Other than a brief test with the earth-electrode "antenna" on RX, I have never yet tried 136kHz at this QTH.
My old site (links may not work as this old site is not maintained) has a description of the E-field probe RX antenna and other tests at 136/7kHz.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp/Home/136k .
See also http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2013/01/137khz-e-field-probe-mag-mount.html for more on the LF EFP.
A year ago few of us were aware of the crisis ahead of us. It seems to have gone on for ever.
With warmer weather, better treatments and Covid-19 vaccines, there is some hope in 2021.
In England, the Prime Minister usually addresses the nation when there is something important to say. Today, he is to give a "roadmap" out of lockdown. It is expected schools will return March 8th, although the path back to reality could be a long one.
The last thing we all want is a return to lockdown after it has been eased. Mixing in cafes and pubs? Holidays? We can all hope!
One of our favourite places was the National Trust place called Ickworth about 17 miles away. Usually, we walked in the grounds, but occasionally we went in the house and famous rotunda shown in the photo.
If you book in advance you can still walk around the grounds. We enjoy walking around nearby National Trust grounds. Sadly, houses are closed at the moment.
At 1103z, I decided to try 160m FT8 QRP with 2.5w and the earth-electrode "antenna". It is now 1109z and so far no spots, although it is daylight.
(UPDATE 1434z: 3 G spots of my 2.5W QRP 160m FT8 TX. No spots yet on RX.
UPDATE 1532z: The first DX has started to appear with DK3UA (869km) on the Baltic coast of Germany about 70 miles north of Berlin. Still just 3 G spots of my 2.5W FT8 160m QRP.
We saw several black bears and black bear cubs. Coming from the UK this was really exciting. The one in the photo was only a few metres from the car.
We are now over a year since the end of solar cycle 24 and the start of cycle 25.
So far, we have got off to a slow start. HF conditions are a little better, but it will be some while before we really notice a difference.
I suspect this autumn we will see widespread openings from Europe to the USA on 10m again.
With modes like FT8 we are finding openings more often. FT8 is not a mode for chatting. SSB and even 10m FM and AM are better for this. As much as I like FT8 because of my poor voice, I do hope people still stick with speech modes.
My very unscientific look suggests activity is similar to a few weeks ago. This was the situation on Sunday PM UK time.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp/Home/asuseee. As this is my old website, the links may well not work still!
For a total change, I am trying 2.5W FT8 to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground on 80m. So far, nobody has spotted me and just 1 G spotted on 80m FT8 RX - G6KUI (136km).
UPDATE 1600z: G6TEL (233km) has spotted me well on TX and 17 stations spotted here on RX.
UPDATE 1751z: 221 stations spotted on RX with the furthermost R7GW (3240km). On TX spotted by 5 stations with the furthermost being F5PGT (480km). The earth-electrode "antenna" obviously has an SWR just over 3:1 so the FT991A auto ATU will not tune, but the FT817ND is OK still. This odd "antenna" still works fine on 80m. As I have said before, the XYL and neighbours do not even know it is there!
UPDATE 1922z: 433 stations spotted so far on 80m FT8 RX and 15 stations have spotted me on 80m FT8 TX with the furthermost EA1N (1076km) in northern Spain.
UPDATE 2120z: 596 stations spotted on RX in 3 continents. 18 stations have spotted me on TX.
UPDATE 2235z: 660 stations spotted on RX. Now RX only for the overnight period.
Reach was an important inland port when the roads were poor and there were no railways. It has had an annual fair since the 1200s.
By accident, I left my 472kHz (630m) WSPR RX on overnight. It was a waste of time as no further stations were spotted that I had not already spotted in the previous evening. As before, using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.
In future nights I must remember to turn this off overnight or try RX on another band.
After a very brief period on 10m, I decided on 17m FT8 QRP with my 2.5W and tiny indoor loop today. So far, 2 stations spotted in Spain on RX and EA1ALE (1037km) has spotted me on TX.
UPDATE 1040z: So far today, 27 stations in 4 countries spotted on RX. All of these are in Europe.
UPDATE 1258z: 35 stations spotted on RX.
UPDATE 1505z: Nothing spotted on RX from the Americas.
UPDATE 1518z: QRT. In all, 2 stations spotted my QRP TX with the furthermost being EA8JK (3022km). Just 37 stations spotted on RX.
At about 2000z, I QSYed to 472kHz RX. At first I tried FSW4W, but so far only WSPR has been received. Just F5WK (364km) spotted. Using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.
UPDATE 2122z: 4 stations spotted on WSPR with the furthermost being F5WK in IN99.
About an hour ago I went on 20m FT8 with 2.5W and the tiny indoor loop. So far, 136 stations spotted on RX. On TX 8 stations have spotted me.
UPDATE 1900z: 11 stations have spotted me on QRP 20m FT8 TX. On RX 232 stations spotted.
