70cm UKAC activity contest

This evening is the March leg of the 70cm RSGB activity contest. It starts at 2000z and lasts for 2.5 hours, although I usually manage about 30 minutes with my poor voice. My gear is totally unsuitable! I run 5W to a 2m halo. In many 70cm contests I manage to get over 100km surprisingly, even with this setup.

See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?contest=70cmsukac .

In the end I only stopped on for about 20 minutes, but worked 4 stations, one at good range.

10m FT8 RX

A few moments ago I went on 10m FT8 RX. This is a late start for me. Should there be any "real" DX around, I expect this will be later. I am not too hopeful!

UPDATE 1850z: Nothing!  I need to check everything is working.

UPDATE 2040z: Out of a dead band pops VP8LP (12773km).

Summer migrant birds - NOT amateur radio

The first sand martins have been reported as arriving in Devon. Usually swallows follow in early April. Spring is springing!

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/sand-martin .

"Our" windmill next door - NOT amateur radio

This picture was taken earlier today. It shows the windmill next to our home in early spring.

The hedge in front is not yet in leaf. Another 4-8 weeks and things will be different.

Sunspots - Tuesday March 13th 2018

Solar flux is 68 today and the sunspot number is zero. A=3 and K=2.

Importing direct from China

For obvious reasons I won't name him, but a friend has just imported an SDR rig (the same one MLS wanted to charge £550 for) for just over £300 delivered in a matter of days. At this price, you can even afford to buy a second unit at less cost than the new FT818, and the spec is much better. The only thing that worries me is the guarantee.

In the coming years the Japanese will struggle.

Cambridge University Botanic Garden - NOT amateur radio

A few posts back I mentioned our visit to the Cambridge University Botanic Garden. At the moment it is a good place to see spring flowers. They have a nice café there too. Tips: there is free water just beyond the serving hatch and the Trumpington Park and Ride bus stops right outside.

See http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/Botanic/Home.aspx  .

Birthday cake - NOT amateur radio

My younger grandson was 9 years old a few weeks ago. Yesterday he had his party.

He is mad on owls, so why not an owl cake?

OFCOM spectrum auction

As I have said many times, bleating about auctions beats real work any time. Well done OFCOM. Money talks and nothing else, it would allegedly seem, matters.

Perhaps I should have offered £5 for the spectrum. Oh, silly me, they are after a few billions!

It is high time they brought back the GPO and did away with this toothless quango. Personal view - in a democracy others are free to hold different views.

See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/69E34BCB22A8F2B02540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

2m FT8 RX

Since just before breakfast (after a very brief TX session during which I was copied by a couple of distant Gs) I have been monitoring 2m FT8 RX on 144.174MHz. So far today, 23 unique stations in 4 countries, mostly via aircraft scatter I assume. Best DX currently is F6APE (552km).

UPDATE 1246z: Now 29 uniques in 4 countries spotted today on 2m FT8.

UPDATE 1411z: Now 34 uniques in 5 countries.

UPDATE 1412z: I have created a new webpage on my main site at https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/2m-ft8

UPDATE 1750z: 55 uniques in 9 countries today on 2m FT8 RX. Quite remarkable!

Sunspots - Monday March 12th 2018

Solar flux is 68. Sunspot number is zero. A=6 and K=0.

472kHz WSPR RX

For a while now, I have been on 472kHz WSPR RX.  Best DX is LA2XPA (1310km) with 10 unique stations spotted so far.

UPDATE 2220z:   Now 11 uniques.

Botanic Garden - NOT amateur radio

Late last week, we visited the Orchid Festival at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden. There were lots of daffodils out. These are everywhere now, although just a few weeks ago most were still in bud.

See http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/Botanic/Home.aspx  .

10m FT8 RX

Since breakfast, I have been on 10m FT8 RX. Although I was not really expecting much, I have spotted a couple of stations already. Best DX so far is DG5HR (719km) near Lubeck.

UPDATE  1050z: PD1FER (322km) spotted. I suspect all spots so far have been by aircraft reflection. A few moments ago, I tried a brief CQ call, but my 2.5W was not spotted.

UPDATE 1134z: G0JSV (54km) spotted. G4GJR (73km) spotted. DK4RL (886km) spotted.

UPDATE 1415z: So far, 12 unique stations in 6 EU countries on 10m FT8 today.

UPDATE 1630z: Now 13 unique EUs in 7 countries.

SPAM

Earlier today, I noticed a spam posting in a post comment that "got through". It bore no relevance to the post, so was deleted as soon as it was spotted.

This is my policy. I welcome relevant comments, but spam will be deleted as soon as spotted. If you spot anything you believe is spam, just let me know, so I can take the steps necessary.

