6m MSK144 RX

Since before breakfast, I have been on 6m MSK144 RX on 50.280MHz. As yet, no spots.

10m WSPR TX

All day, I am on 10m WSPR TX (500mW). If I get any reports I will be pleasantly surprised. I am only on 10m as the antenna is free.

UPDATE 1412z: No spots so far. I rechecked the PC clock is sync'd to internet time.

Sunspots - Wednesday February 21st 2018

Solar flux is 70 today and the sunspot number zero. A=5 and K=0.

472kHz WSPR RX

This evening I am back on 472kHz WSPR RX using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. So far 10 unique spots with best DX EA5DOM (1525km).

UPDATE 2252z: Shack PC battery now charged, so PC on battery power for the night. 6 stations spotted at 2248z and 10 uniques in the last 8 minutes!

Never give up! - NOT amateur radio

This amaryllis was given up as past it. After glorious flowers last winter it was consigned to the garden.

Then there was a hint of growth, so it was re-potted and brought inside the house. Every week it gets fed and watered. It is thriving now and there is even a bud. Another 2 weeks and it could, barring disasters, be in flower.

FT818 (the real one)

Some weeks ago we heard that the FT817 was to be replaced by the FT818 and that the new model had been tested by the FCC in the USA. Since then, I have heard nothing. I was hoping for some leaks about what it will be, but nothing so far. From the FCC report it looked nothing special, although I hope I am wrong.

As I have said many times, this product should have been brought to the market years ago on the way up to the last sunspot maximum. In my view not launching it then was a marketing disaster.  If I was a Yaesu director heads would have rolled. Is their marketing department filled with kids or others who really don't know the market? No, this was total incompetence of the highest order. And that is said as a loyal Yaesu purchaser since the 1970s. I have owned the FT7, FT77, FT747 and many other Yeasu products over the years.

A lot hangs on the success of this.  They now face serious competition from SDR products, plus they will have a harder job selling it on the way to the quietest solar conditions for years. It will have to have some truly knock-out features. If I was ICOM I think seriously about launching the QRP version of the IC7300 outside of Japan. This could make a serious dent in the market of the FT818. It could even kill Yaesu for good.

Would I buy one? If you'd asked me in 2012 the answer would probably have been "yes". In 2019? Probably not, unless it really is a killer product. I suspect a lot of people are of the same mind.

I fear for the future of Yaesu. For years it was a leader, whereas now it just follows. It almost seems they have lost their way.  So, Yaesu may well be struggling. I cannot see the FT818 as the ubiquitous piece of kit the FT817 was, and still is.  If I am wrong, so be it. For the sake of Yaesu I hope I am very wrong.

If you know any more details about the real FT818, please let me know.

Chinese transceivers

These are coming thick and fast now and I suspect the Japanese are very worried.

It may still be a few years before they are a really good match, but they are coming and at prices that will undercut the big Japanese companies by some way.  Finally, the Japanese will have met their match.

Either the Japanese will leave the market altogether or they will design in Japan and make in China. Some will exit stage left, never to return, or some will decide on the latter course. My bets are on ICOM being the one company to adapt and survive. I am no expert though. Yaesu? Kenwood?  We'll soon see.

One example is the Xiegu-108G which retails well below 500 Euros. Not bad for a 20W HF portable transceiver. It already has quite good reviews. Give the Chinese a couple of years and their products will be as good as any Japanese radio, but at much lower cost.

Most things you buy say "Made in China" whatever it is, simply because their labour costs and parts costs are so low. The best we can hope for is a price war (for survival) amongst the Japanese in the short-term. The writing is on the wall for them. Either they find some way to reduce their prices or bye bye.

5 years hence? Goodness only knows.

See https://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/12587

10m FT8 RX

Yet again, I am monitoring 10m FT8, but no spots as yet today. I have been active since 0720z.

UPDATE 1356z: No spots yet.

UPDATE 1910z: Just a couple of Gs spotted all day on 10m FT8. Dire. Switching to MF RX shortly.

Sunspots - Tuesday February 20th 2018

Solar flux is 70 today and the sunspot number 0.  A=17 and K=1.

