Sunspots - Sunday January 26th 2020

Solar flux is 73 and the SSN 14. A=3 and K=0.

Poor night on 160m FT8 RX

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX overnight 

Last night was poor on 160m FT8 with fewer stations than ever. In all, just 228 stations spotted in the last 12 hours with 6 North American stations and 1 Caribbean. Nothing from South America.

UPDATE 1136z: No spots at all in the last 3 hours on 160m FT8 RX!

160m FT8

One of the reasons why I copied so few North Americans on 160m FT8 overnight could be because there was a big contest on. At the moment I am again on 160m FT8. So far, 20 stations have spotted my 10W with best DX being a spot by LA4GHA (1029km). On 160m FT8 RX 158 stations spotted so far, but none from North America yet.  Yet again,  still using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

UPDATE 2255z:  So far, 210 spots on 160m FT8 RX this evening.

Big Garden Birdwatch - NOT amateur radio

Every year about now, the RSPB carries out an annual survey to find the health of our bird populations in our gardens. I have done this now for many years. You are asked to record the maximum number of each species seen at one time. I chose to do 1530z -1630z thinking I might catch birds coming in to feed before dark. What a disappointment! In all just 6 species seen , mostly larger birds. The bird table was well stocked. Quite a few common birds were absent.

• Starling 9
• Woodpigeon 2
• Crow 9
• Robin 1
• Blackbird 1
• Collared Dove 1

You do not have to be an RSPB member and the survey runs until Monday.

What does the future hold? - NOT amateur radio

My dad died in 1987. He was totally unaware of the internet, the fall of the Berlin wall and much else too. If he came back today he would wonder at mobile phones.

I wonder what new things will appear in the next 30-40 years? It is hard to crystal gaze when new things appear of which we have no concept.

2m FT8

2m is so much more productive than 6m FT8 at this time of year.

My first 10W 2m FT8 CQ (using the big-wheel omni) was spotted by 25 stations in 5 countries! Best DX on 2m FT8 TX was EI3KD (583km).  On 2m FT8 RX, 14 stations so far spotted.

Stations spotting my 10W FT8 CQ
on 2m FT8 this afternoon

UPDATE 1718z: Whilst doing the Big British Birdwatch, I went on 2m FT8 TX. Quite a few spots of my 10W to the big-wheel plus a few 2-way QSOs. Best DX QSO was F6KRK (355km).

Electroboom - NOT to be tried at home!

It is amazing that this guy is still alive.  I think there are several videos around of his.

Do NOT try this at home!

6m FT8

Since about 1010z, I have QSYed to 6m FT8. Quiet so far with 2 G spots of my recent 10W CQ with best being G0LGS (171km). I am using the V2000 vertical omni. On 6m FT8 RX just G3XDV (45km) spotted.

UPDATE 1211z: This is proving a dead loss! A recent CQ was spotted by just G0LGS. I may try 2m FT8 instead. On 6m FT8 RX, nothing new.

160m FT8 overnight

Stations spotting my 10W FT8
on 160m last evening

As there was so little "real DX" spotted, I wondered if my PC had turned off to install an update. In total, just 3 North Americans spotted on 160m FT8 RX with nothing from the Caribbean or South America. In all, 410 stations were spotted in the last day on 160m FT8 RX. 

Things were looking promising last evening with plenty of spots of my 10W to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground (see photo).

Breakfast - NOT amateur radio

Most mornings I eat a cooked breakfast. This sets me up for the day. It is cooked in just a drop of oil.

Some may consider this unhealthy. Personally, I enjoy it. A few years ago eggs were thought unhealthy. As far as I am concerned a little of what you like is fine.

Sunspots - Saturday January 25th 2020

Hopeful signs...

Solar flux is 71 (still above 70) and the sunspot number 12 (not 0). A=3 and K=1. I am beginning to think we may have started the climb.

2m VHF - WSPR versus FT8

It is some years since I tried WSPR on 144MHz. Although I  managed some reasonable results, drift over the 2 minute transmission slot was a major issue.

