Differences

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--- public:radio:radio_diary:july_2023 [21/07/23 22:51 BST] – [07 : July 2023] john
+++ public:radio:radio_diary:july_2023 [04/04/24 09:22 BST] (current) – removed john
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-<-[[.:start]]
-====== 07 : July 2023 ======
-** All QSOs are in manual telegraphy (CW) unless otherwise noted**
-  * The general format of a QSO record ->
-  * **CALL** - Name - QTH - Key used - RubberStamp/RagChew - Additional info - comments
-[[public:radio:radio_diary:abbreviations|]]
-**UPDATE** --- //John Pumford-Green 21/07/23 21:42//
-  * This is overkill, I think - keeping :
-    * Normal Paper Log - that I've always kept since first licensed in 1983
-    * Xlog PC log - which also has all QSOs since 2003
-      * Upload to LOTW - simple enough at the end of each day, or whenever I feel the need to catch up.
-      * Upload to Clublog - just to drive the "last 30 QSOs" bit on my QRZ.COM page - is it really necessary?
-    * and then also writing this Wiki shack-diary page too, during or soon after each QSO, or operating session?
-  * I'm thinking of ditching this daily wiki-diary but making similar notes in a separate **paper** journal/diary during the QSO
-    * I already scribble notes on paper during a QSO anyway - so just be more tidy and put them in one book, along with any other pertinent comments, in chronological order, so that I can look back later.
-  * I //can// still make specific entries in this Wiki for particularly important/interesting items if I want to
-===== Thu 20 July 2023 =====
-  * SFI = 189   A = 5   K = 1
-  * **IC-M710** - set up serial control and my own Python control panel - modelled somewhat loosely on the [[https://live.staticflickr.com/5225/5638543544_cccc6ab78a_b.jpg | Skanti TRP series control panel]]
-{{:public:radio:radio_diary:screenshot_at_2023-07-20_10-43-40.png?600|}}
-The **IC-M710** is a marine HF radio - SSB/CW/FSK - up to 150W. It's tuned by selecting pre-programmed channels, with separate RX & TX frequencies.
-There is no //VFO// tuning as we'd use it on the amateur bands - and this makes it awkward to use.
-{{:public:radio:radio_diary:m710.png?600|}}
-(There's a MIC plugged in mainly because the RX audio loops via 2 pins in the mic, so unless it's plugged in, or the link is made in another way, there's no RX audio!)
-I wrote a few different control programs in Python to make things a bit
-easier. This one seems to work ok. There's also a user-programmable bank of presets - presets can be added from the main control panel by pressing the **Store** button.
-{{:public:radio:radio_diary:screenshot_at_2023-07-20_10-57-13.png?600|}}
-  * if I offset the RX tuning by +200Hz I can get a more pleasant 800Hz resolved CW tone.
-  * I'll do something in the code to do this automatically when **CW** mode is selected.
-  * **30m**
-    * Heard **CQ** from **SM5OMP** and replied - with 60W from the IC-M710 & BVp
-    * QSO with **SM5OMP** - Georgios - Skaerblacka  - BVp - RSt
-  * Using the M710 isn't going to be a frequent operation, but it's fun to do something different. There's no narrow CW filter - so it's 3kHz wide. The **QSK** works nicely though.
-The desktop with both M710 windows open:
-{{:public:radio:radio_diary:screenshot_at_2023-07-20_10-58-57.png?600|}}
-  * **Period 2** : 2015z
-  * IC-M710 @ 60W
-  * **30m** : CQ call 10123kHz
-    * Answered by **ON4KCD** - Claude - Liege - BVp/BVc - RSt+ - Age 63, ham 40 years, Begali key
-  * Discovered major drawback with IC-M710 - not "single signal" CW reception due to SSB filter and the position of the BFO - during QSO on 10123kHz heard strong signal from **2E0ISD** on 10121kHz. Not good in crowded bands - I think using IC-M710 for CW is a bit of a dead loss, really. I've come to this conclusion every time I try it. Time to accept it, and move on.
