Jonathan G4IVV

@[email protected]
119 Followers
52 Following
78 Posts
Radio amateur from Cambridgeshire, UK.
Sometimes found on a hilltop or park, usually found on CW.
LocationCambridgeshire, UK
LocatorJO02DC
InterestsCW, Portable operating (SOTA, POTA), contesting
Jonathan G4IVVFeb 28

A while back I got offered a free trial of a water leak detector for my home (it's not great, generates false positives in cold weather). Looks like the batteries are flat as I got a text from the server so I opened the app to check. Here are the instructions, what on earth does step 3 mean? "Reseat the batteries of LeakBot closer to the router”???? 😂😂

More AI slop by the looks of things…

I think I’ll take the batteries out, place them on top of my router and email their support team a photo 😂

Jonathan G4IVVJan 31
@ian Thanks Ian for all your work on https://spothole.app/ 👍 I have just started using your API on my node-red station control dashboard. The SSE updates work great, it was quite easy to add to node-red.
Jonathan G4IVVFeb 19, 2025
A rather chilly #POTA activation at a new park today GB-4433 The Icknield Way path, prehistoric pathways forming one of the oldest routes in Britain. Lovely to be able to hike up from village to a nice spot for an activation. Very much looking forward to the weather warming up a bit as it was hard keying with cold fingers 😀The antenna is bending over due to the icy wind!
Jonathan G4IVVFeb 4, 2025
One of the tiny (3 x 3.5mm) micro switches failed on my #Elecraft #KH1 morse key. After a bit of searching I found they are readily available (DigiKey etc) C&K "detect switches" types HDS001L (left side) and HDS001R (right side). Replacement was fairly straightforward but I had to use a PCB microscope and my smallest bit for the soldering! Rig is back up and running again, ready for the next #POTA activation.
Jonathan G4IVVNov 12, 2024

A nice autumnal day for a #POTA activation in another recently added park nearby. Best DX was to Texas on 10m.

I like the Begali Adventure CW paddles, but never really enjoyed them mounted to the front of the KX2. So designed and 3d printed a base and cover that keeps the contacts dry, packs safely and I much prefer using them like this. The base is shaped so its comfortable to hold/keep steady with one hand whilst keying with the other.

Jonathan G4IVVNov 11, 2024

Quality journalism from the BBC this morning:

“In the Midlands, Wales and southern England, all meters use wireless cellular technology - similar to mobile phones - to send data to energy providers. If a signal is not strong enough, it can be boosted by an aerial.

But in northern England and Scotland, meters instead rely on radio frequencies and no such fix is available.”

😂😂😂 I’m sure Maxwell would be spinning in his grave if Scotland had forgotten antennas existed 😂

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq52382zd1no

Energy smart meter issues creating north-south divide

Technology differences mean meters in northern England and Scotland may not work properly, energy firm body admits.

BBC News
Jonathan G4IVVOct 31, 2024

A new #POTA park has been created about 7 miles from home so I finally managed to do a “POTA by bicycle” this afternoon for a first activation of GB-2324 Wandlebury Country Park. I’ve been wanting to do a pedal powered activation for a long time, inspired by Jim @N4JAW 😀

I just took a 2m whip, radials and my KX2, hoping that 10m would still be open. No worries, some nice #QRP CW DX including to Hector CE3FZL in Chile, 11735 miles with 5w!

Jonathan G4IVVSep 8, 2024
It was worth getting wet on the Norfolk Coast this afternoon for a #POTA park to park with K0TTW in Colorado on 10m CW. Can't beat a bit of QRP DX!
Jonathan G4IVVJul 6, 2024
Having fun combining Marcus Roskosch’s recently released TS-Control app for the TS-890S with Mark’s @smitty HaliKey CW key interface and a set of homemade VK3IL pressure paddles for an on-the-go CW fix 😃
Jonathan G4IVVMay 27, 2024

Dipped in and out of the CQ WPX CW contest over the weekend, initially to try and improve my DXCC count, but started to enjoy it more towards the end. All good CW practise!

Conditions not brilliant, but very pleased to finally get Hawaii in the log. Just running a EFHW for 40m, loaded to also add 80m and with 100w. Antenna is below my house height and almost invisible.

Thanks for the contacts!