Springtime - NOT amateur radio

Spring is a lovely time of year with fresh green leaves, spring flowers, young birds and new life. It is ephemeral and soon goes.

Our local churchyard is at its best. A little while ago the daffodils were out. Now the horse chestnut trees are looking splendid (see photo). These were planted in memory of the battle of Trafalgar many years ago.

Oscar 100 - is there a problem?

Activity at 1100z on Oscar 100

Usually, I check narrowband activity on the geosynchronous satellite by looking at the web SDR at Goonhilly in Cornwall, UK. The last time I checked (0935z) there was no activity at all!! Since then just one station has appeared. At the moment, there are a few more, but not many.

So, activity seems very low. With lockdowns, I was expecting more activity. It looks like the novelty has worn off. Once the gear is in place, many users are saying, "fine, done that" and going QRT.  Like Echolink and repeaters, what is the challenge? After all, it is really just another repeater, if a lot simpler and smaller than a big beam, kWs and a big tower. Once you have worked one station the rest are "same as".

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/

6m FT8

My 6m FT8 gear is on again. 14 stations have spotted my 10W to the V2000 vertical omni, but I have only spotted 2 stations so far. No QSOs yet.

UPDATE 1000z: 17 spots of me so far, but no QSOs. My usual technique is to call CQ and reply to the first station calling me. I rarely call others calling CQ. I know this gives me fewer contacts, but I like to see where I am getting.

UPDATE 1254z:  37 stations, all EU, have spotted me so far on 6m FT8 TX. On RX just 8 stations spotted so far. I am sure that better equipped stations will be able to do much better, but I am happy to see results with my little station (FT991A at 10W, V2000 vertical omni, cheap CB coax).

UPDATE 1520z: 72 stations spotted today here, so far, on 6m FT8 RX. On TX 59 stations have spotted me and I have had 1 QSO with an EA4.

10m WSPR TX (500mW to the indoor loop)

A few minutes ago (it is now 0916z) I turned on my 10m WSPR beacon. So far just G4KPX (14km) spotting me.

UPDATE 1250z:  Still just G4KPX spotting me.

UPDATE 1505z: Also being spotted by several stations today by Es.

UPDATE 2100z:  QRT.

Sunspots - Wednesday June 10th 2020

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 14.  A=5 and K=1.

70cm UKAC

This evening I spent 40 minutes in the 70cm activity contest (UKAC) organised by the RSGB with 10W using the 2m big-wheel omni antenna. In all 4 QSOs with the best being a contact with G4CLA (105km).

Ripening - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows the ripening corn seen on our walk earlier. In a few weeks it will be golden.

SPAM comments - NOT amateur radio

Just a few minutes ago, I permanently deleted a comment on one of my blog entries posted today. This had absolutely no relevance.  As soon as such posts are seen they get deleted. SPAM posts have no place here. If any get through, please let me know so I can deal with them.  Most times they are deleted very fast, but some may creep through.

Moon journey - NOT amateur radio

There is a video about the Chinese satellite orbiting the moon. Some people dislike the Chinese, but they will be even more of a super-power this century.

6m FT8

So far today, no QSOs yet (0845z) on 6m FT8. So far 44 spots of my 10W to the V2000 vertical omni mostly EU stations via Es.

UPDATE 1127z:  A couple of 6m FT8 QSOs with EU stations and I have been spotted by 82 stations so far today on 6m. Most are EU with a couple in North Africa.

UPDATE 1312z:  VE3DS (5714km) spotted on 6m FT8. Sadly, no transatlantic 6m FT8 QSOs, just European QSOs so far today.

10m WSPR TX (500mW to the indoor loop)

For the last few hours I have been on 10m WSPR TX with the WSPR beacon. So far, 5 unique stations have spotted me, some by Es.

The general level of 10m WSPR activity was a pleasant surprise.

UPDATE 1209z: So far today, spotted by 7 stations with best DX spot being by SM6WZI (1007km).

Stations spotting me to
 1347z on 10m WSPR

UPDATE 1350z:  No further stations spotting me today.

Ely Cathedral - NOT amateur radio

A few days ago we went for a walk around Ely. The cathedral (see photo) was still locked. It is a very fine building.

Sunspots - Tuesday June 9th 2020

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 17.  A=4 and K=1.

IC-705 unboxing

As my Japanese is non-existent, I just had to watch the pictures, but it looks like the IC-705 is now on sale in Japan. According to ICOM Japan the IC-705 will be on sale in Japan from mid-June, with international markets following type approvals.

