Network radios

A few years ago, I bought a network radio. This looks like a 2m handheld but uses the internet to connect to distant stations using systems like Echolink. It works over WiFi or mobile phone networks. 

Since I bought it, I hardly use it. For me, network radios are just not satisfying. It has a PTT and is very similar to a VHF or UHF handheld. One of the fun things is working stations via distant repeaters e.g. in the USA or Australia.

Personally, I prefer "real" radio, although for some these are a good substitute.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/network

Salcombe Devon - NOT amateur radio

As a child, I was brought up in Salcombe, Devon. The video below was filmed in summer 2020. It is a virtual tour in 4K (ultra high definition) through the town. Not much social distancing evident!

2020 was one of the rare years when I did not go back to my roots. Hopefully in 2021 at a time when it is less busy I shall get back there.

IC-705 UK dealer prices

In Europe, with a free 3 year warranty and VAT the ICOM IC-705 sells for 1317.6 Euros. In the UK the list price is £1299.95 (with VAT) with the 5 year warranty on top as an extra.  Just saying....

Even with any carriage and import duties, why the difference?

Clearly, there is comfort from buying from a UK dealer who speaks English, but.....???

See https://www.xbstelecom.eu/shop/en/non-aff-icom/2004-icom-ic-705-hf50144430mhz-5w-10w.html?search_query=ic-705&results=30

2m FT8 QRP (Saturday)

In a short while I hope to go on 2m FT8 with 2.5W and the big-wheel omni. Yesterday I had 1 QSO, but was widely spotted despite my low ERP signal. 

Although the conventional wisdom is this is due to aircraft reflection, I am still puzzled: these DX spots seem to occur at almost any time, so I am wondering if FT8 is allowing QRP stations to access some scatter modes that would not be possible with CW or SSB at these ERPs?

I expect my 2m FT8 reports are a mix of tropo, aircraft and other scatter, possibly with some random MS. Not quite sure how long an MS burst has to get a successful FT8 decode. I suspect far less than the 15 seconds a TX FT8 burst lasts.

My ERP is probably less than 5W.  The big-wheel has a little horizontal gain, but the coax has some loss.

UPDATE 1034z:  My 2m FT8 QRP was turned on at 0955z. So far, 10 spots of my QRP TX including (again) EI2FG (565km) and 5 spots on RX.

UPDATE 1105z: 13 stations have so far spotted my QRP 2m FT8 TX.

UPDATE 1508z:  16 spots of my 2m FT8 QRP TX today including EI and GI as the map shows.

UPDATE 1931z: 18 stations have spotted my 2m FT8 QRP TX today.

Cambridge 2012 - NOT amateur radio

This photo from 2012 shows my wife and grandson near the Bridge of Sighs in St John's College. 

Normally the colleges are very busy with visitors from overseas, especially the Far East. Not in the last 12 months!

CDARC AGM via Zoom

Last night, the Cambridge radio club (CDARC) held it AGM via Zoom. With 25 "attendees", it was very successful. Next year, assuming the Covid-19 pandemic has ended, I expect we will meet in person again. Once again this proves to me that we can always find a way.

The Cambridge club has held lots of talks using Zoom, and they have all be great.

Sunspots - Saturday January 23rd 2021

 Solar flux is 78 and the SSN 39.  A=4 and K=0. 

2m FT8 QRP (Friday)

This evening from 2000z I have been on 2m FT8 using 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far I have been spotted by 7 stations in 3 countries on TX. 

January - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows Anglesey Abbey on a cold and frosty January morning. 

We went for a walk there earlier. 

More humour - NOT amateur radio

This was sent to me yesterday. it brought a smile to my face.
 

Old and new - NOT amateur radio

A few years ago, a pub car park became a building site. 

The new houses have now been finished as the before and after photo shows.

When we first came to this village near Cambridge, the population was under 5000. It is now almost 7000. It seems every spare space is a chance to make builders money. Sadly there are few houses for ordinary folk as the profits would be too low.

Sunspots - Friday January 22nd 2021

Solar flux is 78 and the SSN 26. A=2 and K=0.

Hyacinths - NOT amateur radio

 

Every year my wife grows a pot of hyacinths. These are just coming out. They smell fantastic.

See https://www.almanac.com/plant/growing-hyacinth-muscari

FT8 and breakfast spread

There is no doubt that FT8 has divided the amateur community . 

On the plus side every day my 2m QRP to a  simple non-directional antenna is copied in EI and GI. FT8 has made this possible. At the same time there is less chatting, especially with modes that casual listeners will chance upon.

