix to my earth-electrode "antenna". I have still to solder the joints. My secondary antenna current went from 17uA to 22uA. It remains to be seen if this makes any difference in real use. I'll try it tonight.

UPDATE 1304z:  I have now soldered the joints, so the repair is permanent.

UPDATE  1530z: Any slight improvement might be seen tonight. I am not expecting much.

North America (and more) on 10m FT8

A few minutes ago VO1NE (3898km) was spotted on 10m FT8. This is my first North American spotted on 10m this autumn. WSJT-X V1.8.0 rc2 was loaded this morning.

UPDATE 1238z: Not sure if WSJT-X V1.8.0 rc2 made a difference, but lots of 10m FT8 spots from Europe. It is supposed to be more sensitive.

UPDATE 1305z: I notice a spot from an FR5 that was not uploaded to PSK Reporter Maps.

UPDAT.E 1358z: First South American on 10m FT8 today was PY5JAP (9903km) a few minutes ago.

UPDATE 1532z: 14 South Americans spotted on 10m FT8 so far.

UPDATE 1712z: Now over 30 unique 10m FT8 spots of South Americans.

UPDATE 1830z: 41 unique 10m FT8 spots of South Americans today when I went QRT on 10m.

630m WSPR overnight

In all 3 unique stations copied my QRPP WSPR signal (about 10mW ERP) overnight.

I managed to spot 10 unique stations including a couple of LAs. Best DX spotted overnight on 630m WSPR was IW4DXW (1190km).

Sunspots - Sunday October 15th 2017

Solar flux is 68 today and the sunspot number remains zero. A= 31 and K=5.

Back on 630m WSPR

Even though 10m FT8 was still in great shape, I decided to QSY to 60m WSPR transceive for the evening and overnight (20%TX. 10mW ERP).

UPDATE 2044z: So far this evening, 6 unique stations spotted on 630m WSPR, but no spots of my signal yet.

UPDATE 2112z: Still 6 unique stations spotted on 630m WSPR, but no spots of my signal yet. Best DX on 630m WSPR RX remains LA8AV (1035km). I am wondering if the rising noise floor is becoming a real issue copying weaker signals in the UK and rest of Europe for many stations? Perhaps those that manage to spot my QRRP signal only do so when the noise floor drops or if they are fortunate to live in a very quiet area?

UPDATE 2156z: Now spotted 8 unique stations so far this evening on 630m WSPR, but still no spots of my signal. I shall be on overnight.

Mending my 630m earth-electrode "antenna"

630m transverter

Back in the spring, my brother managed to cut my 630m earth-electrode "antenna" whilst staking a tree for me. I have not got around to repairing it. If the weather is good tomorrow, I might get the extension lead and soldering iron out in the garden and try to mend it. I could use it as an "antenna" or as a ground for my current vertical Marconi (very poor!) to see if it raises the ERP a bit.

I noticed that the coax to my 2m big-wheel (used as a Marconi via an ATU on 630m) is barely 0.5m above the ground for half its length, so I am surprised it radiates anything, especially with just a mains plug earth.

630m ATU

If you want to see 630m on a shoestring, look at this setup! There should be 2 pictures attached showing (1) my transverter and (2) ferrite rod ATU.

South America (again) on 10m FT8

10m FT8 is still good, despite the sunspot number again being zero. A few minutes ago, the first South American today was spotted in the form of LU5DF (11508km) in Argentina. I expect there will soon be others. Today, I have spotted stations in Europe, Africa and South America on 10m FT8. Some say the band is "dead". Dig! FT8 seems to be showing openings that in the past would have been missed.

UPDATE 1541z: Now 6 South Americans spotted on 10m FT8 this afternoon.

UPDATE 1630z: Now 12 South Americans spotted on 10m FT8 today.

UPDATE 1717z: Now 18 different South Americans spotted today on 10m FT8. Great band, great mode.

UPDATE 1910z: With 30 unique South American stations spotted today on 10m FT8, this feels like the best day on 10m this autumn.

Squirrel at Ickworth - NOT amateur radio

We are due to get the remnants of a hurricane early next week, but at the moment it is dragging up very warm air from the Azores and Spain. This squirrel was making the most of the mild, warm air.

630m WSPR overnight

Last night was disappointing with just 1 station spotting me. Thank you to M0DSZ (232km) for spotting me. In all, 9 unique stations were spotted here on 630m WSPR.

Trying to get you to buy new? - NOT amateur radio

For some years I have owned an Apple iPod Touch 4g. It runs iOS V6.1.6 and this software is fully up to date for this particular device. I checked only a few hours ago.

