31 May 2018
10m WSPR TX
Since just before breakfast, my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon has been on (100% TX, randomised frequencies). Already several spots by EA8BFK (2880km) in the Canary Is.. My current 10m antenna is not brilliant. EA6GF (1428km) spotted me this afternoon.
Early 6m success
D41CV (4518km) in the Cape Verde Islands and lots of others have already been spotted this morning on 6m FT8 RX. It is only 0858z! Could this be the day I spot some transatlantic DX on 6m?
A very early brief CQ call was spotted by 3 Gs. This was before breakfast.
Already 24 stations in 6 countries spotted on 6m FT8.
UPDATE 1732z: So far today on 6m FT8 RX, 88 stations in 16 countries.
A very early brief CQ call was spotted by 3 Gs. This was before breakfast.
Already 24 stations in 6 countries spotted on 6m FT8.
UPDATE 1732z: So far today on 6m FT8 RX, 88 stations in 16 countries.
30 May 2018
82Hz (yes Hertz!) signal received in Tasmania
Edgar, in Moonah, Tasmania, Australia has received the Russian station, located on the Kola Peninsula on 82Hz. I believe this station sends coded messages to submerged Russian nuclear subs. It is a very long way. Mind you, Edgar is not lurking on the sea bed!
Building kit
Only this lunchtime my XYL asked when I was going to build something in my shack. Since my 2013 stroke, I managed to build a Chinese Pixie kit (worked first time) and repair my 472kHz transverter (changed the MOSFET), although things are much harder for me these days.
Actually, I think I need to try to build more: it is good therapy and probably will help me. I have to come to terms with how I am now, but still battle to make the best of things.
I fancy trying a mcHF or uBITX kit, but will this be beyond me now?
Any suggestions for what I should try?
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/stroke
Actually, I think I need to try to build more: it is good therapy and probably will help me. I have to come to terms with how I am now, but still battle to make the best of things.
I fancy trying a mcHF or uBITX kit, but will this be beyond me now?
Any suggestions for what I should try?
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/stroke
Friedrichshafen reminder
1-3 JUNE 2018 : HAM RADIO SHOW, FRIEDRICHSHAFEN
Messe, Friedrichshafen, Germany. Trade stands, special interest groups and IARU Member Societies all have stands in the main hall. Large flea market. Lectures take place each day, some in English. There will be a large RSGB book stall. www.hamradio-friedrichshafen.
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/
Messe, Friedrichshafen, Germany. Trade stands, special interest groups and IARU Member Societies all have stands in the main hall. Large flea market. Lectures take place each day, some in English. There will be a large RSGB book stall. www.hamradio-friedrichshafen.
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/
10m WSPR TX
Yet again I am on 10m WSPR TX (500mW, 100% TX, randomised frequencies). As yet, no spots received today.
Optical DXing
Since my 2013 stroke I have not felt fit enough to do field work. I really miss my 481THz over the horizon NLOS (non line of sight) optical work.
The results back in 2013 suggested much further would have been possible NLOS. All the gear was home made and the experiments were fun. Sadly I am just too wobbly these days.
It would be good to try infra-red frequencies. What amazed me was the total lack of a visible signal, yet perfect decode using QRSS3 on the PC on a very non line of sight path over the horizon.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/optical
See also https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/optical/481thz-nlos
 |
| Testing the optical kit |
It would be good to try infra-red frequencies. What amazed me was the total lack of a visible signal, yet perfect decode using QRSS3 on the PC on a very non line of sight path over the horizon.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/optical
See also https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/optical/481thz-nlos
6m FT8 RX
Since just before breakfast, I have been on 6m FT8 RX. Some people hate this mode and I can quite understand why.
It is not a mode for chatting (unlike SSB, FM and AM) with "quick fire" formulaic QSOs. But it works with quite weak signals and in my condition it means I can monitor what I am spotting whilst doing other things.
On 2m FT8 I can spot DX every day which I just wouldn't believe possible a few months ago. Who needs lifts? With FT8 I can spot DX anyway. Most times when I go on 2m FT8 TX with 2.5W and a big-wheel omni I get spotted over 300km.
So far today (it is now 0844z) just 5 Gs spotted and no sign here yet of 6m Es.
UPDATE 1052z: 10 Gs and one ON spotted so far today. No Es here yet on 6m FT8.
UPDATE 1309z: Now 15 stations in 4 countries. Best DX is SP2DDV (1177km) probably Es.
UPDATE 1923z: As yet, no DX outside Europe and North Africa on 6m FT8 RX here today. Best DX is (again) S01WS (3043km) in Western Sahara. 54 stations in 10 countries so far today on 6m FT8 RX.
It is not a mode for chatting (unlike SSB, FM and AM) with "quick fire" formulaic QSOs. But it works with quite weak signals and in my condition it means I can monitor what I am spotting whilst doing other things.
On 2m FT8 I can spot DX every day which I just wouldn't believe possible a few months ago. Who needs lifts? With FT8 I can spot DX anyway. Most times when I go on 2m FT8 TX with 2.5W and a big-wheel omni I get spotted over 300km.
So far today (it is now 0844z) just 5 Gs spotted and no sign here yet of 6m Es.
UPDATE 1052z: 10 Gs and one ON spotted so far today. No Es here yet on 6m FT8.
UPDATE 1309z: Now 15 stations in 4 countries. Best DX is SP2DDV (1177km) probably Es.
UPDATE 1923z: As yet, no DX outside Europe and North Africa on 6m FT8 RX here today. Best DX is (again) S01WS (3043km) in Western Sahara. 54 stations in 10 countries so far today on 6m FT8 RX.
Storm Gazing - NOT amateur radio
See https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortung/europe/index.php?lang=en
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