1 Mar 2020
Daffodils - NOT amateur radio
March 1st is the first day of spring according to the UK Met Office. The photo shows the daffodils on the way to the village church. Some parts of the church are over 1000 years old.
29 Feb 2020
17m FT8 with the tiny indoor loop
As 15m was not great, I have QSYed down to 17m FT8. So far just a single spot of my 10W from G4FTC (124km). On 17m FT8 RX 3 spots so far.
The photo shows the loop antenna on the windowsill. The ruler is to indicate the scale. It is tiny!
UPDATE 1225z: So far today, 12 stations have spotted my 10W 17m FT8 TX.
UPDATE 1507z: So far today, my little 10W FT8 TX signal from the tiny loop on the windowsill of the shack has been spotted by 17 stations with the best DX being KV4T (4361miles) in Alabama, USA. 2 stateside stations have spotted me so far today on 17m FT8 TX.
UPDATE 1630z: Now 18 stations have spotted me today on 17m FT8 TX. This includes 3 Stateside stations. 62 stations in 5 continents spotted so far on 17m FT8 RX today.
UPDATE 1818z: With 39 stations spotting my 10W, this is the best day so far on 17m FT8 TX. The map shows the spots so far today.
UPDATE 2205z: Now QRT, but after an incredible day with my best DX being a spot by PY2XAT (9565km). In all, 39 spots of my 10W in 5 continents. All with a tiny indoor loop!!
The photo shows the loop antenna on the windowsill. The ruler is to indicate the scale. It is tiny!
UPDATE 1225z: So far today, 12 stations have spotted my 10W 17m FT8 TX.
UPDATE 1507z: So far today, my little 10W FT8 TX signal from the tiny loop on the windowsill of the shack has been spotted by 17 stations with the best DX being KV4T (4361miles) in Alabama, USA. 2 stateside stations have spotted me so far today on 17m FT8 TX.
Stations spotting my 10W 17m FT8 TX today |
Gecophone
When I retired in 2008 I was kindly bought a leaving present. Thoughtfully, it was a very old crystal set called the Gecophone. Although it is about 100 years old it still works! I have now added a page on this to my website. As you can see, it is a work of art!
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/gecophone
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/gecophone
Labels:
gecophone
15m FT8
At the moment I am trying 15m FT8 RX with the tiny indoor loop antenna. On TX there seems to be some RF feedback into the rig, so I am not on TX. As yet, no spots on RX.
UPDATE 1105z: Still no spots on 15m FT8 RX. I may QSY shortly.
UPDATE 1115z: Just one OD5 spotted on 15m FT8 RX, so now QSYed to 17m FT8.
UPDATE 1105z: Still no spots on 15m FT8 RX. I may QSY shortly.
UPDATE 1115z: Just one OD5 spotted on 15m FT8 RX, so now QSYed to 17m FT8.
Ely Cathedral - NOT amateur radio
If this has been posted before, please accept my apologies. Some call it "the ship of the fens" and it can be seen from miles around much like Chartres in France. It is our favourite cathedral.
Typical Cambridge - NOT amateur radio
This is a typical Cambridge scene. In the foreground are bikes and the university church, Great St Mary's. In the background is the Senate House, famous for degree ceremonies. The world famous King's College Chapel is about 200m from here.
Because of the corona virus scare, there are far fewer far eastern visitors in the city. I guess this is to be expected.
Because of the corona virus scare, there are far fewer far eastern visitors in the city. I guess this is to be expected.
Labels:
cambridge
Solar forecast update
We are rapidly coming to the end of winter. Very early in each month my favourite solar forecast is updated. This is usually done on the first or second day of the month.
Up to now they have put the solar minimum as happening last summer. I hope they are still right. One of the indicators is polarity changes. This can also help us in the forecast of the size of the next peak.
At the moment the "experts" are expecting the next peak to be of a similar size to the last one in cycle 24. Some were predicting a Maunder Minimum with years of no sunspots, but this now seems unlikely.
Up to now they have put the solar minimum as happening last summer. I hope they are still right. One of the indicators is polarity changes. This can also help us in the forecast of the size of the next peak.
At the moment the "experts" are expecting the next peak to be of a similar size to the last one in cycle 24. Some were predicting a Maunder Minimum with years of no sunspots, but this now seems unlikely.
