President Trump wisdom - NOT amateur radio

Why, oh why, did so many USA folk vote for him?

His medical advisors are suggesting the wearing of face masks and his wife is tweeting Americans urging them to do so, but wise President Trump is not following suit. Such leadership and such wisdom.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-52161529

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

Simply as I have my W5OLF 10m WSPR TX beacon and my tiny indoor loop, I am on 10m WSPR TX. This is on continuously, shifting the TX frequency every 2 minutes. A couple of spots already from G4KPX (14km) proving all is fine. Drift is going down.

2m FT8

As usual, I am on 2m FT8 with 10W to the big-wheel omni.

Although I sit on one frequency calling CQ  to see where my signal reaches, I have plenty of QSOs every day. If you call me, I shall do my best to work you.

At 0900z, my 10W has been spotted already by 10 stations in 2 countries with the best being a spot by GW6TEO (371km).

Already 1 QSO had after just a few minutes.

UPDATE  0930z: Already spotted by 19 stations in 3 countries with the best DX spot being by DF6MU (475km). On 2m FT8 RX 10 stations spotted so far.

UPDATE 0946z: Already 2 QSOs had and spotted by 21 stations.

UPDATE 1740z: 40 stations in 5 countries have spotted me today on 2m FT8 using 10W.

UPDATE 2040z: QRT. Plenty of QSOs today.

Village walk - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday, we did a nice walk around the village. The photo shows some of the things we saw.

Sunspots - Saturday April 4th 2020

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 13 . A=8 and and K=2.

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

Simply as the tiny indoor loop and 10m WSPR beacon are available, I am TXing on 10m WSPR since 0742z. As yet, no spots.

UPDATE 0806z: It seems G4KPX (14km) has just turned on and is spotting me. At the moment  drift is quite high, probably as both my TX and his RX are still settling. Similar strength to yesterday, so all working. It would be good to see a few more locals spotting me in the absence of any DX.

UPDATE 0810z: Drift now 0Hz.

2m FT8 - too easy?

Although I have only been on 2m FT8 for a while (started at 0742z with 10W to the big-wheel omni), I have already been spotted 8 stations in about 10 minutes with the best DX a spot by G0RQL (353km) in north Devon.

UPDATE 0822z: Now spotted by 11 stations in 2 countries so far on 2m FT8 TX.

UPDATE 1825z: Now spotted by 44 stations in 7 countries in the last day on 2m FT8.

Thanks - NOT amateur radio

Like many in Europe, many people on our road came out at 8pm last night for the key workers trying to save us in the Corona virus pandemic. We clapped.

Friedrichshafen - still on (for now)

At the moment, organisers are still working and planning on the assumption that this big event is still taking place in June. They hope to re-assess things in a few weeks' time. If I was a betting man (I am not) I should assume this will be either cancelled or postponed.

See https://www.hamradio-friedrichshafen.com/

Sunspots - Friday April 3rd 2020

Solar flux is 69 and the sunspot number 12. A=7 and K=3.

Rallies postponed or cancelled

The best advice seems to be assume all rallies are postponed or cancelled at the moment. I have just received this.

Again apologies if the white background renders this hard to read, but this is how I got this news.


Saturday 4 APRIL : POSTPONED

23RD ANNUAL GMDX CONVENTION. King Robert Hotel, Whins of Milton, Stirling FK7 0LJ GMDX AGM, lectures and card checking. See www.gmdx.org.uk.


Sunday 5 APRIL : CANCELLED

YEOVIL ARC QRP CONVENTION. Digby Hall, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3AA. Doors open 9.30am to 2pm, admission is £3 (regrettably no dogs except guide dogs). The event is supported by the RSGB, RAFARS and BYLARA. There will be club stands as well as new and 2nd hand stalls. Two talks are scheduled during the day; Getting aerials to radiate well by Rob, G3MYM and The Hentenna by Dave, G3ZXX. Refreshments will be available on site. Bob Harris, G8UED wjh069@gmail.com or secretary@yeovil-arc.com [http:// Yeovil-arc.com].

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

Village walk - NOT amateur radio

Today we did a walk around the village. We went to the far end of the village and probably covered about 3.5 miles.

