As always, Southgate News is providing links to some interesting stuff. One such story was about the future of our hobby. Personally, I have grave doubts about the future, as I have voiced before. One thing is certain: the thing that got us interested in radio is unlikely to be the same today. What "turns on" youngsters today is very, very different.
Some would call me a fireside fusilier in that I am "gunner do this and gunner do that". What is certain is that our hobby has to evolve or die out. The future is in our hands.
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/november/millennials-are-killing-ham-radio.htm#.Whgjjbp2vIU
24 Nov 2017
10m FT8 RX
Since breakfast, I have been on 10m FT8 RX. So far today 2 stations spotted: MI0RRE (495km) and IW4EGP (1284km). Nothing outside Europe today.
Rally
26 NOVEMBER 2017 : BISHOP AUCKLAND RADIO AMATEURS CLUB (BARAC) 2017 RALLY
Spennymoor Leisure Centre, 32 High Street, SPENNYMOOR, County Durham, DL16 6DB Venue is ideally suited for both trader and disabled as it has good parking and access to a large ground floor hall. There will be the usual radio, computer, electronics stands and a Bring & Buy. Catering facilities and a bar are on site. Doors open at 10.30am (10.15am for disabled visitors). Admission is £2, under 14 free of charge with adult. More details from John, G4LRG on 01388 606 396
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/
Spennymoor Leisure Centre, 32 High Street, SPENNYMOOR, County Durham, DL16 6DB Venue is ideally suited for both trader and disabled as it has good parking and access to a large ground floor hall. There will be the usual radio, computer, electronics stands and a Bring & Buy. Catering facilities and a bar are on site. Doors open at 10.30am (10.15am for disabled visitors). Admission is £2, under 14 free of charge with adult. More details from John, G4LRG on 01388 606 396
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/
Sunspots - Friday November 24th 2017
Solar flux is 72 today and the sunspot number zero yet again. A=9 and K=2.
23 Nov 2017
QSYed to 630m WSPR
Rather later than usual at about 2000z, I QSYed to 630m WSPR. So far, just 5 unique Gs have spotted my 10mW ERP 630m WSPR and I have spotted 4 unique stations on 630m WSPR this evening.
So far, this has been an average evening.
So far, this has been an average evening.
Cambridge autumn - NOT amateur radio
Little Egret at breakfast - NOT amateur radio
Back in the 1980s, seeing a little egret in the UK would have be rare. Today, whilst sitting in the kitchen at breakfast, one flew overhead. I could tell it was a type of heron, but as it got closer I could see it clearly. Nowadays they are all over the UK.
Next it will be cattle egrets. These are now widely seen in Devon. Another 20 years and they will be common in the UK. Climate change?
Yesterday they were expecting 18 deg C in some parts of the UK - in November!
See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bird-and-wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/l/littleegret/ .
Next it will be cattle egrets. These are now widely seen in Devon. Another 20 years and they will be common in the UK. Climate change? Yesterday they were expecting 18 deg C in some parts of the UK - in November!
See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bird-and-wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/l/littleegret/ .
10m FT8 RX
Rather later than normally, I have QSYed from 630m WSPR to 10m FT8 RX. As yet, no spots.
UPDATE 1048z: No spots as yet.
UPDATE 1428z: 3 stations in 3 countries spotted so far today on 10m FT8.
UPDATE 2210z: So the day ended with just 3 stations in 3 countries spotted on 10m FT8. At least I tried. Disappointing.
UPDATE 1048z: No spots as yet.
UPDATE 1428z: 3 stations in 3 countries spotted so far today on 10m FT8.
UPDATE 2210z: So the day ended with just 3 stations in 3 countries spotted on 10m FT8. At least I tried. Disappointing.
Quiet Kings - NOT amateur radio
630m WSPR last night
My 10mW ERP was spotted by 10 unique stations and I spotted 8 uniques with the best DX EA5DOM (1525km). No great DX on TX.
Sunspots - Thursday November 23rd 2017
Solar flux is 74 today, Sunspot number is again zero. A=10 and K=1.
22 Nov 2017
Quiet River Cam - NOT amateur radio
Average night on 630m WSPR
Only 6 unique stations spotted my 10mW ERP WSPR last night. EA5DOM (1525km) was spotted several times here last night. Apparently his LF TX is broken so he decided to come on 630m WSPR. He is always a good signal here.
10m FT8
It is only early, but already OZ and SP stations have been spotted on 10m FT8. These could be aircraft reflections, although I am unsure. It seems too close for F2.
UPDATE 1324z: ZS6ZP (9121km) as well as quite a few Europeans spotted today on 10m FT8.
UPDATE 1324z: ZS6ZP (9121km) as well as quite a few Europeans spotted today on 10m FT8.
Useful radio magazine archive
Steve G3ILO has pointed out this online archive that contains some useful radio magazines - mainly USA, but some big UK one too.
See http://americanradiohistory.com/ .
See http://americanradiohistory.com/ .
Sunspots - Wednesday November 22nd 2017
Solar flux is 74 today and the sunspot number remains zero. A=28 and K=3.
