7 Apr 2021
Tree stump - NOT amateur radio
Blog changes
On the side you will see a couple of changes.
Firstly I have removed a link to a blog that no longer works and added a link to the excellent blog at EI7GL.
Secondly, I have given you the chance to buy me a virtual cup of coffee. This takes you to a page where you can donate a small amount to offset some of my project costs.This is entirely voluntary. There is absolutely no compulsion to give anything. The fact that you enjoy the blog is great.
2m UKAC last evening
Quite a different technique being able to see the whole SSB band slot at one time.
Kingfisher - NOT amateur radio
The photo shows the one seen by an ex work colleague (Richard) early this morning whilst walking his dog.
Cottages - NOT amateur radio
The collage shows some of the lovely cottages not far from where we live.
15m FT8 QRP (Wednesday)
At 0850z I turned on my 2.5W FT8 station using the tiny indoor loop antenna. All quiet so far.
UPDATE 1514z: 7 stations have spotted my QRP TX so far today. Plenty of stations spotted on RX.
6 Apr 2021
Dalham walk - NOT amateur radio
Most of the mud has dried now. There were some great daffodils out.
OFCOM updates
Every month OFCOM updates its "Communications Monthly" with the latest statistics it holds. See the OFCOM website for details. The latest is March.
2m FT8 QRP (Tuesday)
At the moment I am on 2m FT8 QRP with 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far, I have been copied by 6 stations on TX with the furthermost GI6ATZ (479km). On RX 9 stations spotted with the furthermost 2E0ERL (192km). I called him, but my 2.5W was not enough! It is now 1555z.
UPDATE 1719z: 1 QSO so far. 15 stations spotted on RX with the furthermost DG1KKD (472km). 8 stations spotted my QRP on TX.
2m activity contest this evening (UKAC)
A reminder that the first Tuesday of each month is the 2m activity contest (UKAC) organised by the RSGB. This starts at 1900z. The purpose is to drum up activity. In my opinion, activity levels on SSB are always high.
This is a chance to work a few new squares even if you do not submit an entry. I have always found this very friendly.
UPDATE 2035z: Used the IC-705 for the first time on SSB. Same number of QSOs but quite a different technique when you can see the whole SSB band in one go. Just look for the signals and QSY there.Sunspots - Tuesday April 6th 2021
Solar flux is 72 and the SSN (sunspot number) 11. A=5 and K=0.
5 Apr 2021
2m FT8 QRP (Monday)
At the moment I am on 2m FT8 QRP with 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far, 6 stations have spotted me with the furthermost GI6ATZ (479km).
Tulips - NOT amateur radio
17m FT8 QRP (Monday)
At the moment I am on 17m FT8 QRP with 2.5W and the tiny indoor loop. At 1222z, 21 stations spotted on RX and 1 station in the Azores has spotted my QRP on TX.
UPDATE 1416z: Still just the 1 spot on QRP TX. 76 stations spotted on RX with the furthermost YB2HND (11985km) in Java.
UPDATE 1840z : 213 stations spotted on RX as the map shows.Coin collecting - NOT amateur radio
Transatlantic 2m tropo in the North Atlantic?
According to tropo forecasts, there is remote chance of transatlatic tropo on 2m early this week between Canada and western Europe. There are people trying on FT8. As far as I am aware we have never had a transatlantic QSO on 2m in the North. People have spanned from Cape Verde to the Carribean. FT8 is a good mode to try as it works with very weak signals. Crossing the North Atlantic with 2m tropo is a very long way!
See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/2021/04/vo1fn-144-mhz-trans-atlantic-sdr.html .
10FT8R (continued)
Later today, all being well, I hope to do some more building of my 10m FT8 RX. The Es season really gets going in May, so I have to have it working by then. Another job is erecting my 10m wire dipole by then. As ladder work is needed, I shall need the help of my son.
UPDATE 1345z : All the "MeSquares" are down and I have made a small start on component placement. Small steps! Funny how hard this is nowadays. Although harder, I think soldering is still possible, just.Crazy weather - NOT amateur radio
April weather can be very odd. Last week we had temperatures approaching 25 degrees C. Today we have snow flurries!
When I first came to Cambridge in the early 1970s we did a 4m contest from the back of someone's Landrover. It was bitterly cold. I think it was April 3rd. Sometimes days can be very cold and other days very hot. In the UK in April, anything can be expected.
