20 Jul 2018
19 Jul 2018
70cm - a much under-used band
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/70cm_op .
Baby snake found in amber - NOT amateur radio
See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44872148 .
Solar minimum?
We are approaching the next solar minimum. Such periods are characterised by very low sunspot numbers for a long time. We have already had many weeks without sunspots. We can expect more "quiet sun" weeks until we climb on the upward slopes towards the peak of cycle 25. At the moment we are looking at 2020 for the next minimum.
See http://spaceweather.com/ .
See http://spaceweather.com/ .
Younger people - NOT amateur radio
All is not bad with young people as these charts show. Trends show they take fewer drugs, commit less crime, smoke less, have fewer teen pregnancies and drink less.
See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/44880278 .
See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/44880278 .
Grumpy old man? - NOT amateur radio
This is a rant.
Have you noticed that younger people tend to go up at the end of sentences? This is certainly true in the UK. It is almost as if a question is being asked. This, along with the over-use of "like", is mainly a phenomenon of the under 25 year olds.
Listening to the radio, you can often tell the age of an interviewee by how a sentence ends. Personally, I find this intonation annoying. Then, I am a grumpy old man!
Have you noticed that younger people tend to go up at the end of sentences? This is certainly true in the UK. It is almost as if a question is being asked. This, along with the over-use of "like", is mainly a phenomenon of the under 25 year olds.
Listening to the radio, you can often tell the age of an interviewee by how a sentence ends. Personally, I find this intonation annoying. Then, I am a grumpy old man!
10m FT8
For the second morning in a row I decided to try 10m FT8. There is already Es about with the Canaries and southern Europe spotted and it is only 0902z. I was briefly on TX before breakfast but received no spots. I have been on FT8 RX since.
UPDATE 1138z: 31 different stations in 11 countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX today. They spread from Finland to the Canaries.
UPDATE 2114z: Now QRT as our visitors have arrived. No South Americans spotted today here.
UPDATE 1138z: 31 different stations in 11 countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX today. They spread from Finland to the Canaries.
UPDATE 2114z: Now QRT as our visitors have arrived. No South Americans spotted today here.
Career politicians - NOT amateur radio
At the moment, we seem to be ruled by megalomaniac career politicians who seem more interested in themselves than what is best for their countries.
Think of Russia, the USA and the UK to name but a few. As soon as the BREXIT referendum was held in the UK the then Prime Minister left office and politics. Tony Blair who was once Labour Prime Minister now, allegedly, gets hundreds of thousands for after-dinner speeches. True Labour values? In the USA think of Trump and in Russia think of Putin.
Now, I am not saying there is no good in any of these leaders. I am sure they all have good points. But are they really connecting with us?
What I am saying is we lack politicians who are in high office because they really wish to better the lot of the common man or woman. We lack real leaders with guts and charisma. In time, they will emerge. At the moment we seem to be run by people with big egos sadly.
Think of Russia, the USA and the UK to name but a few. As soon as the BREXIT referendum was held in the UK the then Prime Minister left office and politics. Tony Blair who was once Labour Prime Minister now, allegedly, gets hundreds of thousands for after-dinner speeches. True Labour values? In the USA think of Trump and in Russia think of Putin.
Now, I am not saying there is no good in any of these leaders. I am sure they all have good points. But are they really connecting with us?
What I am saying is we lack politicians who are in high office because they really wish to better the lot of the common man or woman. We lack real leaders with guts and charisma. In time, they will emerge. At the moment we seem to be run by people with big egos sadly.
Sunspots - Thursday July 19th 2018
Solar flux is 71 today and the sun remains spotless. A=4 and K=1.
18 Jul 2018
10m FT8 tomorrow
Having now gone QRT for the night, I am thinking about tomorrow. Having had some success with 10m FT8 today, I may try this band again tomorrow.
As well as very similar results on Es to 6m FT8, 10m has the added bonus of "real DX" deep into South America. I cannot stay on 10m too late tomorrow as we have visitors, but I shall be monitoring as late as I can.
Today was my first experience of 10m FT8 in the summertime. It does not surprise me that South Americans were spotted. FT8 is a great weak signal mode (better than SSB and CW) and just 15 seconds of "opening" are needed for a decode. For a QSO a few overs are needed.
As well as very similar results on Es to 6m FT8, 10m has the added bonus of "real DX" deep into South America. I cannot stay on 10m too late tomorrow as we have visitors, but I shall be monitoring as late as I can.
