A lot of us spend a lot of our time worrying about tomorrow. Often, what we most fear does not happen!
There is a technique which may help. This has rapidly turned into a word for our time, but there is good science behind it. Mindfulness.
Sometimes we have to think about tomorrow, but perhaps we spend too much of our time needlessly worrying, when we should concentrate on enjoying the good things around us now.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindfulness
19 Oct 2018
10m FT8 again
Rather than 10m WSPR, I have again opted for 10m FT8 today. An earlier CQ was spotted by no-one and, as yet, no-one spotted! Not a great start I have to admit. 😕
Nonetheless, I shall stick with the band and put out the odd QRP CQ on 10m FT8 now and again. In the past few days, the best DX came through in the early evening.
UPDATE 1317z: Apart from a couple of German stations spotted this morning, all very quiet on 10m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1410z: Surprise, surprise! A recent QRP CQ (2.5W) on 10m FT8 was spotted by GW4BVE (237km). No QSOs though. Tropo or aircraft?
UPDATE 1652z: G4CJC (74km) in north London spotted on 10m FT8 RX. No DX. A CQ earlier (2.5W) got no spots! Will we see South Americans tonight?
UPDATE 1949z: Only a single South American this evening here on 10m FT8 RX - PU5FGR (10026km). I am not sure if this was just a poor night or the end of the propagation for the season. At 2000z I shall go QRT on 10m as I think that is it for today. Just 6 stations, 4 countries, 3 continents today on 10m FT8 RX. I'll try again tomorrow.
Nonetheless, I shall stick with the band and put out the odd QRP CQ on 10m FT8 now and again. In the past few days, the best DX came through in the early evening.
UPDATE 1317z: Apart from a couple of German stations spotted this morning, all very quiet on 10m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1410z: Surprise, surprise! A recent QRP CQ (2.5W) on 10m FT8 was spotted by GW4BVE (237km). No QSOs though. Tropo or aircraft?
UPDATE 1652z: G4CJC (74km) in north London spotted on 10m FT8 RX. No DX. A CQ earlier (2.5W) got no spots! Will we see South Americans tonight?
UPDATE 1949z: Only a single South American this evening here on 10m FT8 RX - PU5FGR (10026km). I am not sure if this was just a poor night or the end of the propagation for the season. At 2000z I shall go QRT on 10m as I think that is it for today. Just 6 stations, 4 countries, 3 continents today on 10m FT8 RX. I'll try again tomorrow.
Coming autumn - NOT amateur radio
Spiders web on the window earlier |
The seasons are great: each has something special: the long warm summer evenings and snuggling in front of the fire on a cold winter evening.
Labels:
autumn
Sunspots - Friday October 19th 2018
Solar flux is 69 today and the sunspot number has returned to zero. A=2 and K=0.
Labels:
sunspots
10m Simple Sideband
My health has not been good for over 5 years, so work on this project stopped sadly.
The ideas were good ones and I am sure there is mileage for someone to progress these. What I really want is for someone to take this on and produce a really simple kit including a PCB and all the parts.
Every summer, such a rig would work right across Europe on 10m. In a few years real DX should be possible with modest wire antennas.
It would make a nice club project. First of all, someone needs to finish the development!
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/10msimple_sb
The ideas were good ones and I am sure there is mileage for someone to progress these. What I really want is for someone to take this on and produce a really simple kit including a PCB and all the parts.
Every summer, such a rig would work right across Europe on 10m. In a few years real DX should be possible with modest wire antennas.
It would make a nice club project. First of all, someone needs to finish the development!
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/10msimple_sb
18 Oct 2018
Now 10m FT8
Every time I have looked recently, 10m FT8 has been "open" to South America early evenings. So, I have QSYed from 2m FT8 to 10m FT8. We'll see. My antenna is not too brilliant either, so I'm sure others will do much better.
UPDATE 1615z: Just a spot of G4DJB (128km) so far on 10m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1750z: Several South Americans and the Falkland Is stations now coming through. 12 stations in 7 countries in 3 continents spotted today on 10m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 2000z: Now QRT on all bands. Yet again, loads of South Americans (14 in all) spotted on 10m FT8 RX today.
UPDATE 1615z: Just a spot of G4DJB (128km) so far on 10m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1750z: Several South Americans and the Falkland Is stations now coming through. 12 stations in 7 countries in 3 continents spotted today on 10m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 2000z: Now QRT on all bands. Yet again, loads of South Americans (14 in all) spotted on 10m FT8 RX today.
