8M ISM - Second test site 12.8 miles distance

As I knew I was off to the radio rally and the high spot I wanted to visit near Sunderland was on the way back home I turned on the 10mW 40MHz ISM IR2030 WSPR beacon to carry out the test later on.

The location is approximately 12.8miles (20.59kms) away as the crow flies the area is a pretty clear with fields and a few farms. It is slightly elevated (140m ASL) but I wasn't at the highest point (150m ASL) due to no places to really park off the main road. 

2nd test site

The map below shows "heywhatthat" profiler layered onto the map and the red areas show what I can see from this spot. The smallier circle at the top of the picture is my QTH about 60metres ASL where I'm using 10mW from the FT-817 and homebrew halo in the loft. The larger circle at the bottom is the remote site at 140metres ASL.

Heywhatsthat profile layered onto map

Google Earth elevation profile

Once I parked up and set the radio equipment up, the first antenna I tried was the 1/4wave antenna with magmount in the centre of the roof as I know this worked before. I still haven't tuned this excatly for 40.680Mhz as I forgot but it's close enough!

1/4wave whip

Waiting and waiting I didn't receive anything at first so called up my son to double check the software on the Raspberry pi was running right, just as my son was going to do a reboot on the Pi I received a decode so I told him to leave the Pi. Now I knew the WSPR beacon was working I sat and waited until I got three reports with the vertical whip.

I was suprised and pleased I could decode the 10mW beacon this far away but looking at the reports I was on the limit of range possible with this sort of power (-26dB). The first decode I put the wrong locator in so the decode at 1238 is still from the same site at IO94GU. With the vertical I could not hear the WSPR tones as at this decode level but thats to be expected.

 

Four spots with 1/4wave vertical

 

After I collected these spots I changed the antenna for the summertime loop. At the rally I picked up a SO-239 magmount and this really came in handy for mounting the loop ontop of the car to keep the antenna fixed without interaction from me holding it. At first the loop ends where slightly off North and South so was off the direction of my QTH. 

Loop mounted ontop of car

To be honest I was expecting the same reports due to the distance, power level at the transmitter and the size of the loop but I was blown away when I got the first report! It made me think is the loop facing the correct way so I done a check on the map and adjusted the loop so was more towards my location. Well that improved the 2nd and 3rd decodes (-12dB to -10dB). A this level I could make out the WSPR tones so a weak CW QSO is possible!

 

Decodes with the loop N-S

As usual the battery icon on the laptop popped up but I wanted to grab just one or two more decodes with the loop ends facing East and West. So I quickly orientated the other way!

The results were still postive with two decodes before the laptop battery gave up! These two reports showed abit of difference (-14dB and -18dB) I did notice as vehicles were driving passed quickly an increase of audible tone on the first decode in this orientation but the second decode there was no vehicle traffic.

Loop ends East and West

 

I've tried to upload a video clip of one decode with the loop onto the blog but exceeded the allowed size so here is picture of the views towards my location.

My QTH is roughtly in the centre of the picture

 

Conclusion is that with this power level and good conditions it may be possible to work further down the UK or even better into Europe. We really need to have a UK amateur allocation, I would say by NOV only to allow for beacons and amateurs who want to conduct tests with power levels of anything upto 25watts.  

If I can find another high spot further away I may give this a try as I still think I can beat my record of 12.8miles with 10mW's : )

 

 

First radio rally I've been to since the pandemic

I used to visit radio rallies quite alot before the pandemic, today was the first one I've been to since and also since moving to the NE.

The rally was held by the Bishop Auckland radio amateur club at the Spennymoor leisure centre, even though they mentioned plenty of parking I found the leisure centre carpark pretty packed for a Sunday.

Overall there were quite a few stalls little less than the ones down south but good to see a local dealer "Canny Components" with a stand. 

Picked up a few bits, wasn't after anything much just if I saw something I fancied I just bought it.

 

My afternoon haul!

