472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP)

Boyed by the successes of previous nights, I expect to QSY to 472kHz WSPR shortly from 10m FT8 RX. I shall probably give 10m FT8 a bit longer, just in case these is a late opening to South America.  By 2005z I should be active on 472kHz WSPR. As on previous evenings I shall be using 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

End-fed longwire antennas

These end-fed antennas are quite popular, but a 9:1 transformer is usually needed to bring the impedance down to levels that a typical rig's ATU can match. Often less than 3:1 VSWR can be obtained on all HF bands with such a transformer, so a rig's internal ATU can usually bring this down to 1:1.

See https://pa3i.jouwweb.nl/antenne

Mildenhall Museum - NOT amateur radio

This is a small, local museum with free entry that is manned by volunteers.

For some reason our "London" grandchildren love going there. The photo shows one of our granddaughters there over the Easter weekend.

Return to 10m FT8

At about 0845z today I returned to 10m FT8. Initially, I am calling CQ (2.5W) although shortly I shall be RX only.

UPDATE 0923z: No spots of my CQ, but I have spotted 3 stations in eastern Europe, presumably by Es.

UPDATE 1206z: Now 7 stations in 5 countries spotted so far today on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1635z: Now 13 stations in 7 EU countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX today.

UPDATE 1822z: 15 stations in 8 EU countries spotted today on 10m FT8 RX. I shall probably stay on 10m FT8 for another hour, then QSY to 472kHz (630m) WSPR overnight.

The map shows the stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX to 1825z..

472kHz WSPR overnight

Although the real DX "season" on 472kHz is over, I remained on the band overnight using 10mW ERP from my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.  The activity on the band as seen here (on WSPR) is shown in the table.

Parkinson's hope? - NOT amateur radio

Parkinson's disease can be debilitating. New research has given some hope to sufferers.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-47803496

Tender moment - NOT amateur radio

This is a real Easter picture!

It shows one of my grandsons holding a lamb. I think you will agree that it is a very tender moment. You can almost sense the love and gentleness in his eyes.

Sunspots - Tuesday April 23rd 2019

Solar flux is 68 and the sunspot number 0.  A=4 and K=1.

472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP)

Although it is late in the season, I decided to try 472kHz WSPR with 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. As usual, I am on TX 20% and RX 80% of the time. So far, a couple of G spots received of my 10mW ERP. No spots of others yet.

UPDATE 2022z:  6 spots of my QRPP so far this evening with my best spot being by PA0O (440km). Only a couple of stations spotted here so far.

TV webSDR for Oscar 100?

Although I regularly check the narrowband SDR at Goonhilly in Cornwall, I am not aware of the equivalent for amateur TV signals. I know there are various standards and this may make such a RX difficult. I am aware of the SDR showing activity levels in the wideband transponder, but not actual TV signals. If you are aware of one, please let me know.

By the way, activity on the narrowband transponder still seems low.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/

That move to the right - NOT amateur radio

So the Ukraine has, allegedly, voted a clown as president. All over the western world it seems people are getting disillusioned with their elected representatives. There seems to be a march to the right in many countries. I am not quite sure why this is, but it points to disappointment and a sense of disconnectedness.

Like many things, this is probably cyclical, but it points to a deeper anxiety: we lack credible leaders.

Certainly here in the UK the gap between the richest and poorest in society seems to be growing and the poorer are being left behind. This cannot go on. At some point things will change, either peacefully or violently. Likewise we cannot continue to live on the principle of endless growth, when resources are finite.

Climate change - NOT amateur radio

Whatever your views on recent protests by Extinction Rebellion around the world, there is little doubt, unless you are Canute or Trump, that the world is getting warmer. Most experts agree and you only have to look with your own eyes.

People may argue whether this is mankind's influence or a natural variation. The evidence points to the former. In time, we will all move away from fossil fuels (like we did with flat screen TVs and digital cameras), but it is arguably not soon enough. In the meantime, we may be doing irreparable damage.