21 Nov 2017
630m OPERA TX
Something must be wrong.
I had a couple of goes on 630m OPERA TX in beacon mode, but got no reports. I switched to WSPR and immediately was spotted and spotted others. Not sure what I was doing wrong.
I had a couple of goes on 630m OPERA TX in beacon mode, but got no reports. I switched to WSPR and immediately was spotted and spotted others. Not sure what I was doing wrong.
Blog visits - NOT amateur radio
It never fails to amaze me how many people read this blog every day. It is humbling. I usually write about the things I do or take an interest in. You will already have noticed that I enjoy WSPR and FT8!
Being a bit disabled these days (although most who see me tell me how good I look - inside it is not quite the same), I probably spend too much time on the PC. As my voice is poor, it is a way of expressing myself. If you think I should cover other things, let me know. Doing this blog is now part of my routine. It is quite good fun to record what I've been up to.
Being a bit disabled these days (although most who see me tell me how good I look - inside it is not quite the same), I probably spend too much time on the PC. As my voice is poor, it is a way of expressing myself. If you think I should cover other things, let me know. Doing this blog is now part of my routine. It is quite good fun to record what I've been up to.
Halloween: well gone - NOT amateur radio
A better database?
A couple of people have recommended a different database to see my OPERA spots on MF.
See http://spots.microwavers.es/in
See http://spots.microwavers.es/in
10m FT8 RX
The band seems only good for Gs here so far. Just a couple of Gs spotted and nothing else as yet. Mind you, it is only 1000z, which is quite early.
UPDATE 1100z: Quite promising on 10m FT8 today. Best DX so far is ZS6ZP (9121km). It continues to amaze me that so much can still be spotted on 10m FT8. In previous years, these openings might well have been missed - lot of Europeans, 3 Israelis and South Africa already, and the sunspot number is zero!
UPDATE 1200z: I see that there are two South Africans in the Johannesburg area in the 10m FT8 RX log today.
UPDATE 1100z: Quite promising on 10m FT8 today. Best DX so far is ZS6ZP (9121km). It continues to amaze me that so much can still be spotted on 10m FT8. In previous years, these openings might well have been missed - lot of Europeans, 3 Israelis and South Africa already, and the sunspot number is zero!
UPDATE 1200z: I see that there are two South Africans in the Johannesburg area in the 10m FT8 RX log today.
630m OPERA RX
Last evening and overnight, I tried 630m OPERA RX. It is supposed to spot weaker stations even than WSPR, which is pretty good. For the first time ever at this QTH I spotted "across the pond" on 630m: VO1NA was spotted twice on "deep search". Activity is lower than 630m WSPR, but LA3EQ was spotted and a few others.
Tonight, I may well try 630m OPERA TX, although I shall also try 630m WSPR as EA5DOM is reported back on the band and mode. He is usually a very good WSPR signal here.
Tonight, I may well try 630m OPERA TX, although I shall also try 630m WSPR as EA5DOM is reported back on the band and mode. He is usually a very good WSPR signal here.
Sunspots - Tuesday November 21st 2017
Solar flux is 73 today and the sunspot number still zero. A=8 and K=4.
20 Nov 2017
Mugabe - NOT amateur radio
Many years ago, just after WW2, my dad was in S.Rhodesia, later Zimbabwe, posted there by the RAF. Whilst there he met King George VI and our future queen.
What has happened to that country in recent times is saddening. What will happen to Robert Mugabe is anyone's guess. He appears as an old man clinging to power. Whatever happens, I hope it benefits the people of that country.
See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-42048412 .
What has happened to that country in recent times is saddening. What will happen to Robert Mugabe is anyone's guess. He appears as an old man clinging to power. Whatever happens, I hope it benefits the people of that country.
See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-42048412 .
630m OPERA RX
OK, I may give this a try tonight. The software needs downloading and I have to find the right frequencies, but it is more sensitive than WSPR, so seems worth a try. My noise floor (S7) may limit what I can decode.
UPDATE 2040z: So I downloaded OPERA software, set the AGC to "off", set the frequency to 477kHz DIG (i.e. USB), set the RX to "wide", but so far nothing received!
UPDATE 2220z: 3 stations copied on 630m OPERA with best DX so far being LA3EQ (768km). I might give OPERA TX a try tomorrow evening. Others with a lower noise floor might be able to spot me on OPERA but not on WSPR?
UPDATE 2040z: So I downloaded OPERA software, set the AGC to "off", set the frequency to 477kHz DIG (i.e. USB), set the RX to "wide", but so far nothing received!
UPDATE 2220z: 3 stations copied on 630m OPERA with best DX so far being LA3EQ (768km). I might give OPERA TX a try tomorrow evening. Others with a lower noise floor might be able to spot me on OPERA but not on WSPR?
630m WSPR overnight
In all, 12 unique stations spotted my 10mW 630m WSPR in the last day. In turn, I spotted 8 uniques.
Amateur licences - rising or falling?
