We have not had any real frosts yet. Last winter we had very few.
16 Nov 2020
Winter colour - NOT amateur radio
Cactus - NOT amateur radio
2m FT8 QRP
It is now 1047z. I have been on 2m FT8 with 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna for about 25 minutes. So far, I have been spotted by 5 stations with the furthermost being GI6ATZ (479km). I was also spotted by G7RAU (461km). Just a single station spotted on RX.
I still find this too random for aircraft scatter. Random times? 2.5W? Omni antenna? To me, this feels like some other form of scatter that FT8 enables. Yes, some may be aircraft scatter. There is never a day when I go on 2m FT8 QRP when I don't get spotted at massive distances. For me, FT8 has totally transformed 2m.
UPDATE 1410z: 9 stations have spotted me so far on 2m FT8 QRP. I have spotted 3.
UPDATE 1846z: 13 stations have spotted me and I have spotted 19 stations on 2m FT8 today.
15 Nov 2020
Trump - NOT amateur radio
Twat according to every person I have spoken with. Yes, everybody.
Honestly, I have spoken to many, many people. Not a single person, not one, has had a good word to say for him. What amazes me is how many actually voted for him.
2m FT8 QRP
After a fruitless day on 6m FT8, I have QSYed to 2m FT8 QRP with 2.5W to the big-wheel omni antenna at 1710z.
So far (at 1725z) nothing spotted and no-one spotting me, which is unusual. As I was suspicious I restarted the program and checked my signal at http://82.71.9.63:8080/cap/, which is the grabber at G0LRD. Everything there from me looks fine.
UPDATE 1735z: Just G0LRD (26km) and M0KKM (37km) spotting me so far on 2m FT8. Unusually quiet. Nothing spotted on RX.
Bravery - NOT amateur radio
Although quite a few people have been been to space, it is still hazardous. Later, a crew is blasting off to the International Space Station on a private Space-X rocket. Rather them than me!
There are quite a few apps that allow you to see where the ISS is and what can be seen from their cameras.
BREXIT trade deal? - NOT amateur radio
Now, not being a politician, I have no idea what is really happening between th EU and UK on a post-BREXIT trade deal.
However, I expect both sides are playing bluff to see who blinks first. Time is getting short and it is time for brinkmanship to be replaced by compromise on both sides. A good trade deal is in everyone's interest.
Spectrum issues 2025-30
Southgate News has a piece on a recent meeting that the IARU attended on this subject. I think the regulators are trying to see what issues are on the horizon in region 1. I have not yet read the minutes.
WSJT-X release candidate
There is a "release candidate" version of WSJT-X that introduces some new modes. Normally, these are issued as fully released versions soon when they have been beta tested and bugs removed.
See https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx-doc/wsjtx-main-2.3.0-rc1_en.html
Pandora's Box - NOT amateur radio
It is probably 400 years old and is on a street that dates from the 1300s. It would be wonderful to see the street as it was long ago.
Garden in autumn - NOT amateur radio
The photo shows our front garden today.
Most leaves have now gone. It will be fun to await the new buds in the spring. I also look forward to seeing the first migrant birds back from Africa. Before that we have the birds from the Arctic and Scandinavia who think we are warm! Maybe this year I'll see a waxwing.
Animal carvings - NOT amateur radio
High up on the ceiling and easily missed are some animal carvings. These are very old and mostly done by people who had never seen these animals!
If you ever visit Burwell church, don't miss these. A torch might be helpful and some binoculars.
6m FT8 QRP Sunday
Certainly we seem to have little or no Es on 6m at the moment. Most of the morning, I have been on 6m FT8 QRP with 2.5W and the V2000 vertical. So far (it is now 1133z), I have been spotted by G0PQO (50km) and I have spotted G4FKA (207km).
UPDATE 1206z: Nothing further. I shall stick with 6m FT8 most of the afternoon "just in case".