UPDATE 2052z: QRT. QSYed to 630m RX.
As reported by the BBC, according to the high court, Matt Hancock acted illegally by not disclosing contracts within 30 days of when these were let during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He has an unenviable task leading the health of the nation during a pandemic. Nonetheless, it is vital that he upholds transparency at all times such as this so the public can have maximum confidence.
MLS (and perhaps others) are advertising a carry cage for the ICOM IC-705 portable rig. At £139.95 it seems expensive. It has a handle and may be ideal for those that want to use the IC-705 out portable.
This was featured in the latest "something for the weekend" email.
At about 1630z, I QSYed to 20m FT8 using the tiny indoor loop and 2.5W. Up to this time I was on 2m FT8 QRP. After 5 minutes, 17 stations spotted on RX, but nobody has yet spotted me on TX.
UPDATE 1812z: 85 stations spotted on RX with just 1 station spotting my QRP on TX.
UPDATE 2115z: 148 stations spotted on RX and 3 stations have spotted me on TX since just before teatime. I shall be going QRT later.
One of my articles is in the latest RadCom magazine. It is about 2m scatter with simple QRP stations made possible by FT8.
Probably I will go on 2m FT8 using 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna after breakfast before trying an HF band later.
UPDATE 0719z: 2m FT8 QRP turned on.
UPDATE 0918z: 6 stations have spotted me today with the furthermost being DL0GX (461km).
UPDATE 1420z: 10 stations have spotted my 2.5W QRP on TX and I have spotted 25 stations on RX.
Stations spotting my 2m
FT8 QRP so far today
Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 12 suggesting the more active side of the Sun has come into view. A=4 and K=1. Let us hope we see a few more sunspots in the days ahead.
At 1913z, I QSYed to 2m FT8 using 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far, 2 (local) stations have spotted me.
UPDATE 2300z : QRT. As on previous evenings, lots of spots of my QRP with the furthermost being GI6ATZ (479km).
Last month we had quite hopeful signs on the sunspot count for cycle 25. Currently we have had many days without spots.
I see that Southgate News has some details of spotless days broken down by years. I have no idea what the current view is of the size of sunspot peak for cycle 25.
Spotless Days
Current Stretch: 14 days
2021 total: 31 days (63%)
2020 total: 208 days (57%)
2019 total: 281 days (77%)
2018 total: 221 days (61%)
2017 total: 104 days (28%)
2016 total: 32 days (9%)
2015 total: 0 days (0%)
2014 total: 1 day (<1%)
2013 total: 0 days (0%)
2012 total: 0 days (0%)
2011 total: 2 days (<1%)
2010 total: 51 days (14%)
2009 total: 260 days (71%)
2008 total: 268 days (73%)
2007 total: 152 days (42%)
2006 total: 70 days (19%)
Most of the morning I've been on 15m FT8 with the tiny indoor loop antenna and 2.5W. So far, 5 stations have spotted me and 110 stations spotted on RX.
At 1900z I QSYed to 2m FT8 using the usual 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far, 5 stations have spotted me and I have spotted nobody.
UPDATE 1930z: 7 stations have spotted me so far and the furthermost is GI6ATZ (479km) again. I have spotted 2 stations.
UPDATE 2312z: QRT.
We have a fine old church in our village. It is currently closed. Parts of it are 1000 years old. From the top of the tower the view is amazing. Years ago, I went regularly. My wife still attends, but not every week.
The video was made many years ago.
For many with small gardens or difficult neighbours, antennas can be a problem. The biggest antenna I have ever used is a CB halfwave. I have never used an HF beam. Despite this, I have worked QRP DXCC with 10W SSB. Most times I have used just a low wire dipole.
One "antenna" I have found useful is the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. This has proved very effective on VLF, LF and MF. Only last evening I was copying Italy on it on 630m and the night before there were lots of stateside stations spotted on 160m FT8. An advantage is the XYL and neighbours do know even notice it is there at all!
Another possibility is to use the coax outer feeding maybe a VHF antenna via an ATU on the HF bands tuned against ground. Such antennas can be quite effective. OK against a beam on a tower this maybe an S-point or 2 down, but for the lack of neighbour hassle is a tall tower and big beam worth the fuss? This is a hobby after all. If you don't work DXCC entity 247 does it really matter? Get a life!!!
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/earth-electrode-antennas .
Well, that was a non-happening!
One of my plans for now was an E-field probe in a tree for 137kHz and 472kHz RX. We had the tree lopped, but the E-field probe is not up. I replaced my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, but my 472kHz transverter does not work, so I am restricted to 472kHz RX only.
Maybe next winter, I shall have more luck!
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.
My thanks to Steve G1KQH for bringing this to my notice. QRP Labs have the QMX+ multi-mode 160-6m transceiver on sale. Hans makes some rea...