Local bakers - NOT amateur radio
Yesterday I showed a photo outside our local bakery that looked like a dead rat, but which was actually ivy. Should have gone to Specsavers!
This baker makes excellent soft rolls - far better than those at nearby supermarkets. They do a good trade in filled rolls to passing workmen.
This baker makes excellent soft rolls - far better than those at nearby supermarkets. They do a good trade in filled rolls to passing workmen.
Labels:
bakers
Rallies this weekend
Saturday 20 OCTOBER : CARRICKFERGUS AMATEUR RADIO CLUB RALLY
Downshire Secondary School, Downshire Road, Carrickfergus. Doors open at 12 noon - all welcome. For more details, please contact Liz Forde, MI6GHA, Club Secretary, elizabethforde64@yahoo.com.
Volunteer Hall, St Johns Street, Galashiels TD13JX. Doors open at 11.15am with disabled visitors gaining access at 11am. There will be traders a Bring & Buy and refreshments available on site. Admission is £2.50.
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rall ies/
Downshire Secondary School, Downshire Road, Carrickfergus. Doors open at 12 noon - all welcome. For more details, please contact Liz Forde, MI6GHA, Club Secretary, elizabethforde64@yahoo.com.
Sunday 21 OCTOBER : GALASHIELS RADIO RALLY
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rall
Labels:
rally
Grumpy old man! - NOT amateur radio
Yes, don't tell me as I already know - I have definitely become a grumpy old man!
When I was waiting for my Park and Ride bus earlier, it seemed that everyone under 25 was on their smart phone.
When I was waiting for my Park and Ride bus earlier, it seemed that everyone under 25 was on their smart phone.
Labels:
mobile phone
Disappointment on 472kHz WSPR
Overnight I was on 472kHz WSPR, but only a couple of stations spotted my 10mW ERP this time. On RX, I again spotted Italy and Norway. Perhaps the rising noise floor is clobbering my little signal? Or is the novelty wearing off and there are fewer stations? Often according to WSPRnet there are very few UK stations on TX on 472kHz.
RadCom article
Much to my amazement, my short article on FT8 has been published in November RadCom. I was hoping to see it in a few months, but this took me totally by surprise!
Sunspots - Thursday October 18th 2018
Solar flux is 69 today and SSN=11. A=3 and K=1.
Labels:
sunspots
2m FT8
It never seems to fail! Yet again a CQ (2.5W to the big-wheel omni) was copied by 2 Cornish stations on 2m FT8 at around 460km.
At the moment on 2m FT8 RX 4 stations spotted in 4 countries with best DX DL2PK (448km).
UPDATE 1325z: 27 stations in 7 countries so far on 2m FT8 RX today. Best DX is DJ6GK (607km).
UPDATE 1620z: Another great day. Now QSYed to 10m FT8 RX.
At the moment on 2m FT8 RX 4 stations spotted in 4 countries with best DX DL2PK (448km).
UPDATE 1325z: 27 stations in 7 countries so far on 2m FT8 RX today. Best DX is DJ6GK (607km).
UPDATE 1620z: Another great day. Now QSYed to 10m FT8 RX.
Stations spotted today on 2m FT8 RX with a big-wheel omni antenna |
17 Oct 2018
QSY to MF WSPR
Until a little while ago, I had been out of the house. Now back, I have gone onto 472kHz WSPR (20% TX, 10mW ERP). All being well, I shall be on 472kHz until breakfast.
Return to 10m FT8
At about 1535z I went QRT on 2m and returned to 10m FT8. A brief CQ was called (2.5W) but no spots. So far no spots on RX.
UPDATE 1751z: 2 South Americans spotted so far on 10m FT8 RX. This never seems to fail.
UPDATE 2025z: In total 3 South Americans spotted on 10m FT8 RX. Is this conditions worsening?
UPDATE 1751z: 2 South Americans spotted so far on 10m FT8 RX. This never seems to fail.
UPDATE 2025z: In total 3 South Americans spotted on 10m FT8 RX. Is this conditions worsening?
HF and VHF FT8
Although not a great mode for chats, there is no doubt that FT8 has really taken off. DX that was once unimaginable is possible, even with QRP and small antennas. I suspect many put their receivers on FT8, maybe endlessly call CQ, and leave it to see what comes through, looking later. Fewer people will just talk in the future, which is sad. There is even an automatic mode, so you can be gardening whilst your PC is having a QSO!
Certainly for me, real 2m DX is possible every day even with QRP.