See https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/articles/zm63xyc

Israel Amateur Radio Club

Ok, I could use Google Translate to convert these pages into English, but I did not bother. Apparently there will be a special station to celebrate the Eurovision Song Contest from Israel. It would not surprise me if the UK was bottom this year! I am not quite sure why we still take part. Like Trump, the UK is a laughing stock and the butt of jokes at this event. Mind you, can you blame people?

See https://www.iarc.org/iarc/

Sponsorship? - NOT amateur radio

Our local museum and windmill have reopened after the winter. It looks like they are being sponsored by our local co-op shops.

See http://www.burwellmuseum.org.uk/

BREXIT: all quiet - NOT amateur radio

After hearing about BREXIT non-stop, it is out of the headlines now and hardly gets a mention. There were talks between the UK government and the opposition aimed at finding a compromise, although, as far as I know, nothing has been reported.

The truth is the nation and MPs are deeply divided. Some are very keen we should leave, even with no deal, whilst others think we should stay. Some want a vote on whatever deal is agreed. The UK Prime Minister is still trying to get her deal approved by the UK Parliament.

A mess? I couldn't possibly comment.

6m FT8

After a night off (PC and rigs off) this morning I have returned to 6m FT8, mostly RX. So far 4 Gs spotted.

UPDATE 0926z: 9 Gs spotted so far today.

UPDATE 1140z: 30 stations spotted so far with best DX SP7EXY (1454km). Looks like we are seeing some Es.

UPDATE 1414z: Now 37 stations spotted on 6m FT8 today.

UPDATE  1559z: Now 39 stations spotted today in 7 countries on 6m FT8 RX.

Stations spotted so far today on 6m FT8 RX

UPDATE 1815z: Time to QSY to 472kHz WSPR, but 41 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX today.

International Marconi Day - Saturday April 27th 2019

Next weekend is International Marconi Day. There will be plenty of special event stations active.

Sunspots - Monday April 22nd 2019

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN 11. A=4 and K=1.

Grandchildren - NOT amateur radio

As usual over Easter, we have been busy with grandchildren.

Our local museum has just (today) reopened, so we went across there earlier.

The photo shows one of the grandchildren in the museum next to an Austin 7.


See http://www.burwellmuseum.org.uk/

Good news on the BBC - NOT amateur radio

We seem to be fed lots of bad news (I guess this makes papers sell) but tend to not hear about good news often. So, we end up thinking the world is all gloom and doom. In actual fact the good news far outweighs the bad. So let me bring you some good news for a change!

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-47974844

6m FT8 RX

You can tell there is a contest on! In the last day a total (so far) of 66 stations spotted (mostly Gs) in 7 countries with best DX spotted F4IAA (802km).

UPDATE 1252z:  Now 85 stations spotted in 10 countries spotted on 6m FT8 RX in the last day. Best DX is IZ5YFU (1222km).

UPDATE 1610z: 76 stations spotted in the last day on 6m FT8 RX in 10 countries. Mostly tropo I think. The photo shows those received, although missing is the station in N.Ireland. One station spotted my CQ recently (2.5W). This was M0TXS (56km).

6m MGM contest: stations 

received on vertical co-linear antenna.

Simple AM radio

Southgate News carries a report of someone's first steps into RF by building a simple TRF circuit. It uses a TA7642 TRF IC, which is like a ZN414 that some may remember. These form the basis of very simple TRF receivers. I recall making a similar circuit years ago for Medium Wave. As I recall, mine was fix tuned to Radio Cambridgeshire. I guess these ICs could be used for a simple RX in a 160m AM rig.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/april/making-a-simple-am-radio.htm#.XLuJ7fZFy00

Sunspots - Sunday April 21st 2019

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 11. A=4 and K=1.

Like busses? - NOT amateur radio

The same thing happened last year. One day I saw my first swallow (bird) then the next day I saw more!  Today, I saw 2 more swallows. Next week, they should be common.

Easter Egg Hunt - NOT amateur radio

Our grandchildren are still young enough to enjoy hunting for chocolate Easter eggs hidden in the garden as the photo shows.

472kHz WSPR overnight

Considering it is quite late in the season, not a bad night. 6 people spotted my 10mW ERP  with my best spot being by PA0O (440km). On RX my best spot was of IW4DXW (1190km).

