Herman the German - NOT amateur radio

On Sunday my wife and I did a walk around part of our village. We both commented that we'd not seen "Herman the German" in quite a while. We feared he might even have died.

Quite by chance we later bumped into him walking his dog. He is now 92, frail and not in good health. He was as pleased to see us as we were to see him. He was a prisoner-of-war in WW2 who stayed and married. He is a very nice man that we saw a lot at our previous house. He came to see us a few years ago at our new home. It was so good to see him.

Sunspots - Monday November 6th 2017

Solar flux is 71 today and the sunspot number again zero. A=2 and K=0.

Starlings - NOT amateur radio

We live right next to a 200 year old restored windmill. Although this is not a starling roost, it seems to be a place where they congregate on their way to somewhere else. Their favourite spot seems to be on the sails where they gather late afternoon. At one time a few years ago we saw few starlings, although we see plenty here!

QSYed to 630m WSPR

At 1740z I QSYed to 630m WSPR (10mW ERP, 20%) as I think 10m FT8 is "over" for today. OK, I may miss some DX on 10m FT8, but I have had a good day. There is always another day.

UPDATE 1746z: No spots given or received as yet on 630m.

UPDATE 1747z: LA8AV (1035km) has already been spotted on 630m WSPR.

Rain? - NOT amateur radio

This afternoon we went for a walk around our village. Although it threatened rain, we missed it.

OFCOM - useless?

For some time, I have had a personal view, that may not be shared by others, that OFCOM lacks technical expertise and is very weak when it comes to enforcement.  This view was based on personal experience some years ago when I needed to speak with OFCOM people about VLF. Names escape me. To be honest, the people I spoke with were useless!! Perhaps they had degrees in cooking or football? Technically, I got the impression that they had no idea what I was talking about. All they seemed to be interested in was not breaking the law. Engage brains? Think laterally? Definitely not. I got the impression at the time that all that mattered were services that generated money and keeping these "clean".

Reading Southgate News today only serves to re-enforce my personal view that OFCOM is a bunch of generally non-technical bureaucrats, who know little technical detail. Bring back the GPO inspectors who actually visited and checked! In my early days I had my station inspected several times.

I hope others have had better experiences.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/november/ofcom-and-ham-radio-repeater-abuse.htm#.Wf7nLbp2vIU

East Cambs Net - 144.575MHz Mondays 8pm

A small group of us normally comes on 144.575MHz FM (yes, one four FOUR) at 8pm Mondays for a chat. Discussions are generally non-technical, or easy technical, and go on for about 30 minutes. Everyone if very welcome and newcomers to the group are most welcome. Don't be shy! Most stations are located in Cambridge or East Cambridgeshire.

630m WSPR overnight

In the last day, I have been spotted by 7 unique stations and I have spotted 14 uniques. An average period. My ERP is still 10mW.

10m FT8 RX

Although I have only been looking for a few minutes, there are quite a few stations from Southern Europe, Eastern Europe, Russia and the Middle East already spotted on 10m FT8, despite poor solar numbers.

I think it is true that FT8 has transformed 10m with many more people staying on the band and finding DX that, in the past, would have been missed. Concentrating the activity in a narrow, well monitored, slot must help, as does the ability to decode weak signals.

3 cheers for FT8!

UPDATE 1248z: first South American on 10m FT8 today was PV8DC (7830km) in Roraima, northern Brazil. This was made famous by Arthur Conan Doyle in "The Lost World".

UPDATE 1408z: No further South Americans spotted on 10m FT8, but VO1NE (3931km) in Newfoundland recently spotted. It looks like 5 continents today. Still not bad with a poor antenna and no sunspots!

UPDATE 1622z: With 4 North Americans and 4 South Americans spotted, today has been quite good on 10m FT8.

UPDATE 1738z: With nothing new now for a few hours I think I'll QSY to 630m WSPR.

Sunspots - Sunday November 5th 2017

Solar flux is 71 today and the sunspot number is zero again. A=4 and K=0.

Mr President in Asia - NOT amateur radio

So the president of the USA is on an official visit to Japan, South Korea and China. I am not sure if anywhere else is on his agenda. I hope he is presidential and not the butt of more jokes. Maybe he can stop tweeting and actually listen?

Allegedly his views on the causes of climate change are at odds with scientists who have access to facts and evidence. Oh silly me - this is all rubbish and a Chinese plot. I quite forgot. Fake news.

UPDATE 2308z:  Apparently he is also visiting Vietnam and the Philippines.  See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-41773310

What made this? - NOT amateur radio

A few days ago we went to Anglesey Abbey which is about 4 miles away. We saw this hole, but I am not sure what creature made it. Moles usually leave a pile of earth. This hole had none. My guess is a mouse or a shrew? The hole was about 3cms (just over an inch) across.

630m WSPR

Quite early for me, I have already QSYed to 630m WSPR (10mW ERP, 20%). Already I am being spotted and spotting others. Although activity is quite high, there are only a few in Europe on TX.

Rain! - NOT amateur radio

Today we have real rain. It looks to be here for the day, perhaps easing off later. Tomorrow looks more promising. The grass needs cutting, but that can wait until next week.

