15m FT8 QRP (Wednesday)

Shortly, I hope to go on 15m FT8 with 2.5W and the tiny indoor loop antenna. It is now 1412z.

UPDATE 1701: Just 4 stations spotted on RX and no spots of me on QRP TX.

UPDATE 1930z: 27 stations spotted on RX and 2 stations have spotted my 2.5W on TX.

UPDATE 2030z:  QRT.  In the end 29 stations spotted on RX.

Kings, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

When I first came to Cambridge I had a weekly meeting in room X6 at King's college. That seems very long ago. 

X6 is on the left of the photo. The river is the Cam.

OFCOM Auction

OFCOM has announced the results of the first stage of its recent spectrum auction. See the OFCOM website for details.

Yet again the big mobile phone companies have paid a lot for spectrum. It seems all OFCOM is interested in really is ££££££!

What happened to the GPO and enforcement?

The recent announcement about safeguarding the public from harmful EMF rings hollow.

Spring lambs - NOT amateur radio

This photo shows lambs a few years ago at a nearby National Trust property.  It appeared as a FB memory today. 

Sunspots - Wednesday March 17th 2021

 Solar flux 79 and the SSN 23.  A=4 and K=1.

RSGB videos on YouTube

 The RSGB has a number of useful videos on YouTube.

See https://www.youtube.com/user/TheRSGB

Mother's Day in the UK - NOT amateur radio

Last Sunday was Mother's Day in the UK. Dates may vary across the world. 

My wife got some nice gifts from our sons as the photo shows.

2021 Friedrichshafen in June ON but Dayton cancelled, UK Hamfest - maybe

Southgate News reports that plans for an in-person Friedrichshafen in June are still going ahead. I do hope so. I think there is an online event too. This is one of the biggest amateur radio gatherings in the world.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2021/march/friedrichshafen-june-25-27.htm#.YFDDJiuTLrc

On a sadder note, the ARRL reports that the Dayton Hamvention is being cancelled for the second year. In the USA there is a great danger of a new spike in Covid-19 infections, so this is probably sensible.

See http://www.arrl.org/news/dayton-hamvention-cancels-2021-show#:~:text=Dayton%20Hamvention%Ca 2%AE%20will%20not,the%2t0Hamvention%20Executive%20Committee%20said.

The UK organisers of the National Hamfest is making a final decision in June.

Simple, low cost, digital mode transceivers

Thanks to Ron, who made a comment on a post yesterday, it appears there are kits for HF bands (including 10m) FT8. 

These are SSB rigs sold by Midnight Design Solutions. I had not seen these before, nor the QST review. They sell for $55 which is pretty reasonable. My design would have been considerably simpler, but was DSB.

This is designed by Dave Benson K1SWL, so should be good. As an SSB phased design this is more sophisticated. Dave's design also allows you to choose an alternative frequency and offers more power. They should sell many when their supplier problems end.

See https://midnightdesignsolutions.com/phaser/

UPDATE 1420z:  Just ordered a 10m kit. Due May. I see the SMA parts are pre-fitted.

UPDATE 1620z: Someone asked me if I had given up on my ultra-simple DSB project. No, definitely going ahead still!

Shadows - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday, the shadows cast by the windmill next door were spectacular as shown in the photo.  We get good views from the kitchen and lounge.

The windmill and sails are due for a repaint soon. Normally the 200 year old, fully restored, mill is open for visitors April-October.