Winter colour

Every winter we plant winter flowering pansies and primroses to give a bit of colour. Now are into the spring we shall have to think about plants for the spring and summer. Not sure how we will manage this year.

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

For a little while, I have been on 10m WSPR TX with the tiny indoor loop antenna. At the moment just G4KPX (14km) spotting me (4 spots so far at 0919z). Drift is quite high, but getting better,  probably as both my beacon and his RX are settling.

UPDATE 1235z: So far today just spots by G4KPX (14km).

UPDATE 2110z: Now QRT.

2m FT8

Once again, I am on 2m FT8 using 10W to the big-wheel omni antenna. So far (to 0912z) 5 stations have spotted me with the best DX being 2 stations in north Devon.

UPDATE 1230z: So far 21 stations in 5 countries have spotted me today.

UPDATE 1430z:  Now 30 stations in 6 countries have spotted my 10W FT8 to the big-wheel omni today.

UPDATE 2120z: Now QRT.  In all, 52 stations spotted my 10W in the last day on 2m FT8 TX with with the most distant being SM0MDG (1364km) in Sweden.

Solar forecast update

My favourite site for solar forecasts has been updated.  It still showa we have just passed the minimum.  See www.solen.info/solar

Reading material - NOT amateur radio

At the moment I am reading this thick book - actually just dipping in and out. It is an account of a trip around the country almost 300 years ago. It is fascinating.

Shopping online - NOT amateur radio

Like many, we had a food delivery at home this week. This was our first. Apart from ordering just one banana by mistake, it was a great success.

Sunspots - Thursday April 2nd 2020

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN 13. A =6 and K=1.

Budding artist - NOT amateur radio

Our younger grandson is a talented artist. This is one of his paintings. He is just 11.

Just over a year ago he painted our old house for my 70th. It was very good.

10m WSPR TX

Once again, I decided to stick the W5OLF 10m WSPR beacon (500mW) on using the tiny indoor loop antenna. So far, several spots by G4KPX (14km), but no real DX.

UPDATE 1440z: Just spots from G4KPX today so far on 10m WSPR. I can't remember what S/N he was giving my last year on the outside wire, but I don't think it was much better, if anything, than the indoor loop.

2m FT8 again

Every time I go on TX, I get spotted at great range, even though I only use 10W to a big-wheel omni antenna. So far this morning (at 1047z) 32 stations have spotted my 10W in 4 countries including DL, GI, GC and G. Best DX spot was (again) by GI6ATZ (479km). Although some reports might be random MS, flat band tropo and aircraft, I suspect most are some kind of scatter, as this sort of range seems to be possible at any time.

UPDATE 1310z:  Now spotted by 41 stations in 5 countries in the last 12 hours.Did someone say 2m is quiet?

UPDATE 1507z:  Now 50 spots of my 10W in 6 countries on 2m FT8 in the last 12 hours. It would appear lots are watching 2m FT8!

UPDATE 2112z:  Now 70 spots of my 10W in 7 countries in the last 12 hours.

Quiet walk - NOT amateur radio

This lane is about 0.25 miles from where we live.

Nature carrying on - NOT amateur radio

On our walk yesterday we saw this plant growing. Nature carries on.

Sunspots - Wednesday April 1st 2020

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=14 and K=3.

Sympathetically designed - NOT amateur radio

Near our church is a modern house which has been sympathetically designed to blend in.

Personally I think they made a good job.

2m FT8

At the moment I am on 2m FT8 using 10W and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far, at 0900z 9 spots of me.

Spots of me to 1040z today 

UPDATE 1040z: 18 spots of me so far today.

UPDATE 1555z: Now spotted by 29 stations in 6 countries.

10m WSPR TX again

Once again I am on 10m WSPR TX using 500mW to the tiny indoor loop antenna. No spots yet at 0855z.

UPDATE 0910z: A spot of me by G4KPX received.

Covid-19 hope - NOT amateur radio

Although the economic impact will be huge and the death toll is still rising, there are little glimmers of hope.

Across the planet, companies are going to extra-ordinary lengths to design and make things in impossibly fast times. Although a vaccine could be some way off, there are trials of re-purposed drugs that might just help.

The rate of spread of the infections here in the UK seems to be starting to slow since social distancing measures were introduced. We are learning to work from home in many cases and are using technology to keep in touch with friends and family.

