Build project?

Although my health is less than brilliant, my XYL insists that building something would be good for me. Now you know how it is! These commands have to be obeyed!

Somewhere in a drawer, I have an unbuilt 20m Rockmite kit, although I do not have a very good 20m antenna. A few years ago (after my 2013 stroke) I managed to build a 40m Pixie transceiver kit and it worked.

The Rockmite really does not enthuse me. If you have any ideas for simple projects I could build, let me know. At one time almost anything was possible. These days even simple things are hard.

Plymouth Argyle - NOT amateur radio

OK, I am a fireside football fan and it is very many years since I attended a real soccer match. However, I do keep and eye on some teams of interest and one of these is Plymouth Argyle, which was my local team many years ago.

At the moment they are likely to be relegated to League 2 in the UK. This is the lowest tier. They have just sacked their manager. If they survive it will be by the skin of their teeth. At the moment this seems unlikely.

Ferns - NOT amateur radio

Ferns are fascinating. Those in the photo were seen at Anglesey Abbey earlier today. They are about to unwind.

10m FT8 again

Yet again, I am on 10m FT8, mainly RX. Yesterday there was plenty of Es propagation on the band and it remains to be seen how things work out today. If there is any "real DX" i.e. South Africa or South America, I don't expect to spot these until after lunch.

An initial CQ call today just after 0800z was spotted by no-one! Let's hope things here improve.

UPDATE 0915z: No spots yet on 10m FT8 RX today.

UPDATE 1415z: So far today, 54 EU stations spotted, presumably Es. As yet, no "real DX" spotted here on 10m FT8 RX.

Stations spotted here today so far on 10m FT8 RX

UPDATE 1850z: 59 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX. Most are via Es. It seems unlikely there will be any "real DX" via F2. I shall shortly QSY to 472kHz WSPR.

472kHz WSPR overnight

Not a bad night (for the time of year) with 5 stations spotting my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground with the best being DL/PA0EHG (493km). I spotted 4 stations here. I think the Norwegian stations were not active.

472kHz WSPR here overnight

433MHz superhet modules - dirt cheap

Although my health precludes doing much RF design and construction these days, I see you can buy TX and RX module pairs for 433MHz for about £3 with free postage on eBay.  I guess a half capable designer could build a useful pair of transceivers for local 70cms AM comms for under £10. There may already be designs published, although I've not seen these. If you have, please share a link.

Try looking on eBay for "433MHz RF modules". To a capable designer, these could be quite useful. No doubt with a bit of digging you can get these for even less!

UPDATE 1345z: Check out the YouTube videos by VK3YE who has done some interesting tests with similar modules. It appears you can get FM or AM with these and some useful ranges.

Sunspots - Monday April 29th 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the sunspot number is again zero. A=6 and K=1. Pretty poor!

472kHz WSPR

A few moments ago I QSYed to 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground). As usual, I am 20% TX with the remainder of the time on RX.

So far, 1 station has spotted me and 1 station spotted here.

Maggie - NOT amateur radio

Maggie is now a very old horse. She has been a favourite with grandchildren who like to find her grass to eat.

She is in a new paddock. I'm sure she loves attention from children. She is part of our lives.

What polarisation for VHF and UHF DX?

Ever since I started in the hobby I was told, "vertical FM for locals and horizontal for SSB/CW". Now, like many things, I have found that so called "experts" are not! My own, albeit limited, experience on 2m and 70cm is, at best, inconclusive. On 70cm FM I have made some great DX QSOs and also on 2m FM with vertical polarisation.  At the same time I have worked some great DX on 2m SSB with horizontal polarisation.

According to Southgate News, someone has done some recent research. It would not surprise me if there was actually little difference! Funny how old wives tales become facts. Don't always believe what so called "experts" have to say.

Many said my own earth-electrode "antennas" in the ground would not work, but these have now been used from ELF-MF successfully and I am pretty sure at least one VLF grabber is now using such a structure. No, experts are often wrong. Always challenge! That is part of the fun of our hobby.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/april/horizontal-versus-vertical-antenna-polarisation-the-debate.htm#.XMVi2PZFy00

This was a talk on the polarisation of 6m signals given to the Reading club. The link worked for me, even though I am not a club member.

https://groups.google.com/forum/m/#!msg/radarc/3mWN6Pc-Buw/D4OQZi8NBAAJ

472kHz WSPR

Well, I have come to the conclusion that the band is still quite decent, but stations are abandoning it at the moment. Overnight 6 stations spotted my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground and I spotted 7 others with my best DX a spot of EA4GHB (1300km).

472kHz WSPR here overnight

10m FT8

For a change today I am on 10m FT8. A before breakfast time CQ (2.5W) was spotted by no-one, but since then I have been RX only and there is Es evident with several eastern and southern Europeans spotted. So far, 9 stations spotted (0812z).

