Sunspots - Sunday December 9th 2018

Solar flux is a balmy 71 (well, better than recent days!) and the sunspot number 12. A=10 and K=2.

QSYed to 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP)

At about 1545z (just before dark) I QSYed to MF WSPR. As usual, I am TXing for about 20% of the time (the rest is RX) with about 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. I hope to be active until after breakfast tomorrow. For about 20 minutes my transverter is settling, so I get about 2Hz drift.

Oscar 97

As regular readers will know, in recent years I have done very little with amateur satellites. Way back, I listened to Oscar 6 and 7 and had one contact through a satellite with a 10m band output. That was a very long time ago!  I cannot remember the satellite.

There is a report on Southgate News about the latest Jordanian satellite.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/december/jy1sat-now-jo-97.htm#.XAu5EvZ2u00

10m FT8

Mid-morning I switched to 10m FT8. A short CQ was put out (2.5W), but sadly I got no spots. On RX so far, 5 stations in 4 countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX, although I had a spot of an RA3 that did not appear on PSKreporter. Maybe my internet was down then?

Sunspots - Saturday December 8th 2018

Solar flux is 70 today and the SSN 16. A=10 and K=2.

Yet again, spotted in Norway on 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP)

Last night was average on 472kHz WSPR with best DX LA2XPA (1310km) spotted on RX. The best DX on 472kHz WSPR TX was (yet again) LA3EQ (769km), with 11 spots of my 10mW ERP in total. This was the first time more people spotted me than I spotted.

Spots of my 10mW ERP 472kHz WSPR last night

Stations spotted overnight here on 472kHz WSPR

Elecraft News - December

Every month I get an email saying the latest Elecraft newsletter is available. Elecraft make some fine QRP radios, although they are expensive here in the UK. In many ways their receivers are very good.

See https://elecraft.com/

QSY to 10m FT8 RX

At about 1025z, I QSYed to 10m. As yet, no spots.

UPDATE 1112z: So far, just a 2 stations spotted: MM0HVU (480km) and 2E0RUS (104km). Aircraft reflection? No EUs and no "real DX", well not so far.

UPDATE 1603z: In all, just 5 stations in 4 countries spotted here today on 10m FT8 RX. See Bas's comments below!

Magnetic loops

It is some years since I built and used magnetic loop antennas on HF. They work remarkably well, although they are narrow band and need frequent retuning unless you are using modes like FT8, WSPR or PSK31 where the activity is all concentrated in one place. I recall using a small wire loop in the bedroom and getting WSPR spots from Japan with 20m QRP.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/magloop .

I see Southgate News has a link to a video on magnetic loops.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/december/magnetic-loop-antenna-current-and-voltage-distribution.htm#.XApJVvZ2u00

Last night on topband

Last night, I was on 160m FT8 RX. Overnight 7 North Americans and 1 Caribbean station spotted as well as loads of Europeans. Shortly, I hope to try 10m FT8.

As before, using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground on 160m. Best DX to the west on 160m FT8 RX last night was KC9FFV (7612km) in Texas, USA.

Sunspots - Friday December 7th 2018

Solar flux is 69 today and the SSN 17. A=5 and K=1.

Are we coming out of the solar minimum? Only time will tell. Solar flux is still low,  but the SSN seems to be improving. As they say, "one swallow does not make a summer".  Maybe in a year from now things will be clearer.

Prize - NOT amateur radio

We heard today that our 9 year old grandson was one of 4 chosen to win a prize to be on the front of a Christmas brochure for his school.

For a 9 year old it is amazing. We had to check with his dad to make sure he did it! Yes, he did!

This is far better than his grandparents could do!

Now on 160m FT8

My recent 160m FT8 CQ (2.5W) was spotted by 2 Belgians and by G3TXL (360km) in Devon. On 160m FT8 RX 3 stations in 3 countries spotted so far today.

As usual, I am using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. I am pretty sure this acts like a loop on 160m.