Today was my first experience of 10m FT8 in the summertime. It does not surprise me that South Americans were spotted. FT8 is a great weak signal mode (better than SSB and CW) and just 15 seconds of "opening" are needed for a decode. For a QSO a few overs are needed.
PTT over cellular radio - NOT amateur radio
With 446 radios at ridiculously low prices and PTT over cellular radios available, I am wondering how "traditional" private mobile radio companies survive. On the face of it, PTT over cellular (i.e. network radio) offers international coverage or very local coverage. For example, lorries could be tracked internationally, and drivers contacted as if they were in the next village.
446 or similar radios offer basic communications well suited to pop-up events or occasional use.
Between the 2, most PMR use is covered at sensible prices. PTT over cellular often has GPS, photos and big data capacity too.
446 or similar radios offer basic communications well suited to pop-up events or occasional use.
Between the 2, most PMR use is covered at sensible prices. PTT over cellular often has GPS, photos and big data capacity too.
Innocent until proved guilty? - NOT amateur radio
Today we heard that a well known UK singer had won substantial damages from the BBC. Several years ago the police raided his house searching for evidence of child abuse and the BBC "in the public interest" hired a helicopter to film it all. He was not even charged.
Now, if such an accused is found guilty the full force of the law will fall on him or her. If innocent, their reputation will be tarnished for ever by the mob. There are several occasions when reputations have been ruined without due cause.
The answer is simple: people are innocent and anonymous until proved guilty in a court of law. There is no place for innocent people being judged by the mob and the press. Saying such intrusions are, "in the public interest" is wholly wrong in my view. It is gutter journalism at its very worst.
BBC - serves you right! Pay up please NOW.
The argument that publicity encourages others to come forward is fallacious. If people have a genuine case come forward NOW.
See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44871799
Now, if such an accused is found guilty the full force of the law will fall on him or her. If innocent, their reputation will be tarnished for ever by the mob. There are several occasions when reputations have been ruined without due cause.
The answer is simple: people are innocent and anonymous until proved guilty in a court of law. There is no place for innocent people being judged by the mob and the press. Saying such intrusions are, "in the public interest" is wholly wrong in my view. It is gutter journalism at its very worst.
BBC - serves you right! Pay up please NOW.
The argument that publicity encourages others to come forward is fallacious. If people have a genuine case come forward NOW.
See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44871799
10m FT8
For a change, I decided to go on 10m FT8 today. A quick FT8 CQ brought a reply from DL2MEL (871km) but no other spots.
On 10m FT8 TX I use 2.5W which should be widely copied in Europe by Es. Initial conclusions are that there are far fewer on 10m FT8 than 6m FT8 or that my 10m antenna is quite poor. Of course, it could be conditions on 10m Es are not as good as yesterday when I was widely spotted on 10m WSPR with the same antenna and 500mW.
At this time of year I would have expected 10m FT8 to be quite busy. Anyway, I shall stick with 10m FT8 today and see what happens.
UPDATE 0945z: Did I speak too soon? Now spotted 12 different stations on 10m FT8 RX all over Europe and the Canary Isles.
UPDATE 1336z: At the moment I am spotting a similar number of stations to those spotted on 6m FT8 yesterday. Most of these look like Es.
UPDATE 1928z: Seven South Americans spotted on 10m FT8 today so far. Time to go QRT now.
On 10m FT8 TX I use 2.5W which should be widely copied in Europe by Es. Initial conclusions are that there are far fewer on 10m FT8 than 6m FT8 or that my 10m antenna is quite poor. Of course, it could be conditions on 10m Es are not as good as yesterday when I was widely spotted on 10m WSPR with the same antenna and 500mW.
At this time of year I would have expected 10m FT8 to be quite busy. Anyway, I shall stick with 10m FT8 today and see what happens.
UPDATE 0945z: Did I speak too soon? Now spotted 12 different stations on 10m FT8 RX all over Europe and the Canary Isles.
UPDATE 1336z: At the moment I am spotting a similar number of stations to those spotted on 6m FT8 yesterday. Most of these look like Es.
UPDATE 1928z: Seven South Americans spotted on 10m FT8 today so far. Time to go QRT now.
17 Jul 2018
2m UKAC contest last week
Results for this evening activity contest (held a week ago) have now been published. Because of my poor voice I only stay on for a short period.
From the results it shows I've climbed to 67th out of 153 in the low power section. Conditions were good last week and a German near Hamburg was worked which is not bad for 5W and a big wheel.