FT8 is about 10dB less sensitive than WSPR, but the 15 second TX period means drift does not appear to be an issue at all. With WSPR the window is only 200Hz wide whereas FT8 has a window of at least 2500Hz. All signals within this window can be detected and decoded. Signals on FT8 occupy 50Hz, whereas WSPR signals occupy about 6Hz. FT8 allows 2-way QSOs, but this is not really possible with WSPR.

Overall, I find better results with FT8 than WSPR on VHF. I have even had 2-way FT8 QSOs on 70cm!

With the 15 second TX period there are more aircraft relections too with FT8. I have not tried FT4 which uses 7.5 second TX periods, but is less sensitive. Logically, with even shorter TX periods this should be even better with aircraft scatter when signals can be quite strong.

IC705 in Japan

It was reported on a Facebook page that the first 1000 purchasers of the IC705 in Japan will get a box with Japanese sweets inside. The tin box will have a photo of the IC705 on the tin. This is just in Japan.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/ic705

6m FT8

For the daylight hours remaining, I am on 6m FT8 with the V2000 vertical omni antenna. A recent 10W CQ was spotted by no-one and just 2 Gs spotted on 6m FT8 RX so far.

160m FT8

Last night was average on 160m FT8. 498 stations were spotted with 17 North Americans and 2 Caribbean stations, but nothing from South America.

A recent daytime 160m FT8 CQ (10W to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground was spotted by EI3KD (583km) only.

160m FT8 - stations received overnight

Film 1917 - NOT amateur radio

We go to the cinema rarely. Today we went to see the film 1917 by Sam Mendies.  It was not what you'd call an "enjoyable" film, but it was very good. It is about the horrors of WW1 and was totally immersive.

These days we know so little about the horrors of those days. Life must have been very hard. Wars seem so senseless, although we never seem to learn. Of course, all those who fought in WW1 are dead now, making the futility of war all the more poignant.

Sunspots - Friday January 24th 2020

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 0. A=5 and K=0.

On-line manuals

If you are like me, you will have mislaid many operating manuals over the years. Take heart as Google is your friend!

The last time I used my little VX-2 Yaesu handheld was probably 8 years ago.The battery was flat and I had forgotten how to operate it! Charging the battery was no problem, but how did you set the CTCSS tone?

I Googled "VX-2 Yaesu operating manual" and this link appeared:

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/969822/Yaesu-Vx-2r.html#manual

Problem solved. I expect there are all sorts of manuals somewhere on the internet.

The Yaesu VX-2 can be obtained from Radioworld at just over £117.

See https://www.radioworld.co.uk/yaesu_vx-2

160m FT8

At about 1515z I QSYed to 160m FT8 calling CQ (10W to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground) initially. 2 stations spotted me with the best being G8ECI (122km). It is still quite light here. On 160m FT8 RX no spots yet.

UPDATE 1612z: So far, 9 stations spotted this afternoon on 160m FT8 RX. Best DX spotted is OG2A (1693km) in Finland.

UPDATE 1702z: A recent 10W 160m FT8 CQ resulted in 1 QSO and spots from 15 stations in 6 countries with best DX being a spot by LA2XPA (1308km).

UPDATE 1930z: 197 stations spotted so far this evening on 160m FT8 RX.

Chinese new coronavirus - NOT amateur radio

We do not yet know what we are dealing with. With modern travel viruses can spread worldwide in a few hours, so containment becomes all but impossible.  At the moment it is mainly a few hundred cases in China. In a weeks' time?

It could turn out to as harmless as the common cold or it could be lethal. There is little doubt that at some point a worldwide pandemic could be a threat to all human life. Hopefully this is not it.

4m in Germany 2020

Southgate News reports that 4m will again be available in 2020 for German amateurs. As Ger ismany at just the right range in Es openings, this is good news for amateurs in the UK.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/january/4m-returns-to-germany.htm#.Ximr4PKTLnE

Reducing our carbon footprint - NOT amateur radio

There is little doubt we all have to do better if we are to help reduce the increase in temperature of our planet. I am one of the culprits: I drive a car, fly abroad, heat my house with gas and eat too much red meat.