4 Apr 2021
Easter - NOT amateur radio
These days I am not very religious. I accompanied my wife to church this morning, but it was a very sad occasion with social distancing, no singing and pre-booking. Normally the churches are full at Easter. Not this year.
All the time I am aware of how narrow the Christian faith, indeed all religions, are. How can so many people in so many different religions all believe they are right? My own view is all these are hints at the truth. Not one has the answer.
Human beings find it very hard to deal with our finite lives. The universe is so vast and the chances of intelligent life existing elsewhere are high.
Whatever your views on religions, I hope that the next year brings you peace and happiness. We have all had a difficult 12 months with most things we took for granted gone. Let us hope we can all return to something more normal soon.
Perhaps I could best be described as agnostic: I really do not know what I believe. Something within me hints that love is important and that care for others and our world are important.
Heathkit HW8 QRP CW transceiver
A few days ago I posted that Heathkit is trying to make a comeback. So far, the kits are a poor imitation of the kits of old. These (to me) seem overpriced and poor. It is rumoured that some amateur band kits are planned.
Many years ago I owned an HW8 which was an HF QRP transceiver. I had great fun with mine.
These days there is less CW activity, with FT8 better suited to QRP modes. However, FT8 needs a PC. With CW some very simple rigs can be made.
Fresh greens - NOT amateur radio
At this time of year all the greens look fresh and new. Later in the year they look tired. This was the horse chestnut tree in the churchyard earlier. The leaves are just coming out. The rooks are busy building or repairing nests.
3 Apr 2021
Kings Parade, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio
King's Parade, Cambridge, UK |
17m FT8 QRP (Saturday)
After a break of a few days, I am again on 17m FT8 QRP with 2.5W and the tiny indoor loop antenna on the shack windowsill. It is now 1455z. So far, in about 10 minutes, 18 stations have been spotted on RX and my QRP has been copied by nobody yet on TX.
UPDATE 1542z: So far, 30 stations have been spotted on RX on 5 continents and nobody has spotted me on TX yet today.
UPDATE 1800z: 43 stations spotted on RX and nobody spotted my QRP on TX. QRT soon.
What CAN I still do?
Since my 2013 stroke I have been giddy all my waking time, had a very poor voice and get exhausted very quickly.
All the time I am conscious of all the things I used to be able to do without effort that I can no longer do. Some of these things may still be as a result of my stroke, whereas others may just be because I am getting older.
Maybe I need to change the way I think and focus on all the things I can do rather than the things I cannot.
For example:
- I still manage 2 weekly 2m FM nets.
- I still manage the 2m and 70cm UKAC activity contests each month.
- FT8 and WSPR operation is fine.
- Cutting the grass is still possible.
- Getting breakfast ready is still possible.
- Gardening for short periods is still possible.
- Washing the dishes is still possible.
- Ironing is still possible.
- etc...
10FT8R - 10m FT8 RX
The photo show the original WISPY RX.
UPDATE 1506z: A start has been made. Some of the "meSQUARES" pads have been stuck down. I am thinking that "little and often" is my best approach. Years ago I would have done the lot in one go! See http://www.qrpme.com/?p=product&id=MeSl
IC-705 - getting to know you
First impressions are this is some radio. It can do so much!!
Wild walk - NOT amateur radio
Cambridge - NOT amateur radio
We live not far from Cambridge. At the moment there are no foreign visitors. It is still a beautiful place.
2 Apr 2021
5MHz (60m) band
Despite a small slot being allocated to the amateur service at a WRC meeting many years ago, this slot is not universally available. As an example, it is not allocated in the UK. Other 5MHz allocations with higher power are available at 5MHz in the UK.
As a dedicated QRP man, and speaking personally, I would trade the bitty allocations for a smaller, contiguous band with lower power. I have only been on the band with WSPR, so am not well qualified to comment!
Sub-9kHz amateur radio
Some years ago I experimented on amateur radio below 9kHz. To receive amateur radiated signals at range needs very stable TX signals, very narrow filters and integration periods measured in hours or days. Just listening will not work! Luckily the software needed is freely available on the Internet.
Narrowboat - NOT amateur radio
This morning we did a walk along Burwell Lode. The photo shows a narrowboat on the Lode. The people on the boat were enjoying the birds including several marsh harriers.
It feels much colder.
1 Apr 2021
IC-705 antenna tuner
The ICOM AH-705 auto ATU sells for about £300. It is not small and not low cost. They do not even guarantee it is water and dust proof and they do not even quote the worst-case VSWR it can match.
In my view this is not a great auto ATU. I have no plans to buy one.