1. Yaesu SMB-201 - Desktop mobile mount with fan
2. Maldol mini mag - Came in very handy for the 8M test in the afternoon after rally
3. LF today book
4. BHI NES10-2 DSP speaker
5. Target SW receiver 
6. MFJ-418 Morse tutor 
7. Battery elimator for 878 handheld
8. 144MHz HB9CV
9. Scanner vertical - Mainly interested to see inside!
10. Reel of 300ohm feeder (TV/Radio type)
11. 10GHz WBFM transceiver 
12. Gunn diode & Datong interface (freebies)
    
13. A few mystery boxes - Mainly for enclosures
    

8M ISM - Switching RF 20dB attenuator

When I was carrying out tests on 40MHz ISM I always had a attenuator inline which reduced the receive capabilities too. My first attenuator which I'm ashamed to admit used 1/2watt resistors but it was all I had at the time, I placed an ordered for 2watt rated ones but due to Royal mail strikes the post was delay and I wanted to get on with the local range tests. 

Quickly thrown together attenator : (

This morning the post arrived and in the bag of components I ordered were the 2 watt rated 100ohm resistors and I was able to rebuild and update the attenuator to a switchable one.

I had bought three old "non working" microwave modules converters mainly for the enclosures off ebay for £5 with the plans to repurpose them for other projects. New boxes this size are around £3-4 plus they had BNC's, other hardware and trimmers/parts that can be reused too.

I wanted the 20dB attenuator to only be inline when in transmit and bypass it on receive so decided I could use the the "TX GND" and "13.8v" pins from the ACC socket of the FT817.

Parts I used were:

MM Enclosure,
5v relay from the junk,
6 x 100 ohm resistors (2 Watt rated),
1 x 100 ohm resistor (1/2 Watt ratedfor 5v relay),
1 x 1N4001 diode,
2 x BNC connectors,
Pieces of wire,
FT-817 ACC mini din,
Copper clad board

The New 20dB attenuator with relay

 

All connected to the power meter/dummy load

Meter on 1000mW scale showing 10mW out with 1W in from FT817

So far the old microwave modules enclosures are getting used and this will allow me to monitor the without having to keep removing the fixed attenuator.

Update: 1452hrs

I decided to add a TX LED on the attenuator just so I know power is getting to the unit and it's changing over the relay.

Back in the loft, I can remote control it from the shack via VNC

 

Update: 1459hrs 

Thought I would leave it beaconing on WSPR for part of the day. Hoping to do a longer range test tomorrow (weather permitting).

10M WSPR with 500mW

 Since getting up I've had the 10M WSPR-AXE-CE beaconing away. 

8 spots so far with 3 into the States!

The 500mW WSPR beacon

Click on image to enlarge

My go to radio for QRP CW

Being licensed since 2002 I never showed much interest in morse code as it wasn't a requirement anymore (think the test was dropped in 2003). Over the years I did try and learn the code but gave up many times. In Mid 2021 after moving QTH I decided it was going to be my goal to achieve 12wpm.

Well just over 12 month later with help from a local ham and 30mins I put in every evening aswel I feel comfortable at 15wpm, I can copy 18wpm but might miss the odd character, to feel comfortable at this speed is now my new goal.

My go to radio for CW is the Elecraft K1, I bought this 2nd hand and it covers 40M/30M/20M & 15M max power is 7watts but I leave it at 5watts. I just find it a joy to use, it's a very basic radio but the overal sound and basic functions makes it great in my opinion.

Don't get me wrong it's not perfect but if my one went faulty and I couldn't repair it I would certainly try and find another one. Its a shame Elecraft didn't carry on this kit even with a upgraded model if parts were obsolete as I would of really liked to build a K1 from fresh. 

Is Morse code a dated mode of communications now? I don't think so and anyone, yes anyone can learn it if they are willing to put the time and effort in. I never thought I would get it but you've got to want it too and seems to me alot more people are taking the challenge to learn it and get on air.

