Autumn coming - NOT amateur radio

Already there are signs that autumn is here. Some of the trees in our garden have started to lose leaves and by the end of the month many will be bare. The photo shows an avenue at Anglesey Abbey already showing signs.

2m FT8

When in the home, but out of the shack, I tend to go on 2m FT8 often. This is true at the moment. So far today, 8 stations spotted in 4 countries. Not sure if these are aircraft reflections or tropo. Judging by the strengths, I suspect some were tropo and some were off aircraft.

Later this afternoon I shall probably switch to 10m FT8 to see if South Americans are, yet again, spotted.

A few CQ calls were not spotted at all, which is quite unusual. Perhaps there are less people monitoring 2m FT8?

UPDATE 1126z: A CQ on 2m FT8 (2.5W) was spotted again by no-one. On 2m FT8 RX 18 stations in 5 countries spotted so far.

UPDATE 1316z: Mystery solved!! After several CQ calls on 2m FT8, I was wondering why no-one was spotting me. I went into the shack, called CQ and monitored the power - nothing! In the end I discovered the FT817ND was set to USB and not DIG so it was looking for audio via the mic rather than data lead. After changing the setting both modulation and power appeared and 3 spots immediately followed. Doh! Best DX on 2m FT8 TX (2.5W to the omni antenna) is G4RRA (334km) in Devon.

UPDATE 1330z: Best DX on 2m FT8 RX is DJ6AG (689km) in Lower Saxony, Germany. So far today, 22 stations in 6 countries on 2m FT8 RX.

Sunspots - Wednesday October 3rd 2018

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN 14. A=8 and K=1.

2m UKAC RSGB activity contest

In the October leg of the 2m UKAC RSGB activity contest, I made 6 QSOs in the short time I was on. Best DX was G6DOD/P (216km) on the Isle of Wight. As usual I was using 5W and the big-wheel omni antenna.

MF WSPR

After the 2m contest I QSYed to 472kHz (630m) WSPR. So far, the usual suspects copying my 10mW ERP and the same stations being copied.

2m activity contest this evening

The October leg of the 2m activity contest (UKAC) organised by the RSGB starts at 1900z this evening. I usually enter and send a log in, although I rarely stay on long because of my poor voice. 30-60 minutes and I am done in!

I run 5W to my big-wheel omni antenna. These days, I seem to work (or get spotted) far further with 2m FT8, which does not strain my voice. Most contests I work out to about 200km on SSB. My best is much further.

As I have said many times before, this is a very friendly contest with lots of activity. If you don't want to, there is no compulsion to send in a log. It is a great chance to work a few new stations and squares. As I usually work fewer than 10 stations it is quick to transcribe my logs.

UPDATE 2040z: I was late on tonight and could not stop on long. 6 stations worked in 5 squares with 5W and the omni antenna. I have yet to work out the best DX.

Return to 10m FT8

After a few hours on 2m, I have returned to 10m FT8 and already spotted loads of EU stations and had a few 2-way QSOs. Will 10m open to South America later?

A CQ (2.5W) was spotted by CS7AOL (1457km) and a QSO resulted.

UPDATE 1650z: So far today, 36 stations in 10 EU countries spotted on 10m FT8. 10m dead?

UPDATE 1752z: Best DX on 10m FT8 RX is currently ZD7GWM (7605km) on St Helena.

UPDATE 1818z: So far today 46 stations spotted in 12 countries and 3 continents today on 10m FT8. Hardly dead!

UPDATE 1856z: Already a couple of South American stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX this evening. So far, 51 stations spotted in 14 countries.

2m FT8

Just before lunch I switched to 2m FT8 (2.5W to the omni antenna). No QSOs but yet again I was spotted by G7RAU (461km) on The Lizard in Cornwall and by GW3ATZ (248km) in north Wales. I shall probably stick with 2m FT8 until late this afternoon when I'll probably return to 10m FT8.

OFCOM Communications Monthly

Apparently OFCOM has issued its latest monthly update. In my email the header says September. In the email body it says August. Well, I guess this is not bad for primary school children.

I cannot give you the link as I could not see it in the email.

Trump and drink - NOT amateur radio

At least he is sober with that nuclear trigger. Otherwise, do we care?

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-45713170/trump-i-d-be-the-world-s-worst-drinker

That IC7300 fan...

Well, it seems the IC7300 fan questions remains unanswered. Unless I am told the fan is a non-issue, I shall delay buying one.

As I said in my comment, as soon as I buy a 100W version, they will CE approve and sell the QRP version in the UK for £799 and the IC7300 price will drop to £999!

Back on 10m FT8 again

Yesterday was good on 10m FT8 with some 2-way QSOs, quite a few UK and Europeans spotted and then 8 South Americans spotted in the evening.

Today I am back on 10m FT8, mainly RX but with the odd CQ (2.5W). So far one 9A spotted and my own signal spotted by M0ZWW (127km) in Coventry.

