Sunspots - Wednesday March 7th 2018

Solar flux is 68 today and the sunspot number zero. A=4 and K=0.

President Trump and trade wars - NOT amateur radio

Whilst I understand President Trump's wish to have the USA not disadvantaged by trading nations, he has gone about things in a very odd way that almost invites others to retaliate. In an interconnected world such barriers to trade are very unlikely to work.

One thinks of King Canute.

472kHz WSPR RX

After a break of a few days, I am monitoring 472kHz WSPR RX. If things go to previous form I'll spot most stations in the next few hours and they'll all be EU stations I've spotted before!

UPDATE 1952z: 3 uniques in the first few minutes. Sadly all stations spotted before! Best DX  is F1AFJ (607km).

UPDATE 2129z: 9 uniques so far in 6 countries with best DX 9A3KB (1290km). Just G3KEV also spotted on FT8 earlier in QSO with a German.

UPDATE 2317z: Now 16 uniques. Soon be time to go QRT.

UPDATE 2350z:  Now QRT.

Yaesu FT818

Since I last wrote, I have heard little new about the FT818. What I have read does not impress me. If you have any more details please let me know so I can share it on the blog.

Spies - NOT amateur radio

In the last day it looks like an ex-spy was poisoned in Salisbury, UK. Russia is suspected, but this is not proven.

What is certain is that Russia, the UK and the USA will all have "dirty tricks" departments, but we only hear about Russia. The spying business is definitely there, although governments would prefer us not to know.

We are fed a diet of filtered news: we hear what they want us to hear. I well remember Vietnam when the Vietcong was considered evil. With the perspective of history we know the USA and the government in the south were far from perfect. Political bias has always been there since the dawn of humanity.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43303651 .

Not quite - NOT amateur radio

After, what for us, has seemed a long cold winter with snow last week, we are now in spring according to the Met Office. Our daffodils are still not quite out. Perhaps next week?  Usually the heads drop just before they flower.

The photo shows the daffodils in our back garden. Snowdrops have been good.

Trevor Baylis (clockwork radio) dies

At the age of 80 Southgate News reports that the inventor of the wind-up radio has died. His name was made famous by his invention. His wind-up radio ideas have application in QRP radios.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/march/trevor-baylis-wind-up-radio-inventor-dies-aged-80.htm#.Wp5iE0x2vIU

See also http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-43290756 .

Sunspots - Tuesday March 6th 2018

Where does the time go? It seems only yesterday that it was Christmas. I'm sure our perception of time changes as we get older.

Solar flux is 67 and the sunspot number zero still. A=5 and K=1.

2m UKAC activity contest

Starting at 2000z tonight is the March leg of the RSGB's activity contest on 2m. The contest runs for 2.5 hours. I usually manage 30-60 minutes as my voice is poor and work 5-10 stations.

See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?contest=2mukac for the rules.

An average contest, but again I was defeated by my poor voice. Six contacts in 34 minutes as shown on the map. 5W and a big-wheel omni antenna.

"So" - NOT amateur radio

Some call me a grumpy old man, but have you noticed how many young people start their sentences with "So"? This really annoys me. I heard this twice on BBC Radio 4 just before lunch, like, you know.

OFCOM

Yes, allegedly all they care about is money.

See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/7960D48FD07A6FAF2540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

Sunspots - Monday March 5th 2018

Solar flux is 68 today. The sunspot number is zero still. A=6 and K=2.

The G3TFX experiment - 2m FT8 RX vertical

As promised, today I am monitoring 2m FT8 but using my V2000 vertical instead of the horizontal big-wheel. This was suggested by my old work colleague Richard G3TFX in Cambridge.

Already I am surprised by the number of stations still being received. This suggests that these stations are less dependant on polarisation than I thought, suggesting either aircraft reflection or random MS rather than tropo.

UPDATE 1015z: 12 uniques in 4 countries, despite being vertically polarised.