UPDATE 1500z: Now 2 stations have spotted me and I have spotted 2 on RX. The latest is G3XDV (45km). Hardly great DX! Unless things change, I suspect today will pass with the band acting very much as a VHF band. I am sure with a big horizontal beam, more power and greater height, 6m could be a useful band inter-G in the quieter times. Imagine what 10-20dB could do on marginal paths. With my V2000 vertical, 2.5W and cheap CB coax I think many would say I am "playing". I get the impression that 2m is better for "scatter". Probably the cross sectional area in terms of wavelengths is smaller on 6m. Some debate what type of scatter I experience on 2m FT8. Some think it is aircraft, but I have my doubts. Certainly some paths are aided by aircraft scatter, but to me it seems too random.
Sunspots - Sunday November 15th 2020
Solar flux is 80 and the SSN 11. A=3 and K=0.
Solar flux seems to be in the high 70s or 80s most days now.
14 Nov 2020
Covid-19 locally - NOT amateur radio
Compared with many areas in England we are not bad. The table shows the state of play in our county. We live in East Cambridgeshire.
New normal? - NOT amateur radio
For those not in the UK, the National Trust owns some gardens, homes and wild places for the nation. Members can visit free and non-members can visit for a fee.
6m FT8
At 1417z, I QSYed to 6m FT8 using 2.5W to the V2000 vertical. If I spot anyone today, or if anyone spots me, I shall be pleasantly surprised.
UPDATE 1426z: Well, pleasantly surprised! M0MVB (31km) has spotted my 6m FT8 QRP already. As I recall he has a very good 6m antenna and station. We are probably cross polarised.
UPDATE 1807z: Just the single spot of me today on TX. 2 stations spotted on RX with the furthermost GW0GEI (308km) in west Wales.
UPDATE 2300z: QRT.
2m FT8 QRP
Since 0855z, I have been on 2m FT8 with the usual 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. It is now 0930z. So far, I have been spotted by a couple of stations with the furthermost being G4MSA (222km).
UPDATE 1400z: 6 stations in 3 countries have spotted me today with the furthermost being GI6ATZ (479km).
Antenna video
A friend, Chris, passed on the link to this old talk and demonstration about antennas. You might find it helpful.
For some reason, the video did not work, so I hope this link works!
See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEigIMS6bo4
13 Nov 2020
8m (40MHz) band
As far as I know, the blog of EI7GL has the best data on the 40MHz (8m) band. This was allocated in Eire some years ago and a few amateurs in Europe have been operating on the band with special permission.
70cm super-DX
Southgate News reports on some super 70cm DX in the Southern Hemisphere. They report on an FM QSO between South Africa and Saint Helena. This over 3100km!! Makes you wonder if they will work Cape Verde Is at some future date from South Africa especially with FT8.
See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/november/3000km-plus-contact-made-on-433-mhz.htm#.X67fv7uTLrc
2m FT8 QRP
17 stations spotted me today in 6 countries as the map shows. On RX 30 stations spotted in 6 countries.
Fungus - NOT amateur radio
Anyone for pizza?
Royal blood? - NOT amateur radio
Many years ago, my brother and I traced our family tree on my dad's side continuously back to the 1500s. We have an isolated record from 1428.
Now, each of us has 2 parents, 4 grand-parents, 8 great-grand-parents and so on. Going back to the 1500s I would have had about 8000 ancestors. Going back a few more generations and I would have had more ancestors than the whole population of England at that time! So, in all probability I am related to royalty, as are most in England!
If just one of these had not had children, I would not be here today. Sobering and humbling thought.
12 Nov 2020
OFCOM and short range radar
OFCOM has announced that some short range 24GHz radar for cars is to be made licence free. See the OFCOM website for more details.
Another cancelled rally
The West London Radio and Electronics show, that should have been at Kempton Park Racecourse this Sunday, November 15th, has been cancelled. Let's hope things are better next year.
Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio
2m FT8 QRP
It is now 1007z. For about 10 minutes I have been on 2m FT8 using 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far, I have been spotted by 4 stations.
UPDATE 1036z: Spotted by 6 stations in 2 countries. What amazes me about FT8 is that even with QRP the signal actually gets to where it is going. Every day I get spotted by stations at great range on 2m FT8 with 2.5W and the simplest of stations.
UPDATE 1055z: On 2m FT8 RX so far today 5 stations in 3 countries spotted. the grabber at http://82.71.9.63:8080/cap/ run by G0LRD is useful.
