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Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog

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160m FT8 RX

Posted: 23 Oct 2021 12:49 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/10/160m-ft8-rx.html


Just before 1900z, I turned on my 160m FT8 RX. So far, 23 stations
spotted. Still using the outer of my 2m big-wheel and ferrite rod "ATU".
UPDATE 1950z: 76 stations spotted with the furthermost RV0AR (5548km) in Asiatic Russia.

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Radio for Grandson

Posted: 23 Oct 2021 08:33 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/10/radio-for-grandson.html


On Monday, we have one of our grandsons here. Whilst he is here, he wants
to build a radio as part of his Design and Technology (DT) work. I have
plumped for a TRF circuit based around the TD7642 IC, which is like the
ZN414 of old.
Very many years ago I built two around a ZN414 for my boys. The plan is to build it myself first to prove it all works, then disassemble it so my
grandson can build it after some soldering practise. In the past this
circuit worked fine with a ferrite rod antenna.
I am finding things far harder now: my eyes are finding close work more problematic and my fine motor skills are poorer.
He wants to do a design brief and we can draw the schematic together. I can explain how it works in simple terms. Hopefully he can take it home.

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10m FT8 RX (Saturday)

Posted: 23 Oct 2021 11:53 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/10/10m-ft8-rx-saturday_23.html


My gear was turned on about 1010z. So far, 40 stations have been spotted, all in Europe.
UPDATE 1104z: 127 stations spotted with the furthermost YB1BUL (11796km)
in Indonesia.
UPDATE 1848z: 215 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today.


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160m FT8 RX yesterday

Posted: 23 Oct 2021 04:01 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/10/160m-ft8-rx-yesterday.html


324 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX in the last day (see map) including the
USA and Mexico. This is with just the short coax to my 2m big-wheel loaded
via a ferrite rod with a mains plug ground!
The coax is about 10m long and the big-wheel about 5m above ground. The
coax is about 50cm off the ground at its lowest. The ferrite rod "ATU" is shown. Absolutely nothing special!
If I can do this I am sure you can too.

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Magdalene College, Cambridge

Posted: 23 Oct 2021 03:50 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/10/magdalene-college-cambridge.html


This college houses the famous Pepys Library. Like all colleges in
Cambridge, it is well looked after!
It is located on Bridge Street, just north of the River Cam.


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Sunspots - Saturday October 23rd 2021

Posted: 23 Oct 2021 12:28 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/10/sunspots-saturday-october-23rd-2021.html


Solar flux is 87 and the SSN 28. A=4 and K=0.

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Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog

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160m FT8 RX

Posted: 11 Dec 2021 09:48 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/160m-ft8-rx.html


Having gradually gone to lower and lower frequencies, I have settled on
160m FT8 RX. So far, 17 stations spotted with the furthermost YL1ZF
(1605km).

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OFCOM Communications Monthly

Posted: 11 Dec 2021 07:33 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/ofcom-communications-monthly.html


Every month OFCOM updates its Communications Monthly with the latest
statistics it holds. See the OFCOM website for more details.

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Indian Convention

Posted: 11 Dec 2021 07:09 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/indian-convention.html


Looks like there was/is a large amateur radio convention in India. I notice that there are few (if any) wearing masks. Some months ago India was overwhelmed with Covid-19 cases. With the new variant spreading fast, I am surprised.
See http://www.larc.in/larc4/ .

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15m FT8 RX

Posted: 11 Dec 2021 09:12 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/15m-ft8-rx.html


At about 1430z I QSYed from 40m to 15m FT8 RX using the Wellgood active
loop. It is now 1440z and, so far, 7 stations spotted.
UPDATE 1712z: 26 stations spotted, mostly in the USA.

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Oscar 100 wideband

Posted: 11 Dec 2021 04:03 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/oscar-100-wideband.html


Often I give an update on the activity on narrowband transponder, but I am
not aware of similar way to actually see the signals in the wideband
section. The BATV webSDR shows the spectrum, not the actual signals. OK, I
know you could look at the actual satellite, but I was wondering if these
DATV signals could be viewed on the internet.
If you know how to look at actual DATV signals via Oscar 100, please let me know.
See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/wb/ .

