A Bit of Progress on 23cm. TS790 Tested.

I had some trouble with the old TM741 (with 23cm module). After having had the transceiver lying around for some time, maybe more than 10 years I made a test of it. It looks like the microprocessor has a glitch, so the radio does not start up correctly. 

I have not yet found the reason for this, possibly some corrupted RAM, possibly some power supply trouble, maybe due to a defective electrolytic capacitor. The backup battery still has 3.2V, and I do not know if that may be too low for this radio.

So I put that radio asode and made a test of an even older radio I have: A Kenwood TS790 with a 23cm module. The TS790 is much like the newer Icom IC910, a 2 band 2m/70cm multimode radio with optional 23cm module, but with only 50W out on 2m. 

This one had also been standing unused for years, but started up nicely without any apparent problems. The 23cm output looks slightly low, and a quick test transmitting into a dummy load on 1/3 the frequency showed that the receiver is functional. Sensitivity not tested.

I also realized that the TS790 has a narrow band CW filter, so it can prove quite useful on 2 bands at a time, including using it for SSB/CW etc DX operation The only clear disadvantage of the TS790 is that it only supports 100Hz frequency steps, but it does have a RIT that can be used for fine tuning.

For now the radio can go as a loan to a local ham who wants to test 23cm operation. He can then use it for a while until he finds a more permanent solution.

A quick test with a low mounted antenna and a lossy cable was done today. No success, but improvements of antenna and cable are on the way. 

Home operation is essential to me.

Oops!

Small accident this afternoon.

In order to prepare for some antenna experiments I was cutting some brush near the ground.

Tonight when I came back into the shack, my reception on 30 was .... well, very weak.

A check, yes outside with a torch, showed that a RG58 cable used had been cut in the process. Fortunately nothing critical, as I was just using the antenna for monitoring 30m.

Yes, laugh away, I chuckle a bit, because it can be relatively easily mended, and it was just some old RG58 cable.

Update: A quick-and -dirty repair done. A better one will be done i better weather.

Assembling a Portable Station for 23cm FM.

As indicated earlier I am beginning to make my station operational on 23cm.

As it will take some better weather (and temperatures) to get the home station up and running, I am focusing on making an operational portable station.

Looking through the house I found the following equipment and antennas, all for 23cm in general:

- The Standard C701 hand held with 300mW out on 1296MHz FM

- The X5000 antenna (1.8m long) used at the first successful experiment in the garden last week end

- A 12 element yagi, mounted on the camera tripod

- The assembled 16 element yagi from Flexa is intended for home use

- I also located a smaller triband vertical antenna, mainly for fixed use

- There was one more antenna suitable for mobile use. A 3-band 1m long antenna and a magnetic mount

- I found an older TM741 FM transceiver with a 23cm module. It needs testing, and if it is in working order I can use that with a 12V (13.8V) battery out there, providing 10W if I operate (stationary) from the vehicle. Much better than just 300mW, but less practical on a hilltop where I have to carry all the stuff up there

- I do have a 12V 50Ah battery that can be brought in the vehicle. Not practical to carry to the hilltop.

- Somewhere I should have the X7000 antenna (5m long) If I can find it I should probably mount it at home with a short mast, just to get started from home. Mounted low it will likely just be suitable for very local contacts, but it can be a start

- I should have an old transverter that could possibly be used for portable use with a 2m transceiver. I need to find it and test it

Back to the portable station which (initially) has better chances of successful contacts.

I am assembling the following to bring out to check some places around here:

A. Very lightweight:

1) The handheld C701. It will be of limited use due to the low output power, but is very portable.

2) The 12 element yagi as a horizontal antenna on the camera tripod is very light and can be carried up a steep path to a hilltop.

3) I may bring the short vertical to the hilltop with a lightweight fiberglass mast.

4) If I can find or build a small lightweight power amplifier, maybe with a preamplifier that could complete a very lightweight 23cm FM portable station with a bit better range. This will require a relatively lightweight 12V battery. The 50Ah one is too heavy to carry.

B. Using the vehicle - not lightweight:

1) The TM741 FM transceiver (when checked)

2) The mobile 3-band whip with the magnetic mount for vertical polarization

3) The 12 element yagi for horizontal polarization, and with more gain than the magmount/veertical

4) The 12V 50Ah battery

With regard to option B I have a somewhat suitable location not too far away, with a good view in the direction of Copenhagen.

Now we wait for some decent weather and some willing and able participants to the tests. Timing is of essence ;)

Portable Antenna for 23cm.

