Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog

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Shack PC fixed!!

Posted: 13 Jul 2022 09:05 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/07/shack-pc-fixed.html


In the end I had to reinstall the network drivers. This has totally fixed
the issues I had, which were a total inability to connect to the Internet
and sync network time.
My thanks go to everyone who tried so hard to help me fix it. It happened after a Windows update. I thought Windows updates were intended to make things better?

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6m QRP FT8 TX (Wednesday)

Posted: 13 Jul 2022 09:26 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/07/6m-qrp-ft8-tx-wednesday.html



For a total change, I am on 6m FT8 QRP TX using the FT817ND and the V2000 vertical omni antenna. So far, the furthermost spotting me is EA7CL
(1768km) with 11 stations spotting me.
UPDATE 1619z: So far today, 18 stations have spotted my 6m FT8 QRP. Many were by Es.

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10m QRP FT8

Posted: 13 Jul 2022 04:46 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/07/10m-qrp-ft8.html


After a little while on full power with the FT817ND, I decided it was too easy on 10m FT8. So, I have now reduced to minimum power (500mW?) and am still making QSOs. Perhaps I should add an external attenuator and try at
1mW 10m FT8?

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70cm activity contest reminder

Posted: 13 Jul 2022 02:06 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/07/activity-contest-reminder.html


Stations spotted on 70cm FT8 this evening
This evening is the 70cm FT8 activity contest. I do not usually submit a score, but usually come on with my QRP and 2m omni big-wheel antenna. I am always surprised how far I can spot.


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10m QRP WSPR TX

Posted: 13 Jul 2022 01:50 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/07/10m-qrp-wspr-tx_13.html


It is very easy to forget (I just did!) that I can go on 10m QRP WSPR TX
with my 500mW W5OLF beacon. It has just been turned on at about 0812z.
UPDATE 0850z: 3 spots by OH2FHJ (1721km) I may try 10m FT8.


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8m experiment (Wednesday)

Posted: 13 Jul 2022 01:52 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/07/8m-experiment-wednesday_13.html


At the moment I am on 8m FT8 QRP TX on 40.680 MHz USB dial using the old PC. Interesting that the power has not dropped suggesting the audio from
the usual PC may have been dropping over time? No spots.
UPDATE 0851z: No spots. May QSY to 10m FT8 soon.

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Sunspots - Wednesday July 13th 2022

Posted: 12 Jul 2022 11:26 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/07/sunspots-wednesday-july-13th-2022.html


Solar flux is 165 and the SSN 117. A=18 and K=2.

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Perugia, Italy

Posted: 12 Jul 2022 01:49 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/07/perugia-italy.html


My son and grandson are visiting friends in Italy. Here they are enjoying
a rather small water melon!

Perugia is near Assisi.

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8m QRP FT8 TX

Posted: 12 Jul 2022 01:29 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/07/8m-qrp-ft8-tx.html


At the moment (2028z) I am on 40.680 MHz FT8 TX with the "old" Windows PC. So far, no spots.

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PC not fixed

Posted: 12 Jul 2022 01:24 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/07/pc-not-fixed.html


My issue seems to be no Internet connection. I have tried most things I
know about, but so far no luck. I shall try again tomorrow.
UPDATE 2020z: I am currently on 8m FT8 QRP TX with the "old" Windows PC. So far, no spots.

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Minimalist transceiver

Posted: 12 Jul 2022 05:04 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/07/minimalist-transceiver.html



This has been on before, although I make no apologies. It was inspired by a 40m design by W2UW (now a SK). My main issue was netting the receiver, although you may have a way of doing this. The rig must still be around somewhere - probably in the loft. As I recall, it needs just 14 parts including a single FET.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/80m-feter-transceiver .


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Sunspots - Tuesday July 12th 2022

Posted: 12 Jul 2022 12:01 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/07/sunspots-tuesday-july-12th-2022.html


Solar flux is 161 and the SSN 134. A=12 and K=3.

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8m experiment (Monday)

Posted: 11 Jul 2022 12:26 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/07/8m-experiment-monday_11.html


As I am unlikely to fix things today, I suspect there will be no action on 8m FT8 TX here today.
UPDATE 1927z: reset router and flushed DNS cache, but still no success....yet.

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Fixing that FT8 PC

Posted: 11 Jul 2022 12:31 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/07/fixing-that-ft8-pc.html


It looks my issue with time sync is more general with DNS addresses. All websites fail to connect with this PC although other PCs work fine. I have found a very good site to systematically work out what's wrong. After
lunch, I intend to work through these and fix the problem.
UPDATE 1930z : Flushed DNS cache and reset router, but no success.... yet.

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Sunspots - Monday July 11th 2022

Posted: 11 Jul 2022 12:58 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/07/sunspots-monday-july-11th-2022.html


Solar flux is 153 and the SSN 113. A=7 and K=1.

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10m FT8 RX

Posted: 10 Jul 2022 12:13 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/07/10m-ft8-rx.html



For a change, I am on 10m FT8 RX. Plenty spotted.


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8m experiment (Sunday)

Posted: 10 Jul 2022 05:35 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/07/8m-experiment-sunday_10.html


Well, FT8 is working on 8m FT8 RX on a different PC, but not yet on TX. The audio shows TX on the SignaLink USB, but no power on TX.All sliders are at maximum. It must be something stupid I am doing. This PC must be about x20 slower than the machine usually used!
UPDATE 1236z: No spots on 8m FT8 RX today.

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10m QRP WSPR TX

Posted: 10 Jul 2022 05:30 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/07/10m-qrp-wspr-tx_10.html


As I can sync my 10m WSPR TX beacon without the PC, I am able to TX WSPR
at 500mW. It is now 1000z and so far today 6 stations have spotted me.
I need to fix the PC as this is needed for FT8.
UPDATE 1225z: 10 unique stations spotting me today on 10m WSPR TX.







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* Origin: Roger G3XBM's Amateur Radio Blog (3:633/280.2@fidonet)