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10m WSPR QRP TX (Saturday)

Posted: 11 Dec 2021 09:42 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/10m-wspr-qrp-tx-saturday.html



As the 10m antenna is free, I am on 10m WSPR TX with my 500mW W5OLF
beacon. It is now 1102z and so far 3 unique stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 1411z: 4 unique stations have spotted me (see table).
UPDATE 1715z: QRT soon as no further DX stations spotting me.
UPDATE 1740z: QRT.

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40m FT8 RX overnight

Posted: 11 Dec 2021 03:06 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/40m-ft8-rx-overnight.html


Since last evening I have been on 40m FT8 RX with the indoor Wellgood
active loop. 186 stations spotted including 3 in the USA.
I may remain on 40m FT8 RX this morning. At 1104z, 64 stations had been
spotted this morning.

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Sunspots - Saturday December 11th 2021

Posted: 10 Dec 2021 11:19 PM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/sunspots-saturday-december-12th-2021.html


Solar flux is 76 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=3.

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40m FT8 RX

Posted: 10 Dec 2021 02:59 PM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/this-evening-and-hopefully-overnight-i.html


This evening (and hopefully overnight) I am on 40m FT8 RX with the Wellgood active loop. 104 stations spotted by 2300z.

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OFCOM and satellites

Posted: 10 Dec 2021 09:45 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/ofcom-and-satellites.html


OFCOM is changing the licence conditions for some low earth orbit
satellites. See the OFCOM website for details.

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160m FT8 RX overnight

Posted: 10 Dec 2021 01:28 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/160m-ft8-rx-overnight_10.html


Overnight with the indoor Wellgood loop, 308 stations spotted, but nothing from "across the pond".


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17m FT8 RX (Friday)

Posted: 10 Dec 2021 11:54 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/17m-ft8-rx-friday.html


Since about 0855z, I have been on 17m FT8 RX with the Wellgood active loop indoors. It is now 0913z and 40 stations already spotted.
UPDATE 0930z: 66 stations spotted with the furthermost RM8Y (5221km).
UPDATE 1748z: 440 stations spotted with the furthermost being VK2XZ
(16962km). With just 4 more in the last hour, this suggests the band is
closing or has closed.
UPDATE 1952z: 447 stations spotted. QRT soon.



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10m WSPR TX (Friday)

Posted: 10 Dec 2021 08:36 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/10m-wspr-tx-friday.html


Since about 0855z, I have been on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW to my W5OLF
beacon. So far, just spots from G4KPX (14km).
Near disaster! For almost a day the little beacon had been fully on with no antenna. Remarkably, the PA device survived this abuse. I was lucky. It was
so good to see it had survived.
UPDATE 1626z: Just G4KPX spotting me today.





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Sunspots - Friday December 10th 2021

Posted: 10 Dec 2021 01:05 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/sunspots-friday-december-10th-2021.html


Solar flux is 77 and the SSN 0 again. A=3 and K=1.

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160m FT8 RX (Thursday)

Posted: 09 Dec 2021 11:40 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/160m-ft8-rx-thursday.html


Since teatime I have been on 160m FT8 RX with the active Wellgood loop on
the shack window. So far (at 1939z) 86 stations spotted with the
furthermost RN7T (3082km).

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One of the best rigs ever?

Posted: 09 Dec 2021 01:40 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/one-of-best-rigs-ever.html


Some years ago, I sold my IC-703 to a local friend. He used it mainly on
20m. Looking back, it was one of the best radios I have ever owned. It
covered 160m to 6m with 10W, auto ATU, speech processing and DSP.
I managed to blow my PAs which were easily fixed. Otherwise it was
faultless. These are hard to find these days, but for a multi-band,
multi-mode QRP radio it is hard to beat.

These days it is replaced by the IC-705. This covers more bands and has a
few extras, but does not have an auto-ATU.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/commercial-rigs/icom-ic-703 .