 I located the old 12 element Yagi antenna I had lying around and made it ready for some portable operation on the band.

I found an old photo tripod that had lost the mounting plate and used the simplest possible method of attaching the antenna: Duct tape. Yes laugh away, but it is good enough for a few tests I want to do, but of course a better mounting is needed for more stability of the setup.

As thing are now, I can go out on a hilltop (or other place with a good view) and operate 23cm FM at horizontal polarization, but just 300mW from the handheld transceiver. This can be carried easily on to a hilltop, also with a few spare batteries, and a few experiments can be done.

I do have a mobile transceiver, the TM741 with a 23cm module. I need to test that and if it is still in good working order I will have 10W output.. This can be easily used from the car, with a 12V battery. The 12V battery of the EV is not suitable, so a better battery is needed. This I cannot carry around easily, so hilltops not accessible by vehicles are not in my thoughts unless there will be two people carrying the equipment.

The old transverter I have also needs to be tested, and if it is in good working order, 5-10W SSB/CW operation. As IF transceiver I can use my old IC202 or the FT817. Both need a modification to control the transverter.

For home operation there is much more work to do, as nI will need a good vertical setup and the 16 element yagi on a rotator, too. hat will take a bit longer.

My crystal ball shows a bit of 23cm activity in my future ;) .

High Solar Activity and 10m.

While the solar flux dipped below 200 again yesterday (189), due to the time of the year, 10m is open world wide. 

My FT8 monitor setup receives signals from 6 continents essentially every day.

Australia may skip an day sometimes, and New Zealand is rare with my modest vertical for 10m. The mid pacific, the most tricky propagation part is very rare, but it does happen. Japan often shows a plethora of spots from there on my setup.

Getting the receiver up and running again on 28.200, listening for the IBP (International Beacon Project) was quite rewarding. I got it up in the mid afternoon, and all the beacons in South America were heard.

The surprise was hearing North America hours after sunset. The 4U1UN beacon in New York was heard until 20:00 local time, about 3 hours after sunset. So were the New York repeater on 29.620 FM

If you have not already, it is a good idea to keep an eye on 10m, especially in the daytime and the early evening right now.

In the summer this F2 propagation is less common on 10m, but it does occur, and can often be assisted by sporadic E extension.

There have been reports of world world wide propagation on 8m. most activity has been with FT8 on 40.680. I am considering getting a monitor system up and running on that frequency.

Then there is 6m. "The Magic Band".

This band has had some F2 openings reported, and now that weak signal modes like FT8 are available I expect to see more reports, as the solar activity (already pretty high) seems to be growing still.

Especially in the spring and autumn 6m can exhibit Transequatorial Propagation (TEP). This happens at other times than F2. I will have to look it up again. so I can be there at the correct times. If I recall correctly there are two maxima for TEP, around 1800 and around 2300 local time.

In the summer months, the sporadic E season there are often openings to Europe and up to 2200km, and occasionally to 3-4000km. Every summer for the last several years, even in the solar minimum, there have been occasional openings across the Atlantic and to Japan, mostly available with FT8 and higher power stations, very rarely with my 100W into a vertical.

Solar Power Changes.

Spring is not so far away. The solar panel output has been quite good.

The batteries are almost full in the afternoon.

It is time to connect more radios to the system.

The following  radios are now connected to solar power:

- The IC705, mostly running 10m at the moment, but with antennas (switched) covering 10-12-15-17-20-40-80m The dipole can also run 50MHz

- The HB-1B running 20-30-40-80 with the 30m long wire antenna

- The 10m FM monitor (Old CB radio modified for 10 FM)

- The IC703 running 10m, monitoring the 28.200 (International Beacon Project)

- The IC7300, probably going to run 10-6-4m - not on constantly.

- The 10m SSB capable hand held for FT8 monitoring

When the system has been expanded I expect to have some computing power using the solar system, so something like FT8 or WSPR/QRSS monitoring can be included. At the same time, some of the monitoring receivers should be with reduced power consumption. There is a lot to do, but as you see from previous posts, it is not *all* solar power related.

Second Test on 23cm FM.

At yesterday's test it turned out that the antenna at the other end was not well connected. He got that tested and fixed today

Today's test was with a small improvement from my side, too.

I mounted the X5000 antenna on top of a 4m long mast, with 5m of cable, so today's test was still an outdoor expedition in the garden. On my end of the cable I again used the ancient Standard C710 transceiver. I was just holding the mast/antenna for this experiment, so the antenna moved a bit during the test.