See https://www.icomjapan.com/news/2707/

Poppies - NOT amateur radio

One of the joys of our "lockdown" walks is just seeing the beauty all around us. It is surprising just what you see with your eyes open.

Incidentally, we had a real surprise about an hour ago when a Muntjac deer bounded across the road into a neighbour's garden, but I digress.

The poppies in the photo were on the lane side on our walk yesterday. In June, they are probably at their best.

Promoting amateur radio

From time to time we get a chance to promote our amateur radio hobby at other events. The RSGB has published some notes to help us do the right thing.

See https://rsgb.org/main/clubs/media-guide-for-affiliated-societies/

6m FT8

As usual I am on 6m FT8 with 10W and the V2000 vertical omni.

My own signal is being spotted across Europe with the best DX spot being by OD5ET (3463km). Quite a bit of 6m Es. Best DX here on 6m FT8 RX is 4X4DK (3580km).

No-one has called me yet and no QSOs yet. I guess people are working stronger stations!

UPDATE 1425z:  Several QSOs had now on 6m FT8. Best DX spotted on 6m FT8 RX here is A92HK (5064km) in Bahrain. Many of the bigger stations (with far better antennas than I have!) are calling or working the USA.

UPDATE 2045z:   QRT.

10m WSPR TX (500mW to the indoor loop)

At about 0930z I turned on my 10m WSPR TX beacon. So far, just spots by G4KPX (14km) with no Es spots yet.

UPDATE 1422z:  Now spotted by 3 different stations with 2 being by Es.

UPDATE 1904z: Now spotted by 3 stations so far today. Earlier I thought it was 5 stations, but some of these were last evening!

UPDATE 2048z:  QRT.

Vancouver BC - NOT amateur radio

Vancouver BC

Many years ago we were in Vancouver in western Canada (see photo). It is a grand city.

Sunspots - Monday June 8th 2020

Solar flux is 73 and the SSN 16.  A=9 and K=2.

Strange weather - NOT amateur radiio

We had a lovely April and May, but June has been mixed. We mostly avoided rain on our walk this morning but is a real "sunshine and showers" day today, more typical of the UK in April.

Walk - NOT amateur radio

In the last few "lockdown" months we have done far more local walks. Today was no exception. We chose a path which clearly was not well known. We saw just 3 people walking their dog and we all had plenty of space.

My wife took a photo of this flower, which I think is related to the pea. It is a delicate flower called the sainfoin, I think. If you know better, I am happy to be corrected!

10m WSPR TX today (500mW to the indoor loop)

Just G4KPX (14km) spotting me today so far. It is currently 1407z. Early days yet.

UPDATE 1448z:  Just 11 spots by G4KPX so far today.

Sunday on 6m FT8

A few minutes ago 6m FT8 was turned on with 10W and the vertical omni antenna. So far, 24 stations have spotted me (it is now 1405z). Most of these are Europeans via Es. Fewer stations spotted here.

UPDATE 2115z:   Several stations are calling and working Caribbean and USA stations.

Yesterday on 10m WSPR TX (500mW and the indoor loop)

Much of the day I was on 10m WSPR, although storms forced early closure. No great DX spots.

Yesterday on 6m FT8

Much of the day yesterday I was on 6m FT8, although thunderstorms caused me to go QRT on several occasions.

Sunspots - Sunday June 7th 2020

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 15. A=3 and K=2.

Portable operating in the 1980s

The photo shows me operating portable from my parent's garden in the 1980s I think. It is just possible it is the early 1990s. Most of my hair is still there!

Cornwall - NOT amateur radio

Searching through an old box, we came across this old photo of St Ives in Cornwall. I have no idea why we have it or its origin.

Sunspots - Saturday June 6th 2020

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 13.  A=4 and K=1.

Thunder risk - everything disconnected

The skies have turned dark and it is windy and rainy. Thunder storms are about 30 kilometres away, so I have disconnected all antennas and plugs.  I am QRT.

If the threat passes I may reconnect things later.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortung/europe/index.php?lang=en

UPDATE 1452z:  The storm seems to have bypassed us for now, so everything reconnected for now.

UPDATE 1504z: Well I got that wrong! Lightning, hail, rain - the lot! QRT again. After about 30 minutes I reconnected things.

English weather - NOT amateur radio

April and May have been very pleasant here with lots of sunshine. In fact this was the best spring (sunniest) on record. In the last day, the weather has changed: it is much cooler and more showery.