 

8M ISM remote site tests

Well today didn't go to plan as intended, as usual in the North east of England it started to rain so that delay the test plus a few other issues I've come across but I suppose this is the nature of the beast.

The first issue was with the hardware on the transmitter side, even though I thought the 40MHz transmitter has been beaconing away since Saturday this wasn't the case. Just before I left for today I thought I'll check to make sure I could hear the signal with the equipment in the car, so I sat and waiting for over 30mins and I didn't receive one decode. I went back to the equipment and even though WSJT-X was saying it was in transmit, it wasn't keying the radio so I rebooted the Raspberry Pi and pressed "TX enable" and "TX Next" on WSJT and there was the signal. So there must be a glitch with the WSJT-X on raspberry pi software if left on for a period of time.

The other issues I've have come across are:

• Noise increase from the laptop when connected together with the IC-705
  
• The Vertical whip isn't actually tuned to 40.680MHz it's slightly too short (but SWR 2:1) Just need to adjust the length of the whip with the grub screw.
  
• Couldn't use the loop antenna due to the rain and the mounting issues 
  
• Battery on my laptop isn't great only lasted a few hours and enough to get one decode at the last site
• WSPR TX duty cycle rate is too long between transmissions 

All test were just carried out using the vertical whip on a magmount in the centre of the car's roof. 

I've also used this website Heywhatthat layer onto the maps. From my understanding it show what you can actually see If I was standing at the antenna height (also being outside, not in the loft) which I feel is right as if I look out the front bedroom window I can see the next village through the houses. 

When the beacon was not transmitting, I observed the signal meter on the IC-705 showing a strenght of between 4-5 at all locations but this could also been down to the noise received from the laptop so may have been lower?

1st site visit 

The first site was toward the North of my QTH and I was able to place myself within reason 1.5km away. It's a open area with fields either side of the narrow road and just off a main road. I was able to capture 3 reports from this location.

Image of area to give you an idea of the location

Red area, Is Heywhatsthat layer onto the map

The 3 different reports

2nd site visit 

The second site was toward the West of my QTH and I was able to place myself within reason 1.5km away. Not exactly on the mark and out by 10metres. This location was more built up/ residential area with open spots near by and also a main road. 

Alot more obstruct in the way. I was able to capture 3 reports from this location.

Image of area to give you an idea of the location

 

Red area, Is Heywhatsthat layer onto the map

 

The 3 different reports

 

3nd site visit 

The third site was toward the South of my QTH and I was able to place myself within reason 1.5km away. This location was built up/industrial area with open spots near by and also a two main roads. 

Alot more obstruct in the way. I was able to capture 3 reports from this location.

Image of area to give you an idea of the location

 

Red area, Is Heywhatsthat layer onto the map

The 3 different reports

4th site visit 

The fourth site was toward the East of my QTH and I was able to place myself within reason 1.5km away. This location was residential area with fields to the west of where I was parked.

Due to the laptop battery dying on me and I forgot to change the callsign on the I was able to capture 1 report from this location which was frustrating but better to catch something then nothing!

 

Image of area to give you an idea of the location

Red area, Is Heywhatsthat layer onto the map

The one report

At all locations I could hear the WSPR tones and even at the lower levels so would be suitable for CW QSO's. I intent on carrying out the test again but alittle more prepared with a new laptop battery or PSU with inverter (subject to noise). I also want to capture reading with the loop antenna next time too.

On every report except two I noticed the very very slight change of frequency I was receiving the beacon on. Is this the stability of the FT817 or IC705 or both?  

I feel I could extend my range tests quite abit further now and may try between 5-20Kms. I know of a location close to my work in Sunderland that is approx 20kms away which is fairly high up (147m ASL) and has good views towards my QTH.

For now I will remove the attenuator from the QTH setup and return to just monitoring the band until I'm ready to carry out further remote site tests. Not sure what mode is best to monitor WSPR or FT8?

