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Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog

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10m WSPR TX QRP beacon

Posted: 22 Apr 2022 12:56 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/04/10m-wspr-tx-qrp-beacon.html


The 10m antenna is available, as I'm using a different antenna for my 8m experiments. So, I shall be on 10m WSPR TX again using 500mW from the
W5OLF beacon.
UPDATE 0755z: TX beacon now turned on. Just the usual locals spots from
G4KPX (14km).

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Ultra-simple 10m CW transceiver

Posted: 21 Apr 2022 11:20 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/04/ultra-simple-10m-cw-transceiver.html



The Lesser Chirpy was one of my designs from 10 years ago. It is one of the simplest transceivers you can make. As with all my designs, I would be
very surprised if you could not make it better! It works by FSK so the frequency shifts when the key is pressed. The first version had too much
chirp!

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/10m-lesser-chirpy.

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8m experiments continued (Friday)

Posted: 22 Apr 2022 12:55 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/04/8m-experiments-continued-friday.html


Later today I expect to continue my 8m experiments. As the TX loses power
when warm, I have been on FT8 TX for a period, then RX, then QRT as the rig cools and then back to TX.
Although I miss some of the DX others are seeing, it is interesting to see
what a simple QRP station can achieve on 8m. My estimate is that I'm some
10dB at least down on the better stations, which can make a lot of
difference on weaker signals.
UPDATE 0753z: After a brief TX period (no spots), I am currently on FT8 RX
on 40.680 MHz USB dial (no spots). We are about to go shopping.

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Sunspots - Friday April 22nd 2022

Posted: 21 Apr 2022 10:37 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/04/sunspots-friday-april-22nd-2022.html


Solar flux is 164 and the SSN 119. A=10 and K=1.

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Upcoming rallies

Posted: 21 Apr 2022 06:12 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-rallies_21.html


As far as I am aware the following rallies are happening, but it is always worth confirming with the organisers before travelling any distance. All
are on Sunday April 24th.
Cambridge repeater Group Rally, Foxton near Cambridge. rally2022@cambridgerepeaters.net
Northern Amateur Radio Societies Association, Norbeck Castle Exhibition Centre, Blackpool. dwilson@btinternet.com
Andover Radio Club Spring Boot Sale Wildhem Villlage Hall (just north of Andover) arac@arac.org.uk .

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Lyrid Meteor shower

Posted: 21 Apr 2022 02:20 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/04/lyrid-meteor-shower.html


Now and for the next few days were are experiencing the Lyrid meteor
shower. Such showers often give rise to decent pings off the ionised
trails, leading to short-lived, but strong, VHF signals. Things are often
best in the early morning, but I am no expert.
See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/ .

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10m Tenner transceiver

Posted: 21 Apr 2022 02:13 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/04/10m-tenner-transceiver.html


With the Es season just starting in the Northern Hemisphere, perhaps now is
the time to think about rigs. Some years ago I designed and built the
Tenner which is a 500mW CW transceiver for 10m.

During the Es season, you should have no trouble at all working stations
1500km away with it. In the past, it has got far further!
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/10m-tenner-qrp-cw .

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10m QRP WSPR TX (Thursday)

Posted: 21 Apr 2022 02:24 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/04/10m-qrp-wspr-tx.html


Yet again, I am on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW from the W5OLF beacon. It is now 0815z and, so far, just 37 spots from local G4KPX (14km).
UPDATE 2122z: QRT. 5 stations spotted me today.

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8m experiments (Thursday)

Posted: 21 Apr 2022 02:21 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/04/8m-experiments-thursday.html


For about 1 hour I have been on 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8. Sadly nobody
spotted me. It is 0800z and I am FT8 RX only on 8m. No RX spots.
UPDATE 1205z: EI9KP (649km) has again spotted me.
UPDATE 2120z: QRT. No other spots, but I feel certain that I will reach Slovenia this Es season.

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Sunspots - Thursday April 21st 2022

Posted: 20 Apr 2022 11:14 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/04/sunspots-thursday-april-21st-2022.html


Solar flux is 160 and the SSN 80. A=9 and K=3.

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