630m WSPR last evening and overnight.

In all, 9 unique stations spotted my 10mW ERP 630m WSPR in the last day and I spotted 11 uniques.  Not the best of nights.

10m FT8 RX

I have been on 10m FT8 RX since breakfast. Only one station spotted so far 4X1QQ (3551km). I assume this is F2 propagation. Yesterday I had spotted several Europeans including several Russians by this time.

UPDATE 1026z:  Now spotted an Italian and one UK station on 10m FT8.

UPDATE 1230z: 13 10m FT8 spots so far. Mainly Europeans.

UPDATE 1528z:  So far, nothing from Australasia, South Africa or South America but one spot from the USA N2GHR (5521km) in New York late this morning.

UPDATE 1624z: Apart from the single spot of the station in the USA, today has been a bit disappointing on 10m FT8. I'll give it a bit longer, then QSY to 630m WSPR. It would be good to try 137kHz WSPR RX, but the FT817 is very deaf on that band.

Sunspots - Saturday November 4th 2017

Solar flux is 72 and the sunspot number still zero. A=9 and K=1.

QSY to 630m WSPR

After a great day on 10m FT8 RX again, I have QSYed to 630m WSPR transceive. I made the switch at 1910z (10mW ERP, 20%).

First 50 minutes on 630m WSPR tonight

Up a tree - NOT amateur radio

These days I am very poor on ladders, so I was grateful that my son cut a few tall branches from the tree in our lawn earlier this afternoon.

Parliamentary Sex Scandal - NOT amateur radio

Times have changed.

When I was younger, girls were wolf-whistled at often. Putting ones hand on a knee was commonplace. Now, I am not saying this was right, just that it happened.

These politically correct days you can no longer do these things or you face the sack. In many ways, things are fairer nowadays, but personally I think the pendulum has swung too far. Open your mouth and say the wrong words and you are in jail!

When a real crime has been committed,  let the full force of the law be felt. When it was meant as innocent fun, let it go.

Also, I am a great believer in a trial in a court of law. A person is innocent until found guilty in law. It is wrong for the press and TV to besmirch a person beforehand. As they say, "mud sticks" and many an innocent person has a reputation for life. If guilty then a court of law will prove this.

OFCOM Update

OFCOM has given details of licences for 2GHz terrestrial base stations.

See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/010D3C06D35A5A8B2540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

UK Rallies on Sunday

5 NOVEMBER 2017 : WEST LONDON RADIO & ELECTRONICS SHOW (Kempton Rally)
Kempton Park Racecourse, Staines Road East, Sunbury on Thames, TW16 5AQ. There will be a talk in station and on site car parking is free. Doors open at 10am with disable d visitors gaining access 10 minutes earlier. There will be trade stations, a Bring & Buy and special interest groups. Other attractions are lectures, a raffle and catering on site. Details from Paul, M0CJX on 0845 165 0351, info@radiofairs.co.uk. www.radiofairs.co.uk.


5 NOVEMBER 2017 : BUSH VALLEY RADIO RALLY
United Services Club, 8 Roe Mill Rd, Limavady BT49 9DF Doors open at 11am and entry is £3 with a free draw ticket. Talk-in will be on 145.400MHz. There will be traders and a Bring & Buy. Refreshments are available on site. Tables are free and should be booked with Jack on 0788 529 2545.

630m WSPR

Overnight 12 unique stations spotted my 10mW ERP. Best DX spot was by DF2JP (448km). In turn, I spotted 13 uniques.

Son's brother-in-law - NOT amateur radio

The latest bulletin from Australia is "he's hanging on". Slowly dying, but clinging to life. At times our thoughts for his loved ones is totally overwhelming.  And yet, life goes on.

10m FT8 RX today - Friday Nov 3rd 2017

As usual, I am monitoring 10m FT8. So far a few Russians and a couple of Israelis, presumably via F2.  Best DX is currently 4Z5UY (3557km).

UPDATE 1000z: Although all spots so far have been Europe (including Russia) and Israel, there have been quite a number.

UPDATE 1046z: The earliest South African on 10m FT8 was ZS6ZA (9123km) at 1035z.

UPDATE 1130z:  Best 10m FT8 DX is VK9VKL (11970km).

UPDATE 1736z: Another 6 continent day on 10m FT8 with even KW4BY (7134km) in Florida spotted. Did someone say 10m is dead? Oh by the way, the sunspot count is zero again.

Sunspots - Friday November 3rd 2017

Solar flux is 73 today and the sunspot number zero. A=9 and K=2.

Deep things - NOT amateur radio

Today has been a strange day: my son's brother-in-law is dying in Australia after a cruel accident and yet I seem calm now. Earlier both my wife and I shed bucket loads of tears just thinking how sad this all was. Is there meaning in life?

It is strange how life goes along then suddenly something happens to alter the status quo. I expect life will return to normality - in many ways, oddly, it already has. For the parents, sisters and girlfriend of this young lad, life can never, ever be the same again.

I guess it is at moments like this that life appears in its true colours: a mix of happiness and sadness. Yet life goes on. We must go on.