 

8M - First local test prep.

Tomorrow I have a day off from work and if all goes to plan, I intend on heading out to capture some  WSPR reports from some local sites.

The first test is try four different sites; North, South, East and West starting approx 1.5kms from my QTH and collect a total of 6 different reception reports at each of these sites. Three with the 1/4 vertical whip and three with the loop.   

Click on the images to enlarge the view of the terrain. The elevation at my QTH is 60metres.

Pins 1.5kms away N,S,E,W

Terrain towards the North from QTH (IO95GB)

Terrain towards the East from QTH (IO95GA)

Terrain towards the South from QTH (IO95GA)

Terrain towards the West from QTH ( IO95FA)

 

 

Summer Time loop II - clean up!

As I have a free hour, I stripped the Summertime loop down for a quick clean and to work out if there is anything else needed.

I rubbed all the contact areas with scotch-brite, cut out a new piece of copper clad board and replaced the thin gamma match wire with 16SWG tinned copper wire.

What an inprovement!

 

SWR down to 1.1

 

Tempted to remove the croc clip and bolt in place...

Close up of Beehive

8M - Thoughts of local tests

The 40Mhz IR2030 WSPR beacon has been active constantly since 1000hrs on Saturday 20/11/2022 my thoughts are now turning to carrying out local reception plots around the area. 

At 10mW's ERP from the halo in the loft, I'm wondering how far this will go ? 10metres, 500metres 1Km...at a rough guess I'm saying a kilometre as the receive antenna isn't going to be a small coiled up whip like you would get on a remote controlled cars. The receive antenna does have me stumped though and stringing up a halfwave dipole each time on site isn't practical, it needs to compact, portable and easy to set up and dismantle.

I want to gather enough information as possible at the different sites, so thinking I really need two antennas vertical and horizontal to give a fair test on any variables.

Not that long ago I bought a 9ft tank style CB whip with a 3/8 thread that comes in two parts. I was going to use for my 28MHz WSPR-AXE-CW beacon but in the end I decided on a endfed wire so the whip is now spare. As I don't want to cut the top section of the whip down I was lucky to have found other sections of thin whips from other antennas in the past and used one of those to make a 1/4wave whip.   

Modified CB whip for 40Mhz

 

That's the vertical sorted so what about the horizontal antenna? I've always enjoyed watching Peter VK3YE youtube channel, he comes up with some really interesting pieces of equipment and one of many items I've reproduced of his was the Summertime loop II . I built it quite a few years ago and never really got round to finishing it off with a mount/handle. 

It covers 20M to 6M using a beehive trimmer, tuning is fiddly and moving the antenna about the SWR does alter abit. A quick test and I was able to get a reasonable match on 40.680MHz, the good thing is I can rotate the loop were necessary on site. Having a quick look over it I need to clean the contacts and make some form of handle/mount to hold it too. I would like to get rid of the beehive for a fixed capacitor but if I have value(s) is another matter.

My Summertime loop II on 40.680Mhz

Under 1.5 at 40.680MHz

Having a tune around on 10M for beacons

While I was having my morning coffee I decided to have a tune around 10M to see what beacons I could hear. Not only to see what the band is like but also keep on top of my morse code.

I was able to copy 7 beacons which were mainly from Greece and Italy: 

(frez +/-) 

 28.201 SV2HNE/B KN10LL 5W GP 

28.230 IQ8CZ/B JM88HV 

28.240 IZ8RVA/B JN70LI 

28.244 SV2FQN/B KN10FC 5W GP 

28.265 SV2RSS/B KN10LO 

28.268 SV6DBG KM09KQ 

28.271 SV2HQL KM09UV 

I know there is more but that's conditions. It's a good way of practicing Morse as it will always repeat the same thing. If you do hear a beacon, please send a report via email to the beacon keepers it just lets them know its all still worth it.

