Decoding PSK and Digi modes using a Ipaq pocket P.C

Update on where to find the software
My YL came across this software via the net: put PocketDigi into google and it will take you to the site where We downloaded it from. It seems to be working fine and I have been playing around with it for a few days without any problems. Infact I am extremely Impressed!!!!!

Short Skip and Long Skip on HF Bands

The WX is strange but the Bands are even stranger. Here are my recent logged QSOs, as you can see I have worked short and long skip on 20M, 17M, 12M and 10M.
click on log to enlarge

Extreme Weather Brings Down The G5RV

Wow that was what the YL and myself both said earlier today as we walked down on the Glen. The usual trickle of the stream had turned into a white water torrent, in fact it was rather frightening so we observed with caution. It is what we say here in Yorkshire as "sods law" as we are both on holiday and had intended a camping expedition with a bit of portable operation. So we both decided that a day indoors playing radio would be the best thing to do on this wet and windy wild day. On returning to the home QTH i saw my motor cycle looking wet and exposed as the waterproof cover had blown off and was at the other end of the garden. I inspected the Antennas they were all in good shape so it was time to try for some QSOs, it was just at that moment that my mast that supports the 20M dipole and home brew collinear was blowing about as if it were a mobile Antenna, nether the less it was holding up with the other verticals. Unfortunately my G5RV was getting a good battering from the trees and eventually gave up the fight at one of the flexible fixing points, so i was out in the wind and rain tidying up 102feet of hard drawn enameled copper. I shall be re fixing it back up as soon as this wind and rain settles down, it could be tomorrow so i guess 80M is out for now. Luckily I can operate on all bands 40M upwards so I am not too upset with the fallen G5RV it is mainly 40M and 80M where it gets used and I have my Maldol vertical which has just put a reasonable signal to PA1LS on 40M.
I hope you all have still got your Antennas undamaged by these extreme weather storms and hope to work your station soon. 73 Simon

Unusual Conditions Across The Bands

This week has been very unusual for myself as i have had some good QSO's on the HF bands that I don't regularly get to operate on. I have had QSO's on 10M SSB and also 10M FM where I spoke with a local station 2E0KEI Keith who is only across the valley local to Me, via a repeater HB9HR in the Swiss Alps. I have also made QSO with HB9ICG Peka on the same repeater which is on 29.660 MHZ FM, this was a real pleasure for me and I experimented between My Maldol multi band vertical, Hustler 6btv and G5RV. To My surprise the G5RV out performed the other antenna's which is kind of annoying when you consider the cost of these fancy Verticals that usually are superior.
I decided to try 10M SSB on my old FT767 which is coupled up to a home brew 20M dipole and the Maldol multi bander covering 40,15,10,6,2 & 70cms. I had good results into The Netherlands with QSO's made with PD2BA Ben, PA7JWC Janwllem, PA1K Bert and also DR80AMA Mark, DL2MRK Manni who were strong signals from The Federal Republic of Germany.
I headed down the Bands and came across F8AFC Ronan on 12M who was virtually an end stopping signal. Also on 12M I had the pleasure of a 35 minuet long solid 5/9 copy with Stefano IW0CZC who was just outside of Rome, Thanks Guys!! its a long time since such good signals were coming through on 12M.

This all happened Wednesday evening from 1800 to 2000 utc, I heard stations on 15M and 17M and obviously 20M, 40M and 80M were the usual busy bands with lots of activity.

Yesterday I also had a lovely surprise, I was required to work in the STAR Centre to play radio with 25 Students who were all aged 9, it was a day devoted to Radio Com's as we had sponsorship from Link Telecom, a mobile phone company who have sponsored 3 days of Radio Com's and space science subjects which my colleagues delivered as I operated the Radio equipment in front of the young students, who all found it very exciting. I made some good QSO's but it was in the morning and conditions were fairly quiet, the Lady from Link Telecom appeared in the shack to see what Ham radio was all about and how the young students took too it. It was perfect timing because lucky Me stumbled across VU2JOS/P OE operator Jose from India just as she entered the shack and I managed a good 5 minuet contact with a 5/8 report. I was quite excited myself as i have only worked India 3 times in the past and the last time I did it was the summer of 2005.

I also got to leave my usual job in Fabrication and Welding at the College last Friday as well, some other students aged 18-21 who are on a Public Services course which means they may become Police, Medical, Military or Fire Fighters E.T.C needed Radio Com's experience so yet again I was let loose in the STAR Centre Radio shack.
We made many contacts on 20M and they got to operate PMR Radio's and communicated between themselves. I received feedback from Their Course Tutor saying that they expected it to be boring but actually really enjoyed it all and found Ham Radio fascinating. Who knows we might have some new blood getting Licenced, Its always good to hear that the sessions are interesting and enjoyable and I always have fun as well.

It seems that after all the effort I put into getting the College to spend the cash on the Radio equipment Two and a half years a go, it is finally paying off with more and more people actually passing through the STAR Centre Radio Communication Centre at Keighley College.

