See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/ft7 .
The video shows the FT7B which is the 50W version.
Since then, there have been a few changes.
Now you can buy micro SD cards with over 1TB!! At some point I shall buy a 256GB (or even larger) memory card for all my photos.
A few years from now I expect 1TB micro SD cards will be dirt cheap and seem so small.
The latest release candidate of WSJT-X has been released. It is rc4. When I tried to install it on my Windows 10 machine it kept blocking it. After going through the hoops several times I eventually installed it. This version runs until Feb 2nd when I expect to go through all this hassle again. I know why this is done: to keep the PC safe. rc3 no longer works after Jan 26th.
WSJT-X is used for FT8 and WSPR here
Although it is possible to envelope detect amateur stations if strong enough, identifying amateur SSB stations can be quite hard. The first amateur stations copied were on 160m AM way back in the 1960s. Since then I have copied amateur SSB stations on 80m at some distance. Signals need to be S9++.
In a crystal set all the power is from the TX end, with nothing at the RX end. No batteries, nothing.
I have seen broadcast signals from all over the world and these were genuine in original country broadcasts, not via relays. These days there are fewer English language broadcasters as more and more people move to the Internet.
The circuit shown here is capable of hearing this DX even though it is ultra-simple. For the detector I used a germanium diode, but a hot carrier diode might be suitable. The secret is choosing a diode with a very low turn-on voltage. Silicon diodes are not suitable.
I am sure there will be better circuits around.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/crystalset .
See also http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Technology/tis/info/pdf/culter.pdf
On the OFCOM website are more details of their upcoming auction of spectrum at 700MHz and 3.6GHz.
Since about 1030z I have been on 2m FT8 using 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. Already I have been spotted in EI and GI.
Experiments continue at very low frequencies by radio amateurs. This is an area where all can take part on RX as the antennas can be very small indeed, yet highly effective. This is one of the frontiers in our hobby.
It is honest that to radiate a sub-10kHz signal does need a big antenna and dedication. Nonetheless, we need far more monitoring stations on RX only.
In the past I have tried to keep abreast of happenings at extreme VLF with my website on sub-9kHz operation. If I fail to update quickly, there are links to very up-to-date information. In 2021, I shall do my best.
See https://sites.google.com/site/sub9khz/news21 .
See also https://sites.google.com/site/sub9khz/home .
See also https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vlf .
The photo shows the snow falling yesterday.
His older creations are here. Some date back several years. I think some are 5 years old.
EI7GL reports on his blog that the team in Cape Verde intend to try 4m operation in the coming Es season. There is some doubt that they will reach much of Europe as this may depend on multiple hop Es. At this lowish VHF frequency marine tropo ducts may be harder.
See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/2021/01/d4vhf-on-cape-verde-plans-to-be-on-70.html
At about 0950z, my 2m FT8 gear was turned on. Running , as usual, 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. It is now 0956z and I have been spotted by 6 stations already.
UPDATE 1000z: Already a spot of my QRP 2m FT8 by EI2FG (565km).
UPDATE 1445z: 17 stations have, so far, spotted my 2.5W 2m FT8 QRP on TX. These include spots in Eire, N.Ireland and Germany. Considering no beams here, quite credible, although this seems possible with 2m FT8 QRP at almost any time. As the times seem so frequent and random, I am not convinced this is aircraft reflection. I am still wondering if FT8 allows some other sort of scattering to be possible with QRP?
In the USA many voted for him. Outside the USA I have yet to speak with anyone (not one) who has a good word for him. In 4 whole years I have spoken with, or met, many people. The number must be in the hundreds now.
Odd, he must have done something right domestically, yet abroad he is the butt of jokes.
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.
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.
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.....???
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.
The Cambridge club has held lots of talks using Zoom, and they have all be great.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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| Spots of my QRP today on 2m FT8 TX |