This could be a long haul, but there is a glimmer of light.

East Cambridgeshire 2m FM net

Last night, at 8pm UK time on 144.575MHz vertical (yes 144.575 FM) we met on the air. Several people were listening too. We welcomed newcomer to the net Martin G4FZM, who has yet to erect a vertical antenna. I used to work with Martin many years ago.

Put it in your diary: 8pm Monday 144.575MHz FM vertical, in the East Cambs area. Everyone welcome.

Sunspots - Tuesday March 31st 2020

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN 0.  A=11 and K=4.

Daisies - NOT amateur radio

On our walk earlier we saw several patches of daisies in the grass. They are wild and cheer us up.

Springtime - NOT amateur radio

At the moment, for most of the world, life is very hard and uncertain. Nonetheless in the northern hemisphere we are starting the spring season with promises of new life. There are lots of spring flowers and trees have that fresh green look.

In the autumn we'll probably look back at these days in amazement.

As I post to many places, I cannot remember if this has appeared on this blog before or not, but it is a nice cheerful image and I am sure you don't mind it appearing again!

UPDATE 1247z: The photo was first on on March 25th.

Cheese scone recipe - NOT amateur radio

These turned out very easy to make and excellent to eat. I have made a couple of batches and you might like to have a go.

Method

• Preheat fan oven to 180 deg C.
• Weigh out 300g self raising flour.
• Add 150g of grated cheese.
• Add dried chives to taste.
• Mix a little water and milk in a jug.
• Add water/milk to dough and mix just enough to make a dough (not too wet) when mixed by hand.
• Roll out dough to about 2cm thick.
• Cut out scones with a cutter.
• Add some grated cheese on top of each.
• Place on an oiled baking tray.
• Place in oven for 18 minutes.

Take out and enjoy, ideally warm with butter!

The original Tesco recipe used natural yoghurt.

10m WSPR TX

As on the last 2 days, I am on 10m WSPR TX (500mW) using my W5OLF WSPR beacon to my indoor loop. Frequency randomly changes every TX period. This series of transmissios is more in hope than expectation.

If you can see me and upload to the WSPRnet database I would much appreciate this, even if you are local.  As yet, I have still to get any spots this year!

UPDATE  1104z: Spots! G4KPX (14km) Richard in Ely has spotted me. These are my first 10m WSPR spots this year. Thank you.

UPDATE 1230z: Just been spotted by OE9GHV (871km).

UPDATE 1530z: More spots by G4KPX. No DX other than the Austrian earlier.

UPDATE 2030z: Now QRT.

On 2m FT8 again

A few moments ago, I went on 2m FT8 with my usual 10W to the big-wheel omni. My technique is to sit on one frequency calling CQ and see who responds. A quick look on PSKreporter maps shows who is spotting me.

At the moment  (0750z) I have been spotted by 4 stations in 2 countries, but the power was only 6W. On 2m FT8 RX no-one yet spotted. Activity seems low.

UPDATE 0830z:  18 spots of me so far today. Best DX so far are spots by a couple of stations on the Lizard in Cornwall.   Just 1 spot so far on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1112z: 26 spots in 5 countries so far of my 10W to the big-wheel omni including GI and GD (again), Cornwall and GW4VXE (367km) in west Wales.

UPDATE 1235z:  29 spots of my 2m FT8 10W today so far.

UPDATE 1530z:  After a brief period on RX after a QSO, I am back on TX again. 34 stations have spotted me so far today.

UPDATE 2030z: 43 stations have spotted my 2m FT8 10W in the last day. Now QRT.

Amateur radio social distancing humour

We live in strange times. One radio amateur has added a dash of humour!

See http://qso365.co.uk/2020/03/social-distancing/

Oscar 100 activity

Every few weeks I give an update on the activity level on the narrowband transponder of this geosynchronous satellite. At the moment, it would appear that activity levels are broadly similar to a few weeks ago.

This is just my impression and not very scientific!

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/

Picnic time - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows one of my granddaughters out with her dad on a cycle ride.

Here they are having a picnic stop a few days ago. Her dad is taking the photo. I think this is the River Lee.

Sunspots - Monday March 30th 2020

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