Chinese poet - NOT amateur radio
In the grounds of King's College, Cambridge is a memorial garden and statue created in 2018 to remember the Chinese poet Xu Zhimo who was a college member about 100 years ago.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xu_Zhimo
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xu_Zhimo
Sunspots - Saturday February 29th 2020
Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 0. A=6 and K=2. Not much sign of an upturn yet!
Labels:
sunspots
28 Feb 2020
King's College lawns - NOT amateur radio
The lawns at King's College, Cambridge are immaculate. They have plenty of money and plenty of groundsmen. Probably they spend thousands on their lawns every year.
By comparison, mine look dreadful! Mind you, I spend perhaps £25 a year and there is only one part-time groundsman - me! If the weather is decent, I might cut the lawns here next week as I think it unlikely I can expect the King's College groundsmen to venture out here!
By comparison, mine look dreadful! Mind you, I spend perhaps £25 a year and there is only one part-time groundsman - me! If the weather is decent, I might cut the lawns here next week as I think it unlikely I can expect the King's College groundsmen to venture out here!
Labels:
lawn
Spring - NOT amateur radio
On Sunday, we start meteorological spring. Not before time as we have had a dreadful February with lots of wind and rain.
This part of the UK has escaped lightly, but some parts have had heavy snow and others bad floods. It has been mild with few frosts here, but much wetter than when I first came to this area. Spring flowers are now appearing and not soon enough.
This part of the UK has escaped lightly, but some parts have had heavy snow and others bad floods. It has been mild with few frosts here, but much wetter than when I first came to this area. Spring flowers are now appearing and not soon enough.
CLM? - NOT amateur radio
Whilst posting to my blog, I noticed an advert saying proudly, "what to expect from your CLM".
Now, having been retired for nearly 12 years, it is entirely possible that I am totally out of touch with these acronyms.
Apparently it stands for Customer Lifestyle Manager. Sounds like another way of wasting money! Who thinks of these?
Now, having been retired for nearly 12 years, it is entirely possible that I am totally out of touch with these acronyms.
Apparently it stands for Customer Lifestyle Manager. Sounds like another way of wasting money! Who thinks of these?
Labels:
clm
Upturn in solar conditions - when?
So far, February has been a big disappointment. Sunspots have been virtually absent and if anything things are certainly no better than last month. If we are to confirm that we have passed the solar minimum, I would expect a few more sunspots and a slow climb in solar flux. Based on the last few weeks, I see neither. It is wrong to expect big changes until next year, but I was expecting hopeful signs.
Labels:
solar
17m FT8
Today I am on 17m FT8 with the tiny indoor loop antenna. 27 spots on RX and plenty of stations spotting my 10W TX.
UPDATE 1110z: 11 spots of my 10W so far today with the tiny indoor loop antenna.
UPDATE 1345z: 13 spots of my signal and 1 QSO so far today. On 17m FT8 RX 98 stations spotted so far. 5 continents spotted so far on 17m FT8 RX with the tiny indoor loop today.
UPDATE 1806z: With 20 stations spotting me with the best DX being N4PYI (4171 miles) today has been good. I shall be going QRT shortly.
UPDATE 1912z: Now QRT on all bands.
UPDATE 1110z: 11 spots of my 10W so far today with the tiny indoor loop antenna.
People that have spotted my 10W on 17m FT8 TX today with the tiny indoor loop antenna |
UPDATE 1806z: With 20 stations spotting me with the best DX being N4PYI (4171 miles) today has been good. I shall be going QRT shortly.
UPDATE 1912z: Now QRT on all bands.
Sword fighting - NOT amateur radio
During half term holiday we visited the Oliver Cromwell house in Ely with some of our grandchildren. Here they were sword fighting.
Oscar 100 update
The narrowband transponder of this geosynchronous satellite has been increased to 500kHz wide. My casual monitoring of the narrowband transponder shows no real change in occupancy: busier than earlier months, but still plenty of room.
See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/
See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/
Labels:
oscar 100
Heathkit
It was Heathkit that got me into radio way back in the early 1960s.
In recent years, they have been trying to make a comeback, although judging by their product range, I suspect they must be struggling. Basically, I can see a very few loyal people buying these, but not many. Anyone know what has happened to them?