UPDATE 1036z: Well, my 10m FT8 CQ a few minutes ago was spotted by 9A6W (1541km). Best DX on 10m FT8 RX is EA5RR (1584km). 10m still has propagation, although few realise!

UPDATE 1058z: Plenty of spots of my 10m FT8 2.5W CQs. See photo.

Spots of my 10m FT8 CQs (2.5W) this morning

Sunspots - Tuesday October 2nd 2018

Solar flux is 70 today and the SSN 14. A=9 and K=4.

IC7300 fan questions (again)

Basically, these questions were asked a few weeks ago, but I did not get a decent reply. If you know the answer(s) please post them here or send me an email.

My basic questions are about the IC7300 fan noise. As a confirmed QRPer it is very unlikely high power would be used. Mostly 10W or less would be used if I bought one. It is by no means certain I shall buy one.

My questions are these:

1. Is the IC7300 fan noisy? 
2. If operating at well below maximum power does the fan run quieter?
3. Does the fan only operate when the rig gets hot?
4. Does the fan only operate on TX?

On the IC706, which I briefly owned, the fan was very annoying. I have seen mods to change the IC7300 fan to a quieter one, but I would be reluctant to do this on a radio still under guarantee. Running at way below maximum power, I may be unnecessarily worried.

If you can help, please let me know.

QRT

I went QRT at 2000z. Overnight I am not active on any bands RX or TX.

Big skies - NOT amateur radio

In East Anglia hills and mountains are hard to come by! What we do have are big skies. Norfolk and Suffolk have more hills than you might expect, but these tend to be gentle hills rarely over 100m ASL. We also have lots of medieval churches with round towers!

The photo was taken from a moving car about 1 mile from our home in Cambridgeshire.

Autumn apples - NOT amateur radio

The orchard in the garden next door is laden with apples. The photo shows a few windfalls in another garden.

Solar data

Early every month I take a look at the latest solar data. As yet, my source has not been updated with the summary for September.

We are approaching the next solar minimum so we can expect long periods when the sun will be spotless. This could well go on into 2021. The next minimum will probably be 2020. I also keep a watchful eye on predictions for cycle 25. The last forecast was expecting cycle 25 to be similar to cycle 24.

See http://www.solen.info/solar/

UPDATE 1552z: The data for September is now there. At the moment, the forecast is that we are already very close to the solar minimum. The next few months will give us a better idea. One of the graphs shows us already at solar minimum. Let's hope this is right.

See http://www.solen.info/solar/images/cycles23_24.png

More problems for the Chinese?

In a report today on Southgate News I see that New Zealand is trying to put a stop to the illegal import of unlicenced radios that can go outside amateur bands. This could impact people like Baofeng who sell cheap wideband radios. There is also a clamp-down in the USA.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/october/update-on-the-prohibition-of-unrestricted-two-way-radios-in-new-zealand.htm#.W7HlHvZFzIU

10m FT8

For a change, I am on 10m FT8 (2.5W), mostly RX with the occasional CQ. So far, no spots of others and 1 spot of me from GM4WJA (624km). Not sure of the propagation mode.

UPDATE 1025z: No further 10m FT8 spots on RX or TX.

UPDATE 1107z: A surprise FT8 QSO (in answer to my CQ call) with CS7AOL (1457km). No other spots.

UPDATE 1505z: 5 stations in 4 countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1542z: I am again calling CQ (2.5W). The impression I am getting is that transient E layer openings are still occurring, albeit less frequently than in the peak Es months, but there are fewer people on now: I guess they think 10m is "dead" and look elsewhere sadly.  At least with FT8 it concentrates activity and works with weak signals. As long as the station is there for 15 seconds, it gets spotted.

UPDATE 1907z: Several more Europeans spotted plus several South Americans (8). Sadly, no-one has spotted my CQs from outside Europe except EA8CYL (2990km) in the Canary Is off Africa.

Where my 2.5W 10m FT8 was spotted today

Stations spotted on 10m FT8 today

Sunspots - Monday October 1st 2018

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN 13. A=6 and K=2.

Overnight on MF WSPR

8 unique spots of my 10mW ERP 472kHz WSPR over night, with best DX a spot from PA3ABK (306km).

472kHz WSPR

I have now QSYed to 472kHz (630m) WSPR transceive with 10mW from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

My 10m WSPR beacon is (for now) still TXing.

PSK Reporter

Personally I find PSK reporter maps very useful. Calling CQ on 2m FT8 QRP I often get no QSOs, but a look at the map shows that actually I was reaching many stations in several countries.

See https://www.pskreporter.info/pskmap.html

5G spectrum

Our high microwave allocations are under threat as possible spectrum is allocated for 5G. According to Southgate News the FCC is to auction 24GHz and 47GHz spectrum. The RSGB has made complaints already about UK 5G allocations.