The danger is people leave modes like FM, SSB and CW and move instead to FT8. Casual listeners will not "find" amateur radio as we did years ago. How people "find" our hobby is important for the future.
One of my first experiences was accidentally hearing a local amateur on 160m AM. What are the chances of this today?
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/hf-ft8
Certainly for me, real 2m DX is possible every day even with QRP.
The danger is people leave modes like FM, SSB and CW and move instead to FT8. Casual listeners will not "find" amateur radio as we did years ago. How people "find" our hobby is important for the future.
One of my first experiences was accidentally hearing a local amateur on 160m AM. What are the chances of this today?
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/hf-ft8
Labels:
ft8
Dead rat? - NOT amateur radio
This was spotted outside our local bakers.
At first I thought it was a dead, shrivelled up, rat that someone had put there to say, "don't use this bakers".
On closer examination, I could see it was ivy!
BTW, the bakery makes excellent soft rolls!
At first I thought it was a dead, shrivelled up, rat that someone had put there to say, "don't use this bakers".
On closer examination, I could see it was ivy!
BTW, the bakery makes excellent soft rolls!
BREXIT - NOT amateur radio
There is no doubt that Theresa May, the UK PM, must regret the alliance with the DUP in Northern Ireland as it is they who are effectively blocking a withdrawal agreement with the EU. The sticking point is the border with Eire. Neither the EU or UK wants the return of a hard border.
When she held a snap general election we all expected her Conservative government to win an outright majority. Instead, her position weakened and she depends on the DUP for a slim majority. Whatever your views are on BREXIT, this is not a recipe for strong government.
In my view, as no parties want a "no deal" divorce, we will either get more time or a fudge.
When she held a snap general election we all expected her Conservative government to win an outright majority. Instead, her position weakened and she depends on the DUP for a slim majority. Whatever your views are on BREXIT, this is not a recipe for strong government.
In my view, as no parties want a "no deal" divorce, we will either get more time or a fudge.
Short amateur callsigns
According to Southgate News, OFCOM is now issuing 2 letter callsigns for intermediate licences in the UK.
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/october/ofcom-now-issuing-short-2e0xx-intermediate-callsigns.htm#.W8bpO_ZFy00
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/october/ofcom-now-issuing-short-2e0xx-intermediate-callsigns.htm#.W8bpO_ZFy00
Labels:
ofcom,
southgate news
2m FT8 for the day
It never fails! A CQ (2.5W to the big-wheel antenna) was copied by 3 stations including 2 in Cornwall. It seems Cornwall is nearly always within reach. I suspect this is my limit under "no lift" conditions on 2m FT8. With SSB or CW I'd struggle to get half as far!
On 2m FT8 RX, just 2 spots so far - a G in Kent and GM4FVM (428km).
I shall probably return to 10m FT8 later.
UPDATE 0936z: 9 stations spotted in 3 countries so far today on 2m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1021z: 15 stations in 5 countries so far today on 2m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1149z: Now 19 stations in 6 countries spotted today on 2m FT RX.
UPDATE 1530z: Now 35 stations in 7 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.
On 2m FT8 RX, just 2 spots so far - a G in Kent and GM4FVM (428km).
I shall probably return to 10m FT8 later.
UPDATE 0936z: 9 stations spotted in 3 countries so far today on 2m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1021z: 15 stations in 5 countries so far today on 2m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1149z: Now 19 stations in 6 countries spotted today on 2m FT RX.
UPDATE 1530z: Now 35 stations in 7 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.
Last night on 472kHz WSPR
Sunspots - Wednesday October 17th 2018
Solar flux is 69 today and the sunspot number 11. A=5 and K=1.
Labels:
sunspots
16 Oct 2018
QSY to 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP)
As 10m seems to have closed, I QSYed to 472kHz WSPR about 10 minutes ago. A couple of G spots of me (from the reports it looks like my transverter is still settling) and 1 DX spot on 472kHz WSPR RX: DC0DX (467km).
OFCOM technical advice
OFCOM has published technical advice on improving data access for rail passengers.
See https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/123657/Rail-connectivity-advice-DCMS.pdf
See https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/123657/Rail-connectivity-advice-DCMS.pdf
Labels:
ofcom
ICOM IC202 and IC202S
Probably few will recall these QRP portables. They were made by ICOM and followed in the footsteps of the Liner-2.
They had a very good VXO covering a decent part of the SSB band on 2m. Similar rigs were made for 70cm, and, I think, 6m, although I am unsure about this. I expect someone will tell me! (see below)
As you can tell, these had a very "military" look. Mine was mainly used at home, although some impressive 2m SSB DX was worked portable with just the whip antenna.