-  * Back to the IC-7200.....
-  * **CQ**
-    * Called by **EA1ARW** - Luis - nr Burgos - BVc - RCh - Age **46** - Nice long chat about keys, cooties, paddles, homemade keys, noise, QTHs, Summer & Winter in Shetland etc. Luis is on vacation away from his home QTH's urban noise and enjoying the bands noise-free.
-===== Wed 19 July 2023 =====
-  * SFI = 219   A = 16   K = 1
-  * **Period 1** : 0700z
-  * **30m**
-    * Heard **G4XRV** working **N1GKE** - bug/bug - N1GKE only 339 here, so no point trying to call him
-    * **CQ** @ 10123kHz - BVc
-      * Called by **G4XRV** - Rupert - nr London - B.U.G member - BVc - RCh - nice catch-up and chat about bug group & our bugs - Rupert using McElroy 1937 - had to cut QSO short to get ready for work - will have more QSOs (last one in 2021)
-  * **Period 2** 1700z
-    * **30m**
-      * Had an idea to try using the **IC-M710** marine transceiver on CW - it's not a nice CW radio for the crowded HF bands but might be okay on 60m?
-      * Wired up the rear-panel DIN plug with the switched key select line (allows me to switch the bugs/keys between different rigs) for "rig #2"
-      * and sent a few //RBN TEST DE GM4SLV GM4SLV// calls to see how it fared
-        * Called by **OS5Z** - Marc - nr Tournai
-      * I don't think I'll be using the IC-M710 much on CW - perhaps with my Python Control panel it'll make a "fun alternative" rig - like an old Skanti marine radio - but not for most HF operations - the fixed BFO offset of 1kHz is not pleasant, either.
-  * **Period 3** : 2215z
-  * **IC-7200**
-    * **40m**
-      * Band very quiet - not much activity heard.....
-      * Heard a **CQ** from **DL2FCN**  and replied - Bo - nr Darmstadt - BVc - RSt
-    * **30m**
-      * Sent a few **CQ** calls on 10.123 - no replies
-      * Heard a **CQ** on 10.108 from **SA0BFW** which sounded manual/bug sending - I replied and...
-      * **QSO** with **SM0BFW** - Wittich - Stockholm - BVc/BVp (& SKh briefly) - RCh - he was using Vibroplex Original Standard from 2022 "bought it direct from Vibroplex in USA" - had a nice >30min chat about bugs etc. Will look for him again - always good to have a Bug-Bug 2-way QSO
-===== Tue 18 July 2023 =====
-  * SFI = 180   A = 24   K = 3
-  * **Membership of Bug Users Group confirmed : #318**
-  * **Period 1** 1015z
-  * **40m**
-    * Heard end of a QSO of **GM4OAS** - Gordon - Mallaig - so I tail-ended and had nice catch-up chat - BVc - RCh
-  * **Period 2** 2015z
-  * **20m** - thought I'd try 20m for a change...
-    * **CQ** - called by **LZ2UG** - Angel - Tirnovo - BVp - RSt - + Age = 79
-    * Called by **RU9UX** - Geo, Belovo (Siberia) - BVp - RSt - + Age = 73
-    * Called by **4O6DN** (Montenegro) - Don, Podgorica - SKh - RSt
-    * Called by **SP3DGV** - Genek - Przeclaw - BVp/SKh - RSt
-    * Called by **IZ1NQY** - Enzo - Camburzano - BVp - RSt + Born 1942/ham 1977
-    * Called by **HB9DAX/qrp** - Fred - BVp - lost him when I tried to QRP to match his 5W.... QSB?
-    * A strange sort of evening - all the people calling me were on the slow side which is fine, but it tends to make me switch to a straight key in case my slowest bug speed (~18wpm) is either //to fast// or //too buggy// for someone who's only sending at 16-18wpm themselves.