As a general policy never click a link you are not sure about. This is basic internet security. Although I do all in my power to prevent harm, I am not infallible. Caveat emptor.

Sunspots - Sunday March 11th 2018

Solar flux is 68 today and the sunspot number zero still. A=12 and K=2.

QRP HF

At one time the Yaesu FT817 led the way.

These days there are lots of good QRP rigs available such as the KX2 and KX3 and the uBITX kits, as well as many others. The FT818 really looks pathetic by comparison.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/ft817 . This page is mainly about the FT817, but it also looks at the FT818.

See also http://www.hfsignals.com/ .

Cambridge Posters - NOT amateur radio

All around the city you can see posters. These were in Bene't St. The yellow one is advertising my wife's concert on April 7th. In the background is Old School Lane, the site of the original Cavendish Laboratories, where many a Nobel Prize was won. The world famous Kings College Chapel is about 300m away.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bene%27t_Street .

2m FT8 RX (this is getting too easy!)

Yet again, I am monitoring 2m FT8 RX on 144.174MHz. 31 unique stations in 7 countries spotted so far today.  Best DX spotted is DK2DTF (644km).

UPDATE 1242z: 35 uniques in 7 countries so far today.

UPDATE 1526z: 42 uniques in 8 countries on 2m FT8 RX so far today. When I was briefly on TX (2.5W) this morning, 3 stations spotted me including GW6TEO (371km).

UPDATE 1604z: In the last 15 minutes I briefly transmitted with 2.5W to my big-wheel antenna. I got reports from as far away as Devon. In just the last 2 hours 22 uniques in 5 countries spotted.

Sunspots - Saturday March 10th 2018

Solar flux is 67 today and the sunspot number zero. A=12 and K=4.

MLS "something for the weekend" deals

Every weekend, MLS offers discounts. If you are intent on buying one of the items listed, it is worth checking these deals.

See https://www.hamradio.co.uk/ .

Useful Website

Steve, G1KQH has sent me a link, which has a lot of useful links.

See http://www.solorb.com/elect/

Pacific FT8 drone

Southgate News has a piece on a drone slowly floating from Hawaii to California. There is a KX3 on board with FT8 capabilities.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/march/pacific-ham-radio-drone-kh6jf-mm-using-ft8.htm#.WqKwz0x2tMs .

2m FT8 RX

This never fails to amaze me. Today again lots of stations spotted with best DX DF5VAE (902km) not far from the Polish border.

The map shows the stations spotted on 2m FT8 in just the last 12 hours. Quite amazing seeing I am just using an FT817 with a big-wheel horizontal omni antenna. The big-wheel is about 4m above ground at the rear of the bungalow. It is just visible above the front door in the picture. It just clears the roof. The V2000 is above the garage. This is fed with cheap CB RG58 coax. The big-wheel had decent coax.

UPDATE 1715z: Now 41 uniques in 8 countries spotted on 2m FT8 today since breakfast. I suspect most of the DX is by aircraft reflection. As experiments earlier in the week showed, using the V2000 vertical gave much the same results, so this is definitely not tropo.

UPDATE 2152z: I am still monitoring 2m FT8 this evening. Even in the last hour, I have spotted 12 unique stations with best DX DL1DBR (546km).

More OFCOM

Apparently they are taking steps to improve mobile coverage and steps towards 5G. I guess writing this crap beats real work, especially if you have a domestic science qualification and know nothing about RF allegedly.

See http://ofcom.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/i/634274CBE08C0A5B2540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

Orchids - NOT amateur radio

For several weeks the Cambridge University Botanic Garden has hosted an orchid festival in its hot houses. We went last year and this. The display was splendid.

We have had some success in growing these at home. The secret is just a thimble full of water a week.

Rally

11 MARCH 2018 : DOVER RADIO CLUB RALLY

Whitfield Village Hall, Sandwich Road, Manley Close, Whitfield, Nr Dover CT163LY. Talk in, catering, trade stands. Doors open from 10am, entry £2. Auction starts at 12.30pm. Aaron Coote, 2E0FQR, 0771 465 4267 or aaroncoote@hotmail.co.uk. www.darc.org.uk.

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

Degrading solar conditions - Friday March 9th 2018

Solar flux is 66, which is the lowest it has been in years. Sunspot number is zero. A=4 and K=3.

Sexism - NOT amateur radio

Times have changed. When I started work lots of people smoked and it was the norm. Women got wolf-whistled at. Looking back, this was disrespectful. Women have every right to be treated as equals. Paying women less than men for the same job is wrong.

