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Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog

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Local natter box

Posted: 16 Oct 2021 11:39 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/10/local-natter-box.html


Some years I toyed with the idea of making a simple rig for local QSOs.
This was to be based on my 2m Fredbox. The ideas was not to work DX, but
rather be designed for simple cross-town natters. The aim was to design something low cost that worked. Various parts have been breadboarded. Then
my stroke got in the way and the project stopped. Perhaps it will inspire
you to make something similar.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/10m-am-tenbox .

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10m FT8 RX yesterday

Posted: 16 Oct 2021 11:36 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/10/10m-ft8-rx-yesterday.html


Yesterday was quite a good day on 10m FT8 RX. I all, 276 stations spotted
with most via F2 propagation. In all, stations in 5 continents spotted with
the furthermost LW2EDM (11776km).

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Sunspots - Sunday October 17th 2021

Posted: 16 Oct 2021 11:35 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/10/sunspots-sunday-october-17th-2021.html


Solar flux is 78 and the SSN 11 . A=6 and K=1.

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Simple regen RXs

Posted: 16 Oct 2021 12:44 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/10/simple-regen-rxs.html


There is always a challenge getting the most from very little. Great fun
can be had from simple regenerative receivers.
This simple circuit works really well and has been a great surprise. I made
an 80m transceiver version and I was surprised by how uncritical it was and
by what it copied.
The video shows the transceiver version and the first link takes you to a
very simple RX schematic. The second link takes you to the FETer 80m transceiver.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/80m-or-40m-regen-rx .
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/80m-feter-transceiver .




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Lightning

Posted: 16 Oct 2021 02:56 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/10/lightning.html


Some call me paranoid about lightning.
At this time of year in the UK lightning is far less common than in the
summer, but I still disconnect antennas and PSUs at night as a precaution.
In the daytime I check and disconnect everything if there is a hint of
storms.
OK, the chances of a direct strike are low, but I want to minimise risks.
Power surges can be more common.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/lightning-maps .

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10m FT8 RX (Saturday)

Posted: 16 Oct 2021 02:18 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/10/10m-ft8-rx-saturday_16.html


In a few moments I hope to go on 10m FT8 RX. Yesterday there was activity, but fewer stations copied. I am not sure if this was just a poorer day?
UPDATE 0919z: 10m FT8 RX turned on. Plenty of stations coming in by F2. I
see Gs are calling VK on 10m. So far, 12 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX
with the furthermost RA4AID (3140km).

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Sunspots - Saturday October 16th 2021

Posted: 16 Oct 2021 02:00 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/10/sunspots-saturday-october-16th-2021.html


Solar flux is 84 and the SSN 11. A=6 and K=2. We are obviously with the active side facing away from the Earth.

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