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10m FT8 (Thursday)

Posted: 09 Dec 2021 03:33 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/10m-ft8-thursday.html


After a brief TX period (2 mins?) around 0900z, I am on 10m FT8 RX only. At 0922z no spots given or received.
UPDATE 1130z: Just 6 spots on 10m FT8 RX so far. Most of these look like
tropo or aircraft reflection with no signs here of F2 or Es. Furthermost
is DO8WA (499km), Sometimes in December and January there is a small
mid-winter Es peak. Don't ask me why as I do not know!

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160m FT8 RX overnight

Posted: 09 Dec 2021 12:43 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/160m-ft8-rx-overnight_9.html


317 stations spotted overnight on 160m FT8 RX with the indoor Wellgood
loop. Furthermost was UA9MA (4598km) in Omsk. No USA stations last night.

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Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog

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160m FT8 RX

Posted: 01 Mar 2022 12:51 PM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/03/160m-ft8-rx.html


At about 2000z, I started on 160m FT8 RX using the untuned 10m antenna.
At 2050z, 54 stations spotted. All were European

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2m RSGB activity contest (UKAC)

Posted: 01 Mar 2022 12:46 PM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/03/2m-rsgb-activity-contest-ukac.html


This contest was on this evening. Usually I work about 8-10 stations, but tonight I worked just one before giving up.
Some good distances were spotted, but there seemed fewer people on.
Whatever I tried, I seemed unable to break through with my poor voice. I
only tried for about 30 minutes with the big-wheel omni and 10W.

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8m permit

Posted: 01 Mar 2022 07:50 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/03/8m-permit.html


I gather this is "in a queue" as the person is very busy.
In the meantime, I shall get my dedicated 40MHz antenna up and check
things. Until I get the permit in my hands, I have no intention of
finalising frequencies or making any announcements/skeds. My hope is to
send FT8 on a frequency coordinated with others in the UK and Europe to
make monitoring easier.
Certainly, up to now, the man I have dealt with at OFCOM has been fast and helpful.

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2m AM, FM and SSB

Posted: 01 Mar 2022 06:04 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/03/2m-am.html


These days there are few stations on 2m AM. Compared with a few years ago
the general level of activity (FM and SSB) is lower with fewer people
coming on just for a chat. These days, most go on the internet for a chat.
FT8 activity is higher, but outside contests and lifts, the 2m band is
pretty quiet. This is also true of 70cm, at least here.
Many years ago I designed and built the Fredbox. I do not suggest you try
to duplicate it, but you may get some ideas from it.
See
https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/homebrew/fredbox .




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10m FT8 RX

Posted: 01 Mar 2022 05:47 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/03/10m-ft8-rx.html


It is now 0905z. I have been on 10m FT8 RX for abour an hour. So far, 64 stations have been spotted. As is to be expected, most of these are to the east including Australia. Later, the Americans will start to appear.
UPDATE 1108z: 309 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1212z: 435 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1345z: 544 stations spotted today.

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Solar data update

Posted: 01 Mar 2022 01:00 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/03/solar-data-update.html


Usually in the early days of the month my favourite site for solar
information updates it's data.
See https://www.solen.info/solar/.

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160m FT8 RX

Posted: 11 Mar 2022 02:33 PM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/03/160m-ft8-rx_11.html


At the moment I am on 160m FT8 RX using the untuned 10m antenna. So far, 67 stations spotted.
UPDATE 2232z: 89 stations spotted with the furthermost EX0QR (5642km) in Kyrgystan.

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Logbook of the world

Posted: 11 Mar 2022 07:04 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/03/logbook-of-world.html


This is something I really should get into.
It can take ADIF files and simple upload them so that you can check quite quickly if the station you worked was genuine.
Not that it interests me, but some use it for awards like DXCC. I think it
is organised by the ARRL. It saves QSL cards, wasted paper and postage. I
am way behind with eQSLs too!
See https://lotw.arrl.org/lotwuser/default .

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