This probably depends on which country you are in. Southgate News picked up a WIA story that reported roughly static numbers in Australia. In the UK, unless a trend is reversed, we are likely to see numbers rapidly fall in the next 20 years. People are getting older and die. Sadly there are too few young people and women in the hobby here in the UK.
Call me sad but every month I look in RadCom to see how many G3s are now SK. It averages about 5 a month. At this rate we'll soon all be dead!
What is it like in your country?
Call me sad but every month I look in RadCom to see how many G3s are now SK. It averages about 5 a month. At this rate we'll soon all be dead!
What is it like in your country?
10m FT8
Since breakfast, I have been on 10m FT8 RX. The last few days have been disappointing with little or no DX copied here. So far this morning just MM0HVU (479km) spotted. Aircraft reflection ?
UPDATE 1045z: Best DX on 10m FT8 RX is currently 4Z4DX (3544km) in Israel. I assume this is F2.
UPDATE 1624z: Two South Americans on 10m FT8 RX! Things are looking up. Best DX is LU4VZ (12459km).
UPDATE 1045z: Best DX on 10m FT8 RX is currently 4Z4DX (3544km) in Israel. I assume this is F2.
UPDATE 1624z: Two South Americans on 10m FT8 RX! Things are looking up. Best DX is LU4VZ (12459km).
How much better is WSPR compared with 12wpm CW?
It is very hard to calculate this as you have to compare "apples with apples". A calculation by PA3FWM suggests this could be 17dB!!
See http://www.pa3fwm.nl/technotes/tn09b.html .
See http://www.pa3fwm.nl/technotes/tn09b.html .
Sunspots - Monday November 20th 2017
Solar flux is 74 today and the sunspot number zero again. It seems to be zero quite often now. A=5 and K=1.
19 Nov 2017
Driverless Cars - NOT amateur radio
It seems we are going to see driverless cars on our roads in the UK sooner rather than later. The UK budget is this week and rumours suggest the go-ahead will be given for more on-road tests. Already the collision avoidance software is very good, but the main issue is consumer (driver) confidence. Somehow we find it hard not to still want to drive, even though the software driven car is probably safer!
See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42040856 .
See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42040856 .
Return to 630m WSPR (10mW ERP, 20%)
As 10m FT8 seemed quiet, I have QSYed to 630m WSPR for the evening and overnight. As yet, no spots but it usually takes several minutes for the transverter crystal to warm up and stop drifting. This affects TX.
UPDATE 1840z: No less than 5 unique stations spotted my very first 630m WSPR transmit period this evening. My drift was high (up to 3Hz), but this soon drops to 0Hz.
UPDATE 1850z: My noise floor (S7) is surely limiting what I can copy on 630m. As an example, not a single station has been decoded here so far this evening on that band. My slightly deaf FT817 does not seem to be much of a problem.
UPDATE 2104z: Quite a decent haul in the last 2 weeks. These are the unique stations who spotted me in the last 2 weeks and this with a poor antenna and just 10mW ERP. Just think what a decent antenna could do! In the same period, I spotted 27 unique stations despite my S7 noise floor. I am sure this is limiting what I can spot.
UPDATE 2202z: G0LUJ (278km) is currently the best DX spot of my 10mW this evening.
UPDATE 1840z: No less than 5 unique stations spotted my very first 630m WSPR transmit period this evening. My drift was high (up to 3Hz), but this soon drops to 0Hz.
UPDATE 1850z: My noise floor (S7) is surely limiting what I can copy on 630m. As an example, not a single station has been decoded here so far this evening on that band. My slightly deaf FT817 does not seem to be much of a problem.
UPDATE 2104z: Quite a decent haul in the last 2 weeks. These are the unique stations who spotted me in the last 2 weeks and this with a poor antenna and just 10mW ERP. Just think what a decent antenna could do! In the same period, I spotted 27 unique stations despite my S7 noise floor. I am sure this is limiting what I can spot.
WLN Portables
Solar conditions
Gradually, the sun is going to sleep. Sunspot numbers and solar flux are declining and this will be the case until around 2019. Of course, these are averages and sometimes conditions are much better. The forecasts for the next sunspot maximum are not great. The best I've seen is a peak about the size of the last maximum. It could be much worse!
See http://www.solen.info/solar/ .
See http://www.solen.info/solar/ .
Old friends - NOT amateur radio
This morning, we had a visit from old friends who moved away from our village several years ago. We picked like we'd seen them only yesterday. My wife is in the middle.
The photo was taken in our front garden with "our" windmill in the background.
10m FT8 RX
Although I've been on 10m FT8 RX since early morning, just EA6 and OZ spotted so far.
UPDATE 1646z: No more spots seen here today on 10m FT8. Disappointing.
UPDATE 1646z: No more spots seen here today on 10m FT8. Disappointing.
630m WSPR overnight
In all, 11 unique stations spotted my 10mW ERP 630m WSPR last night and I spotted 11 uniques here. An average night.
New cubesat - Oscar 91
Southgate News reports that a new cubesat is "up there".
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/november/radfxsat-launched.htm#.WhFcpbp2vIU
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/november/radfxsat-launched.htm#.WhFcpbp2vIU
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