UPDATE 1526z:  Currently 137 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today. Almost all are EU. One supposedly in Morocco has a Spanish EA1 call and may have his QTH locator details wrong. Another is in Ceuta, which is a small Spanish enclave in North Africa. Most of these are Es propagation I think.

UPDATE 1915z:  It looks like just Europe and North Africa on 10m FT8 RX here today. There is no sign of any "real DX" on the band here today. No doubt better equipped stations will do better.

Sunspots - Sunday April 28th 2019

It seems hard to believe Easter was a week ago, even though very late and we are nearly in May already!

Solar flux is 67 and the SSN 0. A=6 and K=1.

Mystery object - NOT amateur radio

We spotted this on a walk around the village yesterday. It was about 4 inches (11cm) across and very light, so not stone. It could be wood.

I think the colours are a mix of old paint and lichen. Whatever it is, it was odd.

When I picked it up the green bits lit up and it said, "take me to your leader". OK, I am kidding!  👻

6m FT8

Although I briefly called CQ (2.5W) earlier and got one spot from a G station 65km away, I have been mostly RX only. So far today, 7 spots with best DX DK8NE (702km). This could be Es or aircraft reflection.

UPDATE 1347z: Now 35 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX today with best DX OH6DX (1918km) who was an amazing +10dB S/N.

10m WSPR TX

Quite early (before breakfast) WSPR spots of my 500mW beacon today.

UPDATE 1400z: Already 56 spots by TF1A (1798km) in Iceland today. A good job this station is there, as no other spots received! This station has been spotting me now for hours.

UPDATE 1937z: In the end just one station spotted me, but he managed spot me 71 times over a 4 hour period.

Overnight on 472kHz WSPR

Yet again, I ventured on to 472kHz WSPR overnight. Again an average night with my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground being spotted by 6 stations with my best spot being by PA0O (440km). I spotted 4 stations here.

Last night here on 472kHz WSPR

Sunspots - Saturday April 27th 2019

Solar flux is just 66 (poor) and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=1. Pretty bad really.

Was this an April fools joke that ran and ran?

For some weeks now I have seen articles reporting a novel VLF antenna that is extremely tiny. This is meant to be a TX antenna! Now, this may be genuine, but it has the ring of an April fools joke with legs! If you know this is genuine, please let me know.

See https://www6.slac.stanford.edu/news/2019-04-12-slac-develops-novel-compact-antenna-communicating-where-radios-fail.aspx

Brain fog - NOT amateur radio

Earlier I was reading something about the hidden symptoms of MS and was struck by how similar these were to my own symptoms following my 2013 stroke.

On my feet I'm always giddy and I often say it is like living in a sort of continual fog and getting exhausted very quickly.

Outwardly I look well and indeed most people think that, 5 years on, I am fully recovered. Like MS sufferers, they have little idea!

Alan Turing - NOT amateur radio

I don't think this has been on before, but please accept my apologies if it has.

Alan Turing is perhaps the best known of the Bletchley Park code breakers in WW2. This plaque is on a wall in Cambridge.

There were others who came to light much later who were probably even more important, but the UK government kept their names secret including Bill Tutte (Google him!). There is a memorial to Bill in Newmarket.

10m WSPR TX

Well, the level of 10m WSPR activity has totally surprised me. Yet again, I was active with my little 10m, 500mW, WSPR beacon. This is 100% TX, 500mW, with randomised frequencies which change every 2 minute slot. Although this morning was quiet, 9 different stations have spotted me this afternoon! This totally self contained WSPR beacon needs no PC and is about as small as a pack of playing cards. In the last few years it has reached every continent including Antarctica. Amazing and real fun.  All this with very modest wire antennas.

10m WSPR TX spots today so far.

6m FT8

At about 1420z, I went on 6m FT8. There was Es about with several stations from central Europe. For a short while I called CQ (2.5W). Although no QSOs resulted I got spots from 5 stations with my best being a spot by 4O6ZD (1790km) in Montenegro. Clearly Es. On 6m FT8 RX several central European spots already plus Greece. The photo shows the stations spotted here on just a V2000 vertical omni in the last hour!

472kHz WSPR overnight

An average period with 6 stations spotting me and 4 stations spotted here. My best spot was by PA0O (440km).

472kHz WSPR activity here overnight.

10m WSPR today

Although I have been on 10m WSPR all day with my 500mW WSPR beacon, not a single spot so far today. Yesterday was very different.

See later post - it changed!

Cambridge today - NOT amateur radio

A view towards the university church , Great St Mary's, over Cambridge market earlier today.

Sunspots - Friday April 26th 2019

Solar flux is 68 and the sunspot number zero. A=7 and K=2.

472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP)

For the overnight period, I am on 472kHz WSPR using 10mW ERP (20% TX) from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Best DX on 472kHz RX is EI0CF (602km).

UPDATE 2126z:   Best DX on 472kHz WSPR RX is now IW4DXW (1190km). On TX best DX is just M0XDK (80km).