-  * **30m** CQ.... no replies.....
-  * Just before leaving shack heard **CQ  DE PH2CV** on 30m...
-    * Worked **PH2CV** - Okko - Rotterdam - BVp - RSt
-===== Mon 17 July 2023 =====
-  * SFI = 184   A = 10   K = 4
-  * * **Period 1** : 1400z
-  * CQ **30m** 100w - BVp / BVc
-    * RBN Spots
-      * //10124.3 : OH6BG SE5E TF3Y TF4M ES2RR G4HSO DC8YZ DF1DN DL8LAS ON6ZQ G0KTN OK1FCJ DL1HWS OE9GHV DL0PF DF2CK G4ZFE //
-    * No replies...
-  * Bug sending practice at ≥ 25wpm  - BVc - for 30+ minutes
-  * **Period 2** : 2050z
-  * SFI = 184   A = 10   K = 2
-  * CQ **60m** - BVp - no reply....
-  * **40m**
-    * Heard **EA3PP** calling CQ - distinctive bug sound - have QSOd already on 30m and 17m, so 40m is a new one.... I called him and had QSO - BVp - RSt
-  * **30m**
-    * Heard CQ from **IZ0FBJ** - not strong but workable -BVp - RCh - nice QSO - Alex - nr Rome - Age **50** (someone younger than me!) Xiegu G90/20W - been 40C during day! Then QSB and rising QRN made it too difficult to continue :-(
-===== Sun 16 July 2023 =====
-  * **Period 1** 2000z
-  * SFI = 179   A = 8   K = 1
-  * **60m**
-    * Heard **G3XIZ** call CQ on 5262kHz (QRP freq) & replied using 5W QRP too
-    * Chris heard me with difficulty under his high local noise floor and I decided to make things more even by increasing to 100W
-    * This is probably a fair levelling of the playing field!
-    * BVp - RCh - discussed rigs/keys/keyer/MF and local noise levels. Makes me consider a return to "500kHz" MF in the winter - only on CW of course!
-    * Is this going to be possible? Some thought needed. Last time I was on MF I had to give up HF operation - only space for one "big" antenna and its ATU
-  * **40m**
-    * Heard **G3XBI** call CQ and called him amid lots of close-in QRM.
-    * 599 report both ways and nice QSO - BVp - ~RCh
-===== Sat 15 July 2023 =====
-  * SFI = 181   A = 20   K = 2
-  * Flare : M2.9 @ 0741z - will condx be poor today?
-  * **Period 1** : 2000z
-  * 30m Beacon : **IZ3DVW/B** 10129.5 - peaking S3 on meter. Strong signal : 2020z
-  * Replied to a **CQ** call sent by **DL4YHF** - "CQ TESTING INDOOR ANTENNA PSE K" - Wolf - nr. Bieldefeld - "we have worked before from club DF0WD a long time ago" - BVc - ~RCh
-  * **CQ** 30m
-    * RBN Spots
-      * //10115.5: SE5E OH6BG TF3Y SM7IUN ES2RR DM6EE DL0PF G4HSO OE9GHV G4IRN S53WW DL8LAS DC8YZ CT7ANO G4ZFE DJ2BC TF4M HB9DCO IK4VET DR4W EA5WU RN4WA DF2CK DO4DXA ON6ZQ DM5GG HB9BXE (+ 20 more)//
-    * Called by **UB3B** - Alex - Moscow - BVp / BVc - RSt
-    * Replied to a **CQ** call sent by **M7NDB** - SKh - was strong, S9, and he came back to me and then faded away to NIL during his first over. Copied "op John qth Man...." and gone, nil, nada!
-  * Listened on **40m** and heard a lot of **CQ TEST** from (mainly?) Spanish stations (2120z) - what contest? There's nothing listed on the **WA7BNM Contest Calendar** - where do all these contests come from?
