Since 0945z, I have been on 10m FT8 with 2.5W and the tiny indoor loop. No spots yet on RX or TX at 1047z.
UPDATE 1840z: No spots all day.
Simple QRP projects, 10m, 8m, 6m, 4m, FT8, 160m, WSPR, LF/MF, sub-9kHz, nanowaves and other random stuff, some not related to amateur radio.
Since 0945z, I have been on 10m FT8 with 2.5W and the tiny indoor loop. No spots yet on RX or TX at 1047z.
UPDATE 1840z: No spots all day.
Although ex-President Trump has gone from office, he still seems capable of turning on his (one time) friends. I am amazed that so many voted for him. To those of us outside the USA, he appears to hold grudges.
Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 0. A=15 and K=2. This month, the sunspot count has been dreadful.
It is now 2030z. A few minutes ago I went on to 472kHz WSPR RX. So far G0MRF (139km) and DL1HWK (816km) copied.
UPDATE 2215z: 5 stations spotted this evening with the furthermost being IZ3QQG (1155km). Still using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.
At 1845z, I QSYed to 2m FT8 using 2.5W (FT817ND) and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far, just 1 spot of me by G4TRA (185km).
UPDATE 1858z: 2 stations spotted here on RX. 5 stations have spotted my 2.5W QRP with the furthermost GI6ATZ (479km).
UPDATE 2007z: So far this evening I have been spotted by 6 stations as shown on the map. 2 QSOs this evening.
As far as I know, we have been searching the universe for almost 50 years via SETI (search for intelligent life) without success. Much of the decoding is done by volunteers using spare processing power on their PCs.
Based on the estimates of planets, I find this odd. As time goes by the means of looking have improved. By now, I would have expected to get some indications.
Maybe, we are looking in the wrong way? Maybe intelligent life self destructs? Maybe we really are alone? Maybe our whole understanding of the universe is wrong?
If ever we did find intelligent life elsewhere, it could have profound implications for humans.
Thinking of ultra-simple rigs, perhaps consider my FETer. I was surprised how well this worked.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/feter-80m-qrpp-cw-transceiver
Examples are the Pixie and Micro-80 designs. Pixies can be bought as kits from China for a few pounds or euros. In the past, I have made versions for 80m and 40m, including homebrew and kits.
With these circuits, the main limitation is the RX. These are compromises using the PA device as the RX mixer. Often the sensitivity is a bit lacking and AM breakthrough can be a problem. The front end selectivity is barn-door and the audio filtering mainly one's ear! Nonetheless, many miles can be spanned. In terms of "bang per buck" they take some beating.
The challenge is to find the best overall circuit which has a decent TX and RX.
It is now 0835z. About 15 minutes ago I turned on my 15m FT8 QRP gear using 2.5W and the tiny indoor loop antenna on the shack windowsill. Already I have spotted 8 stations on RX and I have been spotted by 3 on TX.
UPDATE 1835z: Spotted by 11 stations on TX with the furthermost being EA8AXT (2996km). 265 stations have been spotted on RX with the furthermost YB2DX (12050km). I continue to be amazed just how well this loop does considering how small and thin the wire is!
At some point we will be allocated some frequencies at 40MHz. In the coming Es seasons I can see many more applying for limited access to the band. These may be spot frequencies with limited power. Small first steps.
There is a beacon which may be worth checking in the Es season S50ZMS. This is ideally placed for Es to EI and the UK.
Hopefully, my transverter works. I shall try later.
Whatever happens, I intend to be on 472kHz (630m) this evening. If the transverter works I shall go on TX. Otherwise RX only.
In both cases, I shall be using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, that gave good results on 160m FT8.
UPDATE 2044z: I tried my transverter again and still no sign of any 472kHz output, so I decided to go on 472kHz WSPR RX only. Just LA8AV (1012km) spotted so far. If I was fitter I might be able to fault find. With my health as it is, I think this is beyond me sadly.
UPDATE 2130z: 6 unique stations spotted on 472kHz WSPR RX with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Furthermost is SM6NOC (1056km).
Before too long we will all be driving cars that are powered by non-polluting energy. We must also ensure that these energy types are also not produced from polluting sources and are sustainable.
In the end there needs to be a breakthrough in battery technology and energy storage so that fuels like electricity produced by solar and wind can be stored.
For now, oil prices are a bellweather of the economy. Oil prices have doubled in the last few months and fuel at the pumps has gone up in price. I guess this suggests more optimism for the year ahead.
At the moment, the UK is doing quite well on the vaccination of vulnerable people. I think we are 3rd in the world. Much of what we have done in the last year was poor and this is one area where we have done well.
As long as the rates of virus circulating in the world are high, there is a chance of importing a variant that spreads easily, is more deadly and evades vaccines. There is an adage "until the world is vaccinated we are all at risk".
I hope all the world is vaccinated soon.
In a few moments I shall be turning on my 15m FT8 QRP using 2.5W and the tiny indoor loop antenna.
UPDATE 1112z: 15m FT8 gear now on. 13 stations already spotted on 15m FT8 RX and spotted by SV2BRA (2154km) on QRP 15m FT8 TX.
UPDATE 1152z: 30 stations spotted on 15m FT8 RX and 2 spots of my 2.5W to the indoor loop on TX with the furthermost RZ4HO (3291km).
UPDATE 1449z: 73 stations spotted so far today on 15m FT8.As reported last evening, 31 stations across Europe spotted my 2.5W FT8 to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground on TX.
As an experiment, I am trying my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground on 160m FT8 using 2.5W. Immediately, stations across Europe were copied on RX. Already spotted strongly in Oxford on 160m FT8 QRP TX. Furthermost on RX is R9GM (3499km) in Perm.
Stations spotted on 160m FT8 so far with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground by 1830z |
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.
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.
UPDATE 1418z: 19 spots of my QRP so far today on 2m FT8.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 0 still. A=5 and K=2.
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.
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.
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.
Spots of me on 15m FT8 TX with 2.5W and the indoor tiny loop at 1535z |
There have been Es openings in Europe on 10m and 6m, but nothing yet to suggest my 10mW ERP 8m WSPR would be copied. This is the power that ...