XPost: rec.radio.amateur.moderated, uk.radio.amateur, free.uk.amateur-radio

Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog

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OFCOM updates

Posted: 09 Jun 2021 05:35 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/06/ofcom-updates.html


As usually happens early in the month, OFCOM has updated its Communications Monthly with the latest information it has. See the OFCOM website for more information.

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6m FT8 RX today

Posted: 09 Jun 2021 05:25 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/06/6m-ft8-rx-today.html


Since mid morning I have been on 6m FT8 RX with the V2000 vertical with the poor SWR. At 1225z 35 stations spotted on RX so far.

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V2000 issues

Posted: 09 Jun 2021 03:21 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/06/v2000-issues.html


Yesterday and this morning G3TFX tried to fix my very old V2000 triband vertical antenna. Sadly, we could not remove the bottom collar despite
trying enerything. It may be possible, but not in situ. Possibly in a vice
if the coax is cut this may be possible. I may have to get a new antenna.

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Sunspots - Wednesday June 9th 2021

Posted: 09 Jun 2021 02:02 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/06/sunspots-wednesday-june-9th-2021.html


Solar flux is 80 and the SSN 34. A=5 and K=2.

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V2000 faulty

Posted: 08 Jun 2021 11:28 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/06/v2000-faulty.html


A local friend Richard G3TFX kindly tried to mend my faulty V2000 vertical. This covers 6m, 2m and 70cm. I must have had it for almost 20 years.
Recently it developed a high SWR. When Richard investigated it looked like water had got in and there was some corrosion. He came back today to see if
he could loosen the collar at the bottom which he could not release due to corrosion. At the time of writing, this is stuck fast.
At the moment it is about 75cm off the ground without radials and
horizontal. Despite this, I have still spotted 172 station on 6m FT8 RX
with the best DX spotted A92GE (5036km) in Bahrain!!



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70cm activity contest (UKAC) this evening at 1900z

Posted: 08 Jun 2021 10:53 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/06/70cm-activity-contest-ukac-this-evening.html


A reminder that the 70cm leg of the RSGB activity contest is this evening.
As my 2m big-wheel is faulty I am trying with my homemade 4el yagi in the shack.

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70cm UK beacons

Posted: 08 Jun 2021 02:15 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/06/70cm-uk-beacons.html


At the moment, I am not sure which 70cm UK beacons are operational.
Last night GB3LEU at Leicester (432.490MHz) popped up with the indoor 4 el yagi, pointing out the window. Most of the time it is below the noise floor. Every time some tree surgeons were working about 50m away, I could hear a
sprog on 432.432MHz!
It seems few (none?) of the UK beacons have FT8 or WSPR sequences. PI4
which several beacons use, seems to require special software. Personally, I think it would be good to have time synchronised beacons with an FT8 TX
slot so there could be more monitors.
See https://www.microwavers.org/indexb.htm .

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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XPost: rec.radio.amateur.moderated, uk.radio.amateur, free.uk.amateur-radio

Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog

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OFCOM updates

Posted: 27 May 2022 08:38 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/ofcom-updates.html


As usual, OFCOM has updated the statistics it holds. See the OFCOM website for details.

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W5OLF SK?

Posted: 27 May 2022 03:37 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/w5olf-sk.html


My fears are growing. I have written to Jay twice and not had a response.
He may just be on a long vacation, but I have heard no news. In the past
Jay has been very helpful to me and I owe him a lot.
If he is around and reading this, please be assured that I wish him well.
Has anyone had any news please?

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10m QRP WSPR TX

Posted: 27 May 2022 03:28 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/10m-qrp-wspr-tx_27.html


Now that I am home again, I am on 10m WSPR with 500mW from the W5OLF WSPR beacon. Several F2 spots, but none that look like Es.

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8m FT8 TX

Posted: 27 May 2022 02:17 PM PDT
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/8m.html


As I am now home again, I hope to be on 8m TX on 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8
after breakfast. I have not been on 8m for a week.
UPDATE 0902z: Been on 8m FT8 QRP TX for about 45 minutes, but now RX only
on 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8. Spotted by EI9KP (649km). Nobody spotted on RX. UPDATE 2117z: My 8m FT8 QRP signal was spotted by stations in Portugal,
Spain and Eire today, and I spotted 1 G station on RX.

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Sunspots - Friday May 27th 2022

Posted: 26 May 2022 11:48 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/sunspots-friday-may-27th-2022.html


Solar flux is 123 and the SSN 87. A=4 and K=1.

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Rally

Posted: 26 May 2022 02:41 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/rally_26.html


The following rally is due to take place on Sunday May 29th. As always in
these strange times, it is advisable to check with organisers first if travelling far.
Sunday May 29th - Durham District ARS Radio Rally, Bowburn Community
Centre, DH6 5AT. Contact dadrs@gmx.com .

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)