Sunspots - Sunday October 6th 2019

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN 0. A=7 and K=2.

Spotted in Norway on 472kHz WSPR

Overnight LA3EQ (769km) spotted my signal on 472kHz WSPR 3 times. This is the first time this autumn. Very pleased! At -30dB S/N I only just made it! Jan must have a very low noise level.

As usual, still using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. I shall work out the ERP later, but it is low milliwatts.

UPDATE 1000z: 7 stations spotted on 472kHz WSPR RX in the last day, including a couple of new stations.

472kHz FT8 QSO anyone?

If anyone would like to give this a try, I am happy to try 472kHz FT8 this Sunday. Unless anyone can tell me different, I shall use 474.2kHz USB dial as my setting frequency and transmit in the few kilohertz HF of that, as for other bands.

Please contact me at rogerlapthorn (at) gmail.com if you want to give this a try. FT8 is about 10dB worse than WSPR so I may copy you, but you may not copy me!

HF FT8

There is no doubt that FT8 is changing our bands.

Many are saddened that there are fewer casual chats these days, so our bands sound quieter. This has been especially noticeable on 6m, where many have deserted SSB and CW for FT8.

FT8 is a weak signal mode that does not lend itself to chats. An advantage of FT8 is that it works with weak signals (not as good as WSPR, but better than SSB and CW), occupies only 50Hz, all activity is concentrated within a few kilohertz and lots of people are monitoring.

So, if a band opens only briefly, it is more likely to be spotted. Using PSKreporter maps it is possible to see where your signal is reaching. Unlike WSPR, transmissions are only 15 seconds long. It is useful for quick QSOs. I think we has still to fully exploit this mode on HF.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/hf-ft8

Return to 472kHz WSPR

After quite a break, I am back on 472kHz WSPR TX (very low ERP) and RX.

I wound a new matching transformer (shown in photo) in the hope of squeezing a tiny bit more ERP from my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. I will calculate the ERP tomorrow, but I don't think it is greater. The coil has more turns on the secondary, but I think the tapping point was not far off before.

My own signal has been copied by a couple of stations and G1GKN (99km) has been copied here a few times. I shall leave it on this evening and possibly overnight.

472kHz WSPR so far this evening

It would be good to try FT8 on 472kHz (about 10dB worse than WSPR), but I am not sure if people use FT8 on MF. Years ago I had some JT9 QSOs on MF.

UPDATE 1852z: Best DX so far on 472kHz WSPR RX is LA3EQ (769km) running 20mW ERP.

UPDATE 2108z: A few new stations spotted this evening, that I did not see last season: LA4NJ (800km) and DL1HWK (816km). I don't think these stations were active last season,

Cavenham Heath - NOT amateur radio

This morning we went for a walk at Cavenham Heath. The heather was well past its best, but we saw several stone curlews. These birds migrate shortly. None were that close sadly.

On the way we saw this fungus, but we saw fewer than the last time when we went in August.

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

High Street shops - NOT amateur radio

There is little doubt that shopping is changing. Many High Street stores have closed and they are replaced by charity shops, coffee shops or empty shops. More and more people prefer the convenience of shopping online. One finds what one wants and it is delivered next day to your home.

Yes, rents may be too high and the online retailers usually have a price advantage.

It is anyone's guess how the High Street will look in 20 years. It seems that retailers who adapt may survive. Those that don't adapt face a bleak future. It is not just shops: many other things will change in the coming years.

2m FT8

Since just before breakfast I have been on 2m FT8 RX. So far today, 21 stations in 5 countries spotted.

UPDATE 1447z: After a break when we went out for a walk I went back on 2m FT8 calling CQ (10W). 24 stations spotted me and a couple of QSOs resulted. 34 stations in 7 countries spotted here today on 2m FT8.

UPDATE 1648z: Now 46 stations in 7 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX.

