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Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog

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"Lab" books

Posted: 16 May 2022 04:08 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/lab-books.html


Years ago, in my working life, I used to keep lab books detailing all I had done. When I retired and was still fit, I carried this on. It is surprising what you forget!

Also, you never know when this data will be useful in the future. The notes don't have to be neat.

I must admit, I haven't written in my lab-book for many years, but I can recommend getting into the habit.

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10m QRP WSPR TX

Posted: 16 May 2022 05:23 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/10m-qrp-wspr-tx_16.html


About 10 minutes ago I turned on my 10m 500mW W5OLF WSPR beacon. At 1055z, nobody has spotted me yet.
UPDATE 1225z: Still no spots today.

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8m experiment (Monday)

Posted: 16 May 2022 05:26 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/8m-experiment-monday_16.html


Although I expect to be on 8m FT8 TX on 40.680 MHz USB dial at times during
the day I suspect my operations will soon be scaled back.
I seem to have proved that all of continental Europe is within range, even
with my very modest station, although my low ERP seems to preclude me being copied outside of the local area in the UK.
UPDATE 1024z: A few minutes ago, my 8m FT8 RX was turned on.
UPDATE 1226z: No spots today. Currently rig is off cooling. Hope to be
back on at 1300z.

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NASA on the air

Posted: 15 May 2022 10:26 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/nasa-on-air.html



NASA is putting on some special transmissions in June. See the attached
poster.


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Dayton hamvention rumours?

Posted: 15 May 2022 10:26 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/dayton-hamvention-rumours.html


This is next weekend and I was wondering if their are rumours of new rigs
being announced? As one of the biggest showcases in the world, this is a
place to shout from the rooftops.

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Sunspots - Monday May 16th 2022

Posted: 15 May 2022 10:25 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/sunspots-monday-may-16th-2022.html


Solar flux is 154 and the SSN 129. A=12 and K=2.

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10m QRP WSPR TX (500mW)

Posted: 15 May 2022 01:34 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/10m-qrp-wspr-tx-500mw.html


In all, 2 unique stations have spotted my QRP 10m WSPR beacon so far today. UPDATE 2033z: QRT.

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8m experiment (Sunday)

Posted: 15 May 2022 01:29 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/8m-experiment-sunday_15.html


Although I was on 8m FT8 TX and RX for about 40 minutes, no spots. The rig
is now off, but I hope to be on again at about 1200z.
UPDATE 1326z: No spots all day. I think my experiment on 8m is drawing to a close. Most of Europe is in range via Es. What else can I learn?
UPDATE 1855z: EI9KP (649km) has again spotted me this afternoon. I have
lost count how many times Phil has spotted me on 8m.
UPDATE 2030z: QRT.

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BOF?

Posted: 14 May 2022 10:43 PM PDT
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/bof.html


Yesterday, the June RadCom arrived. In it stated that I had been an RSGB
member for 60 years!! That means I must officially be a "boring old fart" (BOF).
Looking back, I just wonder where those years went.
I can honestly say that I enjoy amateur radio as much now as in 1962.
Things have changed a lot over those years, but there are still challenges
and ways to have fun.

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Dayton Hamvention, Ohio, USA

Posted: 14 May 2022 10:42 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/dayton-hamvention-ohio-usa.html


This is May 20-22nd. It is the biggest ham gathering in the world. I have never been. This year it is in person once again. Often major manufacturers announce new products here.
See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2022/may/get-to-2022-dayton-hamvention.htm#.Yn_-7CHMLrc .

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Sunspots - Sunday May 15th 2022

Posted: 14 May 2022 10:40 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/sunspots-sunday-may-15th-2022.html


Solar flux is 153 and the SSN 105. A=7 and K=4.

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What is working DX?

Posted: 14 May 2022 01:35 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/what-is-working-dx.html


"Each to their own", as they say. These days, the boundaries are blurred
and it is a long time since working DX meant HF bands and QSB. An example
is DMR which allows users to talk with others around the world on their VHF handhelds.
In the depths of the last sunspot minimum, many of us bought network radios that used the internet as the backbone. Mine looked and behaved just like a
VHF handheld complete with antenna and PTT. With it, one could connect with repeaters on the far side of the planet.
I never enjoyed mine and prefer to work stations the "old" way. Now the
sunspot numbers are climbing, this is more possible again.
Now, I am not saying one is any better than the other. As they say, "each
to their own". Ours is a hobby of self training. I am sure there is as much
to learn from DMR and network radios as from working DX the "old" way!
See
https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/network-radio .

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Quiet 10m day so far

Posted: 14 May 2022 11:36 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/quiet-10m-day-so-far.html


It is already 1545z and my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon has not been spotted at
all despite being on all day. No Es apparent here.
UPDATE 1835z: No spots today.

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8m experiment (Saturday)

Posted: 14 May 2022 01:48 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/8m-experiment-saturday_14.html



In a few moments I hope to go on 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8 TX (first). The
photo shows my 8m dipole.

UPDATE 0902z: TX turned on at 0823z. No spots.
UPDATE 1709z: Just been spotted by EA3ERE (1153km). So far, I have been
spotted in 6 European countries on 8m mostly via Es. All the continental Europeans have been via Es. With my setup I think it very unlikely I shall
be spotted outside Europe.
UPDATE 2045z: QRT.

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Sunspots - Saturday May 14th 2022

Posted: 13 May 2022 11:21 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/sunspots-saturday-may-14th-2022.html


Solar flux is 150 and the SSN 120. A=7 and K=1.

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