If 5G is to use 47GHz, they will need masts on every street!! At least microwave parts should be cheap.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/september/fcc-24-and-47-ghz-5g-spectrum-auction.htm#.W7CJdfZFzIU

10m WSPR

As the antenna is free I am on 10m WSPR TX (500mW) again, but no spots so far.

UPDATE 1050z: Just a spot by DK6UG (633km) so far today on 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 1357z: Two spots received today. In addition to DK6UG, IZ3LCH (1149km) has spotted me.

Sunspots - Sunday September 30th 2018

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN 13 (yes spots!!). A=10 and K=3

Early morning mist - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday morning we were up early to travel from Ely to Canterbury by train to see our son and family. There was a mist over the fields and frost on our car window! The photo shows the view from the railway station shortly before our train left. Ely Cathedral looked amazing rising over the mist.

One of our grandaughters - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday we went to Kent to see our son and family. They live east of Canterbury in a cottage dating from the 1700s.

Our granddaughter likes dancing and has a fine voice when she sings. The photo shows her in her front garden.

2m FT8

As I was away most of yesterday l stayed on 2m FT8 overnight. Currently 37 different stations spotted in the last 12 hours with a couple of stations  in northernmost Spain.

UPDATE 1044z: Well, I was copied with my 2.5W to an omni in NW Spain on 2m! So far today, 44 stations in 6 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX. EA1UR (1192km) is my best DX on RX and TX.  After replying to my CQ he was lost in QSB.

Note the station in NW Spain who copied my QRP 2m signal

UPDATE 1425z: Now 57 stations in 7 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX today so far.

UPDATE 1452z: A recent 2m FT8 CQ (2.5W to the omni) resulted in no QSOs, but I was spotted (again) by G7RAU (461km) and GI6ATZ (479km), as well as others. On FT8 it seems the impossible is possible.

2m FT8

We have just got back from seeing our son's family in Kent and I decided to try 2m FT8.

Best DX spot for my 2.5W CQ to my big-wheel was M0MST (162km). On 2m FT8 RX the best DX so far is DJ6AG (689km). So far, 6 stations in 3 countries spotted.

UPDATE 2016z:  Now 28 stations in 8 countries with best DX on 2m FT8 RX EA1UR (1195km) in north west Spain.

Sunspots - Saturday September 29th 2018

Solar flux is 66 (very low) and the sunspot number zero. A=8 and K=2.

QRT on all bands

At about 2015z I pulled the big switch and went QRT on all bands. I should be back on later tomorrow. 2m FT8 was great and there was even some activity on 10m FT8.

National Hamfest (Newark)

Friday and Saturday is the National Hamfest in Newark. This is the biggest rally in the UK.  The main dealers will be there with some bargains. Among them is MLS. If you are after a deal, now is probably a good time.

See https://www.hamradio.co.uk/

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

Although active for several hours, no spots as yet.

UPDATE 1624z: Six spots this morning by EA8BFK (2880km). I guess this is F2.

2m FT8

A CQ call (2.5W to the omni) just before breakfast was spotted by 5 stations in 2 countries. Yet again G7RAU (461km) in IN79 square copied me. This never seems to fail. Currently I am RX only.

UPDATE 1158z: At present 16 stations in 4 countries spotted so far on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1600z: 22 stations in 5 countries now on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1830z: 29 stations in 7 countries today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1915z: 32 stations in 7 countries today with best DX DJ6AG (689km).

Last swallow (bird)? - NOT amateur radio

Swallows migrate to us for the summer to breed and fly off deep into southern Africa for the winter. I guess food is easier to find but it is a very long way.

At breakfast I saw one solitary swallow and that may be the last here now until next April. There were 40000 seen at Slapton, Devon a few days ago presumably as they gathered to feed prior to migrating south.

Safe trip and hopefully see you next spring.

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

Sunspots - Friday September 28th 2018

Solar flux is 67 today and the SSN still zero. A=7 and K=3.

US Supreme Court Judge - NOT amateur radio

In the USA, Brett Kavanaugh is being grilled by the senate. Now, I am no fan of President Trump or his style of leadership and I do not think sexual predators should be in high office.

However, people change and we all did stupid things in our teenage years. What matters is how we are as adults. Things that happened way back should not count against us today. My view, others may disagree.

If people were groped years and years ago, should this count against people today? I know it is sometimes hard for those assaulted to come forward sooner, but is such cases a long time is indeed a long time.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-45673888/brett-kavanaugh-i-am-innocent-of-this-charge

472kHz WSPR

After a great day on 2m FT8, I have QSYed to 630m (472kHz) WSPR with 10mW ERP using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Comparing what I spot with G4KPX, I know I am several dBs down in sensitivity. However, my set-up is small and invisible! Only spotted by a couple of Gs so far this evening.

Stations received so far this evening