Mars will one day be explored by humans. For now, we have oribiting satellites and robots on the surface. The recent UAE satellite has been put in an orbit around the red planet.
14 Feb 2021
2m FT8 QRP (Sunday)
Once again I am on 2m FT8 QRP with 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far, spotted on TX by 8 stations with the furthermost GI6ATZ (479km) and one station spotted so far on RX. It is now 1052z.
If I come on randomly, the chances are high that I will be spotted in EI or GI. This is definitely some sort of scatter, although the randomness makes me think aircraft scatter is unlikely.
UPDATE 1306z: Several QSOs already on 2m FT8.
The USA - NOT amateur radio
Ex-president Trump has been cleared of impeachment. This is not too surprising as the senate would have needed a 2/3rds majority.
What I sincerely hope is that the USA can move on peacefully. Judging by the votes, he clearly has a large following in the USA, although I very much doubt most of those would have wanted the violence that erupted.
As a beacon of democracy, the violence that erupted some weeks ago was ugly and self-destructive. Now is a time to heal.
Earth-electrode "antenna" replaced
Yesterday, I replaced the wire that I used successfully on 472kHz WSPR TX with a very low ERP.
It was also used successfully on 160m and 80m.
As yet, it has still to be tested.
UPDATE 0940z: Tested on 160m and 80m. Still high VSWR. Totally puzzled.
UPDATE 1538z: I cleaned the contacts at the far end and the VSWR remained high on 80m. With the auto ATU it matches on 160m. I have not tried 630m, which needs the transverter. My conclusion is that over the years tree roots have grown and effectively shorted out across the "loop" in the ground rendering this "antenna" no longer useful. I may try 160m WSPR or FT8 tonight, but may remove it tomorrow.
Me 1968 - NOT amateur radio
These days I am bald and quite a bit heavier!
13 Feb 2021
CDARC (Cambridge) talk
Last evening, the Cambridge radio club had another Zoom talk, this time on the monitoring station at Baldock.
This time, we also had a viewer in Russia! On previous times we have been watched in Canada and Northern Ireland. In all, 29 people attended.
Zoom has exceeded my expectations. Attendance is at least as good as a face-to-face meetings. At least with Zoom, the whole world can watch!
2m FT8 QRP (Saturday)
At 0945z, when we went for a walk, I went on 2m FT8 RX. Since getting back, I have been on TX too with 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna.
It is now 1145z and I have been copied on TX by 7 stations in 2 countries with the furthermost being GI6ATZ (479km). On RX, 20 stations spotted in 4 countries.
South Africa - NOT amateur radio
This was a very good holiday with such a variety of scenery. In places it was like Scotland and others the Mediterranean. In other places scrub.
The photo shows False Bay near Cape Town, which is a fine city.
Not quite sure what we were expecting. We saw "the big five" wild animals, but the sheer variety of scenery was such a surprise. It really is "a world in one country". If you get a chance to go there in the future do go as you are very unlikely to be disappointed.
It is not a place I would wish to live in, but for a holiday it was wonderful. Certainly one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Nanowaves
Before my stroke, I enjoyed going out in the field to see how far I could cover, especially over the horizon using QRSS (very slow CW) with PC decoders.
Much greater distances would have been possible, then my health got in the way. 😕
All the gear was home made. This was one of the attractions: all the gear was simple, including the test gear.
This is a field of experimentation open to everyone. You may find some ideas on my main website.
12 Feb 2021
2m FT8 QRP (Friday)
At about 1845z I QSYed to 2m FT8 QRP using 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far, my 2m FT8 QRP has been spotted by 8 stations with the furthermost being GI6ATZ (479km). It is now 1904z.
UPDATE 2120z: 13 stations have spotted my QRP TX this evening. Now QRP.
2021 481THz tests
So, today I dug out my optical beacon TX and RX and tried some tests across the house. Although I could find the RX, my TX beacon took some finding! This is mains powered. I eventually found it in a cupboard and did some tests.
Tonight after dark, I shall try bouncing the signal off the windmill.
The last test I tried was in early 2014, but I was too wobbly.
Small steps.
UPDATE 2200z: I tried "windmill bounce" and "tree bounce" on CW at 10 wpm but it was too easy! Signals were very strong. One thing is clear: I am much more wobbly than I was 7-8 years ago. I'd like to try much greater obstructed paths with QRSS, but wonder if I am up to it these days.
15m FT8 QRP (Friday)
This morning I am again on 15m FT8 with the tiny indoor loop antenna and 2.5W. So far lots of stations spotted on RX and EA8BFK (2882km) has spotted me on TX.
UPDATE 1400z: 63 stations spotted on RX and 5 stations have spotted my 2.5W QRP on TX.