UPDATE 1844z: 30 stations in 5 countries have spotted my 2m FT8 QRP today.
UPDATE 2240z: 32 stations have spotted me today on 2m FT8 QRP with 1 QSO. Now QRT.
Stations spotting
me today
Amateur television
One of the aspects of our hobby I have never tried is ATV apart from SSTV reception. My SSTV reception was with some free software using a smartphone on the desk. It worked surprisingly well.
There used to be some interest in narrow band TV (30 or 32 lines) that used ordinary speech bandwidths much like the very early days of TV.
These days there is quite a bit of interest in digital TV as the bandwidths are narrower and we have some experimental frequencies near 70 and 144MHz. One local has been building the Portsdown 4 transceiver based on the Raspberry Pi.
11 Nov 2020
2m FT8 QRP
At 1935z I QSYed to 2m FT8 with 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. Already 3 stations have spotted me with the furthermost being G8TIC (170km). No stations yet spotted on RX.
UPDATE 1905z: 6 stations have spotted me so far today on 2m FT8. GI6ATZ (479km) is the furthermost station spotting my QRP on 2m FT8 TX. 3 stations spotted so far on 2m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 2250z: QRT. Several German stations spotted on RX.
Political correctness? - NOT amateur radio
Now, let me start by saying all people of whatever colour or religion have equal worth in my book. I have many friends of all colours and religions.
However, I was appalled that the head of the FA, Greg Clarke, felt compelled to resign when he referred to "people of colour" as "coloured" if I recall correctly.
This reminds me of the BBC sacking Carol Thatcher some years ago because she said someone looked like a gollywog. Years ago we innocently collected gollies on jam jars and really looked forward to the golly badge.
Personally I think we have all gone PC mad!! Soon we will be afraid to say anything in case we offend someone or get sacked.
ICOM IC-705
This still attracts me, although the price is too high. Now, if they were to throw in the 5 year warranty for "free", I might be more tempted.
As I have said before, you can buy it in France with VAT with a 3 year warranty for less than you pay in the UK. One thing is certain: were I to buy one in the UK the 5 year warranty would be free the month after! So far, Yaesu is still playing catch-up and we seem some time from a Yaesu equivalent. It seems ICOM has this market for themselves.
Every review I have seen for the IC-705 has been positive, although some think the lack of a stand or support is an omission. Will 4m TX coverage come with a firmware upgrade?
At one point my website tried to give the latest news, but YouTube has new videos every few days.
This month, even PW has a review. of sorts. I expect a detailed review in RadCom will be soon.
Exchange rate against the euro - NOT amateur radio
At the moment, the pound is appreciating in value against the euro. This may be just a blip or it may be sustained.
The big unanswered question is will there be a trade deal. I hope so, as this is in the interests of the UK and EU. Expect some brinkmanship in the next few weeks! If the UK leaves without a deal I think this would be the height of stupidity. Having said that, nothing would surprise me with Boris, the UK Prime Minister. He has some very similar traits to Donald Trump.
6m FT8
At about 1025z, I turned on my 2.5W 6m FT8 to the V2000 vertical omni antenna again. No spots yet. Yesterday, I was only spotted by a couple of Gs on 6m FT8.
UPDATE 1223z: No spots. At the moment, today is even worse than yesterday on 6m FT8! I shall stick with it for now. The problems are poorer conditions and fewer stations. I am quite surprised not to have been spotted by some Gs.
UPDATE 1430z: 2 stations spotted on RX with G4FKA (207km) the furthermost. Nobody has spotted me.
UPDATE 1620z: 2 Gs have spotted me today on 6m FT8.
Oscar 100 satellite - activity still low
Every few weeks I give an update on narrow-band activity through this geosynchronous satellite. I listened last night and this morning.
When I listened there were between 5 and 7 QSOs only on SSB, so plenty of room. I am sure the lack of easy commercial gear is stopping more people getting on. I guess compared with an SDR HF rig, the quantities are just not there. Also, there is the risk: if a part fails and the satellite just stops working the whole market just goes.
Last night's 70cm activity contest
In all, 6 stations were worked with 10W and the 2m (not 70cm!) big-wheel omni antenna. The contacts are shown on the map. This is a friendly contest.
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