Sunspots - Saturday October 5th 2019

Solar flux is 68 and and the SSN 0. A=7 and K=2

Es'hail Oscar 100

Every few days I check activity on this geosynchronous amateur satellite. Whenever I look at the web SDR at Goonhilly, I usually see 4-8 SSB stations active. There are usually a few on CW too. Overall, activity remains quite low. By now, I was expecting far more activity.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/

Gourds - NOT amateur radio

These were spotted earlier at a local garden centre. Sadly, they are already stocking Christmas gifts and trees! The gourds are a nice sign of autumn. The Christmas stuff is pure commercialism, out to make an early buck - it sickens me. Personally, I would back a law making it illegal to sell Christmas stuff until December.

2m FT8

As 6m was an uphill struggle, I have QSYed to 2m FT8. My 10W FT8 2m CQ was spotted by 11 stations with best DX being a spot by GI6ATZ (479km).

It is interesting that I have only spotted 4 stations on 2m FT8 RX today. From this, I can conclude that fewer people are on FT8 TX during the day. Things get better in the evening when people are home from work.

UPDATE 1426z: Now 14 stations in 6 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1527z: A recent 2m FT8 CQ (10W to the big-wheel) was spotted by 24 stations and resulted in 2 QSOs. I get the feeling most of these are "flat band" tropo with the occasional enhancement by aircraft scatter. As an example, a station in N. Ireland is almost always spotted, but just occasionally he is 20dB stronger.

UPDATE 1918z: A recent 2m FT8 CQ (10W) was spotted by 24 stations and 2 QSOs. DL6YBF (471km) seems to be workable in any conditions on FT8.

UPDATE 2100z:  In the last day, 50 stations in 8 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX.

6m FT8

Although I have been on much of the morning and called FT8 CQ a few times, no spots at all on RX or TX.

UPDATE 1100z: Just a single G spot from my recent 6m FT8 (10W) CQ call. This was G3SYP (222km). Really 6m is hardly worth the effort at this time of year in sunspot minimum with my vertical omni.

Sunspots - Friday October 4th 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the sunspot number 0. A=13 and K=3.

BREXIT deal? - NOT amateur radio

The Prime Minister has lodged formal proposals on leaving the EU. So far, the feedback from the EU is not good, but at least they are still talking. A better man than me may be able to forecast the outcome in the coming days.

My hopes rest on the EU wanting a deal and that the current proposal is a basis for further compromises on both sides. Whatever our views on BREXIT, most in the UK are fed up now and want a deal sooner rather than later.

Local History - NOT amateur radio

Even though we have lived in this area (East Cambridgeshire) for almost 50 years, it is natural to have a "pull" to where one originates from. In my case this is South Devon and my wife Sheffield.

Today we went to an interesting talk on the history of Newmarket, which is our nearest town. Considering its many royal connections going back many centuries and it being the worldwide centre for horse racing, it is quite scruffy. With all the wealth around we would have expected the town to be quite a classy place. Sadly it is not.

They have a good local history society.

See http://www.newmarketlhs.org.uk/Index.htm

Big-wheel antennas

As many know, I opted for a 2m big-wheel antenna rather than a beam and rotator. This seems to match my sort of operating well. My noise level on 2m is still low thankfully and it was far cheaper than a beam and rotator. On FT8 it gets me considerable distances even in flat conditions and even with QRP SSB it usually gets me over 200km.

The big-wheel has a real fan here!

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

Dahlia - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday we visited nearby Anglesey Abbey where the dahlias are starting to change. Another few weeks and they will be well past their best. We saw this one yesterday. At the moment most are still looking good.

Rally this weekend

Sunday 6 OCTOBER : 46th WELSH RADIO RALLY

Rougemont School, Llantarnam Hall, Malpas, Newport NP20 6QB. Doors open from 10am-4pm with disabled visitors gaining access at 9.45am. Admittance is £2.50. There will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy, RSGB bookstall, Special Interest Groups and lectures will take place during the day. Catering is available on site. Contact: Rob Evans, MW0CVT, 01495 220 455, mw0cvt@sky.com.