See https://shop.heathkit.com/shop/category/products-am-fm-shortwave-tv-explorer-tm-series-receivers-8
In recent years, they have been trying to make a comeback, although judging by their product range, I suspect they must be struggling. Basically, I can see a very few loyal people buying these, but not many. Anyone know what has happened to them?
See https://shop.heathkit.com/shop/category/products-am-fm-shortwave-tv-explorer-tm-series-receivers-8
Labels:
heathkit
27 Feb 2020
Snow - NOT amateur radio
When I first came to Cambridge in 1970 the winters were cold and dry. Nowadays winters are wet and mild. Snow is a rarety. Many winters we see no snow.
This morning we had snow, although it had all gone by lunchtime.
The photo shows the snow this morning.
This morning we had snow, although it had all gone by lunchtime.
The photo shows the snow this morning.
Labels:
snow
Petty Cury, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio
This is the view at one end of Petty Cury in Cambridge.
When I first came to Cambridge in 1970 it was a lovely street with shops and plenty of bay windows. In their infinite wisdom, the planners pulled all these down and replaced them with modern monstrosities.
I would like to think they would not be so stupid today. Do we never learn?
When I first came to Cambridge in 1970 it was a lovely street with shops and plenty of bay windows. In their infinite wisdom, the planners pulled all these down and replaced them with modern monstrosities.
I would like to think they would not be so stupid today. Do we never learn?
Labels:
cambridge
Elecraft KX2 transceiver
Apart from a few disadvantages this looks a fine choice for HF. It is very small, it has a good RX and can produce 10W and could even be used handheld.
But....
But....
- The internal batteries have to be removed to charge.
- It does not cover 160m or 6m.
- It is expensive in the UK, but has a 2 year warranty and good technical support.
- The internal auto-ATU is extra.
- It does not have an SDR display.
- No 2m or 70cm.
I quite expect Elecraft to come out with a Mk2 which allows charging in situ of the internal batteries. One thing is certain: if I was to buy one then this Mk2 version would be released the very next day!
See https://elecraft.com/
See https://elecraft.com/
Rally
Sunday 1 MARCH : EXETER RADIO & ELECTRONICS RALLY
America Hall, De la Rue Way, Pinhoe, Exeter EX4 8PW. Doors open at 10.30am (10.15am for disabled visitors). Admission £2 (under 16s free). There will be trade stands, Bring & Buy (book in from 10.15am), and catering. Details from Pete, G3ZVI on 0771 419 8374 or g3zvi@yahoo.co.uk
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/
America Hall, De la Rue Way, Pinhoe, Exeter EX4 8PW. Doors open at 10.30am (10.15am for disabled visitors). Admission £2 (under 16s free). There will be trade stands, Bring & Buy (book in from 10.15am), and catering. Details from Pete, G3ZVI on 0771 419 8374 or g3zvi@yahoo.co.uk
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/
Labels:
rally
20m FT8 again with the tiny indoor loop
UPDATE 1737z: My little signal has been spotted by 13 stations so far today. 229 stations spotted on RX.
Stations spotted so far today on the tiny indoor loop on 20m FT8 RX |
Stations that spotted my 10W 20m FT8 to the tiny indoor loop |
Sunspots - Thursday February 27th 2020
Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=1.
Labels:
sunspots
ICOM IC-705
This QRP radio is still not available. Many think it will be first released in the USA in May at Dayton, although I would expect it to be released in Japan first. As reported on Tuesday, the Chinese Q900 is clearly designed as competition at about a third of the price. Chinese quality control still bothers me though.
The IC-705 will clearly be market priced so they maximise profits for ICOM and their dealers. This basically means inflate the price as much as the punters will pay. Only drop the price if demand falls.
The IC-705 will clearly be market priced so they maximise profits for ICOM and their dealers. This basically means inflate the price as much as the punters will pay. Only drop the price if demand falls.
26 Feb 2020
Elecraft
Elecraft K4 transceiver |
See https://elecraft.com/
Labels:
elecraft
Beofeng portables
These seem to be "iffy".
They are very low cost, but the quality control seems poor. Some work well, whereas others may be very deaf. It seems to me like the Chinese are still on a learning curve.