-  * QSY to **60m**
-  * CQ **60m** 5260kHz
-    * called by **G0GZN** - Lindy - Poole - BVp - RCh - discussed the heavy rain today, I apologized in case my Bug sounded like "a bag of spanners" and was told it didn't (phew!), her holiday in Cornwall and the Shetland TV Detective series.
-    * I get worried using a bug with people who aren't "bug people" - they can be an acquired taste and when the "swing" is exaggerated can be very difficult to read unless "it's your thing". I try to make my sending as "neutral" as possible, without hiding the fact that it's not from an electronic keyer - bland and homogenous. It's a fine line between "a fist with personality" and "speech impediment"!
-  * QSY **30m**
-  * **30m** heard Bug-Bug QSO between IK4EWX and OH2EA - for FOC "Bug Day"
-  * **IK4EWX** called **CQ BUG DAY** and was answered by a Russian station..... I waited and then called him myself
-    * QSO **IK4EWX** (FOC?)- Ian - nr Ferrara - BVc/BVp - RCh - would love a longer chat when more time/less QSB & QRN - lots of Rain Static during QSO. Bug CW was "Music to my ears" - You Tube video potential....
-    * [[https://youtu.be/Yko8YRwc4O8]]
-===== Fri 14 July 2023 =====
-  * SFI = 203   A = 7   K = 3
-  * Flare : C5.8 @ 0031z
-=== 30m Beacon Check ===
-^Call ^ Freq ^ Time ^ Comments ^
-| IZ3DVW/B  | 10,129.5 | 08:31 | Weak, QSB.  |
-|SA6RR | 10,131.0 |  08:28 | Audible, no s-meter reading |
-|HB4FV/B | 10,133.5 | 08:29  | NIL |
-|DK0WCY | 10,144.0 | 08:30  | Audible, no s-meter reading  |
-  * **Period 1** : 2030z
-  * SFI = 203   A = 7   K = 3
-  * CQ **30m** 5W / BVp / 7200
-    * RBN Spots:
-      * //10123.0 : EA1URA G0KTN DM6EE DR4W DL0PF DL8LAS G4ZFE DL9GTB OE9GHV OH6BG DF2CK //
-  * QRO -> 50W
-    * Called by **DJ6AU** - Hans - Blomburg - BVc - RCh => ex-MM0XAU (Eshaness) - nice catch-up  chat - He hopes to QSO wid GB2TS (Tall Ships SES)
-    * Called by **R1AL** - Al - St Petersburg - BVp - RSt
-    * Called by **DL2NAI** - Israel - ?? - SKh - RSt
-    * Called by **UT3NT** - Slava - ?? - SKh - RSt
-    * Called by **DL2HWI** - Dieter - Wittenberg - BVp - RSt
-  * DXPedition again on 30m.
-  * Moved to **40m** and found most G-stations audible had some Auroral flutteriness
-  * K-Index rising.... now 4.3
-===== Thu 13 July 2023 =====
-==== NIGHT OF NIGHTS XXIV ====
-=== KPH ===
-^Shore TX^Ship TX^Time Heard^Comments^
-|  426/500 | 500 |  |  |
-| 4247.0 | 4184.0 |  |  |
-| 6477.5 | 6276.0 |  |  |
-| 8642.0 | 8368.0 |  |  |
-| 12808.5 | 12552.5 |  |  |
-| **17016.8** | //16736.0// | 2335 - 0115 | SHORE : very faint KPH |
-| 22477.5 | 22280.5 |  |  |
-| //12695.5// | **12552.0** | 2235 | SHIP : VVV KKUI TAMPA QRU? |
-| //12695.5// | **12552.0** | 0046 | SHIP : KKUI QTC|
-| //12695.5 //| **12552.0** | 0100 | SHIP : WDI4501 M/V Pomplun Circumstance QTC|
-You Tube Video at : [[https://youtu.be/DpgNW4ZuS6I]]
-==== Evening Operating CW =====
-{{:public:radio:radio_diary:pileup.png?200|}}
-  * SFI = 193   A = 6   K = 3
-  * Flare : M2.1 @ 1920z
-  * **Period 1** : 1955z -> 2300z
-  * OBSERVATION : 30m:
-    * DXPedition **9Q1AA** active 10.115MHz : "UP"... the mob spreading up to 10.120MHz ... 5kHz for one <del>poxy</del> DX station!