Last night on 472kHz WSPR RX

Overnight I was on 472kHz WSPR RX, this time on my compromise Marconi vertical. In all, 13 unique stations were spotted. This is fewer than on the earth-electrode "antenna" and not altogether unexpected.

Return to 472kHz WSPR RX

As 10m was dire today, I have already QSYed to 472kHz WSPR RX. Already, quite a few stations spotted. This evening, I am using the "compromise" Marconi vertical, which really is a poor antenna for the band. The following shows the unique stations already spotted.

UPDATE 2047z: So far this evening 8 uniques spotted, although 39 unique stations spotted on 472kHz WSPR RX in the last 2 weeks.

UPDATE 2244z: At the moment I am off whilst the shack PC battery charges. It should be ready about 2300z.

Church blog updated again - NOT amateur radio

Like buses, they come along together!  It was months since the churches blog was updated and now it has been updated twice. This time I have added Chippenham (no, not the one in Wiltshire).

See https://eachurches.blogspot.co.uk/ .

Geomagnetic storm

According to Southgate News we are experiencing a G1 geomagnetic storm, that often leads to good auroras. Maybe this is why 10m FT8 is so bad today so far.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/february/geomagnetic-storm-in-progress.htm#.Woqz1Ux2vIU

OXFAM in deep poo? - NOT amateur radio

The charity OXFAM looks like it is in deep trouble. They seem to have mishandled their operation in Haiti in 2011. It would not surprise me if they lose lots in donations.

If OXFAM people want to use prostitutes this is a private matter and OXFAM should not be involved. The negative publicity is nothing short of a disaster for them.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43107985 .

Granddaughter finding painted pebble - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday I mentioned the craze for hunting painted pebbles hidden around our village.

This is our granddaughter finding one a few days ago.

Mini-whip E-field probe

There is little doubt that I shall have to try one of these on LF and MF and possibly other bands next autumn. I have the time from now until then to find the best spot to mount one. I may buy one from PA0RDT, although I have had success in the past with my own.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/efp

10m FT8 RX

Since just before breakfast, I have been monitoring 10m FT8 again. No spots at all so far this morning. Mind you, this is hardly surprising looking at the solar numbers. It is also quite early. This was posted at 0940z.

UPDATE 1348z: Still no 10m FT8 spots here. Not even a G.

UPDATE 1417z: Just G4CJC (74km) so far today on 10m FT8.

Sunspots - Monday February 19th 2018

Solar flux is 69 and the sunspot number back at zero. A=14 and K=5. Yes, we are back to deteriorating solar conditions.

472kHz WSPR RX last night

17 uniques spotted last night. All EU stations and none from the USA again.

It seems I am destined not to spot USA stations with my earth-electrode "antenna" on 472kHz. This is odd, as I am hearing plenty of EU stations well off the best directions. I would have thought I'd have spotted USA stations as they are off the end of the "loop", so in the best direction.

Perhaps I should revert to my compromise Marconi, which is less good than the earth-electrode "antenna" with most stations. Mind you, the only time this season I have copied the USA on 472kHz was with the Marconi. Honestly, this is a very bad antenna!

Back on 472kHz WSPR RX

At the moment, I am back on 472kHz WSPR RX. So far, 4 unique stations spotted.

UPDATE 1908z:  Best DX is currently LA8AV (1035km).

UPDATE 2051z: Now 5 uniques. Slow start.

UPDATE 2126z:  EA7HPM (1726km) now the best DX with 9 uniques spotted.

UPDATE 2207z: Now 11 uniques. Soon be time to go QRT temporarily whilst the shack PC battery charges.

UPDATE 2220z: Now charging the shack PC battery, so temporarily OFF. It says it will be fully charged in 47 minutes, so I'll probably go back on battery power around 2300z. My intention is to go back on battery power overnight.

Sunspot Cycle 25

Sunspots with the correct polarity for cycle 25 (the next cycle) are already starting to appear. The next minimum is likely to be 2018-2020 and the forecasts for the next maximum are not great.

See http://www.solen.info/solar/cycles1_to_present.html

Painted pebbles - NOT amateur radio

Certainly in our village, this craze has really taken off. The idea is you hide a painted stone which others search for and find. They take a photo and post it on social media (we have our own village Facebook group) and hide the stone in a different place. This is great fun for the children. We found one yesterday outside a local church.