This good weather coincided with our lockdown. We have done some lovely local walks, in fact more than usual. We have paid more attention to nature this spring.  Now the weather is more changeable, it makes walks less attractive. The ideal weather would be rain at night but dry, bright days!

10m WSPR TX (500mW to the indoor loop)

At about 0800z, the 10m WSPR beacon was turned on and already spots from Germany by Es as well as local G4KPX (14km). DJ9PC (825km) has  spotted me a couple of times already by 0824z).

Yesterday, I got 4 different stations spotting me  all day. Today looks more promising.

UPDATE 1112z: Altogether a much better day with spots of me by 9 different stations so far.

10m WSPR unique station spots of me today

UPDATE 1445z :  QRT as thunderstorm risk.

UPDATE 2120z: After about 30 minutes everything was reconnected. Now QRT.

6m FT8

As of about 0800z, the FT8 gear was switched on. So far (0829z) 31 spots of my 10W to the omni vertical on TX and 25 stations spotted on RX. So far, all EU.

UPDATE 1138z:  So far today, 123 stations have spotted me, but no QSOs yet. I am auto sequencing and answering whoever calls me first, which is my normal operating style. I monitor things very regularly on another PC and can be in the shack in just a few seconds.  110 stations spotted here so far. Most stations are in Europe with a handful of near Asians.

UPDATE 1445z:  QRT as thunderstorm risk.  About minutes later everything was reconnected.

UPDATE 2125z:  In all, 145 spots of my 10W to the vertical omni. This is quite poor for recent days.

More rally news

The following rallies have been cancelled or postponed.  The precis is the Rochdale and District ARS rally is cancelled, but it may be rescheduled to November. The Spaldng DARS is cancelled. The Lough Erne rally has been postponed.

Again, if the background makes this hard to read, I apologise. This is how I receive this.


Saturday 6 JUNE : CANCELLED but hopefully rescheduled to November

ROCHDALE & DISTRICT ARS SUMMER RALLY. St Vincent de Paul's, Caldershaw Road, off Edenfield Road, Norden, Rochdale, OL12 7QR. Doors open to the public at 10.15am, with disabled visitors gaining access 15 minutes earlier. Admission is £2.50, under 12s free. Pitches are £5 if you have your own table or £10 with a table provided. Refreshments are available including bacon and sausage butties. Details from Robert, M0NVQ, on 0777 811 3333 or m0nvq@outlook.com.


Sunday 7 JUNE : CANCELLED

SPALDING DARS ANNUAL RALLY. It is with regret, and following extensive talks, taking advice, that we announce that this years Spalding Rally in June is unfortunately cancelled...We look forward to seeing traders and visitors again in 2021... Holbeach Community Sports Academy, Pennyhill Lane, Holbeach PE12 7PR Doors open at 9.30am and admittance is £3. The venue offers easy access from the A17, large area for boot traders and modern hall for indoor traders. There will be a Car Boot Sale, RSGB Book Stall, Special Interest Groups and trade stands. Catering is available on site and there will be a prize draw/raffle. Contact Graham Boor, G8NWC, 07754 619 701, rallysecretary@sdars.org.uk.


Sunday 7 JUNE : POSTPONED

LOUGH ERNE RALLY. SHARE Centre, Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh BT92 0EQ Doors are open at 11.30am and there is free parking. Entry is £5.00 or €5.00 on the door. Free tables for trade and special interest groups. There will be a bar and café with cooked lunch available. The RSGB will be in attendance. The raffle is included in the door entry price. Bring & Buy is free. For updates visit website www.learc.eu.


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

Sunspots - Friday June 5th 2020

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 12. A=4 and K=1.

RF interference levels

At the moment, I am quite rare in having a quiet RF noise level. Others are not so lucky and HF operating is all but impossible. Southgate News reports on an IARU submission to CISPR on this.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/june/rising-rf-noise-levels-iaru-submits-paper-to-cispr.htm#.XtkLr4jYrrc

70cm yagi

Unless I am mistaken the photo shows the homebrew 4 el yagi I made about 7 years ago for use in portable activity contests.

I still have this antenna in the back of the garage. It has not been used in recent years. The mast is just a PVC tube trapped in the car door.

Zoom jazz gig - NOT amateur radio

As reported a few days ago, my son is a professional jazz pianist. He plays at all the very best venues in London and around the UK and has appeared on the BBC and other radio stations and has done tours overseas.

Currently, with venues closed, he is unable to play live gigs. Last night he did a Zoom performance with people buying tickets. It was a great success.

Not so modern technology

This photo appeared as a memory earlier. Looks good stuff, although I doubt it will ever catch on, HI.