The output power of the C710 is just 300mW on 23cm (1W on 2m/70cm). Distance is about 6km.

This time I heard the signal immediately, at best with a signal of about S5 with his 10W. When I replied I got a report with some fading (according to the antenna position), up to S3. Not bad with just 200-250mW at the antenna.

I hereby consider this a successful test.

I intend to make some more tests with the equipment portable. Find a relatively his spot, and repeat the experiment with just the built-in antenna of the transceiver. Line of sight should not be too difficult, even with 300mW. A test with a small external antenna out there should provide some QSOs

In any case I have made the first 23cm QSO as OZ9QV in more than 30 years.

Now comes the building of the home station and antenna. I do have something to work with.

The IC910 will likely be the main station with a horizontal antenna. The TM741 does FM only, and could be used with the vertical. I have an old transverter that should be tested, and possibly be used for portable work. Yes, I have collected a bit of stuff over the time.

As I have long cables, I expect to use receive preamplifiers as a first improvement, then later some power amplification near the antennas. I have no plans for making big antennas for day-to-day work and a bit of DX, but I stick to the saying that a small antenna is a lot better than no antenna at all.

SAQ Alexanderson Transmission Tomorrow Monday.

Time for another transmission on the very long waves form the Alexanderson alternator transmitter at Grimeton, Sweden.

The transmitter is only operational a few times a year on 17.2 kHz. Yes, you read right: kHz. 

Tomorrow the schedule looks as follows:

15:00 CET (14:00 UTC): The transmitter hall at World Heritage Grimeton Radio Station is opened for visitors.Transmission & YouTube Live stream
15:25 CET (14:25 UTC): Live stream on YouTube begins.
15:30 CET (14:30 UTC): Startup and tuning of the Alexanderson Alternator SAQ.
16:00 CET (15:00 UTC): Transmission of a peace message from SAQ.

I have once before listened to this kind of transmission. The mode is Morse code (CW) with a moderate speed.

For reception I used my old AR7030 receiver. Officially it covers down to 30kHz, but it is working nicely from about 15kHz. The receive antenna used was an E-probe (a.k.a Mini-Whip or PA0RDT) antenna in the garden. Signals were solid copy. A friend of mine uses an HF ground plane antenna, and that works nicely for him in a quiet radio location.

I think I need to try again tomorrow.

23cm Quick Test. No Success Yet.

Today I made a few simple experiments on 23cm with a local radio amateur, OZ2KC, Kent.

Just a simple transmit and receive test with a handheld radio, first in the house here. Nothing heard.

Then a walk in the park ... er ... garden, still nothing with the rubber antenna on the handheld.

Then finding the X-5000 antenna, a 1.8m vertical with something like 10dB gain, still with no success.

Suspecting the sensitivity of the handheld was poor I tried using the AR8200 handheld scanner, same result.

Admitted, the vertical antenna was only held as high as I could with the hand, so just above 2m at the feed point, so far from ideal. 

We also tried with my "local activity antenna" a 1m long vertical for 2m/70cm, maybe 23cm. The cable on this antenna is quite long and lossy, so nothing heard there, either. Not even with the (supposedly) more sensitive receiver in the IC910.

More tests are in order. Today's tests were quick, as the outdoor temperature is a bit too cold for extended outdoor tests. As soon as I can get away with it I might find space for another antenna system, mounted a bit higher, and wit lower loss cable, and also a receiver preamplifier. Now I want to be able to hear something on 23cm. There is also a local beacon 26km away, but "hidden" behind some hills. Yes the other factor is cross polarization loss, but a (rotatable) horizontal antenna is also in my thoughts.

At least I do have a local test partner for 23cm, so I will get it up and running, likely sometime in the spring.

X-class Solar Flare Today.

The 21cm solar flux is still above 200, even if it was reduced a bit.

Today, this afternoon around 16 UTC the sun shot another X-class flare with the magnitude X1.

It looks like some of the sunspot group from last month have survived the rotation, and are now rotating into the Earth faced side of the sun. Look for more solar activity, and possibly some geomagnetic activity.

Remember, with those powerful flares we can also expect some shorter or longer blackouts on the HF bands during daytime, and sometimes also strong radio bursts on the bands from 20-144MHz.

I recall such a solar noise storm from back in the late 1980s when I could monitor 2m, 6m and 2m simultaneously. Interesting that the peaks in the noise were not synchronized over all the bands. The noise bursts would peak, first on one band, then on another, then maybe on the third band, but thal was not guaranteed.