A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

2m FT8

In the last day 55 stations in 8 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX. As far as I can tell, this is possible any time with normal "flat band" tropo with FT8. Every time I call CQ with 10W and the big-wheel omni antenna on 2m FT8 I seem to reach N. Ireland, Germany and Cornwall.

We are just going out, but I'll call CQ on my return.

UPDATE 1206z: When we got back I called CQ on 2m FT8 (10W to the big-wheel). 11 stations spotted me with the best DX being EI2FG (565km). Sadly, no QSOs. I guess there are far more monitoring than TXing in the daytime.

UPDATE 1457z: 18 stations in 4 countries spotted me after a recent FT8 10W CQ and 2 QSOs with Gs resulted.

UPDATE 1648z: A quick 10W FT8 CQ was answered (again) by DL6YBF (471km) and spotted by 14 stations. It never fails to me how far I can work and get spotted with low ERP on 2m on FT8.

Sunspots - Thursday October 3rd 2019

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN 11.  A=8 and K=2.

Bumper Crop - NOT amateur radio

The trees in our neighbour's garden are laden with apples and pears. Usually they put their surplus fruit out for neighbours to help themselves.

I mentioned before that a friend makes crab apple jelly with our crab apples. Although last year we had a miserable crop, this year is splendid.

2m AM

When I first came on to 2m, AM was the main mode. During the 1970s, FM gradually took over. Also, the Liner-2 got people on the band with SSB. I would say the late 1970s and early 1980s was a golden age on 2m, with G8s gaining access and plenty of activity. Quite a few people used the Liner-2 and a 9 el Tonna antenna.

Although the use of AM on 2m is way down on those early dates, it can still be found. 144.550MHz seems to be the centre of activity. AM is often better than FM and narrower bandwidtth, although the RSGB "experts" seem not to know this!

Often, second hand ex-PMR AM rigs can be obtained very cheaply.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/2am

Dahlias - NOT amateur radio

This morning we went for a walk at nearby Anglesey Abbey. The dahlias there are past their best, but still pretty impressive.

2m FT8 again

Overnight I remained on 2m FT8 RX. In the last 6 hours, 11 stations spotted with best DX spotted being GM3NKG (475km). 2 Germans also logged.

UPDATE 1108z: Now 13 stations in 5 countries spotted in the last 6 hours on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1234z: Now 18 stations in 6 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX. On 2m FT8 TX my recent CQ was spotted by 11 stations in 6 countries.

UPDATE 1526z: Currently 16 stations have spotted my 2m 10W to the big-wheel CQs on FT8 today. 20 stations so far spotted on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1645z: A recent 2m FT8 CQ was spotted by 9 stations and a QSO with G8EKG (142km).

UPDATE 1732z: A recent 2m FT8 CQ resulted in QSOs with GD and DL.

UPDATE 2129z: 52 stations in 7 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX in the last day.

Burwell Museum talk - NOT amateur radio

A reminder for those in the area that our local Burwell Museum has a "Tea and Talks" talk tomorrow (Thursday, Oct 3rd) at 2pm on the "History of Newmarket" by Sandra Easom. As usual, this is followed by free tea and biscuits. Normal museum charges apply.

Of course, you can look around the very extensive museum and windmill too! I can honestly say this is one of the best local museums in the whole UK.  Many do not realise quite how extensive it is.

VLF amateur radio

For several years I have tried to maintain a website about VLF amateur radio. Experiments are mainly done by a few keen amateurs. To receive VLF amateurs does not require a big antenna. To radiate a VLF signal to some distance does require a big antenna.

A casual listen at VLF will not result in success with amateur VLF signals. Most require highly stable signals (usually locked with GPS or a VLF MSK commercial signal) and integration over many hours or even days.

See https://sites.google.com/site/sub9khz/

Sunspots - Wednesday October 2nd 2019

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN is 11. A=12 and K=0. Sunspots at last!