Recently, FaceBook is even slower to connect than normal, even though it is almost instant on the PC. It is almost as if Apple is forcing an upgrade. Now, I am not saying this is the case, although that is how it makes me feel.  If software only works properly with a newer OS, which I can only get for newer devices, I think this is wrong.

It seems bizarre that I can no longer get reliable connection (if at all) on my device that has given me good service for years. And, yes, I have tried the old trick of turning the device fully off, then on.

10m FT8 RX

It is very early, but nothing spotted here on 10m FT8, even though I have been on for over an hour.

UPDATE 1308z: Lots of spots of stations on 10m FT8 RX.  Best DX currently is XT2AW (4446km) in Burkina Faso.

UPDATE 1422z: Now V51B (9125km) in Namibia is the best DX copied today.

Sunspots - Saturday October 14th 2017

Solar flux is 68 today and the sunspot number zero. A=42 and K=4.

US President: anyone know his IQ?? - NOT amateur radio

Just wondering - does anyone know President Donald Trump's IQ? To  become president of the USA takes some doing, so he can't be stupid.

QSY to 630m WSPR

At 1920z I QSYed from 10m FT8 RX to 630m WSPR transceive (20% TX, 10mW ERP). No spots given or received as yet. Probably be on 630m overnight. So far this season, 8 unique stations have spotted my QRPP signal on 630m WSPR.

UPDATE 1950z:  G0MRF (103km) and DH5RAE (995km) copied so far. No spots of me yet!

UPDATE 2050z:  Stations spotted so far tonight on 630m WSPR. For several nights now LA3EQ (769km) has spotted me later. LA8AV is a consistent signal with me.

Windmill at sunset - NOT amateur radio

As I have said many times, we live next door to a 200 year old, fully restored, 4 sail windmill. It always looks good, but last night it was spectacular bathed in the dying rays of the sun. The scene was darker than the photo suggests.

Shield bug - NOT amateur radio

When the frosts and winds come we'll soon forget that it is mid-October and it was so warm that we had a cup of tea in the garden in our shirt sleeves.

This weekend some places in the UK could reach 24 deg C, which is very high for mid-October. Strangely, many trees are losing their leaves, which is early.

Whilst cutting the grass I came across this beetle. I think it is a shield bug. It was about 1cm long and mainly green. It flew off shortly after this photo.

See https://www.britishbugs.org.uk/gallery/heteroptera/Pentatomoidea/pentatomoidea.html

630m WSPR again overnight

Last evening and overnight I was on 630m WSPR again, transmitting 20% of the time. Yet again my unbelievably poor set-up got spots in several Western European nations with the best again being LA3EQ (769km) up in Norway. I will repair my earth-electrode "antenna" and try this as an extra ground in the hope of raising my ERP. At present my ERP is about 10mW.

10m FT8 RX

Having been on 10m FT8 RX since breakfast, I have spotted 3 countries (4 stations) so far, namely G, DL and SP. Best DX is currently SP6BPY (1159km).

UPDATE 1625z: Quite a few South Americans being spotted here now on 10m FT8.

UPDATE 1704z: Even more South Americans spotted  on 10m FT8 including VP8LP (12720km) in the Falkland Islands.

Rallies this weekend

15 OCTOBER 2017 : HOLSWORTHY ARC RALLY
Holsworthy ARC Holsworthy Community College, Victoria Hill, Holsworthy, Devon EX22 6JD Free car parking on site with disabled access. there will be trade stands and a Bring & Buy.
Catering is available on site. Howard, M0MYB by email to holsworthyarc@gmail.com

15 OCTOBER 2017 : HORNSEA AMATEUR RADIO RALLY
Floral Hall, 7 The Esplanade, Hornsea HU18 1NQ There is car parking at the venue. Doors open at 10am and admission is £2 with under 14s free. There will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy, special interest groups and an RSGB bookstand. A raffle will take place. There is catering on site. Details from Rick, M0CZR, 01964 533712 or by email to R106221@aol.com


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

Sunspots - Friday October 13th 2017

Solar flux is 69 today and the sunspot number still zero. A=29 and K=5.

630m WSPR TX

Well, it helps TX if you enable TX!! I did not have this enabled, so was wondering why I was getting no spots!

First 630m WSPR spot was by PA0EHG (296km). I'll leave the TX at 20% through the night. ERP is around 10mW.

Quite a few of the regulars spotted on 630m WSPR RX.

MLS blunder?