Typical April day - NOT amateur radio

We have not had decent rain this spring, although it is cooler than a few days ago. I think you'd describe this as "typical April weather" with sunshine, some clouds and just a few showers.

We need far more rain.

Rallies

Sunday 28 APRIL : NARSA - NORTHERN AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETIES ASSOCIATION EXHIBITION. (Blackpool Rally)

Norbreck Castle Exhibition Centre, Blackpool FY2 9AA. There will be a talk-in station and plenty of car parking. There will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy, special interest groups and an RSGB bookstall. Doors open at 10.30, or 10.15 for disabled visitors. Catering is available on site. Dave, M0OBW 01270 761 608 dwilson@btinternet.com www.narsa.org.uk.


Sunday 28 APRIL : ANDOVER RAC SPRING CAR BOOT SALE

Wildhern Village Hall, Nr Andover, SP11 0JE. Open at 10am. Admission £2.00. Indoor tables £10.00, outdoor £8.00. Our classic bacon rolls, cakes, sandwiches and hot and cold drinks are available all day. Ample on site parking and indoor shelter should it rain. Contact Paul G4KZY 07775 738 200, arac@arac.org.uk. http://www.arac.org.uk event.

King's College Chapel - NOT amateur radio

This is a view of the inside of one of the most famous buildings in the world. It is a view along the nave from the choir stalls towards the organ. Behind us is the famous Rubens painting.

6m FT8 RX

After a brief TX period (just one G spot received) I am on 6m FT8 RX. 5 G spots so far on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 0922z: Already 22 spots om 6m FT8 RX from right across Europe. This looks like Es.

UPDATE 1030z: Definitely widespread Es with 54 stations spotted all over Europe.

Stations spotted so far this morning on 6m FT8 RX

UPDATE 1223z:   81 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1602z: No less than 123 stations spotted from right across Europe on 6m FT8 RX today.

UPDATE 1856z: 129 stations spotted so far on 6m FT8 RX.

10m WSPR

After a brief go on 10m FT8 (TX and RX), I have switched to 10m WSPR. On 10m FT8 I was spotted by one EA3 when I was running 2.5W.

At the moment I am on WSPR 100% TX, 500mW, randomised frequencies on 10m and on 6m FT8 RX on a different antenna. I am told 10m WSPR activity is lower now that FT8 is very popular. We'll see. No 10m WSPR spots as yet.

UPDATE 0910z: Well, well, well! Already a spot from DK6UG (633km). This is quite early in the day and shows (probably) there is Es propagation.

UPDATE  1221z: Already spots by 3 different stations on 10m WSPR. Much better than I thought it would be on 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 1556z: 10m WSPR has been much better than I expected. As of a few minutes ago, no less than 7 different stations have spotted my little 500mW WSPR beacon with best DX being a spot by IZ3LCH (1149km).

UPDATE 1712z: Amazing! I have been "blown away" by the results on 10m WSPR TX today. Best DX is FY5KE (7110km).

Stations that spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon today.

UPDATE 1900z: So far, 10 different stations have spotted my little 10m 500mW WSPR beacon today.

Sunspots - Thursday April 25th 2019

Solar flux is 68 again today and the SSN still zero. A=7 and K=1.

Grandchildren at Wymondham - NOT amateur radio

Many generations back our grandchildren had relatives living in Wymondham, Norfolk. Life was very hard and they moved to the industrial north.

This is the grandchildren in Wymondham last week. They love going here.

FT4 digital contest mode

My friend Steve G1KQH alerted me to this. It is a new variation (faster) of FT8 for digital contests.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/april/new-digital-mode-ft4.htm

472kHz WSPR overnight

It is definitely getting less busy! Overnight, I copied 6 stations , but only 3 stations spotted my 10mW ERP WSPR. The activity here overnight is shown in the table.

10m FT8

Although I have been on 10m FT8 RX since about 0800z, nothing yet spotted.

UPDATE 1125z: 6 stations spotted s far with best DX RX6AOB (2990km).

UPDATE 1300z: So far today 36 stations spotted. Looks like Es and some F2 earlier.

Stations received on 10m FT8 RX to 1300z.

UPDATE 1902z: 299 stations spotted today with best DX on 10m FT8 RX being CX5ABM(11133km). Definitely Es and probably linking to F2 further south?

UPDATE 2101z: And still South Americans are coming through! At the moment 403 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today. Quite my best haul for a long while on 10m.

UPDATE 2115z: Now 405 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today with best DX CE2SQE (11473km). I was going to go on 472kHz, but I think I'll stop on 10m.

Sunspots - Wednesday April 24th 2019

Solar flux is 68 today and the SSN 0. A=8 and K=1.

Steam Locos - NOT amateur radio

This photo was taken 7 years ago at Minehead in Somerset. They have perhaps one of the very best collections of steam locos in the UK here.