-    * and they extend further and further UP UP UP....
-    * up to 10.125.... 10kHz of screaming kids!
-  * CQ **60m** / 100W / BVp / 7200
-    * RBN spots
-      * //5260.1 : DL0PF //
-  * CQ  **30m** / 100w / BVp / 7200
-    * RBN Spots
-        * //10123.3 : SE5E SM7IUN TF3Y TF4M OE9GHV DC8YZ G4HSO DR4W OK1FCJ G4ZFE DO4DXA G0KTN HB9BXE IK4VET DL8LAS DL9GTB DM6EE ON6ZQ DF7GB DF2CK OZ4ADX S53WW EA1URA RN4WA DM5GG DL1HWS EY8ZE (+ 4 more)//
-      * Called by **RM2Z** : 579/579/73 RSt.
-  * Replied to CW 30m **IS0HFE** - Simon - Quartu - BVc - RSt
-  * Moved to **40m**
-    * Tail ended QSO between **GM4FOC** and **G3SES** to call **GM4FOC** - operated by Will **GM0HKS** - torn between calling Phil or Will, but Phil only 539, Will was 599+
-      * BVc - RCh+
-      * Nice chat with Will - he's still got my old Elecraft K1 (called //KITTY//)
-      * Made //**far too many mistakes**// on the Champion bug for some reason - the physical equivalent of being tongue-tied?
-      * Still had a good QSO - and Will very complimentary about my bug sending (being kind?) <quote>".. characters are well formed and easy to read .."</quote>
-      *  **MUST DO EVEN MORE OFF-AIR PRACTICE**
-      * Caller @ end **M0RZE** joined in just to say "good listening guys" - never had anything like that before!
-    * Replied to CQ : **F8GNV** - Ric - nr. Melun - BVp - RSt
-===== Wed 12 July 2023 =====
-  * SFI = 214   A = 8   K = 1
-  * All stations seem to be quite weak on 40m, and 30m
-  * Period 1 10:10z
-    * CQ **40m** / 100W / BVp / 7200
-      * RBN Spots
-        * //7033.0 : MM0ZBH SE5E OH6BG DM6EE TF4M DF2CK G4HSO DL1HWS OE9GHV SM7IUN TF3Y MM3NDH DL8LAS G4ZFE PA0MBO DK9IP1 //
-    * Bands seem to be almost dead now....
-    * Solarham shows M6.9 Solar Flare at 08:55z...
-    * //**DK0WCY**// : 10.144,0MHz is audible, **no S-meter reading**.
-    * //**HB4FV/B**// : 10.133,5MHz is audible, **no S-meter reading**. [[https://www.qrz.com/db/HB4FV?aliasFrom=HB4FV/B]]
-    * //**SA6RR**// : 10.131,0MHz is audible, **no S-meter reading** [[https://www.radiorud.se/fyren.php]]
-    * CQ **30m** / 100W / BVp / 7200
-      * RBN Spots
-        * //10119.4 : OH6BG TF4M TF3Y DM6EE SE5E DL1HWS DR4W OE9GHV OK1FCJ DF7GB DK9IP1 G4HSO//
-      * Called by **DK7ZB** - Mart - nr Kassel. BVp. ~RCh. "Age 77 QRV 55 YRS" - Very deep QSB down to zero signal towards the end - band unstable!
-===== Tue 11 July 2023 =====
-  * started this Radio Diary area today, with a view to using it as a notebook for on-air activity, rather than of recording projects etc.