Although very far from a "real" contester, this and the 70cm UKAC contests are friendly and enjoyable: they are good for my voice and often get me a few new squares.
From the results it shows I've climbed to 67th out of 153 in the low power section. Conditions were good last week and a German near Hamburg was worked which is not bad for 5W and a big wheel.
Although very far from a "real" contester, this and the 70cm UKAC contests are friendly and enjoyable: they are good for my voice and often get me a few new squares.
Met Office weather app feedback - NOT amateur radio
The Met Office asked me for feedback on their app, so I sent some. Sadly, I got back a computer generated reply.
Last night at 9.40pm it said, "60% chance of rain at 10pm and 80% chance of rain at 11pm". Rain? What rain? At 10pm it had changed to a 10% chance at 10pm and 11pm.
Despite very expensive super computers they appear to have not a clue. OK, I know UK weather is complex but unless we have a period of long hot weather looking at forecasts is a joke.
Last night at 9.40pm it said, "60% chance of rain at 10pm and 80% chance of rain at 11pm". Rain? What rain? At 10pm it had changed to a 10% chance at 10pm and 11pm.
Despite very expensive super computers they appear to have not a clue. OK, I know UK weather is complex but unless we have a period of long hot weather looking at forecasts is a joke.
60m (5MHz) in Slovenia
Southgate News reports that class A licencees will have access to the WRC band. When will the UK get this band? OK, it is only a secondary allocation and only 15kHz wide, yet becoming widely available.
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/july/60m-band-allocation-for-slovenia.htm#.W02-cPZFzIU .
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/july/60m-band-allocation-for-slovenia.htm#.W02-cPZFzIU .
6m FT8 RX
This morning, I am exclusively monitoring 6m FT8 RX. Lots of southern European Es, but nothing outside Europe as yet.
UPDATE 1000z: Canary Islands spotted (Es?) - EA8ACW (2988km). Lots of Es from Europe. So far, 51 different stations in 13 countries spotted on 6m FT8 RX this morning.
UPDATE 1507z: Over 100 different stations in 25 countries and 2 continents spotted on 6m FT8 RX so far today. Certainly for European Es on 6m, today has been a good day.
UPDATE 1940z: Best DX today spotted on 6m FT8 RX is FM5AN (6792km) on Martinique in the Caribbean. This station was widely spotted in the USA and Europe, so I am pretty sure it is genuine.
UPDATE 1000z: Canary Islands spotted (Es?) - EA8ACW (2988km). Lots of Es from Europe. So far, 51 different stations in 13 countries spotted on 6m FT8 RX this morning.
UPDATE 1507z: Over 100 different stations in 25 countries and 2 continents spotted on 6m FT8 RX so far today. Certainly for European Es on 6m, today has been a good day.
UPDATE 1940z: Best DX today spotted on 6m FT8 RX is FM5AN (6792km) on Martinique in the Caribbean. This station was widely spotted in the USA and Europe, so I am pretty sure it is genuine.
10m WSPR TX (500mW)
My WSPR beacon has been on since just after breakfast with lots of Es spots already. Yet again (could well be Es) the best DX is from EA8BFK (2880km) in the Canary Isles who has spotted me 17 times today already by 0950z.
UPDATE 1512z: Although there has been plenty of Es about I have received spots from only 3 different stations in 10m WSPR today. I might try 10m FT8 tomorrow. Certainly on 6m FT8 seems more popular.
UPDATE 2044z: 16 different stations spotted my 10m WSPR 500mW beacon today.
UPDATE 1512z: Although there has been plenty of Es about I have received spots from only 3 different stations in 10m WSPR today. I might try 10m FT8 tomorrow. Certainly on 6m FT8 seems more popular.
UPDATE 2044z: 16 different stations spotted my 10m WSPR 500mW beacon today.
Sunspots - Tuesday July 17th 2018
Yet again, the sunspot number is zero. We can expect days without sunspots in the next few years as we approach the solar minimum. Next winter could be dire with little Es to liven things up. Solar flux is 72. A=9 and K=3.
Another good Es day?
With early spots on both 10m and 6m, today promises another good day on Es. We will see!
16 Jul 2018
Which planet? - NOT amateur radio
So, the US president has met the Russian leader and, allegedly, blamed the FBI rather than Russia for interfering in the 2016 presidential election. Now, I have no wish to interfere in US politics, but to those of us in the rest of the world his judgement seems "bizarre". This is being charitable.