UPDATE 1130z: Now 19 uniques in 4 countries.

UPDATE 1405z: Now 28 uniques in 4 countries.

UPDATE 2105z: Well, the experiment has ended. Conclusion? Polarisation does not matter, so probably most DX received by aircraft reflections. Amazing. Map show stations received on 2m FT8 today with vertical polarisation.

Best bus rides in England (video)? - NOT amateur radio

With the closure of the A379 along Slapton Line, Devon we lose one of the best bus rides in England. I hope they repair this road, although I have my doubts as the storm damage is bad.

Head for heights?

Just watching this video made me feel sick! You would never catch me up there! I'd be terrified. Good job I've not got a large tower in my garden.

A short while later I found a video of someone going up an even taller tower!

Snowy windmill - NOT amateur radio

It is about 5 years since we had real snow. It has attempted to snow over the years, but last week we had real snow falling several times and, for us, very cold temperatures. Others may laugh! As some will be aware, we live next door.

Solar data for February

Data for February is now available.

Although we are on the long fall to the next solar minimum, there was a small rise in solar activity last month. This is a blip on the slow decline, but serves to remind us that there are good days as well as bad days. Even now there are days with real DX on 10m.

See http://www.solen.info/solar/ .

Endings - NOT amateur radio

I am not good at endings. Life goes on normally, then something happens to change the routine: things that had gone on for years and taken for granted come to an end. When this happens it is a real shock.

In reality, life is all about coming to terms with change. Change is always happening, yet we are often unaware or not looking. No, we have to accept change and move on. Change is a reality. As they say, "the past is another country". Enjoy things while they are there, accept them, and then move on. Change is part of life, whether we like it or not. For some of us this is hard.

Sunspots - Sunday March 4th 2018

Solar flux is 67 today and the sunspot number back to zero. A=6 and K=2.

2m FT8 RX (again)

This is getting addictive! Again, I am monitoring 2m FT8. In the last 6 hours 6 unique stations in 3 countries with best DX F6EAS (387km) in Normandy. Again I am using my big-wheel horizontal omni antenna. Gain is about 2dBd.

UPDATE 1030z: Already 14 uniques in 3 countries.

UPDATE 1400z: Now 24 uniques in 5 countries in the last half a day on 2m FT8 RX. I can honestly say that 2m FT8 has been a revelation. Every day seems to result in spots of stations at great distance, even though my antenna is nothing at all special and with hardly any gain over a dipole. Imagine the results with a 9 element beam!

UPDATE 1430z: Now 28 uniques in 7 countries on 2m FT8 RX with best DX DK2DTF (644km).

UPDATE 1622z: Now 30 uniques in 7 countries today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1905z: A local friend G3TFX has suggested I try vertical polarisation to see how much difference this makes, especially with DX signals. If tropo, I'd expect about 15-20dB polarisation loss. If aircraft reflection, the difference should be far less. The overall gain of the big-wheel with feeder loss is probably about 0dBd. The feeder loss and gain of my V2000 vertical is probably much the same. So, tomorrow I'll try 2m FT8 RX with vertical polarisation.

Eddystone Receivers

When I first got interested in the hobby in the early 1960s Far Eastern transceivers were unheard of. Many used war surplus receivers like the AR88 or CR100. For years I coveted an Eddystone EC10. One day I got one. The IF was low and the bandspread on 10m was abysmal! As a tuneable IF for VHF and UHF converters it was fine. Overall, it really was not a very good receiver. These days they are hard to find and really not worth the money.

The 840C was a much better radio. At one time they even did an amateur band only receiver called the EA12.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/ec10

Slapton Line - NOT amateur radio

This is also known as Torcross Line, Devon. In WW2 is was used as a place where D-day landings were rehearsed.

Sadly, a big stretch of the road along it was washed away and it is quite possible it will never be repaired. In the end the sea will inundate the freshwater lake known as Slapton Ley. This could be soon or in 50 years' time.

