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Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog

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472kHz WSPR RX

Posted: 08 Sep 2021 02:21 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/09/472khz-wspr-rx_8.html


This evening I am on the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. It is now 0755z and I have been on for about 15 minutes, but nothing yet spotted.
UPDATE 21020z: So far, just DC0DX (467km) spotted several times At the
moment he was the same strength (roughly) as on the active loop. Does this
mean they are similar in gain?

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137kHz transverter

Posted: 08 Sep 2021 04:05 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/09/137khz-transverter.html



One of my Facebook memories today was this photo of my transverter for
137kHz. It was 10 years ago and was copied in Holland.


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10m FT8 (Wednesday)

Posted: 08 Sep 2021 10:03 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/09/10m-ft8-wednesday.html


As usual, I am on 10m FT8. After a brief period on TX with spots only from G0FWX (160km) I am RX only. At 1045z 19 stations spotted.
UPDATE 1703z: 33 stations spotted with the furthermost FR4NT (9726km) on Reunion Is..

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Network radios

Posted: 08 Sep 2021 01:38 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/09/network-radios.html


One of my Facebook memories today was about network radios. These look like
VHF handhelds or mobiles with PTT and antennas.

They use the Internet as a backbone and are basically Android phones. These
are available from several dealers. I suspect dealers see the future with
fewer radios sold, many of us getting older and frailer, more of us in care homes and unable to access conventional radio.
They are ideal for Echolink and similar. I have one, but find it oddly unsatisfying. In 20 years?
See MLS for typical examples.

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Sunspots - Wednesday September 8th 2021

Posted: 07 Sep 2021 10:55 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/09/sunspots-wednesday-september-8th-2021.html


Solar flux is 101 and the SSN 85. A=8 and K=4.

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Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog

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472kHz WSPR RX

Posted: 11 Sep 2021 03:42 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/09/472khz-wspr-rx_11.html


Since about 1805z I have been on 472kHz WSPR RX using the
earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. 4 spots so far this evening.
UPDATE 1946z: Swapped to the Wellgood active loop RX antenna to compare against the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. The active loop is
only 1m across and just stuck to the shack window.
UPDATE 2103z: After an hour on the active loop without spots, I have gone
back to the earth-electrode "antenna" and was immediately spotted G8HUH
(250km) and 2 French stations. My conclusion is the
ground-electrode "antenna" is somewhat better. By how much is not clear.
With the active loop optimised in position and direction I think the
difference might be smaller.
UPDATE 2118z: More spots, suggesting the earth-electrode is several dB
better than the active loop in its present configuration.
UPDATE 2218: 7 unique stations spotted this evening. The latest is EI0CF (602km).
UPDATE 2240z: QRT.





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Facebook memory today

Posted: 11 Sep 2021 02:38 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/09/facebook-memories-today.html



This photo shows a FB memory from 9 years ago. It later occurred to me that
you the same idea would work on FT8 RX so the FT8R was born. See my main website at www.g3xbm.co.uk.


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10m FT8 QRP (Saturday)

Posted: 11 Sep 2021 10:34 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/09/10m-ft8-qrp-saturday.html


After a brief period on TX (2.5W) I have been on 10m FT8 RX since. Just 1
spot on QRP TX and 1 station spotted on RX.
UPDATE 0941z: 14 stations spotted on RX today so far with the furthermost
in Ghana 9G5FI (5189km).
UPDATE 1732z: 36 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX with the furthermost CX6VM (10767km) in South America.

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472kHz RX last evening

Posted: 10 Sep 2021 11:28 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/09/472khz-rx-last-evening.html


Last evening I was on 472kHz WSPR RX using the earth-electrode "antenna"
in the ground. In all, 7 unique stations were spotted. I shall repeat this
this evening with the active antenna.

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Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog

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472kHz WSPR RX

Posted: 21 Oct 2021 11:47 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/10/472khz-wspr-rx.html


As my son managed to cut my earth-electrode "antenna" return wire, I may
try the coax outer to my 2m big-wheel antenna via a ferrite rod ATU on
472kHz WSPR this evening. I shall stay on until late tonight.