At the moment I am not inclined to spend much money on Chinese amateur radio gear. They can do it - see for example of the Apple iPad.
They are very low cost, but the quality control seems poor. Some work well, whereas others may be very deaf. It seems to me like the Chinese are still on a learning curve.
At the moment I am not inclined to spend much money on Chinese amateur radio gear. They can do it - see for example of the Apple iPad.
Labels:
beogeng
20m FT8 with the tiny indoor loop
A few moments ago I QSYed from 17m FT8 to 20m FT8. Although no-one has spotted my 2.5W yet, it is working on RX with 21 stations spotted so far with AB1EP (4941km) as best DX spotted here so far on 20m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1514z: With 2.5W and the tiny loop indoors the best DX is ES5RY (1791km). SWR is 1:1. On 20m FT8 RX 68 stations spotted so far today.
UPDATE 1529z: Changed rigs so now running 6dB more on 20m FT8 TX.
UPDATE 1610z: Now 97 stations spotted on 20m FT8 RX with best DX spotted K6OK (8413km). It really annoys me that the FCC has really messed up USA calls! At one time K6 would have been somewhere like California. Now K6 can be anywhere. It happens to be California in this case.
UPDATE 1627z: IU6JJE (1570km) was spotting me strongly. Even with my 10W to the tiny indoor loop he was copying me at -9dB S/N on 20m FT8 TX! On 20m FT8 RX, 106 stations spotted so far.
UPDATE 1816z: 8 spots of my 10W 20m FT8 so far today. On 20m FT8 RX 139 spots so far.
UPDATE 1900z: After a QSO on 20m FT8 with an EA5, I have now gone QRT on all bands.
UPDATE 1514z: With 2.5W and the tiny loop indoors the best DX is ES5RY (1791km). SWR is 1:1. On 20m FT8 RX 68 stations spotted so far today.
UPDATE 1529z: Changed rigs so now running 6dB more on 20m FT8 TX.
Stations spotted to about 1545z today on 20m FT8 RX |
UPDATE 1627z: IU6JJE (1570km) was spotting me strongly. Even with my 10W to the tiny indoor loop he was copying me at -9dB S/N on 20m FT8 TX! On 20m FT8 RX, 106 stations spotted so far.
20m FT8 TX (10 or less) today |
UPDATE 1900z: After a QSO on 20m FT8 with an EA5, I have now gone QRT on all bands.
365project - NOT amateur radio
Firstly, to avoid all confusion, this nothing at all to do with Microsoft Word 365! If you want, it can be totally free. For not much you can have total privacy and multiple albums.
For many years my wife and I have sent a picture a day to 365project.org. I think we both started in 2013. Some use this as a way of posting wonderful photographic creations. Others, like my wife and I, just use it as a visual diary. We would win no prizes!
If you have grandchildren, it is good to look back every day and see how they have developed. When we have visitors we can say exactly when they last came! You can look back each month right back to when you started.
You can also, if you want, look at other people's photos. No great photographic masterpieces are needed. Photos can be uploaded by email if you want. Altogether great fun. My user name is g3xbm and my wife foxes37.
The photo shows the snapshots for August 2019. Clicking the individual photos on 365project brings up the full sized images.
See https://365project.org/
For many years my wife and I have sent a picture a day to 365project.org. I think we both started in 2013. Some use this as a way of posting wonderful photographic creations. Others, like my wife and I, just use it as a visual diary. We would win no prizes!
If you have grandchildren, it is good to look back every day and see how they have developed. When we have visitors we can say exactly when they last came! You can look back each month right back to when you started.
You can also, if you want, look at other people's photos. No great photographic masterpieces are needed. Photos can be uploaded by email if you want. Altogether great fun. My user name is g3xbm and my wife foxes37.
The photo shows the snapshots for August 2019. Clicking the individual photos on 365project brings up the full sized images.
See https://365project.org/
Labels:
365project
481THz
This popped up as a Facebook memory from 2012. It shows G4HJW's optical signal received on my kit "over the horizon". There was no signal visible. This encouraged me to carry out my own experiments.
17m FT8
Last night I decided not to go on any band although this morning I am on 17m FT8 RX with the tiny indoor loop antenna.