Margaret, are you grieving
Over Goldengrove unleaving?
Leaves, like the things of man, you
With your fresh thoughts care for, can you?
Ah! as the heart grows older
It will come to such sights colder
By and by, nor spare a sigh
Though worlds of wanwood leafmeal lie;
And yet you will weep know why.
Now no matter, child, the name:
Sorrow’s springs are the same.
Nor mouth had, no nor mind, expressed
What heart heard of, ghost guessed:
It is the blight man was born for,
It is Margaret you mourn for.

630m FT8 and WSPR

More in hope than expectation, I am on 630m FT8 transceive calling CQ. As yet, nobody has spotted me and no QSOs! Later, I shall try WSPR.

UPDATE 1837z: I have now changed to WSPR. So far, the only spot is of G4FTC (123km) who was quite strong.

UPDATE 2115z: Amazingly, my 10mW ERP WSPR to my unbelievably poor antenna and ground has been copied by 35 unique stations in 7 countries in the last 2 weeks with 9 unique spots in 4 countries this evening alone. If I can then anyone can! Basically, my 630m system is just cobbled together. Try it - you will have lots of fun even if your ERP is very low.

Left-over daffodil bulbs

We had a few bulbs left over, so these have been planted in these pots and in the garden where we had sweet peas over the summer. Hopefully they will come out sometime in the winter or spring. At the moment they look pretty boring!

UK interest rate rise - NOT amateur radio

UK interest base rates have gone from 0.25 to 0.5%. This is the first rise in 10 years. Modest, but upwards. What will it do for the UK Pound?

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41846330 .

UPDATE 1300z: At the moment, the UK pound is down against most currencies. Perhaps they were expecting a bigger rise?

Well, I have come to the conclusion that the best advice is to do the opposite of whatever I suggest! By now, I was expecting the Euro to lose value against the UK Pound.

UPDATE 2215z: So the UK Pound - Euro exchange rate has worsened by 1.74% today. This completely the opposite of what I expected! Will it get even worse tomorrow?

BBC Click

Southgate News brought to my attention a post on the BBC "Click" technology programme about amateur radio.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05lmbhy .

Fleeing wars - NOT amateur radio

Sometimes, most times, we take for granted our freedoms and lives. This video on the BBC really brings this home. I hope after 3 years they get granted permanent residency.

We must all work towards a free, fair and inclusive society, wherever we are on Earth. There is no place for hate and unkindness.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/stories-41835112/starting-a-new-life-in-a-foreign-country-at-13 .

630m WSPR overnight

Overnight my 10mW ERP 630m WSPR was spotted by 17 unique stations and I spotted 13 uniques with best DX again EA4GHB (1300km).  I am sure many weaker signals are buried in my noise, so I am just copying the better signals.

10m FT8 RX

Apart from OK1KT (1104km), all spots so far have been Russians. I have been on 10m FT8 RX since 0646z. Best DX is currently R9WJ (3662km).

UPDATE 1106: Twelve 10m FT8 spots so far. Some spots are quite near in Europe, so probably not F2. Ranges vary from France, Germany, Turkey, Holland, Switzerland, Denmark to Russia.

UPDATE 1215z: Now 13 spots - all Europe, Russia and Turkey. No "real" DX as yet on 10m FT8.

UPDATE 1405z: 14 spots on 10m FT8 so far, but still no "real" DX.

UPDATE 1515z: Still no "real" DX on 10m FT8 today.  At 1539z EA8GF (2973km) was spotted in the Canary Is..

UPDATE 1630z: I am getting the feeling that there will be no South Americans today on 10m FT8. I'll leave things running, but I am not too hopeful.

UPDATE 1810z: Still no South Americans on 10m FT8. Soon be time to QSY to 630m WSPR - I'll maybe give it another hour?

Sunspots - Thursday November 2nd 2017

Solar flux is 73 today and the sunspot number zero. A=4 and K=2.

Don't QSY yet!

So, I was about to QSY from 10m FT8 to 630m WSPR, but I see very recent South American spots, so left 10m running. In another hour or so, I shall QSY to MF.

UPDATE 1847z: Best DX today on 10m FT8 RX was LU8XAF (13413km). As there has been now DX for over an hour, I think it is time to QSY to 630m.

630m WSPR last night

As is my usual pattern, I was on 630m WSPR last night. My own 10mW ERP signal was spotted by 6 unique stations and I spotted 12 unique stations with best DX EA4GHB (1300km).

Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

Like many towns, Cambridge has a fair number of shops which you can see in any UK town.

In Cambridge the M&S store is on 2 sites and they have just widened the path to 1 of these, as the photo shows.

Like most clothes retailers, M&S is struggling on the high street. All retailers are facing competition from on-line suppliers. It is anyone's guess what our high streets will be like in 20 years' time.

10m FT8 RX

So far, and I have been on since breakfast, more spotted than yesterday with quite a few South Americans spotted already on 10m FT8: it seems these are coming through earlier. I guess this is to do with the seasons.

4 continents spotted so far today on 10m FT8.

Sunspots - Wednesday November 1st 2017

Solar flux is 74 today and the sunspot number 11. A=3 and K=0.