The question is how long do you keep re-building the road (A379) that runs along it? This stretch is one of the best views in the UK.

Online shopping - NOT amateur radio

Shopping online is quite common these days. I have successfully bought lots on line. However, it is not always a good story.

Recently I bought a couple of batteries for my watch via Amazon. Usually these last several years but one failed after a month despite it being a branded item. Cost-wise I probably saved several pounds even so. The second battery is still working fine.

I also bought a spare head and cutters for my electric razor. Even after a few months they struggle to cut, whereas the originals lasted years.

All I am saying is caveat emptor. Most things will be inexpensive and work fine, whereas some things may be problematic.

50 years - NOT amateur radio

It seems hard to believe, but my wife and I first met 50 years ago today.

Looking back, I just wonder where those years went. Even today, knocking on the door of 70, I still feel in my late teens inside. All I can advise is milk life, as it soon slips through your hands.

Time is an odd thing. On the one hand it seems to pass slowly, whereas on the other hand it passes all too fast. One thing is certain: we will not get another 50 years!

Sunspots - Saturday March 3rd 2018

Solar flux is 67 today and the sunspot number 11. A=4 and K=1.

2m FT8 RX

Although I am monitoring 2m FT8 RX again, there have been no spots so far today. Perhaps we have had a lift in the last few days and things are returning to normal?

UPDATE 1030z: An FT8 QSO on 2m with G8ALS (127km) and PA4X (403km) spotted in Limburg. Perhaps it was too early!

UPDATE 1126z: Now spotted 15 uniques in 3 countries. I had a QSO (2m FT8) with David G0LRD (26km) when he was using 1mW and good copy on the big-wheel. He was -21dB on a 3el in the loft with 300uW!!

UPDATE 1350z: Now 30 uniques in 5 countries.

UPDATE 1730z: Now 39 uniques in 7 countries.

UPDATE 2030z: The photo shows the stations spotted here on 2m FT8 in the last 12 hours.

South Devon Storm Damage - NOT amateur radio

As some may remember, I come from the South Hams, Devon.  In the recent bad weather a lot of damage has been caused along Start Bay. My niece sent me some links. In 50 years' time the coast will be very different, probably not in my lifetime, but almost certainly in the lives of my grandchildren.

https://www.facebook.com/forestandbeach/videos/1927135213995457/

See also https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/gallery/damage-a379-torcross-1295121

2m big-wheel antenna

For a couple of years now I have used a big-wheel horizontal omni antenna on 2m. This is the antenna used in the last few weeks on 2m FT8. It has a near omni-directional horizontal pattern, a little bit of gain and, of course, does not need a rotator. It is ideal for my sort of 2m operation.

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

The linked page needs updating and this is on my "to do" list!

More UK rallies

As the weather is bad, I urge you to contact the rally organisers before starting your journey.

4 MARCH 2018 : GRANTHAM ARC RADIO AND ELECTRONICS RALLY

Grantham West Community Centre, Trent Road, Grantham NG31 7XQ. There is car parking facilities on site and talk-in will be available. Admission is £3. There will be trade stands, special interest groups and an RSGB book stall. Contact Kevin, G6SSN, 07793 142 483, g6ssn@btinternet.com.


4 MARCH 2018 : EXETER RADIO & ELECTRONICS RALLY

America Hall De La Rue Way Pinhoe, Exeter EX4 8PW. Traders, bring & buy, catering. Opens 10.30am (disabled & B&B book-in 10.15am). May open earlier if WX bad and traders are ready. Admission £2. Details from Pete, G3ZVI, 0771 419 8374, g3zvi@yahoo.co.uk.

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

Sydney-Sussex College - NOT amateur radio

Although I have said this before, it is worth saying again. Living just outside Cambridge we get rather blasé about some of the sights in the city. One, small, example is Sydney-Sussex College which I pass twice a week. Every college is a delight.