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| Spots of me on 15m FT8 TX with 2.5W and the indoor tiny loop at 1535z |
126 years ago - NOT amateur radio
This photo shows where I come from in South Devon 126 years ago. What was rocks then is now sand. If it can come this fast (why?) I guess it can go as fast.
Historic 481THz tests (2012-13)
One of my Facebook memories today was of my optical tests many years ago before my stroke.
Kent snow - NOT amateur radio
11 Feb 2021
2m FT8 QRP (Thursday)
At 1842z I QSYed to 2m FT8 with the usual 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. At 1850z, I have been spotted by 6 stations on TX, although no stations yet spotted on RX here.
UPDATE 1935z: 1 station spotted on RX and 9 spots of my QRP on TX with the furthermost again being EI2FG (565km). The latter is every day.
Rallies cancelled
As we are still in the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic, a couple more rallies have been cancelled. The ones just cancelled are the Ballymena ARC rally on Feb 13th and the Harwell Radio and Electronics Rally in Didcot on February 14th.
More on our walk - NOT amateur radio
Most of the snow has gone, although there are still patches in the shade.
Winter walk - NOT amateur radio
15m FT8 QRP (Thursday)
In a few moments time, I intend to switch on my 2.5W QRP to the indoor loop.
UPDATE 1037z: Gear turned on and 4 stations spotted on RX and 1 spot of me already on QRP TX - EA8BFK (2881km).
4m transverter
The band is being covered on far more commercial transceivers now and there are far more countries on the band. It is ideal for summer Es.
G0KSC website update
As you may know, I like simple and small antennas that do not need towers and rotators. These have the advantage of being neighbour friendly.
Luckily we are all different which is one of the joys of our hobby. To many, big antennas help with DXing or EME. Each to their own.
The G0KSC website has been updated and this has a lot about antennas.
See www.g0ksc.co.uk
Reflections - NOT amateur radio
I do 365 every day. Each day you post a photo, however mundane, and it is great fun. Looking back it is interesting to see how much the grandchildren have changed over the years. I have been doing it for 8 years. Some use it to show how good they are at photography, whereas to me, and many, it is just a visual diary. There is no way I would win prizes for great photos! Many of mine are very boring! What I am saying is there is no need to be a good photographer: this is for you. Others can enjoy your photos if you want or you can keep them private. You can join for free or pay $19.99 a year if you want more albums and privacy.
10 Feb 2021
Rant time - NOT amateur radio
Have you noticed that some things get worse over time?
My wife has a coat that she got many years ago, so she decided to buy a new one. It is thinner and has fewer pockets. She recently bought me some new pants - they are thinner and shorter. A new National Trust bag has fewer pockets. I could go on and on....
You can see what happens. The buyer tries to get the best "bang per buck" and has a fixed price. He asks the supplier to keep the price down so accepts some compromises to hold the price, hoping the consumer won't care.
Result? Thinner, poorer, material, fewer pockets. Basically poorer.
Rant over.
Snowy walk - NOT amateur radio
Just now we went for a walk. The forecast was full sun, so it snowed!
Recently seen flowers - NOT amateur radio
Yesterday's snow - NOT amateur radio
It is sunny, but icy, this morning. Wind has dropped.
When we get a drop of snow here in the UK we all panic. I can only imagine what people in New England and Canada think of us! To us, 0 deg C is cold!
The last day on 2m FT8 using 2.5W
2m FT8 QRP (Wednesday)
The 2m FT8 gear was turned on early this morning. I am again running 2.5W to the big-wheel omni antenna.
UPDATE 1001z: 7 stations spotted here so far. At the moment I am RX only on 2m FT8 with the big-wheel omni.
Elephants - NOT amateur radio
9 Feb 2021
15m FT8 yesterday
 |
| Stations spotted on 15m FT8 yesterday |
All over the world was spotted on RX.
This was just with the tiny indoor loop antenna.
Alexa - NOT amateur radio
What has surprised me is how effective the voice recognition is. Even with my poor voice, it seems to understand me most times. When not in use we turn it off at the mains to prevent it picking up unintentional conversations.
When it arrived it was much smaller than I expected. At first I wondered if they had only sent the PSU. At a guess I reckon it is about 10cm across. Sound quality is much better than expected. It is very good.
You can say things like, "play BBC Radio 4" or "play a 1930s mix".
I am impressed. It is much better than I expected. My wife enjoys it even more!
New museum shed - NOT amateur radio
Today, we had major excitement when a new shed was delivered to our local village museum. Imagine that! A new shed!!! 😄 Gosh!
A lorry drove up and lots of helpers were on hand to help erect it. A year ago this would have been ignored!
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