UPDATE 1602z: Now 11 stations in 4 countries spotted today on 160m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2150z: WU1ITU (4831km) was first spotted at 2040z. Again, lots of Europeans with best DX to the east RW6PA (3462km) in Chechnya.

Last night on 472kHz

Last night was not at all bad on 472kHz WSPR As well as GM, Jan LA3EQ (769km) spotted me 3 times. I have lost count now of the spots from Norway on 472kHz (630m) WSPR this season. Most times I go on MF I seem to get spotted in Norway.

Taster menu - NOT amateur radio

To celebrate my wife being just 70 and me being 70 just before Christmas, we enjoyed a "Taster Menu" at a local restaurant. It was excellent, both the food and service. Why do I not feel hungry today? 😁

Sunspots - Thursday December 6th 2018

Solar flux is 70 and the sunspot number 16 (they are back!).  A=5 and K=1.

472kHz WSPR

As it is now dark here, I have QSYed to 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP) from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. G1GKN (99km) is a good signal on RX and my QRPP is being copied by 4 unique stations with best DX so far being a spot by G4ZFG (203km).

G3XBM videos

Most of these date from before my 2013 stroke, although some are more recent. Most are about my projects.

See https://www.youtube.com/user/G3XBM .

Large diameter comet - NOT amateur radio

Southgate News has a report from SpaceWeather.com about a comet that looks as big as the full moon. It is actually quite small, but it comes quite close.

See http://spaceweather.com/

Sterling - NOT amateur radio

On the face of it, we are in for a rough time. The UK government was found in contempt of parliament last night and the UK parliament is quite likely to reject the Prime Minister's EU BREXIT deal next Tuesday when this is voted on in the House of Commons.

So what happens? Stirling goes up in value against the Euro!  As I write, it is up 0.48%. Maybe, the UK economy will be OK when we leave the EU or people assume we will walk away unless the deal is a fair one.

Mud - NOT amateur radio

Exactly 6 years ago, I visited my brother in Devon. Although the weather, as I recall, was quite decent, we had some mud!

As they say, "come to sunny Devon where it rains 6 days out of 7".

10m FT8

This morning, I am on 10m FT8 RX, although no spots here so far today.

UPDATE 1047z: Just one spot so far: GW0PLP (329km) in west Wales.

UPDATE 1242z: Abysmal! So far today, just 3 spots, probably aircraft reflections with best DX OH3JQ (1743km).

UPDATE 1406z: Just 5 spots total today on 10m FT8 RX. Best DX is OH5KT (1859km).

UPDATE 1636z: 9 spots in 6 European countries today on 10m FT8 RX. Shortly I shall QSY to 630m (472kHz) WSPR.

160m FT8 RX

Last night there were only 3 North Americans spotted here plus PY1BVY (9321km). I am a little suspicious of this one. He was widely spotted across Europe, including Russia and in North America, but no spots at all of him in South America. Pirate? Of course, this could just reflect activity levels, but you can understand my scepticism.  Again, lots of Europeans spotted on 160m FT8 RX.

Sunspots - Wednesday December 5th 2018

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN still zero. A=10 and K=1.

Beetles - NOT amateur radio

The Zoology Museum in Cambridge has been refurbished and one of the exhibits are these beetles. Some beetles are huge.

2m UKAC activity contest

For those interested, the 2m leg of the RSGB's UKAC activity contest for December is this evening starting at 2000z. It goes on for 2.5 hours, although I usually manage only about an hour.

At 2100z (ish) I expect to return to top-band FT8.

UPDATE 2110z: After about 30 minutes I went QRT.  5 QSOs with best DX G4CLA (105km). As usual, I was running 5W to the big-wheel omni antenna.

160m FT8

Just before tea, I returned to 160m FT8. My 2.5W CQ was spotted by 8 stations with best DX being a spot by DL7BA (844km) in NE Germany. Best DX on 160m RX is RW6PA (3462km) in Chechnya.

As before, I am using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. I have to QSY to 2m SSB between about 2000z and 2100z for the 2m UKAC activity contest. Apart from that, I expect to monitor 160m FT8 until breakfast. Normally I start to spot North Americans after 2100z.