2m FT8

After I finished the 2m UKAC, I switched to 2m FT8, calling CQ initially. I was called (after I had finished) by a station in IO70. It's a pity people don't call me when I am actually calling CQ! In all, 9 stations spotted me with best DX EI2FG (565km).

2m activity contest this evening at 1900z

Stations worked this evening 

on 2m QRP SSB

On the first Tuesday of the month, the RSGB organises a 2m activity contest (UKAC). Last month I was on holiday, so I missed it.

Activity on SSB is usually high and the contests are friendly. Although I usually submit an entry (normally far from the top!) there is absolutely no compulsion to do so. I usually stop on less than an hour as my voice is poor, although the contest runs for 2.5 hours.

My range, even with 5W and a big-wheel omni antenna is often 200km.

Personally, I find these sessions great fun. It is more about the fun of working stations and maybe new squares than a contest as such.

Chickens - NOT amateur radio

Our younger grandson loves his chickens and chicks. This is him at the weekend.

As you can tell, the bald one is me.

BREXIT and UK Pound v. Euro - NOT amateur radio

It seems unlikely the UK's latest BREXIT offer will be acceptable to the EU. The UK Pound has continued to fall in value against the Euro.

As I see it, we have several possible outcomes: the UK leaves the EU without a deal (unlikely), there is last minute deal, or there is another extension. The EU wants a deal. Of the 3 options (there may be others) I suspect the last one will be the outcome, although I am frequently wrong!

Personally, I favour staying within the EU until a better trade deal is negotiated. In the end, that is surely what is sought.

Solar forecast update

My favourite resource for solar data usually updates very early in the month. This usually happens on the first or second day of each month.

The last time I looked they were forecasting solar minimum to have occurred earlier in the year.

The next sunspot cluster looks as if it is just coming in to view.

See http://www.solen.info/solar/

UPDATE 1830z: Pages have now been updated. It is still showing that we have now (just) passed the minimum. I do hope they are correct. It will be interesting to see if there are more sunspots this month.

Storm risk passed?

As you know, I look at the risks of storms quite often and disconnect things if they look near. At the moment, the risk locally seems to be decreasing. At the first sign, everything at risk will be disconnected.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortung/europe/index.php?bo_page=map&bo_showmap=uk&bo_period=2&lang=en

UPDATE 1348z: Did I speak too soon?  Just heard a loud clap of thunder, so everything in the shack disconnected!

OFCOM monthly update

As usual, OFCOM has updated its "Communications Monthly" on its website. It does this every month.

6m FT8

Just before midday I called CQ briefly on 6m FT8. I have now gone back to RX. No QSOs resulted, but I was spotted by one G station G4SWY (83km). Nothing yet spotted on 6m FT8 RX today.

UPDATE 1344z: Still nothing yet spotted today on 6m FT8 RX. A recent FT8 CQ was again spotted by G4SWY (83km) and no-one else.

UPDATE 1352z: Storm risk, so all disconnected.

UPDATE 1822z:  It looks like there will be no 6m FT8 spots here today, unless things change soon.  I'll stay on a little while longer, but things look mighty quiet on 6m FT8 today.

BREXIT deal? - NOT amateur radio

The UK Prime Minister was on TV earlier. During the interview he talked about the Irish backstop. The EU has rejected what has been informally tabled. Unless the PM has something really new, I suspect we remain deadlocked.

Up a tree - NOT amateur radio

This is our younger granddaughter up a tree in Kent at the weekend.

160m FT8 RX overnight

Since keeping an eye on 160m FT8 RX since 1930z yesterday evening using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, 245 stations in 4 continents have been spotted.

The best spotted was VP8EME (12773km) in the Falklands. There were others too in South America. Checking where these were all spotted, they all look genuine.

The absence of African stations is probably due to there being few active stations?

Sunspots - Tuesday October 1st 2019

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN 0. A=14 and K=4.