With BREXIT, one could argue who am I to judge? Just my opinion, but shared by many.
See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-44852812 .
With BREXIT, one could argue who am I to judge? Just my opinion, but shared by many.
See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-44852812 .
PSK reporter maps - changes
PSKreporter is used often here to see what is being spotted on 6m FT8. Today I went on and there appears to be some changes to the maps. For now, I am reserving judgment. I quite liked the "old" style, but perhaps I am just a boring old man! Some would be ruder!
I have not tried the maps with other modes. Usually I choose "FT8" from the drop down menu.
See https://www.pskreporter.info/pskmap.html
I have not tried the maps with other modes. Usually I choose "FT8" from the drop down menu.
See https://www.pskreporter.info/pskmap.html
10m WSPR TX (500mW)
Yet again, as the antenna is free, I am on 10m WSPR TX with my little "stand alone" WSPR beacon. Already, several spots from Austria by OE4LTB (1270km).
UPDATE 0934z: Spots received from all over central Europe on 10m WSPR TX. Today looks promising.
UPDATE 1320z: 118 spots so far today on 10m WSPR with spots from 8 different stations with EA8BFK (2880km) again being the best.
UPDATE 2016z: A good day on 10m WSPR. In all, to now, 167 spots by 10 different stations.
UPDATE 0934z: Spots received from all over central Europe on 10m WSPR TX. Today looks promising.
UPDATE 1320z: 118 spots so far today on 10m WSPR with spots from 8 different stations with EA8BFK (2880km) again being the best.
UPDATE 2016z: A good day on 10m WSPR. In all, to now, 167 spots by 10 different stations.
Kingsbridge, Devon - NOT amateur radio
If you know the area you will know Kingsbridge is the "capital" of the South Hams and about 5 miles north of Salcombe, these days an expensive yachting centre for those with lots of money and small brains.
The South Hams is a beautiful, largely unspoilt, area of Devon.
6m FT8
Yet again, I am monitoring 6m FT8.
Yesterday, we had some great Es with plenty of stations spotted throughout Europe and North Africa. This morning (0850z), there is already Es from northern Spain and Sicily. No "real" DX spotted yet on 6m FT8 RX.
A brief period on TX (2.5W) got several G spots.
Sadly, I have not managed to copy east Asia on 6m FT8 RX. There have been some openings, but I guess my basic set-up is not good enough. It was easier on JT65 last year!
UPDATE 0930z: EU Es is good today. Already 18 different stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX in 9 countries
UPDATE 1058z: S01WS (3043km) in Western Sahara now being spotted. He is being spotted all over Europe, so I believe this is genuine. Lots of Es on 6m FT8.
Yesterday, we had some great Es with plenty of stations spotted throughout Europe and North Africa. This morning (0850z), there is already Es from northern Spain and Sicily. No "real" DX spotted yet on 6m FT8 RX.
A brief period on TX (2.5W) got several G spots.
Sadly, I have not managed to copy east Asia on 6m FT8 RX. There have been some openings, but I guess my basic set-up is not good enough. It was easier on JT65 last year!
UPDATE 0930z: EU Es is good today. Already 18 different stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX in 9 countries
UPDATE 1058z: S01WS (3043km) in Western Sahara now being spotted. He is being spotted all over Europe, so I believe this is genuine. Lots of Es on 6m FT8.
15 Jul 2018
Football World Cup - NOT amateur radio
Although not a great football fan, this was a good final between France and Croatia. France won 4:2. The match was good spirited and Croatia battled to the end. Whatever one's views on Russia politically, the World Cup went off well.
England got further than in a long time and, on the whole, fans were well behaved.
It would be good if we had a few more English players in the Premier League. Apparently only a third of Premier League players are English. This is a pity when we have a pool of good players who would qualify. I guess the teams are motivated by money and profits. Shame.
England got further than in a long time and, on the whole, fans were well behaved.
It would be good if we had a few more English players in the Premier League. Apparently only a third of Premier League players are English. This is a pity when we have a pool of good players who would qualify. I guess the teams are motivated by money and profits. Shame.
Australian friends - NOT amateur radio
The kids loved the windmill next door, which they had to visit!
Sky last night - NOT amateur radio
10m WSPR TX (500mW)
Today just IK0DMQ (1484km) spotting me. In the last day, 8 different stations spotted my 10m WSPR TX.
UPDATE 1714z: 9 different stations have spotted my 500mW WSPR beacon today with the best again being by EA8BFK (2880km).