I should get some more (simple) monitor receivers up and running this solar cycle, possibly on a few more frequencies. It is quite possible to make some recording with a simple low powered computer. I would say that with some simple hardware even a Raspberry Pi Pico should be able to do that job. 

Yes, too many projects, so I must prioritize.

Return of the Sunspots.

The sun is rotating. 

The sunspots that disappeared from the visible side of the sun 2 weeks ago have returned in force.

An emerging sunspot group adds to the show.

3 weeks ago the solar flux was well above 200. When the big sunspot groups disappeared the flux went down to about 135, still well above the 100 mark. 10m has been excellent for several months now, and there have been some openings on 6m.

Today's solar flux is again above the 200 mark, as today's (Thursday) solar flux No. is 215, and it looks like this will continue for some days. Today (Thursday) has seen several M-class solar flares.

What does this mean for our propagation?

Most of the time pretty good HF propagation, especially on the high bands. At times of solar flares there can be some SIDs (Sudden Ionospheric Disturbance) with the lower bands in particular having fade-outs.

Filters for AR8600 and AR7030 Arrived.

Two new Collins Mechanical filters have arrived.

A 2.5kHz SSB filter for the AR8600. This will be mounted in the Mk 2 I have, and is intended for use as back-end for some microwave converters/transverters. Initially the main use will be for the QO100 reception system on 10.489GHz, down converted to 739MHz, and probably switchable to the 10.368GHz down converted to 618MHz.

The original SSB filter in the AR8600 is not very good, the main weakness is a poor selectivity, resulting on poor rejection of the unwanted sideband. The SSB filter should solve that problem.

A quick alignment of the AR8600, especially of the BFOs for SSB, and the D/A converter for the fine frequency steps.

Now I need to make space on the lab desk for doing this, so a bit of tidying is in order. 

The CW 500Hz filter will go into the AR7030 receiver for HF ... well, 15kHz - 32MHz. This is a very nice receiver, albeit with a relatively high current consumption.

The AR7030 also needs a replacement of the backup battery. Yes, with time the batteries go empty. I have a few other radios and other stuff that needs new backup batteries, but this one comes first.

This year, I suspect, will be a year for getting much more of the equipment I have up and running for my propagation monitoring system and some of the microwave activity. So maintenance, repair, and renewal is on my program, as well as some building projects.

Last year's challenge was operation, so I did not write so much about "working a QSO a day" or so. This year I will write more about my progress or completion of many projects, large and small.

Adding Load to Solar Power.

For the winter the old load on my shack solar power system has been just the IC705.

The nice thing about the IC705 is the band coverage. All bands between 160m and 70cm, with the exception of 4m. Then there is the spectrum scope. That is a great feature. Third, the power consumption is only 300mA at receive. I am considering getting one more, but as the more advanced HF stations draw much more power, just receiving:

FT817: 400mA

IC703: 600mA

IC7300: more than 1A

IC7600: even more power than the 7300.

IC7100: I think it is below 1A, maybe about 800mA

In winter time with the current solar power system those on the list above cannot be run on solar power.

Today I made the beginning of a small  low power system:

Using a pair of computer speakers I connected the speakers to my 4-band CW QRP transceiver, the HB-1B, drawing only about 80mA capable of running 20, 30, 40 and 80m. The HB-1B only has a headphone output jack, so more audio power is needed for speaker volume. The HB1B does have a variable bandwidth crystal filer, and can be used for both SSB and narrow bandwidth CW reception without additional filtering. The system works nicely. Later the computer speakers may be replaced by a separate audio amplifier box (with additional circuitry) built into a single box. 

I intend to expand the system with more transceivers, and later some switchable filtering:

Split the inputs, so that one SSB/CW receiver goes in one audio channel and one more in the other. A third one can be added with the output evenly split between both inputs, creating a "centre channel".  One of those receivers could be the old PM2B set up for 20,40 or 80m reception. A repair/modification will be necessary for the 80m preselector, but that should not be too tricky. The PM2B is also very convenient to add to the monitor system, as the power consumption is only 20mA, easily added to the current solar power system.

This means that 3 different signals can be distinguished. Since these signals have a noise floor, the idea is to add 3 FM receivers in parallel, making the signals from 6 receivers distinguishable/audible via the 2 channel audio system. This requires a simple mixer system that I can construct without too much difficulty, making the monitoring of 6 different frequencies possible, as the FM receivers will be squelched, and therefore distinct from the SSB/CW audio.

Later some audio filters, and maybe equalizers and input switches can be added to this system.