However, in some ways we have, perhaps, swung too far. Now, it seems, adverts and the TV have to have a token ethnic minority, gay, black or handicapped actor to be "fair". It is a bit like work, where in my latter years people were (re)discovering ideas that we had 40 years ago. To be honest, it was boring and I had had enough.

Personally I think everyone deserves respect and the right to just be themselves, but we have to be careful not to lose sight of reality. These days it is all too easy to turn to litigation when what is needed is a bit of common sense.

As they say, "what goes around comes around". Let's treat all minorities fairly, but keep an eye on reality.

Another RadCom Article

Today, I was told that another of my articles is to appear in RadCom. I have no idea when this will be.  They are likely to change things quite a bit. It was on compromise antennas, especially for 472kHz.  Basically, it was to encourage others whatever they have: poor antennas still get out!

These days I write about things I can still do. Major projects are mostly beyond me, as I get tired quickly because of my stroke. Mostly I miss my VLF and optical experiments. These were fun.

Despite things, I still enjoy the hobby.

Ideas are brewing for another article!

Retail - NOT amateur radio

There is little doubt that the retail trade is changing. Recently we heard that Toys R Us and Maplin were in administration and today even John Lewis reported greatly reduced profits. People nowadays shop far more online and less in traditional shops. I have no idea where this will end.

365project - NOT amateur radio

Before now, I have mentioned that my wife and I each take a photo every day. Most of these are of interest to us as a kind of visual diary and most would not win prizes as great works of art! The photo is a snapshot of the photos I took in February.

2m FT8 RX

Again, I am monitoring 144.174MHz FT8. Already this morning 10 uniques in 5 countries with best DX EI3KD (583km) in the Munster area of southern Eire. The time is 1010z.

UPDATE 1321z: 25 uniques in 6 countries spotted so far today on 2m FT8. Best DX is still EI3KD.

UPDATE 1402z: Now 27 uniques in 6 countries so far today on 2m FT8. Best DX now is DK2DTF (644km).

UPDATE 1726z: Now 37 uniques in 7 countries today on 2m FT8.

Lower power for Sweden?

According to Southgate News the Swedish regulator is proposing to drop the maximum power on the "free for life" amateur licences to 200 watts. As a confirmed QRPer this is still a really high power! If they cannot work the world with this perhaps they should use the internet instead?

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/march/swedish-regulator-proposes-ham-radio-power-reduction.htm#.WqEHI0x2vIU .

Sunspots - Thursday March 8th 2018

Solar flux is 67 today and the sunspot number zero still. A=4 and K=2.

Antarctica on 630m WSPR

This from Stefan DK7FC this evening:

"Hi MF,

Since a few weeks the German Antarctic research station Neumayer III  (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neumayer-Station_III) is running a Red Pitaya on a wideband RX antenna to receive/decode/upload WSPR reports on up to 8 bands simultaneously. You may have noticed them already on the WSPR map on other bands. I saw regular spots on 160m from DL statations and other countries in EU.

They seem to have quite a good satellite internet connection. So uploading WSPR spots is no problem. They also run an up to date webcam showing an image for example here:
https://www.qrz.com/db/dp0gvn

One of the maintainers of the radio station there is Felix / DL5XL. I know him personally and, taking the idea of EA5DOM, i contacted him and asked if they want to try to receive on 630m as well. Yesterday i got an answer.

DP0GVN in IB59UH will receive WSPR(2) on 630m daily between 4...7 UTC now.

I asked them if they can extend the time to 20...07 UTC. Let's see.

So turn on your PAs and make a first contact from your continent to Antarctica on 630m! And spread the message into other reflectors, VK could be in a favorite position.

73, Stefan"

More OFCOM news

More news from OFCOM.

See http://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/252BF072EDA728062540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

Mistletoe - NOT amateur radio

This is a spot in Cambridge that I have walked past perhaps several hundred times, but until yesterday I'd never noticed this huge mistletoe high up in this tree. As I walked past today, I took this photo. I guess in the summer the leaves would hide it.

TESS Satellite - NOT amateur radio

Southgate News has a link to the NASA site about TESS, a satellite that is due to launch in April. The satellite will help in the search for planets orbiting distant stars outside our solar system, so called exoplanets.

See https://www.nasa.gov/tess-transiting-exoplanet-survey-satellite .

2m FT8 RX

Since just before breakfast, I have been on 2m FT8 RX (with a very brief TX period early on calling CQ when I was copied by G1IDZ (184km)). So far, 1 Dutch and 2 UK stations spotted.

UPDATE 1404z: 25 uniques is 5 countries so far.

UPDATE 1708z: 29 uniques in 8 countries now on 2m FT8.

UPDATE 1920z: Now 33 uniques in 9 countries in last 12 hours.

UPDATE 1942z: 35 uniques in 9 countries.