472kHz WSPR here overnight

6m FT8

Earlier, I called CQ on 6m FT8 and was spotted by 3 G stations. Later (it is now 1040z) 11 stations were spotted with best DX ON4CGB (242km).

UPDATE 2040z: Now 52 stations in 5 countries spotted on 6m FT8 today. There is a contest, so activity is greater than normal. Best DX is MM0CEZ (487km). Most stations are in England.

Sunspots - Saturday April 20th 2019

Solar flux is 72 and the sunspot number 23. A=4 and K=1.

10m FT8

Although I have only been on 10m FT8 for about 15 minutes so far just 2E0XXO (121km) spotted, but no spots of my CQ (2.5W) on 10m FT8.

UPDATE 1600z: So far today 8 stations in 4 countries with best DX EA3ENR (1153km).

UPDATE 1935z: When I QSYed to MF WSPR 11 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX.

Respectable night on 472kHz WSPR

Overnight my 10mW ERP was spotted by 7 stations with best DX PA3FNY (330km). On RX my best DX was IW4DXW (1190km).

472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP) overnight

Sunspots - Friday April 19th 2019

Solar flux is 74 and the SSN a respectable (for where we are in the cycle) 24. A=3 and K=1.

Probing? - NOT amateur radio

A few moments ago I had a shock: visits to this blog are way above normal. I can only assume this a mistake or hackers are doing their usual probing.

One last time?

This evening and overnight I am again on 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP) using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. So far, just a couple of stations spotting me with best DX a spot by M0XDK (80km). Only M0FMT (51km) here so far this evening on 472kHz WSPR RX. I am 20% TX and 80% RX.

Depending on results, this may be my last "outing" on 472kHz until the autumn.

UPDATE 2130z: Well, so far 4 stations spotted here with best DX (who else?) but LA8AV (1035km). The best spot of my QRPP signal is by G0LUJ (278km) in IO83 square.

OFCOM and 5G licences

OFCOM is consulting on possible changes to operator licences at 3.4GHz to bring them into line with the EU.

At last! - NOT amateur radio

Just seen the first swallow (migrant bird) flying over at lunchtime. There may have been some a few days ago, but this was my first positive sighting here. The others were flying away and there was some doubt. The earliest I have seen them here is April 7th.

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

Coffee in the garden - NOT amateur radio

As it was warm and sunny this morning we had coffee in the garden for the first time this year. My wife also hung out some washing for the first time this year.

10m FT8

A few moments ago I QSYed from 2m to 10m FT8, calling CQ initially (2.5W) and then RX only. So far, no spots. Mind you, it is only 0850z.

UPDATE 0950z: A couple of spots so far with best DX on 10m FT8 RX being F5OHM (631km) in central France.

UPDATE 1148z: Now 5 stations in 3 countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX this morning with best DX CS7AKZ (1651km).

UPDATE 1322z: 9A7JCY was an amazing +17dB S/N signal - this must be Es!

UPDATE 1516z:  10 stations spotted in 6 countries so far on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1806z:  Now 11 stations in 6 countries today on 10m FT8 RX.

2m FT8 RX

Although it is only 0835z I have already spotted 16 stations in 7 countries in the last 6 hours. It really is amazing.

Shortly, I shall probably QSY to 10m FT8.

Sunspots - Thursday April 18th 2019

Solar flux is 74 and the SSN 11.  A=3 and K=1.

2m FT8

At about 0745z I started on 2m. After an unsuccessful call to a Dutch station and a brief period calling CQ (2.5W to the horizontal omni antenna) with 9 reports so far with my best being a spot by G4RRA (333km) in Devon, I have been RX only.

So far this evening, 20 stations spotted in 4 countries with best DX on 2m FT8 RX DL6YBF (471km).

Interesting that in just 45 minutes on 2m FT8 RX I have spotted more stations than all day on 10m FT8.

UPDATE 1955z: 21 stations spotted so far on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2125z: 28 stations spotted so far on 2m FT8 RX this evening in just over 2 hours (see photo).