This is what I think will happen:

1. We will eat far less meat in future. By advertising and price we will be persuaded that non-meat alternatives are better for us. This has already started.
2. We will, at some point, drive electric vehicles. We are not quite there yet as prices are too high and ranges too low. With research into better batteries I suspect changes will come. Also, I suspect governments will be persuaded to subsidise renewables rather than fossil fuels.
3. There will be government subsidies to use less energy such as incentives to insulate homes and use less energy. Maybe the charge for using too much energy will be very high whereas it will be lower for the first so many kWhrs.
4. There will be subsidies to convert to greener energy to heat our homes.
5. We will travel less.
6. The price of renewables will drop.
7. Storage of renewable  energy will become economic, rendering fossil fuels obsolete.
8. Technologies for carbon capture will be created.

There will be plenty of other things we can do.

Overall, I am optimistic.  Change is coming and we will embrace it.

BREXIT - NOT amateur radio

At the end of next week the UK officially leaves the EU. In the transition year ahead not much should change.  In the UK-EU trade negotiations, I hope both sides work constructively to forge a good relationship. We are still Europeans and it is surely in both parties interest to work for a good outcome.

6m FT8

A few minutes ago (0944z) I QSYed to 6m FT8 calling CQ (10W to the V2000) initially. As yet, no spots on RX or TX. There seems less aircraft scatter on 6m than on 2m. Occasionally I spot Gs by tropo and winter Es on occasions on 6m.

UPDATE 1420z: Well, so far it has been pretty dismal on 6m. Altogether, just 6 stations (5Gs+ 1F) spotted on 6m FT8 RX and no spots at all of my recent 10W 6m FT8 CQ.

UPDATE 1505z: A recent CQ resulted in not a single spot!

UPDATE 1533z: Just one spot of my recent CQ by G4RDC (127km). Now QSYed to 160m.

160m FT8 RX overnight

Not a bad night with 619 stations spotted in 5 continents. Yet again, fewer North Americans, but 1 in the Caribbean and 1 in South America. Best DX was CX6VM (10767km). The latter was greyline propagation.

Stations spotted here on 160m
FT8 RX in the last day

Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

Every Tuesday I go into Cambridge for a U3AC course. The photo shows a typical scene in the city.

Sunspots - Thursday January 23rd 2020

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 0. A=6 and K=3.

Prejudice?

This evening, I had a new subscriber to my YouTube G3XBM channel. When I checked I noticed that this person's videos had Arabic titles. At first I was suspicious, so I put some through Google Translate. Those I checked looked perfectly fine.

I guess it was the Arabic text that got me concerned. I guess I did "the right thing" although it is so sad that I was suspicious.  I am sure the vast majority of Muslims wish nothing but peace.

Hope?

"It seems we have crossed a threshold. Though solar activity remains low, recent history shows no Solar Cycle 24 sunspots, only Solar Cycle 25 activity. I remain optimistic." 

From the K7RA propagation website.

160m FT8

As 6m was quiet, I have QSYed to 160m FT8 using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Best DX on RX is RU1AB (1966km). At the moment (1744z) 29 stations have been spotted on 160m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1839z: Now 70 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX with best DX RV6ADY (2980km).

UPDATE 2209z: Very early spots of VO2AR (3823km). So far this evening 348 stations spotted. Best DX on 160m FT8 RX is RV0AR (5577km).

Sub-9kHz amateur radio on TV

How good is your German?

A recent ARD TV program had a bit on sub-9kHz amateur radio. Even though my German is almost non-existent it was good to put some real faces to people I had previously only known as callsigns. Even without any German language skills you can look at the pictures!

See https://www.ardmediathek.de/ard/player/Y3JpZDovL2JyLmRlL3ZpZGVvLzJlYWUzYWMxLWVhZDAtNDI2Ni05YjY2LWQ1NWQ1MDE3ODk5Ng/?fbclid=IwAR1SCzy2H_dqRGZwg1eEG60bDYAaIJvoKFI05cO0SgL1JGkD-uZlD2qJpA4

MX-2 - 2m SSB portable

Somewhere, I still have my MX-2 SSB handheld for 2m. The last time it was used must be 7 years ago! I had a lot of fun with mine.

It was used as a handheld on 2m and to drive a homebrew 10m 1W transverter. As I recall, for a while it was the only rig I had. Plenty of DX contacts were had on 10m and some handheld DX with just a whip on 2m SSB. The battery did not last long and by modern standards it would be considered slightly large.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/mx2

The end of winter is in sight - NOT amateur radio

A few days ago we visited nearby Anglesey Abbey. Although we are in the middle of winter, there are already signs of new life appearing, as the collage shows.

