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  • [G3XBM] 8m NoV

    From G3XBM via rec.radio.amateur.moderat@21:1/5 to All on Tue Jan 11 15:01:52 2022
    XPost: rec.radio.amateur.moderated, rec.radio.amateur.equipment, uk.radio.amateur
    XPost: free.uk.amateur-radio

    Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog

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    8m NoV

    Posted: 11 Jan 2022 06:11 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/01/8m-nov.html


    Three days ago I chased OFCOM as my application was back in October.
    What have I heard? Nothing, even with a request for an update.
    Well, I suppose their excuse will be Covid, assuming they eventually put
    their toys down and deem a reply to a mere mortal is worth waking them up
    for.
    I suppose if I said my application would make them billions I might have
    heard in October by return!

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    Lightning

    Posted: 11 Jan 2022 05:40 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/01/lightning.html


    Thankfully, thunderstorms are infrequent in the UK in winter. In the more
    risky months I disconnect antennas and PSUs to avoid the risk of power
    surges. A direct strike is probably going to totally ruin things.
    See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/lightning-maps

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    6m FT8 (Tuesday)

    Posted: 11 Jan 2022 01:40 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/01/6m-ft8-tuesday.html


    Since about 0900z I have been on 6m FT8 with the V2000 vertical omni
    antenna. After a very brief period on TX with 2.5W, I am now on RX only.
    UPDATE 0940z: One spot on TX by G0PQO (50km) and 2 Gs only on RX.

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    10m WSPR TX beacon (Tuesday)

    Posted: 11 Jan 2022 02:29 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/01/10m-wspr-tx-beacon-tuesday.html


    Since just before 0900z, I have been on 10m WSPR TX using 500mW from the
    W5OLF beacon. So far only local spots by G4KPX (14km), but at least I know
    it is working!
    UPDATE 1029z: Still just spots by local G4KPX.

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    Sunspots - Tuesday January 11th 2022

    Posted: 10 Jan 2022 11:42 PM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/01/sunspots-tuesday-january-11th-2022.html


    Solar flux is 102 and the SSN 38. A=6 and K=2.

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    3cm (10GHz)

    Posted: 10 Jan 2022 11:16 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/01/3cm-10ghz.html


    This is an amateur band I have not really tried.

    Back in the 1970s, I made a Gunn diode oscillator and got a few feet.
    Some take it very seriously and run big dishes and high power. Some have
    used the band for EME QSOs. Others have played with it with wideband FM
    using Gunnplexers and similar oscillators.
    These days the equivalent to these are HB100 Doppler radar modules
    available for just over a pound. I have not seen wideband FM transceivers built around these, but I am sure they exist. Some have even used these
    with a dish for ATV and achieved some astounding ranges.
    See
    https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/homebrew/10ghz.

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    10m WSPR TX beacon (Monday)

    Posted: 10 Jan 2022 11:49 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/01/10m-wspr-tx-beacon.html


    As the 10m antenna was free, I went 10m WSPR TX with my 500mW 10m WSPR
    beacon by W5OLF.
    UPDATE 0908z: Plenty of spots by local G4KPX (14km), but no DX yet. I have been on for about 25 minutes.
    UPDATE 1630z: 5 unique stations have spotted me today so far with the furthermost FY5KE (7110km).
    UPDATE 1945z: QRT.

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    6m FT8 (Monday)

    Posted: 10 Jan 2022 11:48 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/01/6m-ft8_10.html


    After breakfast I hope to be on 6m FT8 using 2.5W and the V2000 vertical
    omni antenna. There is an outside chance of some winter Es.
    UPDATE 0912z: No spots yet. I have been on since 0844z.
    UPDATE 1535z: 10 stations spotted so far today, mostly Gs.
    UPDATE 1945z: QRT.

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    VLF beacon TX

    Posted: 09 Jan 2022 11:49 PM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/01/vlf-beacon-tx.html



    This was the beacon TX I built for earth-mode tests at 8-9kHz. It can send either CW or QRSS at about 5W. It is some years since it has been used. A
    range of 6km was the best I achieved by utilities assisted earth-mode.

    I don't think it has ever been used at this QTH and we moved here in 2013!
    My stroke rather stopped field work sadly. I would like to do more, but
    fear this will not be possible. I am sure much further would be achievable. Interesting that earth-electrodes of sufficient size combined with plenty
    of power have been used in radiated sub-10kHz tests.

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    Sunspots - Monday January 10th 2022

    Posted: 09 Jan 2022 11:48 PM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/01/sunspots-monday-january-10th-2022.html


    Solar flux is 102 and the SSN 36. A=10 and K=2 .

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