It is a bit like Marmite (a UK yeast spread) that some love and some hate. 

I have mixed views. With my poor voice FT8 has been a godsend. At the same time I don't want less chatting on the bands. 

Village churches - NOT amateur radio

 

The photo shows the churches in our village. Only 2 are still in use as churches. Like pubs, many are now private houses.

IC-705, IC-7300 and IC-9700 firmware updates

Southgate News reports that a firmware update to these ICOM products is due at the end of January.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2021/january/new-fimware-updates.htm#.YAmcZ_GTLrc

2m FT8 QRP (Thursday)

Since about 1505z, I have been on 2m FT8 with the usual 2.5W and big-wheel omni antenna. So far today, just 1 spot of me by G0LRD (26km).

UPDATE 1724z:  9 stations in 4 countries have spotted me today. It would seem EI and GI spots are an everyday thing even with real QRP.  No QSOs yet. 7 stations in 4 countries have been spotted here so far.

UPDATE 1820z: 11 stations in 4 countries spotted on 2m RX. On QRP TX 11 station in 4 countries spotted. No QSOs. My technique is to call CQ and wait, which is the lazy way. If I called stations I am sure I'd get more contacts.

Spots of my QRP today
on 2m FT8 TX

UPDATE 2120z:  So far today I have spotted 20 stations in 5 countries on 2m FT8 RX and I have been spotted by 14 stations in 4 countries on 2m FT8 TX with the furthermost being EI2FG (565km).  QRT soon. 

Sunspots - Thursday January 21st 2021

Solar flux is 77 and the SSN 25. A=6 and K=0. 

Treewashing - NOT amateur radio

At nearby Anglesey Abbey, some of the silver birch trees have their bark washed so they look at their best. See the photo.

See https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/anglesey-abbey-gardens-and-lode-mill

UK prices for the IC-705

It seems odd to me that the XBS Telecom price (Europe) with included 3 year warranty and VAT is a fair bit lower than the price from any UK dealer. As an example, a 5 year warranty is extra from MLS.  By the way, MLS say that all their IC-705 transceivers come from ICOM UK.

Like the IC-7300 I am convinced the IC-705 is being market priced (if the punters will pay, then do not drop the price). Most are working on the assumption that if the radio is wanted enough, then we will pay. It seems if you want an IC-705 from a UK dealer, you have to accept the market price.

I am all for fair prices as I want dealers to still be there, but I do not like to be exploited. 

Any views?

2m FT8 QRP (Wednesday)

It is now 0955z. For about 30 minutes I have been on 2m FT8 using 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna.  Already 8 spots of my QRP with the furthermost EI2FG (565km). I am amazed that my tiny signal gets this far every single day on 2m.

UPDATE 1342z:   12 spots of my QRP signal so far today on 2m FT8 TX.

UPDATE 1615z:  15 stations have spotted me on TX and I have spotted 12 stations on RX. The furthermost on RX is DL6YBF (410km).

Stations that have
spotted me today
on 2m FT8 QRP

UPDATE 1802z:  18 stations have spotted me today on QRP 2m FT8 TX. 17 stations spotted here on RX. 

UPDATE 2208z:   25 stations spotted on 2m FT8 RX. 17 stations in 6 countries have spotted me on 2m  FT8 TX. QRT shortly.

Sunspots - Wednesday January 20th 2021

 Solar flux is 78 and the SSN 14.  A=6 and K=2.

2m FT8 QRP (Tuesday)

At about 2020z, I QSYed to 2m FT8 QRP using 2.5W and the big-wheel omni. So far, I have been spotted by 4 stations on TX with the furthermost G7RAU (461km). On 2m FT8 RX just 1 station spot ted so far this evening.

UPDATE 2101z: already my QRP has been spotted by EI2FG (565km) as well as 6 others. On 2m FT8 RX I have spotted 4 stations with DL6YBF (410km) the furthermost.

UPDATE 2305z: QRT. 

New digital mode coming?

Southgate News reports that a new digital mode may be coming later this year called Q65 as part of WSJT-X suite.  I have just downloaded the latest release candidate for WSJT-X (2.3.0-rc3), but I have not checked if it is there. 

See https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/Q65_Quick_Start.pdf

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2021/january/new-digital-protocol-q65.htm#.YAbrz_GTLrc

Lunch out - NOT amateur radio

Two years ago we went to the old wool town (village?) of Lavenham. We ate out at a small cafe. Do you remember those days when we could travel?? 😊  The photo shows our lunch.

Funny how a trip to the local bakers is now exciting! I expect when this pandemic is largely over we will value the small things denied us all.