Louise M3TLL my lovey YL was also using the facility last night with a group of Beavers who will become Cubs then go on to be Scouts. Lets hope it continues to attract interest to people who don't know of Ham radio.

73 and once again thanks for visiting my blog.....Simon

Playing Around On 2M SSTV mode whilst Rag Chewing On 70CM

This Evening I spent a couple of hours working Ham Station and friend Phil M1PAC on 144.500mhz SSTV mode and at the same time we had a good old rag chew on 433.725mhz.
Phil sent me some great images and I returned with some of my new pictures, at the same time Louise captured it all on her phone cam so thats the video above. Thanks louise : }



I enjoy the SSTV mode and I intend to continue experimenting around with Computers and digi modes for Radio use, and fortunately I seem to be getting the hang of most of the modes /operations so far.

The bands in general have not been so great in my QTH over the last 10 days so thankfully SSTV and PSK have kept me occupied. I am looking forward to better propagation and a few new countries to add to the list which is slowly getting bigger.

I sent some of my new QSL cards off direct to: VP8LP Bob, ZP8VAO Amado, GD0BCJ Paul, LU3MCJ Emilio and HR2DMR Don all worked in the last fortnight on 20M. So I guess the conditions have not been quite so bad after all? It just seems a bit unreliable propagation for those of us who can mainly get on after a days work in the hope of some DX activity.

I hope the Ionisphere is smiling over you! thanks for visiting 73

Weather Satellite Images from NOOA 17

I like to receive images from some of the many Satellites that are constantly orbiting our planet. In this case the images are courtesy of a weather monitoring Satellite known as NOOA 17 which is a low level orbiting Satellite. Some of the images are very clear showing the ground and clouds from Space, the clarity depends on the quality of the received signal to my FT857 radio which is interfaced to my home computer. Once a signal is received i use the software that i mentioned previously on this blog which is radcom 5.2 by Bonito to decode the signal to produce images.
I watch where the Satellite are positioned on my computer with the Satscape Satellite tracking program which not only gives real time positioning it also tells you what frequency and direction the various satellites are at.

Here are some images i have received click on them to enlarge.


This is the image that i receive in the Video below

Her is my station in action receiving a signal from NOOA 17 and producing the above image



Thanks for visiting. 73 Simon

2E to 2M on tour in Scotland

Hi folks,Ive just returned from touring around the Highlands of Scotland and managed to clock up a total of 850 miles whilst taking in some impressive and spectacular scenery.
Before you ask yes i was active as 2M0HTS/M which is the Scotish prefix.I had many QSO on 40m mobile and 20m mobile,thanks to all stations worked.

It was nice to operate from these fantastic locations whilst travelling around here is a picture of my mobile station along side Loch Ness


If you are planning to visit Scotland and its Highlands or are interested in seeing Scotland, here is a collection of images you may enjoy not really radio but still very nice pictures!


Ive had some good feedback about my new QSL cards so listen out for me and you can get one.Drop me a line/comment to arrange a sked on the bands. 73 thanks for reading.

Mills & Windmills on the Air Weekend

This Weekend was Mill and Windmill on the Air event which is quite interesting to me as I started off in a Textile Mill as a Maintenance Engineer when I was just 17 Years old.
The Mill was very old and i had spooky experiences during the 8 years i worked there encountering a Ghostly presence on one of the many evenings i was working alone.


THIS IS THE MILL I USED TO WORK AT IN BAILDON











This weekends Event was very good and i would like to thank all who took part and put in the effort of setting up the special event stations up at the Mills and Windmills.

I made contact with 16 Mills and Windmills all on 80m, here are the call signs of the Stations worked....

GB2PWW,GB2GW,GB2TMI,GB0ETM,GB5HW,GB2NW,GB0HPM,GB2GG,GB0MW,GB2ARW,GB2UW,GB2BWT,GB2FWM,GB0EM, GB0SNM AND GB0WSM....

Once again many thanks to all involved and a special thankyou to Cliff (GB0WSM) who put a fellow Mill Engineer Derrick on the radio for a good rag chew about Mills and Mill life. I am looking forward to the next time!!!

QSL 100%

As you can see i am very pleased with my recent delivery of 500 QSL cards from QSL Factory.The Cards have been custom made with a design created by my ever talented YL Louise M3TLL,if you would like one listen out for Me on the Bands and I will send one to You.

73 and hope to work you on Air soon.

If you are a SWL and here me on You can get one too! send me an email you can get the address from looking Me up on QRZ.com

eQSL Award

Ive been using eQSL for about three years and i am currently a Silver Member.During this time i have had the pleasure of receiving many eQSLs and also sent them off to DXCC all over the Globe.

I recently received an eQSL eDX Award for confirming 33 DXCC,and i am well on my way to obtaining the eDX100 Award,there are other eQSL Awards available to Hams and SWLs. To find out more visit the eQSL site via the link at the right column.