-  * Rig : 7200
-  * Period 1 10:00z
-    * CQ on **30m** / 100W / BVp / 18wpm:
-    * RBN Spots:
-    * //10123.3 	: MM0ZBH OH6BG SE5E F8DGY TF4M TF3Y ON6ZQ DC8YZ DL9GTB G4IRN DM6EE DL0PF DR4W DL1HWS G4HSO DE1LON OE9GHV OK1FCJ DF2CK SM7IUN MM3NDH HB9BXE SQ5J GI4DOH//
-    * Called by **MI0WWB** - Will - QRP 5W - RST 549, and deep QSB to nil at times. Short QSO in difficult condx
-    * Called by **DK4AN** - Wang - nr Bon - 76 yrs old - QRP 2W/5W. RCh. Nice chat.... sheep / cows / dogs / antenna fields / electric fences etc. QRP -> 5W here too. BVc @ 22wpm
-  * Period 2 1130z
-    * CQ on **20m** / 100W / SKh / 14wpm "CQ FISTS"
-    * RBN Spots :
-    * //14058.0 : OH6BG ES2RR SE5E F8DGY G4IRN S53A TF3Y S53WW R1LB OK1FCJ OK4QRO DC8YZ DL0PF RU9CZD DF2CK HA1VHF DR4W OE9GHV IK4VET CT7ANO DL9GTB DM5GG SM7IUN G0KTN W1NT2 G4HSO RK3TD (+ 7 more)//
-    * Called by **OK2BWB** - Karel - nr Brno. RCh. "home made vacuum tubes trx at 50W see qrz.com for pictures"
-      * Very deep QSB from S9 -> 0 and back at times
-    * Period 3
-    * CQ on **30m** / 100W / BVp / 18wpm
-      * Called by **SM4ASX** - Len. RSt. Swapped to SKh, Started @ 579.... -> he ended QSO due to QSB
-  * Period 3 2100z
-    * Spent some time practising bug sending, BVp & BVc at 18/20/25/28wpm (28 is still rather too fast!)
-    * CQ on **60m** (5260kHz) 2100z... no reply
-    * QRN Lightning crashes are fierce tonight!
-    * CQ on **30m** / 100W / BVp / 18wpm
-      * Called by **RW9FZ** - Dima - Perm. ~RCh. 56 years old => Someone **YOUNGER** than me!
-===== Mon 10 July 2023 =====
-  * A catch up from yesterday to begin.
-  * Two periods of activity today, early evening on 30m and 40m, and later on 60m and 30m.
-  * Rig : 7200
-  * Using full 100W today - condx. seem a bit variable, especially at this northern latitude.
-  * Some Auroral sounding CW.
-  * Not much activity on 30m, despite many RBN spots of my CQ calls.
-  * Period 1
-    * 30m QSO : **F5POJ** : RSt
-    * 40m QSO : **DL6LV/P** : Hry, nr Keil. BVp. Short ~RC. Should look for him again for a longer chat.
-  * Period 2
-    * 60m QSO : **G0IIK** : Nigel, nr Heathrow, RCh. BVp me: "Vibroplex Presentation 1957", him : "McElroy Bug 1940 same age as me, 82" Another nice chat w/ Nigel
-    * 30m QSO : **DL4ST** : RSt
-    * 30m QSO : **IK2MMM/QRP** : RSt "QSL only electronic" = LOTW confirmation
-    * 30m QSP : **M0RQD** : Steve, Isle of Wight : SKh. RC. slow and pleasant "beginner" QSO - hope for many more and for Steve to find CW improves rapidly with use.
-Finding many RBN reports from my CQ calls - as far as Australia and Hong Kong, but very often no replies. Will endeavour to reply to any/all CQ calls I hear.
---- //John Pumford-Green 11/07/23 08:00//
-===== Further Information =====
-{{tag>radio diary}}