[G3XBM] OFCOM and terahertz spectrum

[G3XBM via rec.radio.amateur.moderated Admin]

Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog

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OFCOM and terahertz spectrum

Posted: 02 Dec 2021 02:31 AM PST
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/ofcom-and-terahertz-spectrum.html


OFCOM is seeking views on how best to use spectrum above 100GHz.
The cynic in me says they are really looking for how to make yet more money
from licences. See the OFCOM website for more details.
Just think a few more 5G licences could bring in a few billions.....What a
good way to make a bit more.

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Sinclair Micromatic MW reflex RX

Posted: 02 Dec 2021 06:05 AM PST
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/sinclair-micromatic-mw-reflex-rx.html



These were basically tiny pocket receivers for medium wave broadcast. I
was reminded of this recently. Some were converted to 160m RX picking up AM
stations which were quite common in the late 1960s when this kit was
available.

Reflex circuits originated in the valve era when valves were expensive.
Reflex circuits allowed valves to be used as RF and AF amplifiers. The same
idea can be used on transistor circuits. Although I have not tried it, this
maybe a way of making a 10m AM RX with a narrower bandwidth than a
super-regen? Sensitivity should be good.
I have the honour of me being asked by Clive Sinclair for advice!! Yes, he
asked me for advice! This was in the 1970s when he was after an antenna for
his pocket TV. I can remember this like yesterday. Quite an honour.

Peter has kindly given me permission to use his images.

See
https://www.petervis.com/Radios/sinclair-micromatic-pocket-radio/sinclair-micromatic-pocket-radio.html

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Solar cycle 25 latest

Posted: 02 Dec 2021 12:46 AM PST
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/solar-cycle-25-latest.html


At the moment it looks like the current solar cycle (25) will be very
similar to the last one and that a big peak is unlikely. At the moment, it
is very slightly better than the last one.
See https://www.solen.info/solar/images/comparison_recent_cycles.png .

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10m FT8 QRP (Thursday)

Posted: 02 Dec 2021 07:42 AM PST
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/10m-ft8-qrp.html


At about 0820z, I turned on my 10m FT8 system. At first I was on TX of a
very short while, but now am RX only. Nobody copied me. On RX, at 0831z,
3 stations have been spotted, with the furthermost ES5QA (1753km).
UPDATE 1411z: 103 stations spotted so far today on 10m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1540z: 131 stations spotted so far today.


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160m FT8 RX overnight

Posted: 01 Dec 2021 11:16 PM PST
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/160m-ft8-rx-overnight.html



Since early last evening and overnight I was on 160m FT8 RX with the tiny
Wellgood loop on the shack window. In all, 276 stations spotted on RX but
nothing from the USA.


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U3A lecture about basic wage?

Posted: 02 Dec 2021 12:28 AM PST
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/u3a-lecture-about-basic-wage.html


Yesterday's University of the Third Age lecture was by a Cambridge
professor on the ethical reasons for a basic wage. It was very good.
Perhaps surprisingly, trials around the world have shown that this
increases people willing to work and makes sound economic sense. The
professor was Guy Standing, who is well respected across the world.
We are lucky to have a huge selection of courses in Cambridge.
Next week the speaker will be Jonathan Porritt.

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Sunspots - Thursday December 2nd 2021

Posted: 01 Dec 2021 11:03 PM PST
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/sunspots-thursday-december-2nd-2021.html


Solar flux is 82 and the SSN 37. A=18 and K=2.

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10m FT8 QRP TX (Wednesday)

Posted: 01 Dec 2021 11:32 AM PST
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/10m-ft8-qrp-tx-wednesday.html


8 stations spotted me today on 10m WSPR with my 500mW WSPR beacon by W5OLF.

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Solar predictions

Posted: 01 Dec 2021 02:59 AM PST
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/solar-predictions.html


My favourite website for solar data usually updates early in the month.
The last I heard was the forecast for the next solar peak was slightly
better than the last peak. We seem to be slightly ahead of predictions.
Solar activity forecasting is becoming better as time goes by, but
predictions vary wildly.
See https://www.solen.info/solar/ .

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10m QRP WSPR TX

Posted: 01 Dec 2021 02:43 AM PST
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/10m-qrp-wspr-tx.html



In the last day, my 500mW 10m WSPR signal has been copied by 13 stations as
shown. This morning I was getting local spots by G4KPX (14km) and spots
again by EA8BFK (2880km).


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17m FT8 RX (Wednesday)

Posted: 01 Dec 2021 11:29 AM PST
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/17m-ft8-rx-wednesday.html


This is a band I have not tried with the Wellgood active RX loop, so I am
giving it a try. It has been on about 15 minutes and so far 39 stations
spotted on RX. As far as I can tell, it works well.
UPDATE 1107z: 124 stations spotted with the furthermost BG0CHC (6142km).
UPDATE 1927z: 605 stations spotted today om 17m FT8 RX with the Wellgood
active loop.

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137kHz WSPR overnight

Posted: 30 Nov 2021 10:44 PM PST
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/137khz-wspr-overnight.html


As an experiment I was on 137kHz WSPR overnight with the Wellgood active
loop RX antenna, but spotted nobody!!

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Sunspots - Wednesday December 1st 2021

Posted: 30 Nov 2021 10:45 PM PST
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/sunspots-wednesday-december-1st-2021.html


Solar flux is 90 and the SSN 61. A=11 and K=4.

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137kHz WSPR

Posted: 30 Nov 2021 12:44 PM PST
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/11/137khz-wspr.html


At the moment I am on 137kHz WSPR with the Wellgood active loop. It will
stay on overnight. It would be a miracle if I copy anything! As usual, lots
of stations on RX, but very few on TX.
UPDATE 2044z: Still no spots, although I am not surprised.

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Geosynchronous Oscar 100 activity.

Posted: 30 Nov 2021 03:17 AM PST
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/11/geosynchrnous-oscar-100-activity.html


Every few weeks I give an update on activity levels on the narrowband
transponder on this satelllite by looking at the web SDR at Goonhilly Downs
in Cornwall, UK. Activity levels were low when I looked at 1100z today.
Activity levels can change very quickly, but remains well below capacity.
There is plenty of space.

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15m FT8 RX

Posted: 30 Nov 2021 10:57 AM PST
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/11/15m-ft8-rx_30.html


At the moment I am on 15m FT8 RX using the Wellgood active loop on the
shack window. So far today, after about 35 minutes, 116 stations spotted
with the furthermost ZS4JAN (9386km).
UPDATE 1623z: 518 stations spotted on 15m FT8 RX today. Furthermost is
VK4DW (14466km),
UPDATE 1857: 530 stations spotted today. Now QRT.

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10m QRP WSPR TX (Tuesday)

Posted: 30 Nov 2021 03:21 AM PST
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/11/10m-qrp-wspr-tx-tuesday_30.html


At the moment I am on 10m WSPR TX with my 500mW W5OLF beacon. Two spots by
local G4KPX (14km) only so far.
UPDATE 1120z: Plenty of spots from G4KPX, but nobody else yet.

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Sunspots - Tuesday November 30th 2021

Posted: 29 Nov 2021 11:17 PM PST
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/11/sunspots-tuesday-november-30th-2021.html


Solar flux is 90 and the SSN 47. A=9 and K=0.