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Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog
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10m WSPR QRP TX
Posted: 13 May 2022 01:22 AM PDT
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/10m-wspr-qrp-tx_13.html
Yesterday was very successful with my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon being widely spotted across Europe. It is on again now (0821z). No spots yet.
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Es season
Posted: 12 May 2022 11:55 PM PDT
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/es-season.html
In the coming months we will be in the Es season in the northern
hemisphere. This brings lots of short skip DX on bands like 10m, 6m and 4m. Occasionally it even reaches 2m although this is rare. Sometimes we get
very long distances via the E layer, but I suspect many of these openings
are some kind of chordal E propagation. Enjoy it whilst it lasts!
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8m experiment (Friday)
Posted: 13 May 2022 01:14 AM PDT
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/8m-experiment-friday_13.html
With my QRP, I am running out of stations with whom I can realistically exchange reports.
My problem is I do not know who else, without a TX permit, might be looking
for me. There is an outside chance that I could be spotted in the USA, but
I think it is unlikely that I will be spotted in South Africa.
I remain totally baffled by OFCOM and the RSGB who seem dead against even a very tiny allocation of an amateur band at 8m by NoV, digital only, when
this could really help propagation research and self training!! I find
their OBSTRUCTIVE attitude unbelievable. Contact OFCOM and the RSGB to
persuade them they are so WRONG!!
UPDATE 0810z: 8m TX turned on 40.680 MHz USB dial at 0805z. FT8 first
period TX.
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Sunspots - Friday May 13th 2022
Posted: 12 May 2022 11:24 PM PDT
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/sunspots-friday-may-13th-2022.html
Solar flux is 133 and the SSN 112. A=8 and K=1.
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8m experiment (Thursday)
Posted: 12 May 2022 06:18 AM PDT
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/8m-experiment-thursday_12.html
At 0830z I propose to go on 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8 TX (TXing in the first period).
UPDATE 1221z: EI9KP (649km) has spotted me and I have spotted him.
UPDATE 1315z: QRT on RX and TX whilst rig cools Back on at 1345z on
40.680 MHz FT8 TX (first period).
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10m WSPR QRP TX (Thursday)
Posted: 12 May 2022 12:12 PM PDT
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/10m-wspr-qrp-tx-thursday.html
I am on 10m WSPR TX with my 500mW W5OLF beacon. No spots yet today.
UPDATE 1521z: 15 unique spots of me today, mostly Es.
UPDATE 1905z: 16 unique stations have spotted me today. The Es season is definitely here.
There are far more people monitoring 10m WSPR than I was expecting. Great.
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Oscar 100 (lack of) activity
Posted: 11 May 2022 11:09 PM PDT
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/oscar-100-lack-of-activity.html
Every few weeks I take a look at activity on the narrow-band transponder of this geosynchronous satellite. I last looked at 1230z on a Wednesday. It
has never been quieter! When I looked there was nobody at all active! Now,
I may have just caught this at a bad time.
See
https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .
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Xiegu X6100 HF/50 MHz transceiver
Posted: 11 May 2022 11:13 PM PDT
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/xiegu-x6100-hf50-mhz-transceiver.html
In this month's Practical Wireless is a review of the Chinese Xiegu X6100 transceiver. Like many things made in China, quality still seems to be a
bit "hit and miss". They report an issue with the auto-ATU that is not
fixed with the latest firmware. What seems clear is these are low cost.
My concern is what happens if it goes wrong? Who will fix it? Is the
guarantee really worth it? Given time, I am sure the major Japanese manufacturers like Yaesu, ICOM and Kenwood will feel a chill, with more,
better quality, and far lower cost offerings starting to appear from China
and other countries.
I am quite surprised that one (or more) of the major Japanese manufacturers
is still there if I am honest. It all hinges on volumes and markets. I
would expect to see items that could sell in high volumes worldwide coming
from China rather than niche products. Over time, quality will shoot up.
At the moment I still feel nervous about buying Chinese amateur radio
products. But...
They are coming......
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Sunspots - Thursday May 12th 2022
Posted: 11 May 2022 11:08 PM PDT
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/sunspots-thursday-may-12th-2022.html
Solar flux is 133 and the SSN 84. A=6 and K=2.
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