UPDATE 1714z: 9 different stations have spotted my 500mW WSPR beacon today with the best again being by EA8BFK (2880km).
Genuine 6m from the USA
Around teatime last night a couple of USA stations in Florida USA were spotted on 6m FT8 RX. Best DX was WX4G (7171km). This station was widely spotted in the USA and Europe, so I am pretty sure this is genuine.
Yet again, G stations are spotting and calling Japanese stations on 6m FT8 this morning, although none have been spotted here.
So far this season, 5 continents spotted on 6m FT8 RX, even with my V2000 omni vertical and CB coax feed. Others with better systems will have done much better, but it shows just a basic set-up works!
UPDATE 0914z: Just EU Es and Gs spotted here today so far on 6m FT8.
UPDATE 1006z: So far today on 6m FT8 RX, 31 different stations in 11 countries.
UPDATE 2013z: A good Es day on 6m FT8. These are the stations spotted on the band in the last half day.
UPDATE 2042z: A brief 6m FT8 QSO with an EA7 was spotted widely in southern Europe at up to +4dB S/N. Classic Es. And I was still using 2.5W to my vertical omni V2000. Although I was going to go QRT, I decided to stay on RX.
Yet again, G stations are spotting and calling Japanese stations on 6m FT8 this morning, although none have been spotted here.
So far this season, 5 continents spotted on 6m FT8 RX, even with my V2000 omni vertical and CB coax feed. Others with better systems will have done much better, but it shows just a basic set-up works!
UPDATE 0914z: Just EU Es and Gs spotted here today so far on 6m FT8.
UPDATE 1006z: So far today on 6m FT8 RX, 31 different stations in 11 countries.
UPDATE 2013z: A good Es day on 6m FT8. These are the stations spotted on the band in the last half day.
14 Jul 2018
Patio flowers - NOT amateur radio
The flowers usually get watered every other day and look fine this year. Our cosmos has only just flowered and we expected this to be out weeks ago.
10m WSPR TX (500mW)
Although I have been on 10m WSPR TX, no spots so far today.
UPDATE 1300z: A couple of German stations spotted me on 10m WSPR about an hour ago.
UPDATE 1300z: A couple of German stations spotted me on 10m WSPR about an hour ago.
6m FT8
JAs were being called by UK stations earlier on 6m FT8. Sadly, I spotted none. I called CQ with 2.5W and got 6 spots and a QSO with G3TXF (334km) in north Devon on 6m FT8. There is some Es about on the band from southern Europe, but it is not exactly "humming".
UPDATE 1302z: 22 different stations in 9 countries so far today on 6m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1652z: Pirate? I am very suspicious of a station spotted on 6m FT8 RX that is supposed to be in Guinea (3X9KFM). The only spots of him are very strong reports from the UK. If real, I would have expected spots more widely. These days, sadly, pirates are all to common. I hope I am proved wrong.
UPDATE 1656z: Es widely applicable on 6m FT8 RX today. Best DX (excluding the 3X9) is 4X4DK (3580km).
UPDATE 1302z: 22 different stations in 9 countries so far today on 6m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1652z: Pirate? I am very suspicious of a station spotted on 6m FT8 RX that is supposed to be in Guinea (3X9KFM). The only spots of him are very strong reports from the UK. If real, I would have expected spots more widely. These days, sadly, pirates are all to common. I hope I am proved wrong.
UPDATE 1656z: Es widely applicable on 6m FT8 RX today. Best DX (excluding the 3X9) is 4X4DK (3580km).
13 Jul 2018
Irish low VHF allocations
Amateurs in Eire have been given generous allocations at low VHF and a bandplan has now been created. This aligns with allocations made in other countries for beacons. It would be great if small allocations at 40MHz could be made across Region 1. Even a small allocation would allow Es research. Will it happen? Yes, if more people press their national bodies. These allocations could be quite small and take-up is likely to be small as no commercial gear is available.
See https://www.irts.ie/cgi/st.cgi?downloads .
See https://www.irts.ie/cgi/st.cgi?downloads .
International Lighthouse Weekend
In August (18th-19th_, there will be activations from several lighthouses around the world.
See https://illw.net/ for more details.
See https://illw.net/ for more details.
How do they do it?
I expect these are made in China and that nowadays these are very integrated. Maybe I'll find a "tear-down" video somewhere showing just what is inside. And to think our first UHF handhelds sold for £700+ in the early 1970s!
See https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=wm#inbox/164939fe6ccb816c
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