8M - Now transmitting WSPR

As of 1000z today I've turned on my (IR2030) 40MHz WSPR beacon with the grand power of 10mW ERP! Its set to a transmit cycle of 40%

Am I expecting much, No is the honest answer but if one doesn't try one will never know. I intend setting up a portable WSPR receiver and driving around my local area and just plotting where I can hear it and the signal levels too. Initially the identifier/callsign I was going to use was M0NYW/ISM but trialling this on the bench the decodes of the callsign on WSJT-X just came up with a mumbo jumbo of characters. So I'm just going to use M0NYW!

8M - Antenna

So as mentioned I decided on a halo design based off G3XBM "homebase-10" and as this was experimental band and didn't want it costing me much I used what I had around the house.

The structure is all wood, wire is something I had lying around and a dipole center with SO-239. With credit going to Roger for sharing his original details, I'll name it the "Homebase-8"!! 

In the loft the VSWR is 1.5:1

Mounted in the loft

 

Here are some drawings and the formula to help construct your own for any band within reason!

Click on image to enlarge

Click on image to enlarge

8M - Equipment

When people have asked me what equipment I have and they hear "FT-817" it always follows with "why do you want one of those QRP radios for"

Well......... heres a few of the reasons, I used the FT-817 stand alone rig, IF for transverters, to source QRM and as receiver for testing homebrew equipment. To me the 817 has a lot of uses plus being my first every radio I bought when I got licensed. Yes I sold it and bought another then sold it again countless times but the most recent one is here to stay!   

It's new venture as the heart of the 40Mhz WSPR beacon. Set to the lowest power setting 500mW and a chain of attenuators with a lenght of RG-58 coax I'm able to get the power down to 10mW's. It will also cut the receive side down but until I can make some sort of relay system up to switch over between TX/RX its the way going to be.

The other pieces of hardware is a Tigertronics Signalink and Raspberry Pi with a GPS dongle to keep the time synchronized with WSJT-X.

 

I did have a dipole up previously for this band when I was monitoring at the beginning of this year and was only able to spot one station during an opening April, ZS6OB but nothing since. I think most of this is down to the orientation of the dipole in the loft being NNE to SSW. So in the end I decided to construct a halo type design based on Roger's (G3XBM) "homebase-10" basically a cobwebb with just one band. Rescaled the measurements for 40.6MHz  

8M ISM - Experimenting

 

Here in the UK we don't have a 40Mhz allocation available to radio hams unlike Slovenia, South Africa & Ireland. Seems so strange Ofcom doesn't even want to entertain giving a small section of band that is pretty much unused by any other service here.

 a link to 8M Wiki

40MHz can provide a useful tool in early warning signs of band openings on VHF.

A small slice of 40Mhz can't be such a issue for Ofcom to release. Have it abit like 10Mhz only CW and DATA modes.

Anyway to get round this, a handful of UK amateurs applied and was granted Innovation and Trial License which you pay £50 for access to spectrum to carry out tests. It could be a stepping stone toward Ofcom allowing amateurs with NOV to access the bands for further tests......

It's been discussed that the section on band that Slovenia, South Africa & Ireland have fall in the UK IR 2030 allocation "Licence Exempt Short Range Devices". People have mentioned that anyone could set something up and aslong as it meets IR2030 then it shouldn't be a problem but it's still a grey area! But I remembered that a radio manufacture once produced a UHF handheld in the 434MHz range under IR2030 Exempt and in open field they travelled the distance just as PMR446. What do they class "short range" is then, at first I thought something like 10metres like you bluetooth device but when use look at the frequencies within the IR 2030 and the uses like remote controlled cars etc thats abit more than 10metres like those UHF handhelds!

Well I've decided to take the challenge on putting together a spare radio at the moment and running a "NON-AMATEUR WSPR BEACON" using a Yaesu FT-817ND with the required attenuation to get a max 10mW ERP out the antenna.

My intention is to allow me to conduct tests locally but if conditions take it further afield, then so be it  : ) 

Later I will fully detail the equipment being used.