USA future - NOT amateur radio

Tomorrow the new USA president is sworn in. I hope that President Trump is magnanimous and his followers respect democracy.

Me in 1959 - NOT amateur radio

One of my FaceBook memories today was this photo of me taken at a junior school sports day in 1959, when I still had hair! I am on the left. Some changes since!

6m FT8 QRP (Tuesday)

It is now 1042z. For the last few minutes I have been on 6m FT8 with 2.5W and the V2000 omni vertical. 2 spots of me so far with the furthermost M0AGP (122km).

UPDATE 1102z: Now spotted strongly by OL7M (1128km). Winter Es or aircraft? Probably aircraft.

UPDATE 1112z: 5 stations have spotted me so far. Amazing. No spots on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1152z: Just one station spotted on 6m FT8 RX so far today: G4FKA (206km).The photo shows the stations spotting me today so far. 

UPDATE 1424z:  Now 4 stations spotted on RX with furthermost being G8EEM (208km).

Sunspots Tuesday January 19th 2021

 Solar flux is 75 and the SSN 13.  A=4 and K=2.

2m FT8 (QRP) Monday

I am mainly on 2m FT8 RX using the FT817ND and big wheel. When briefly on TX at 2.5W the report on G0LRD's (26km) grabber was poor, suggesting something is wrong either with the rig or antenna. On RX things seem to be as expected. Odd. The output power seemed low as if the SWR was poor.

The SWR looks fine, so this might be another fault in the FT817ND. Tomorrow I might try with a dummy load, and then the FT991A.

Village collage - NOT amateur radio

 

This is a collage of village scenes seen yesterday on our walk. It was cold, but sunny.

20m FT8 RX

 It is now 1205z. For about an hour I have been on 20m FT8 RX with the FT817ND and the indoor loop. So far, 188 stations spotted on RX.

UPDATE 1434z:   Now on 2.5W TX too. So far today, 424 stations spotted on 20m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1900z:   2 stations have spotted me on TX and 503 stations spotted on 20m FT8 RX today.

Sunspots - Monday January 18th 2021

Solar flux is 77 and the SSN 23.  A=2 and K=0.

2m FT8 QRP (Sunday)

At 1954z, I QSYed to 2m FT8 QRP using the usual 2.5W and big-wheel omni antenna. So far, 5 stations have spotted me with the furthermost being EI2FG (565km). This sort of range is always possible even with my QRP set-up. It is now 2002z. Nothing spotted on RX yet.

UPDATE 2225z:  After 4 QSOs this evening, now QRT.

QSY to 20m FT8 QRP (Sunday)

As 10m was pathetic here I QSYed to 20m FT8 at about 1517z using 2.5W to the tiny indoor loop. 

At 20m this is so tiny that it does not look like it could ever work! 

At 1525z lots of USA stations already spotted. So far, 23 stations spotted on 20m FT8 RX, but nobody has yet spotted me on TX.

UPDATE 1810z: 1 station has spotted me on 20m FT8  QRP TX and 59 stations spotted on RX. The stations spotted are shown on the map. 

Church bells - NOT amateur radio

One of the things I've missed recently is hearing the local church bells ring. As well as the clock that strikes on the hour, there is a peel of bells used for change ringing. 

10m FT8 QRP (Sunday)

For about 30 minutes I have been on 10m FT8 with the tiny indoor loop antenna and 2.5W. No spots yet. 

UPDATE 1440z:  Still no spots today.

Sunspots - Sunday January 17th 2021

 Solar flux is 78 and the SSN 15. A=4 and K=2.

"A journal of the plague year" by Daniel Defoe - NOT amateur radio

For Christmas, my wife bought me this book.  Although things were very different in 1665 (and the death toll higher then), it is surprising just how similar things were to the current pandemic. It is available in many formats from Amazon.

Earlier, I read Defoe's book about his trip around Britain, which was fascinating.

This book on the plague was harder reading, but worth it.

See https://www.amazon.co.uk/Journal-Plague-Year-Illustrated-Daniel/dp/B086M2VZYN

2m FT8 grabber

This has been mentioned before, but I find the 2m FT8 grabber just west of Cambridge run by David G0LRD very useful.  If you want to see what your 2m FT8 signal looks like near Cambridge, this is your chance. 

My signal at 26km is usually +9 to +12dB S/N. If you are far away, it will probably be much weaker. 

Most times there are signals from all sorts of places coming through. Even in flat conditions I can usually see German stations.

If you are in range, you too might find it of use.

See http://82.71.9.63:8080/cap/