UPDATE 2222z: Although loads of Europeans again on 160m FT8, nothing yet from North America tonight.

Shopping - NOT amateur radio

Every other week, we tend to shop at Tesco in Newmarket. We try to buy UK goods, where possible, to save on airmiles.  For in-between shopping, we use our local co-op which is owned by us, its shareholders. Every purchase of co-op goods earns us cash back. Prices are not at all bad and we can walk there and back.

Like nearby Waitrose, we are appalled that the big supermarkets use so much plastics and are vague about recycling. Surely supermarkets the world over should insist on using recyclable materials always. They have only to say to their suppliers and they would jump.

472kHz WSPR overnight

Quite a reasonable evening with my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Even before 1700z my little signal was spotted in Norway. 3 Norwegians were spotted here, which is the most so far.

Stations spotting my 472kHz WSPR overnight

Stations spotted here on 472kHz WSPR overnight

10m FT8

10m is not too bad today. 14 stations in 7 countries so far spotted today on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1530z: So far today 20 European stations in 11 countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX, although nothing further afield. This evening, I shall probably try 160m again.

Sunspots - Tuesday December 4th 2018

Solar flux is 67 (very low) and the sunspot number 0. A=10 and K=3.

Now on 472kHz WSPR

As 10m seemed dire today, I have already QSYed to MF. As usual I am running about 10mW ERP (20% TX) from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. It usually takes about 20 minutes for the transverter crystal to stabilise, so early spots of me tend to have up to 2-3Hz of drift. Normally, this stops thereafter.

There seem to be plenty of spots on both RX ad TX. G1GKN (99km) is a new on, I think, for me on RX.  G1GKN spotted me as long ago as 2015. Some users may have decided to try other bands and,  of course, some may have sadly died.

OFCOM plans

OFCOM has published its plans for the coming year. Lots about goals and value for money.

See https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/128810/Proposed-Annual-Plan-2019-20.pdf

Christmas present?

My XYL said this morning, "you'd do me a favour if you ordered yourself that new radio as I never know what to buy you for your birthday or Christmas". Well, I am happy to oblige!  Fancy being told to buy a new radio? Next stage is to see what is the best deal from the dealers.

Old age worries - NOT amateur radio

In a few weeks I am 70. It is hard to see where the years have flown! As we get older, there seem more things to worry us, although few younger people seem to care, which is understandable.

• Failing health (partner and yourself)
• Children and grandchildren
• Money
• Declining sexual appetite
• Mobility
• Death (partner and yourself)
• etc.

Perhaps these are sometimes best ignored.

Another 472kHz user

Jason, M1PRO has just got on 472kHz TX. He built a very neat version of the G3XBM Transverter and has been active on WSPR. I hope to spot Jason soon.

10m FT8

Since just before breakfast, I have been monitoring 10m FT8. As yet no spots at all. I'll keep trying all day, then switch to 472kHz (630m) WSPR late this afternoon probably.

UPDATE 1230z: Still no spots.

UPDATE 1500z: Just a couple of G spots today on 10m FT8.  Best 10m DX on FT8 RX is G4HZW (212km). I suspect I'll QSY to 630m sooner than planned!

Overnight on 160m FT8

Since "rolling back" to WSJT-X V1.9 I have spotted loads of stations. Last night there were 6 North American and 1 Caribbean stations spotted on 160m. Best DX spotted was K6ME (8251km) in California, USA.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 last night 
with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground

Sunspots - Monday December 3rd 2018

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN zero. A=12 and K=2.

There is little doubt we are at sunspot minimum, but the question is when will we be on the upward slope towards the peak of cycle 25?

Manhattan style

In the past, when I was fitter, a favourite method of mine for small "one off" projects was Manhattan style. This allows neat layouts without the hassle of a PCB. The copper ground-plane makes a great RF earth. I used Me pads but as Steve VE7SL's note says, you can make your own. I have used this method from VLF to VHF to optical frequencies.