UPDATE 1032z: 21 stations spotted so far today on 17m FT8 RX. Best DX spotted here so far is 9K2HN (4632km).
UPDATE 1300z: Now 40 stations spotted today on 17m FT8 RX with best DX spotted being HS5XWY (9469km).
UPDATE 1327z: I have just decided to try 17m FT8 TX (2.5W) with the tiny indoor loop antenna. Already I have been spotted well in the Canary Islands by EA8BEV (3126km).
UPDATE 1032z: 21 stations spotted so far today on 17m FT8 RX. Best DX spotted here so far is 9K2HN (4632km).
17m FT8 RX spots to 1300z today |
UPDATE 1327z: I have just decided to try 17m FT8 TX (2.5W) with the tiny indoor loop antenna. Already I have been spotted well in the Canary Islands by EA8BEV (3126km).
Cambridge bookshops - NOT amateur radio
When I first came to Cambridge about 50 years ago, there were far more bookshops than now. The biggest was Heffers with several shops scattered across the town. Heffers is now owned by Blackwells of Oxford I think.
I guess many people buy their books on the internet instead (in the main, I do), although browsing through books is still a pleasure. In 20 years' time what will we do?
There are still a few independent second-hand bookshops around. One of these is David's shown in the photo. This has remained much the same over 50 years.
I guess many people buy their books on the internet instead (in the main, I do), although browsing through books is still a pleasure. In 20 years' time what will we do?
There are still a few independent second-hand bookshops around. One of these is David's shown in the photo. This has remained much the same over 50 years.
Labels:
bookshops
Sunspots - Wednesday February 26th 2020
Solar flux is 71 and the sunspot number 0. A=3 and K=1.
Labels:
sunspots
25 Feb 2020
2m FT8
Since returning from Cambridge I have again been on 2m FT8 with 10W to the big-wheel omni antenna
So far, 7 spots of me in 3 countries with the best being a spot by GI6ATZ (479km) in N. Ireland. It seems nearly every time I go on 2m FT8 he copies me!
Fewer stations spotted here. Tropo conditions seem dire.
UPDATE 2105z: 12 stations in 4 countries have so far spotted me on 2m FT8 this evening. Best DX is a spot of me by EI3KD (583km).
UPDATE 2318z: QRT.
So far, 7 spots of me in 3 countries with the best being a spot by GI6ATZ (479km) in N. Ireland. It seems nearly every time I go on 2m FT8 he copies me!
Fewer stations spotted here. Tropo conditions seem dire.
UPDATE 2105z: 12 stations in 4 countries have so far spotted me on 2m FT8 this evening. Best DX is a spot of me by EI3KD (583km).
UPDATE 2318z: QRT.
OFCOM - thank you!
OFCOM is usually an organisation I complain about, but today I want to say thank you. Yesterday I forgot my password. Today I got an email to get a new one and an email to say my amateur licence had been revalidated to 2025. The person who handled the query showed initiative - thank you!
Honesty - NOT amateur radio
After my U3AC course in Cambridge I decided to have a coffee at Pret a Manger in Market Street. About 5 minutes after someone dropped some change on the floor a shop assistant just picked it up and put it in the charity box. Excellent. At 99p filter coffee here is good value and the service is very good.
Q900 QRP rig
The IC-705 already has a Chinese competitor at about one third of the price according to DXzone.com. Pretty sure this is genuine.
It surprises me that we have not seen many more Chinese radios yet. Once they get the quality right, they will undercut the Japanese big time.
See https://www.dxzone.com/q900-sdr-transceiver
UPDATE 2100z: You get the feeling this is a "test the market" prototype. At least one YouTube review is raising questions. For now, I have sufficient doubts not to buy one. In time, the Chinese could become a big threat to the Japanese manufacturers, but not yet.
It surprises me that we have not seen many more Chinese radios yet. Once they get the quality right, they will undercut the Japanese big time.
See https://www.dxzone.com/q900-sdr-transceiver
UPDATE 2100z: You get the feeling this is a "test the market" prototype. At least one YouTube review is raising questions. For now, I have sufficient doubts not to buy one. In time, the Chinese could become a big threat to the Japanese manufacturers, but not yet.
Labels:
q900
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