10m FT8 RX

Since breakfast, I have been on 10m FT8 RX. So far 1 G and 2 LAs spotted.

UPDATE 1320z: 9 stations in 4 EU countries so far today. Aircraft reflections? Best DX still LA1KUA (1182km).

UPDATE 1815z:  Now 11 stations spotted on 10m FT8 today. No new spots for ages, so soon be time to QSY to 472kHz WSPR RX.

Churches blog updated - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday I updated the churches blog at https://eachurches.blogspot.co.uk/ .  Snailwell church dates from the 11th century. There are only 2 churches with round towers in Cambridgeshire , but lots in Norfolk.

Sunspots - Sunday February 18th 2018

Solar flux is 72 today and the sunspot number 12. A=12 and K=2.

472kHz WSPR RX

Last night, I was on 472kHz WSPR RX again. In all, 14 unique stations spotted, which was the same as the night before, so rather disappointing. All EU only.

February 2018 2m UKAC results published

In my very short entry I made a silly error and had points deducted. In future, I must be more careful!

See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/vhfresults.pl?Contest=144MHz%20UKAC&year=2018

With the grandchildren - NOT amateur radio

Earlier today we did a trip around a few local churches.

This is me with two of our grandchildren outside Snailwell Church near Newmarket.

A promise of spring? - NOT amateur radio

There are now plenty of daffodils around now including these, which were outside Snailwell Church, near Newmarket today.

iPad App - NOT amateur radio

My wife has a new app on her iPad that makes globes and other shapes of different kinds. I think there are several different apps that will do this. You choose the pictures to use.

See http://funny.pho.to/globe/ for one example.

472kHz WSPR RX last night

With 14 unique stations (all EU) spotted on 472kHz WSPR last night, it was a slightly disappointing session. I'll try again tonight.

Sunspots - Saturday February 17th 2018

Solar flux is 71 today and the sunspot number 15.  A=11 and K=2.

10m FT8 RX

This band and mode are quite promising today. Already several EU stations spotted plus ZS6BUN (9130km).

UPDATE 1345z:  Lots of DX today on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1622z: No further DX spotted. I am beginning to think this was Es linking up with F2.

UPDATE 1907z:  No South Americans spotted. I suspect this was Es linking into F2 further south. If it was just F2, South America would have been spotted this afternoon.

MLS bargains

Martin Lynch and Sons has some big discounts.

See  https://www.hamradio.co.uk/ .

Last night on 472kHz WSPR RX

With 20 unique stations spotted last night, it was an average night. Again, all EU stations.

UK Rally

18 FEBRUARY 2018 : RADIOACTIVE RALLY

Nantwich Civic Hall, Cheshire CW5 5DG. There is free car parking available and the doors open at 10.30am. There will be a Bring and Buy, as well as traders and an RSGB book stall. A single raffle ticket is included with the entrance programme, additional tickets can be purchased. Catering is available on site. Contact Stuart Jackson on 07880 732 534.

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

10m FT8 RX

I have been on this band and mode most of the day. A couple of Gs spotted plus 9A7JCY (1424km). Pretty quiet really.

Sunspots - Friday February 16th 2018

Solar flux is 72 today and the sunspot number 15. A-10 and K=2.

OFCOM and Diversity

More from OFCOM on their policy on diversity.

See https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-3/diversity-inclusion-programme-2018-2022?utm_source=updates&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dip

Some pearls:

• build a diverse and inclusive workforce to better reflect the UK population we serve;
• ensure diversity and inclusion are central to our work practices and culture so everyone understands, supports and is accountable for diversity; and
• ensure the different needs and interests of all individuals are considered when carrying out our regulatory work.

Blah, blah, blah...

So, if you are black with one leg, OFCOM loves you too.

Yes, diversity is important but so is actual work and enforcement. Please, stop, twatting around and do some real work! My views. Others are quite likely to hold different views.

Chippenham Park - NOT amateur radio

We were here earlier in the week with our other grandchildren. Here is a photo of the "London" grandchildren next to 2 frog statues and one of the lakes.