The latest RadCom has an MLS advert for a 5W HF SDR transceiver from MyDel. If you read the ad (scroll down) it looks like MLS may have made a booby! The price looked very good. I suspect this was a Chinese transceiver judging by the price. It looks like the Chinese copied the design, which was not copyrighted, allegedly. I hope this ends in a good outcome for all parties.

See https://www.hamradio.co.uk/sdr-mydel/mydel/mydel-rs-918-compact-sdr-transceiver-pd-8208.php

10m FT8 RX

Spots of stations in England, Italy and Solvenia so far on 10m FT8. This is still with the rc1 WSJT-x software.

UPDATE 1120z: So far this morning I have spotted 15 different stations, right across Europe plus Israel on 10m FT8. This is making me wonder. Are there lots of short 10m openings that we'd miss on SSB or CW? Certainly FT8 seems to find them. It is mid-October, yet there is plenty on 10m FT8. And the sunspot number has been zero for days! All this goes to prove that 10m is often much better than a casual look might lead you to believe. FT8 does seem to be magic, and just what we need!

UPDATE 1555z: 10m FT8 RX has been good today.

UPDATE 2115z: Well I have just got in and switched to 630m WSPR transceive. 10m FT8 was good today with 4 continents spotted and the sunspot number is still zero!

Sunspots - Thursday October 12th 2017

Solar flux is 70 today and the sunspot number is still zero. A=30 and K=4.

630m WSPR overnight (again)

ATU for 630m

I was again transmitting on 630m WSPR yesterday evening and overnight. As well as spots by  G3KEV (232km) I was also spotted by LA3EQ (769km) up in Norway 6 times.

Yesterday, I calculated my ERP based on certain assumptions about effective antenna height and the measured antenna current. I'll post this separately. It is certainly low milliwatts!

The second photo shows the transverter used on 630m. Although it puts out about 12W into a 50 ohm load, the actual ERP is very low. The PA is an IRF510 MOSFET. This was replaced.

OFCOM and 700MHz

OFCOM is clearing 700MHz spectrum for other users by 2020.

See http://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/1C4063A92E869B742540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

RSGB Convention

13-15 OCTOBER 2017 : RSGB CONVENTION
Kent's Hill Park Training and Conference Centre, Swallow House, Timbold Drive, Kent's Hill Park, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK7 6BZ. The Convention programme of lectures for all interests will be available on the website. Principal sponsor Martin Lynch & Sons. www.rsgbevents.org.

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

Sunspots - Wednesday October 11th 2017

Solar flux is 71 today and the sunspot number remains zero. A=4 and K=5.

630m WSPR TX

As mentioned yesterday, I managed to mend my 630m transverter and was on 630m WSPR TX last evening and overnight. This s the first time this autumn. My antenna is rubbish! It is the coax to my 2m big-wheel tuned with a ferrite rod ATU. Quite a bit of the run is les than 1m over the ground. For the earth side I am using the mains plug earth.

Much to my surprise (I thought I'd be lucky to get any spots!) I was spotted in Norway by LA3EQ (769km) amongst others. If I can get such reports then anyone can! It is a fun band and there are starting to be some FT8 contacts, which of course are 2-way.

10m FT8

Although I have been on 10m FT8 receive since breakfast, the only spot, so far, is of EA8NL (2986km) in the Canary Is. at lunch time.  I assume this was F2 propagation.

630m WSPR TX (20%) - reports please

Having fixed my little transverter, I am back on 630m TX (and RX). All reports would be much appreciated as my ERP will be very low.

UPDATE 1942z: LA8AV (1035km) has been spotted 6 times so far, but no spots yet of my own QRPP signal, but I keep trying! Earlier, there was a strong station on 630m FT8. I presume this was G3KEV.

UPDATE 2115z: G4MEM (230km) in IO94 square was my first report on 630m TX this season. And this was on a very poor antenna and ground. ERP was low millliwatts - not yet accurately calculated. My work on the transverter worked!

70cm UKAC tonight

A reminder than being the second Tuesday of the month, tonight is the 70cm RSGB activity contest (UKAC). This runs from 1900z (8pm UK clock time) for 2.5 hours, although I manage far less!

Real 10m DX again

So far, there have been 10 South Americans and 2 South Africans on 10m FT8 RX spotted here. TEP I suspect as the sunspot number is zero.

Out with the soldering iron

Well, it was harder than it used to be and I got tired easily, but this morning I mended my 630m transverter using my soldering iron.  Assuming the mod worked, I'll try 630m TX this evening.

My antenna will have to be the coax up to my 2m big-wheel via an ATU and a mains earth as my brother managed to cut through my earth-electrode "antenna" when gardening earlier in the year! I could mend this later.