Portable power

Southgate News has details of OH8STN's QRO power pack for portable use.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/march/diy-qro-lifepo4-power.htm#.WpkfKkx2vIU

FT818 disappointment

It is hard to express my extreme disappointment with the FT818. Auto ATU? No. Speech processor? No. Lithium Ion batteries? No. And on and on. This is a development done on the cheap by a company that looks to be in trouble.

Recommendation? Do not waste your money, unless (like the FT991A) they have second thoughts and produce a 21st century transceiver we deserve.

Yaesu - what the heck were you thinking? This is crap.

Sunspots - Friday March 2nd 2018

Solar flux is 67 and the sunspot number 11. A=6 and K=2.

2m FT8 RX - Friday

In just the last hour alone 5 unique stations in 3 countries with best DX F6EAS (387km) in Normandy.

UPDATE 0953z:  In the last 2 hours, 9 uniques in 4 countries.

UPDATE 1055z: 19 uniques in 5 countries on 2m FT8 in the last half day.

UPDATE 1143z: Now 24 uniques in 6 countries!

UPDATE 1552z: 34 uniques in 7 countries now.

UPDATE 1727z: 39 uniques in 7 countries.

2m FT8 RX

About 10 minutes ago I moved to 2m FT8 RX. It seems quite busy.

UPDATE 1540z: Best DX on RX is DF8JO (535km). In just 20 minutes I have spotted 11 unique stations in 3 countries!

UPDATE 1810z: 20 uniques now in 4 countries.  Amazing with an omni antenna.

UPDATE 2030z:  Now 26 uniques in 4 countries.

Rally

As the weather is not good I urge you to contact the organisers of each rally before travelling. Some could well get cancelled if the weather is bad.

3 MARCH 2018 : LAGAN VALLEY ARS RALLY

Hillsborough Village Centre, 7 Ballynahinch Road, Hillsborough BT266AR. Doors open from 11am to 3pm, with admittance £3. Everyone will be most welcome to attend. Lots of radio equipment new and second hand plus raffle. Tea, coffees, sandwiches available. There will be a Bring & Buy, RSGB Book Stall and Special Interest Groups. Andrew Mulholland, MI0BPB, 07802 824 615, andrew@mi0bpb.plus.com.

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

Yaesu FT818

Sorry, but I have no further news of this transceiver. All I can say, again, is that the very future of Yaesu rides on this, in my view.

If it turns out to be just a minor upgrade to the FT817 then I expect Yaesu to be dead in the amateur market within 5 years. This has to be something exciting. From the early press releases, this does not look anything special. As a loyal Yaesu fan for almost 40 years I desperately hope I am wrong.

Only the FT817ND (not the FT818) is mentioned on the Yaesu, Japan website.

See http://www.yaesu.com/jp/en/products/pdf/Amateur2011_EN_1104.pdf

M0PNN has provided a link - thank you - https://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=102&encProdID=36B7B98621AF7554C9A03C8B190C5079&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0

From what this says, I reckon Yaesu is doomed if this is the best they can do. I for one will not be buying one! What a pathetic offering. Back to the drawing board, or is it the Japanese equivalent of administration in 2019?

Overnight on 630m WSPR

Overnight was disappointing on MF. In all, 15 unique stations spotted, so no more than I received last evening. Again, all were EU with none from the USA.

I may try a different band tonight for a change.

Sunspots - Thursday March 1st 2018

Although we are at the start of meteorological spring, it still feels very much like winter with snow and bitterly cold winds.

Solar flux is 70 today and the sunspot number 11. A=6 and K=1.

10m FT8 RX

Although I have been on 10m FT8 RX since before breakfast, all is quiet with no spots here. Others with better setups may be more lucky.

UPDATE 1600z: No spots at all here all day so far. About 20 minutes ago I tried a CQ call, but no-one spotted me sadly.