The quiet VXO made these rigs popular for IFs in EME rigs. I owned an IC202 and used it with a transverter on 10m too. Much DX was worked on QRP SSB.
UPDATE 1535z: Well, Bas (see comment) has pointed out the 6m version was the IC-502.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/ic202
They had a very good VXO covering a decent part of the SSB band on 2m. Similar rigs were made for 70cm, and, I think, 6m, although I am unsure about this. I expect someone will tell me! (see below)
As you can tell, these had a very "military" look. Mine was mainly used at home, although some impressive 2m SSB DX was worked portable with just the whip antenna.
The quiet VXO made these rigs popular for IFs in EME rigs. I owned an IC202 and used it with a transverter on 10m too. Much DX was worked on QRP SSB.
UPDATE 1535z: Well, Bas (see comment) has pointed out the 6m version was the IC-502.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/ic202
Autumn - NOT amateur radio
In the last few days we have had some winds and the tree in our front garden has lost most of its leaves and now looks autumnal.
Chinese lanterns - NOT amateur radio
At this time of the year the plants we call "Chinese Lanterns" are popular. There are some wild and some in garden centres as the ones in the photo.
Labels:
chinese lanterns
Morals - NOT amateur radio
We live, mainly, in a post-religious world. OK there are many that still profess to be Christian, Muslim or whatever, but we live, mainly, as if heaven or hell do not exist and many care not a jot if when we die we just return to nothingness. The truth is no-one is really sure what happens after death, if anything. Even the most vocal atheist is not sure. There is still a lingering doubt.
All this brings me to morals.
In a, largely, post-religious world, what is our moral compass? In the past it was the fear of going to hell. These days what guides us? Generally, we are moral beings, even when we could lead a life of hedonistic excess. What is it that "programs" (most of) us to be moral beings with a sense of right and wrong?
All this brings me to morals.
In a, largely, post-religious world, what is our moral compass? In the past it was the fear of going to hell. These days what guides us? Generally, we are moral beings, even when we could lead a life of hedonistic excess. What is it that "programs" (most of) us to be moral beings with a sense of right and wrong?
Labels:
morals
Es'hail2 satellite
As mentioned before, this Qatari satellite is due to be put up later this year. It is expected to contain both a linear transponder and a TV transponder. Several people are gearing up for it. Unlike most amateur satellites this is in a fixed position. It uses a 2.4GHz uplink and a 10GHz downlink. So once the antennas are aimed, they can be fixed in position.
At the moment I am playing a waiting game. If it is successfully positioned and works as intended, I might try to install gear to receive it.
See https://www.eshailsat.qa/en/satellites/index/
At the moment I am playing a waiting game. If it is successfully positioned and works as intended, I might try to install gear to receive it.
See https://www.eshailsat.qa/en/satellites/index/
Labels:
es'hail2
10m FT8
Yet again, I am on 10m FT8 for the day. A brief CQ earlier was spotted by no-one at all and as yet no stations spotted here. So far, not a great start!
UPDATE 1002z: Still nothing spotted on 10m FT8 this morning!
UPDATE 1117z: So far today on 10m FT8 RX just a couple of Gs spotted with the best DX G0OYQ (177km). Disappointing so far today.
UPDATE 1250z: Best DX on 10m FT8 RX is EA7AAF (1647km).
UPDATE 1701: 4 Spanish stations and a German spotted on 10m FT8 today. No South Americans spotted yet today on 10m.
UPDATE 1757z: The first 2 South Americans on 10m FT8 RX came through here at 1715z. Best DX is currently PY4XX (9252km). It seems that every time I look at 10m FT8 RX I spot South American DX. So far today, 4 South Americans (all in Brazil) spotted.
UPDATE 1945z: About to go QRT on the band. In all, 5 South Americans spotted on 10m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1002z: Still nothing spotted on 10m FT8 this morning!
UPDATE 1117z: So far today on 10m FT8 RX just a couple of Gs spotted with the best DX G0OYQ (177km). Disappointing so far today.
UPDATE 1250z: Best DX on 10m FT8 RX is EA7AAF (1647km).
UPDATE 1701: 4 Spanish stations and a German spotted on 10m FT8 today. No South Americans spotted yet today on 10m.
UPDATE 1757z: The first 2 South Americans on 10m FT8 RX came through here at 1715z. Best DX is currently PY4XX (9252km). It seems that every time I look at 10m FT8 RX I spot South American DX. So far today, 4 South Americans (all in Brazil) spotted.
