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Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog
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The future of the hobby
Posted: 28 Oct 2021 06:44 AM PDT
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/10/the-future-of-hobby.html
It is hard to generalise, but amateur radio is changing. Years ago, to talk
to people around the world meant an expensive phone call or getting an
amateur licence and building your own gear. Today, many of us just buy a
main transceiver and few build their own gear. We are (nearly) all guilty.
I know I am.
What happens in 20 years' time? Many of us will be old and frail and few of
us will be interested in shiny new transceivers. Quite a few manufacturers
will decide there is little profit in amateur radio and leave the market. Dealers will go out of business. There will be fewer adverts in magazines.
Some magazines will close. The hobby will die.
I really hope I am wrong. It is up to us all to forget what brought us into
the hobby, as the magic of radio will no longer be the magnet it once was. Today, talking across the planet is free and easy via the internet by
video. We need to understand what "turns young people on" technologically
and move with the times.
Grey haired old men waxing lyrical about the past is not the future.
No, I am concerned. Your views?
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Ultra-simple 80m transceiver
Posted: 28 Oct 2021 03:33 AM PDT
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/10/ultra-simple-80m-transceiver.html
As mentioned before, there is often a compulsion to get results with the
fewest parts. Usually, this involves a compromise, often with the RX. This
is the case with this rig. It certainly works, but be careful not to call
over a co-channel station.
See
https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/80m-xbm80-2
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10m FT8 RX (Thursday)
Posted: 28 Oct 2021 02:13 PM PDT
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/10/10m-ft8-rx-thursday_28.html
My gear was turned on at about 0730z. 2 spots already at 0755z. Furthermost
is R9CA (3677km). I guess this is F2.
UPDATE 1036z: So far today on 10m FT8 RX, 47 stations spotted.
UPDATE 1329z: 69 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX with the furthermost 7Q7CT (7955km) in Malawi.
UPDATE 1910z: 126 stations spotted. As it is dark, I shall go QRT soon.
UPDATE 2113z: QRT. 126 stations spotted, so no more stations spotted on
10m FT8 RX today.
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160m FT8 overnight
Posted: 28 Oct 2021 12:53 AM PDT
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/10/160m-ft8-overnight.html
A decent quantity of stations spotted on topband FT8 RX in the last day
with 300 stations spotted including 6 in the USA, 1 in Caanda and 1 in Greenland. Still using the coax to my 2m big-wheel (10m long?) loaded with
a ferrite-rod and a mains ground (see map).
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Sunspots - Thursday October 28th 2021
Posted: 27 Oct 2021 11:02 PM PDT
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/10/sunspots-thursday-october-28th-2021.html
Solar flux is 111 and the SSN 91. A=3 and K=0.
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160m FT8 RX
Posted: 28 Oct 2021 12:41 AM PDT
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/10/160m-ft8-rx_27.html
As my son managed to sever my earth-electrode "antenna" whilst doing some gardening for us, I am again using the coax to my 2m big-wheel loaded with
a ferrite rod "ATU".
The antenna is under 5m at its highest and the coax only 50cm above ground
at it lowest just outside the shack. I am just using the mains ground. The
coax is under 10m long.
So far this evening on 160m FT8 RX 19 stations spotted with the furthermost UA1OLM (2653km).
UPDATE 2002z: 83 stations spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX with the furthermost RW4PU (3416km).
UPDATE 2115z: 140 stations spotted so far this evening on 160m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 2300z: Staying on overnight.
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My main G3XBM website and video channel
Posted: 27 Oct 2021 04:14 AM PDT
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/10/my-main-g3xbm-website.html
A reminder that my main G3XBM website (less often updated than this blog)
has far more details about interests and projects. I also have a video
channel on YouTube.
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10m FT8 RX (Wednesday)
Posted: 27 Oct 2021 09:57 AM PDT
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/10/10m-ft8-rx-wednesday_27.html
My 10m FT8 RX was turned on about 0900z today. It is now 1025z and, so
far, 108 stations have been spotted.
UPDATE 1040z: 140 stations spotted so far on 10m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1242z: 224 stations spotted.
UPDATE 1555z: 326 stations spotted today. Once it gets dark expect fewer
DX spots.
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