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Amazing DX on 2m

Posted: 21 Oct 2021 11:01 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/10/amazing-dx-on-2m.html


EI7GL's blog has a report on the excellent 2m (144MHz) QSOs between
Argentina and the Caribbean recently via TEP.
Seee https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/ .

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Galashiels Rally cancelled

Posted: 21 Oct 2021 02:34 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/10/galashiels-rally-cancelled.html


This rally was due to take place on Sunday October 24th, but I believe it
has been cancelled, presumably because of Covid-19 concerns. I have no
details. You may want to confirm this with the organisers.

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10m FT8 RX (Thursday)

Posted: 21 Oct 2021 11:38 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/10/10m-ft8-rx-thursday_21.html


My system was turned on at 0751z.
UPDATE 0929z: 5 spots on 10m FT8 RX. 3 look like F2. Furthermost is R6FX (3236km).
UPDATE 1046z: 52 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today with the furthermost 4Z5TK (3515km).
UPDATE 1548z: 109 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today.
UPDATE 1725z: 116 stations spotted.
UPDATE 1836z: Still 116 stations spotted, so this is probably the end of
10m DX today.

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Sunspots - Thursday October 21st 2021

Posted: 21 Oct 2021 10:16 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/10/sunspots-thursday-october-21st-2021.html


Solar flux is 76 and the SSN 11. A=6 and K=1.

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472kHz WSPR RX

Posted: 04 Nov 2021 01:48 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/11/472khz-wspr-rx.html


This evening, I am on 472kHz WSPR RX using the coax to my 2m big-wheel
antenna via a ferrite rod "ATU". So far this evening 5 stations have been spotted with the furthermost DL1HWK (816km).

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8m NoV - nothing heard

Posted: 04 Nov 2021 08:23 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/11/8m-nov-nothing-heard.html


A month ago I submitted my application to OFCOM (RSGB copied) for an 8m
NoV. Nothing yet heard, although I expect even to get a polite rejection
could take months. It would be nice to hear if the RSGB is supportive.
After all, I am only doing this to advance radio propagation science.
At the end of the day I am after 50Hz of spectrum for a limited time with
low power. They have allocated 2000000Hz of VHF spectrum for DATV NoVs!!!
The 146-147MHz NoVs have been extended for another year.
See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2021/november/146-147-mhz-nov-extension.htm#.YYP6Y46TLrc

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OFCOM and mobile repeaters

Posted: 04 Nov 2021 07:46 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/11/ofcom-and-mobile-repeaters.html


Next year, OFCOM is to approve more mobile repeaters allowing better
reception indoors for mobile users. See the OFCOM website.

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Rallies

Posted: 04 Nov 2021 07:34 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/11/rallies.html


As far as I am aware the Holsworthy Rally is on this Sunday, November 7th.
As usual, contact the organiser m0omc@m0omc.co.uk to check this is correct, especially if travelling far.
The Bushvalley ARC Radio Rally has been cancelled.
Covid-19 is still having an impact.

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30m FT8 RX with the active Wellgood loop

Posted: 04 Nov 2021 02:13 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/11/30m-ft8-rx-with-active-wellgood-loop.html


On 30m FT8 RX using the Wellgood loop stuck to the shack window inside, 264 stations spotted.

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10m FT8 RX

Posted: 04 Nov 2021 01:27 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/11/10m-ft8-rx.html


At 0845z, my 10m FT8 RX gear was turned on. So far (at 0859z) 2 Europeans spotted on RX.

UPDATE 1238z: 245 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today.
UPDATE 2022z: 447 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX (see map).

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Sunspots - Thursday November 4th 2021

Posted: 04 Nov 2021 01:56 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/11/sunspots-thursday-november-4th-2021.html


Solar flux is 89 and the SSN 41. A=21 and K=5.

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