Cookies warnings - NOT amateur radio

Recent EU laws have made it necessary to ask users permission before installing cookies. Personally I could not care less, but get very annoyed with all the pop-up messages asking my permission.  Like many, I rarely read these and just click "OK". In my view, this stupidity gone mad. You may like to think about these Chrome and Firefox extensions:

https://www.i-dont-care-about-cookies.eu/

I think it is fine, but caveat emptor.

New 134GHz record

Persssonally, I found optical comms easier than microwaves as all the testgear and kit could be easily home made. According to Southgate News a new mm record has been set in Germany. They must be keen!

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/january/new-iaru-region-1-record-on-134-ghz.htm#.Xi7uK_KTLnE

160m FT8 overnight

At the moment I am having trouble accessing the PSKreporter database, so I cannot check the stations spotted overnight. It is now 0722z.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX overnight 

UPDATE 0908z:  It is working now. 17 North Americans, 4 Caribbeans and 1 South American spotted. Just 280 stations spotted.

Sunspots - Monday January 27th 2020

Solar flux is 75 and the SSN 18. A=4 and K=0.

Back on 160m FT8

As 6m was useless, I decided to swap to 160m FT8. There is still a contest that explains the general scarcity of FT8 signals on the band.  So far, just signals. from Denmark and Germany, although I suspect this will change after dark. On TX just 1 spot by a G station.

As usual, I am running 10W into the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. When the contest ends (presumably at 2400z) it will be interesting to see if FT8 activity picks up. Quite possibly those in the contest will want a break!

UPDATE 1625z:  Now it is getting dark, more Europeans are being spotted on 160m FT8. Currently, 11 stations spotted so far. My own 10W CQs have been copied by 5 stations in 4 countries so far.

QO-100 (Es'hail-2) Satellite

Every few weeks I check activity in the narrow-band transponder section of this geosynchronous  satellite. The last time I looked (just now) was at 1525z on a Sunday afternoon in Europe. The impression is that activity is increasing. This is just an impression based on a quick look at the webSDR at Goonhilly in Cornwall, UK

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/

That new coronavirus - NOT amateur radio

It is still too early to tell how dangerous this is. Certainly with air travel all over the world, it can spread very quickly. With long incubation periods when people are healthy, but capable of spreading the disease, it could spread very widely, very quickly. There is always the danger of mutation.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-51254523

Brain overload? - NOT amateur radio

This may just be old age or another effect of my 2013 stroke. Driving has become much harder in the last year. When going 45mph it feels like 65mph. Also, I find I am always looking out for things that could happen, like drivers pulling out and not seeing me.

It is almost as if my brain is now more like someone with autism that has too much to process. My wife thinks this is all in the mind. She may be right. Certainly driving is tiring and stressful. Even with someone else driving I am still in brain overload.

6m FT8

A little while ago I QSYed from 160m FT8 to 6m FT8, calling CQ initially. It is now 1145z. Just 1 spot by G3XDV (45km) of my CQ (10W to the vertical omni V2000) and no QSOs.

On 6m FT8 RX just G0PQO (50km) spotted so far today.

UPDATE 1445z: So far today 3 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX with best DX IK8DYD (1638km). On 6m FT8 TX just 2 spots by G stations,

How do they do it?

An old friend of mine, Andy G4FZE, sent me a link to this video on YouTube. Originally it came from EEVblog.  This is an Australian UHF CB set.  The estimated BOM cost is $5 US. How do they do it?

Daphne - NOT amateur radio

These plants can have a wonderful scent. The Daphne Mezerium was one of my day's favourites.

See https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/popular/daphne/growing-guide

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.