UPDATE 1945z: About to go QRT on the band. In all, 5 South Americans spotted on 10m FT8 RX.
Spotted in Norway on 472kHz WSPR
Sunspots - Tuesday October 16th 2018
Solar flux is 70 today and the SSN is 22. A=10 and K=3.
Labels:
sunspots
15 Oct 2018
Now on 472kHz WSPR
After another brilliant day on 28MHz FT8, I have now QSYed to 472kHz WSPR. So far, a couple of spots of my 10mW ERP, but no others yet spotted.
Antenna choices
Homebase-10 Antenna |
My main HF interest is 10m and one possibility is a rebuild of my Homebase-10 wire halo for 10m. Via an ATU, the coax to this antenna should match on most HF bands tuned against ground.
Another possibility is my x80 vertical which is in good condition in the garage. This has a 9:1 unun in its base, so a decent match is presented to the rig on most HF bands. Verticals tend to be noisier than horizontals and the x80 can snap in winds.
I could re-erect my Par end-fed. This is very low, especially for 20m and 40m.
At the moment, the favourite is the Homebase-10.
Labels:
antenna
BREXIT and the Northern Ireland border - NOT amateur radio
A politician I am definitely not!
It seems the UK PM is stuck between a rock and a hard place over the only land border that will be between Eire (in the EU) and N. Ireland (shortly to be outside the EU).
The UK does not want a distinction between N. Ireland (Ulster) and the rest of the UK. The EU and UK want no hard border in Ireland.
The EU is playing hardball. In the end we could leave with no deal and the EU and the UK could both suffer. In the end I suspect a fudge is to be expected.
It seems the UK PM is stuck between a rock and a hard place over the only land border that will be between Eire (in the EU) and N. Ireland (shortly to be outside the EU).
The UK does not want a distinction between N. Ireland (Ulster) and the rest of the UK. The EU and UK want no hard border in Ireland.
The EU is playing hardball. In the end we could leave with no deal and the EU and the UK could both suffer. In the end I suspect a fudge is to be expected.
Labels:
brexit
Remote control of the IC-R30 scanner
Southgate News reports that the software to remotely control the IC-R30 scanner can now be obtained free of charge.
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/october/rs-r30-remote-control-software.htm#.W8Rn1vZFy00
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/october/rs-r30-remote-control-software.htm#.W8Rn1vZFy00
Labels:
ic-r30,
southgate news
Repeater Activity
Some while ago, I bought a network radio, which means I can access lots of repeaters via Echolink.
Now, I am not a great repeater user, but it is noticeable how quiet these are compared with 20-30 years ago. This seems to be worldwide issue.
I guess these days there are other ways to communicate if at home and there are fewer amateurs driving to work than 30 odd years ago. I also think roads are busier, so people have to concentrate on the traffic more.
Now, I am not a great repeater user, but it is noticeable how quiet these are compared with 20-30 years ago. This seems to be worldwide issue.
I guess these days there are other ways to communicate if at home and there are fewer amateurs driving to work than 30 odd years ago. I also think roads are busier, so people have to concentrate on the traffic more.
Labels:
repeaters
10m FT8
Yet again, I have decided to go on 10m FT8 for the day. An earlier 2.5W CQ was spotted by no-one!
On RX just one station copied so far, probably by aircraft reflection (but it could be tropo) F8NHF (297km).
UPDATE 1515z: 26 Europeans spotted so far on 10m FT8 RX, but no South Americans.
UPDATE 1518z: The first South American has just been spotted on 10m FT8 RX! PY1VOY (9365km).
UPDATE 1620z: Loads of South Americans plus St Helena spotted on 10m FT8 RX with best DX LU7XZ (13366km).
UPDATE 1740z: 28 South Americans spotted already on 10m FT8 RX!!
On RX just one station copied so far, probably by aircraft reflection (but it could be tropo) F8NHF (297km).
UPDATE 1515z: 26 Europeans spotted so far on 10m FT8 RX, but no South Americans.
UPDATE 1518z: The first South American has just been spotted on 10m FT8 RX! PY1VOY (9365km).
UPDATE 1620z: Loads of South Americans plus St Helena spotted on 10m FT8 RX with best DX LU7XZ (13366km).
10m FT8 RX today to 1620z |
Overnight on 472kHz WSPR
Not a bad night, but not brilliant either. In all, 11 others spotted and my 10mW ERP was spotted by 6 stations.
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