2m FT8 with the vertical antenna

Overnight I remained on 2m FT8 RX with the vertical omni antenna. The height of the big-wheel and V2000 are similar as are the gains on 2m for the big-wheel and V2000.

In all, 34 stations in 4 countries were spotted in the last 6 hours on 2m FT8 RX. This is very similar to the results with the big-wheel, suggesting many stations come in via aircraft scatter, where the polarisation is randomised. Staying on overnight is a waste of time as most stations were spotted in the last few hours.

Conclusions? I agree with Martin that much of my "real DX" on 2m is via aircraft scatter.

6m FT8

At about 0930z, I swapped to 6m FT8.  Initially I called CQ (10W to the vertical V2000). As yet, no spots given or received.

UPDATE 1146z: Just a couple of Gs spotted so far this morning.

UPDATE 1340z: A recent 6m FT8 CQ (10W) was spotted by just a single G: G0GGG (211km). It would appear that he is the only G able to copy me. He has now spotted my CQs twice, although no QSO.

UPDATE 1520z: Just 4 G spots today only.  My CQs have been spotted by a couple of Gs, but nothing from continental Europe.

Sunspots - Wednesday January 22nd 2020

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 0. A=6 and K =2.

Antennas

One possibility I have is to erect a BuddyPole or similar multi-band /P antenna in the garden when needed. This cannot be as effective as a larger antenna, but would give me multi-band capability. I imagine on 10m, 12m and 15m they could be quite effective.

Certainly on FT8, they should work. This might solve my antenna erection issues. I could put it out when required and put it away when not needed.

If you have any views, please let me know.

UK earthquakes - NOT amateur radio

Thankfully, we get few serious earthquakes in the UK. Big ones are rare. The website below keeps records of those that have occurred recently.

See https://earthquakes.bgs.ac.uk/earthquakes/recent_uk_events.html

Homeless in Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

In recent years we seem to have seen an increase in rough sleepers on the streets of Cambridge. For a fact, some are "on the make", tapping in to the many tourists we see here. Some are mentally ill people who seem to have fallen through the cracks and are rough sleeping.

With so many jobs locally, people should not need to rough sleep. "Can you spare a few pennies please?", is the call. Rather than give directly to people who may spend the money on drugs, I prefer to regularly donate to a homeless charity. This way you know the money is really helping. There is little doubt that, for whatever reason, there are some genuine people who need help.

2m FT8 RX - aircraft scatter?

At the moment I am on 2m FT8 RX using the vertical antenna (V2000 omni).  My theory is that if signals are coming in mainly by aircraft scatter polarisation won't matter, so I should see as many stations in the log as with the big-wheel horizontal omni.

At the moment (0947z) I have spotted 59 stations in 8 countries. Yes, I appreciate conditions could be different on a different day, but this would suggest many stations are being received by aircraft reflection. I know this is not definite proof.

UPDATE 1020z: A recent 2m FT8 CQ (10W to the vertical omni V2000) was spotted by 25 stations. 2 QSOs resulted with the best QSO being PD4KK (287km). It would appear results with the vertical omni match those of the horizontal big-wheel for "real DX".

Stations so far spotted today on
2m FT8 RX with the vertical omni

UPDATE 1640z: So far today with the vertical omni antenna 138 stations in 9 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX. I think the K6 (supposedly in New York) was a pirate in the UK as all his calls were spotted in the UK.  I think these spots confirm that a good proportion of the spots I receive are via aircraft. With 15 second transmissions, Doppler was not visible on my waterfall, even with stations on for several minutes.

UPDATE 1926z: 160 stations in 9 countries so far spotted in the last 12 hours on 2m FT8 RX using the vertical omni.

Stations spotting my 10W FT8 CQ 

on 2m on the vertical omni this evening

UPDATE 2034z: I recently called CQ (10W to the vertical omni) and was rewarded with 34 spots of my signal and several QSOs. Sadly my old work colleague Bob G3WKW called me, but did not hear me calling him 4 times!