You can become a member of eQSL for free and for a small donation you can be a Bronze,Silver or a bit more cash gets you Gold status.Membership allows you to upload your own designs and other privileges.

Its still nice to receive paper QSL Cards and Ive had quite few of them lately via the Burro and a few direct.Many Thanks to all Stations exchanging both QSLs and eQSLS all are returned.

And finally some development on my search for a QSL Card Printing Company has finally come to an end with success with a Company here in U.K QSL FACTORY

The service so far has been excellent the Cards are on the print list and hopefully will be here in the next several days.

I have a small pile gathering of cards which i have to return so i guess i will be busy with the pen and my log for a while.That's another part of the hobbie which makes it fun,its surprising how many QSL Cards you end up with.

I am Looking forward to many more eQSLs,QSLs and QSOs to come,

73 to all thanks for visiting:)

Well Received Comments From Ken N2OBY Fellow HAM & Motor Cyclist

Simon,

Just wanted to say hi from the other side of the pond. Name here is Ken N2OBY, QTH is Fishkill, NY. I've been following your blog for a few months now and look forward to working you on the air. I ride also - 1986 Honda VF1000R & '84 VF1100S (V65 Sabre). In the process of re-working my web site, but you can see the 1000R at www.qsl.net/n2oby.

My XYL Lisa and especially loved seeing the video where you and Louise took Dudley to the beach! Cats & dogs rock - along with radio and motorbikes!

I was stationed in England at RAF Welford from 1982 - 85. That tour began my lifelong love affair with the UK. Been back a few times since. Favorite areas are North Yorkshire and the Lake District. Would love to win the lottery so that I could move back there. ;-)

Again, I look forward to meeting you on the bands.

Cheers,

Ken N2OBY

Hi Ken Sorry it has taken so long to read your comment on my post "The Things We Hams Talk About"
I was Pleased to Hear You are a regular reader of this blog and i hope you continue to enjoy it.Many Thanks for visiting.

I remember the VFs they are nice bikes,as you have been over hear you will remember our country roads good biking roads.I am Glad you like it up here in the North and i hope you get to visit again soon.

It is very interesting about yourself been in the Air Force i used to be in The Air Training Corps when i was younger where i first met Ham Radio.I still get to work with the Air cadets from time to time.

Ken say Hello to your XYL Lisa from Louise and myself and a Ruff from Dudley, Ill be listening for you on 20M and at the moment its wide open hear stations from all over.

Its Great to meet a fellow Ham/Biker all the best and once again thanks for your comment (i hope you don't mind me re-posting it) 73 good DX and Ride Safe

BEGINNERS GUIDE HOW TO WORK PSK AND DIGI MODES

click on image to Enlarge

Ive been playing around with Computers for many years and i have many programs that are interesting and fairly easy to use which are for Ham Radio use,most of which are free downloads of Ham websites e.t.c
The program that i am using here is WINPSKse. Download it here. Once installed you will have to connect your Radio to your Computer.You need a double ended 3.5mm mono jack plug cable which connects to the ext speaker socket in the back of your Radio,which then feeds the audio/received data out into the Line in or Mic in, on your Computer.You can adjust the level using the P.C sound control there is usually a setting on most programs which allows audio in adjustment.
You are now ready to receive PSK,select the waterfall window and click on the signal.


The next stage there is a bit more expense you will need to acquire more kit,a radio computer interface better known as a Rigblaster.There are various models on the market as you can see in the picture the one i use is the cheapest, its the Nomic and its been working well.The Rigblaster connects to the computers serial port or if you don't have a serial port there is a usb to serial patch lead that's available in most P.C Stores.The Line out from your P.C provides output during transmission so this is connected to the line in on the Rigblaster. The picture shows my Rigblaster in line with cables.

The last cable to connect is the Rigblaster mic lead which simply replaces your mic,the Rigblaster has a jumper lead system which allows quick and easy mic wiring for all manufacturers of radio.On the software settings you will find the option to configure the port that controls the Rigblaster this is usually comport 1.There are other settings to play around with once your up and running you can set up templates and other features which are fairly easy to do.Good Luck!

Here are Simple diagrams showing the wiring of Radio and Computer using a Rigblaster Interface click on image to Enlarge

Here are the other models of Rigblasters which are available from most radio shops,I got mine Second Hand off another Ham

Good Opening Across The Pond

Last Night was quite busy for me on 20M with lots of Stations to work.Thanks to all Hams that gave me a call! Here's my log containing the callsigns of the stations I worked.


Click on Image to Enlarge

Here is a video with a few of the Stations that i worked.73 I hope you like it!

Nice to Meet you again on 40M

Last Night was awsome on the HF bands, Stations were coming in thick and fast from all over the Globe all the way across the HF spectrum.It was nice to work YV1RDX again this time from his home Station in Venezuela.The last time we made a QSO was when Julio YV1RDX was operating on a DXpedition from Aves Island.

New QSL Cards

Here is the design that My YL Louise M3TLL has done for Me,So its off to the printers and hopefully should have some new QSL cards to send out soon!