Dual band antenna

This photo appeared as a Facebook memory today. It shows the 10m/6m antenna erected in 2012. 

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/antennas/homebase10-10m-halo .

Bolberry Down, Devon - NOT amateur radio

In my view this is one of the best places in the world. It is wild and unspoilt. 

8m experiment (Wednesday)

Once again, my intention is to stick with FT8 today on 40.680 MHz USB dial. So far, I have been copied in 4 European countries and expect this to increase during the Es season. 

The impression I am getting is that other than Es openings my QRP is not capable of being spotted at any distance. Also, I think there are fewer stations with TX permits this year. I was expecting more to be asking for these. Overall, I am a bit disappointed. Other than stations in the UK, Croatia, Slovenia and possibly Eire, I suspect the chances of exchanging FT8 reports are small. Once these countries are "worked", I suspect interest might wane.

If I am honest I was expecting stations across Europe to be active this Es season. Sadly, this is not the case. 

Personally I think a very small 8m, digital only, allocation to the amateur service would really help research in radio propagation science. I think OFCOM and the RSGB have been totally stupid over their attitude to this! You feel that they are not really interested in real self training and research. Talking about gardens and arthritic knees on 80m with Japanese commercial rigs is fine!!

UPDATE 0835z:  For about an hour I have been on 8m FT8 TX. I was spotted (yet again) by EI9KP (649km) in the west of Eire. Nobody spotted here, although I am currently RX only.

UPDATE 1320z:  No further 8m spots. Currently RX only again.

Sunspots - Wednesday May 4th 2022

Solar flux is 114 and the SSN 53 .  A=7 and K=2.

ON4KST chat?

This chatroom is often used to set up skeds etc. When I tried to log in earlier it came back with a 404 error and said, "not found". This may be just a temporary glitch. I hope this is just temporary as I normally post news of my 8m tests here as well as my blog.

See http://www.on4kst.com/chat/start.php .

UPDATE 1740z:  All working again - thankfully.

That free PDF G3XBM project scrapbook

It is pleasing to say that this book is on target to be completed by the end of May. 

My intention is to collect all my projects into a freely downloadable PDF book. I shall add the link on this blog and send it to the major radio magazines. I want this to be freely available so you can share my fun. It is a scrapbook as it is full of ideas that I am sure can be improved by experimentation.

Nothing would give me more pleasure than if someone took my projects further.

The reason for the free PDF is to avoid the copyright issues that might arise with a printed book. Also it means I can add additions and corrections easily at any time.

Cambridge bookshop - NOT amateur radio

When I first moved to Cambridge in 1970 there were loads of bookshops. With people choosing to buy online there are now far fewer. 

The photo shows one that has remained. One wonders for how long?

10m QRP WSPR TX (Tuesday)

As my 10m antenna is free, I am again on 10m WSPR with the W5OLF 500mW TX beacon.  It is now 0842z and, so far, no spots yet .

UPDATE 0923z:  Still no spots.

UPDATE 1611z:   4 unique stations have spotted me with the furthermost FR1GZ (9724km).

8m experiment (Tuesday)

 Yesterday was hopeless with no stations spotting me and no stations spotted. 

As May goes on, Es should get better and more common. With my QRP, I am not expecting great things, but most active 8m stations in Europe should be in range at some time. There are also a number of stations monitoring , if not able to TX.

At the moment (0828z) I am on 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8 TX.

My usual pattern is TX FT8 in the first period around 1950Hz audio for about 30 minutes, then go on just RX for about 30 minutes, then QRT whilst the rig cools, then repeat.

UPDATE 0926z:  No spots given or received yet. Currently RX only.

UPDATE 1030z:  Currently QRT as the rig cools. Back on FT8 TX (40.680 MHz USB dial) at 1100z. No spots still today.

UPDATE 1550z:  Back on 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8 TX. My earlier attempts on 8m FT8 TX and RX have been unsuccessful today. I hope I catch some Es at teatime. It often peaks around noon and teatime - no idea why.

UPDATE  1748z:   It looks like today will pass without any 8m spots. Currently RX only.

Buttercups - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows the view outside our village post office with lots of spring flowers.