G0DBI - Kevin

@[email protected]
50 Followers
21 Following
122 Posts

#Introduction

First licensed in 1982 as G6NYY, I passed the #Morse test a few years later and have had my current callsign ever since.

I've tried most modes over the years, but for a while now I've just been #shortwave listening with a #Wellbrook ALA1530LN and an #SDRplay RSPdx.

Then I joined Mastodon a few weeks ago and learned about Yaesu #Fusion. I hope to be active in #Wires-X rooms and on #FediHams, which I heard about on this instance.

Show threadG0DBI - KevinApr 11, 2023
@g0vgs Thanks Ian, I've done that and the Squirrel Net is coming through as normal. Will try to put out a call later this morning.
Show threadG0DBI - KevinApr 2, 2023

@on5ia QLF is a great suggestion - "Are you sending with your left foot?". Not sure why it isn't on the official Q code lists... 😏

Another that would be useful is the Q code for "Your bug key seems to have a fault."

G0DBI - KevinApr 2, 2023
What is the Q code for "I'm happy with your speed, but perhaps you could put some space between words, rather than sending one continuous stream of letters?" 🙂
Show threadG0DBI - KevinApr 1, 2023
@g0vgs Yes, I bought both the KAF2 and the DSP modules, because at the time DSP was all very new and I didn't know whether it would be any good. Thanks for the tip.
G0DBI - KevinMar 31, 2023
@VE2UWY Thanks, I didn't know it came from Collins originally. S9 is set correctly now, and I checked my RSPdx as well and it also gives exactly S9 from the XG1, so I'm happy that it's good enough.
Show threadG0DBI - KevinMar 31, 2023

@g0vgs Thanks Ian. I had read about the K2's noise floor, but I was still surprised when I heard it today. I've had a lot of radios over the last 40 years, but I think this may be the best receiver of the lot. The narrow filters are great, so although I bought both the DSP and audio filter modules, I'm not sure I'll need them.

As for the S meter, I started out with a Royal Navy receiver which didn't have one at all, so an approximate reading is good enough for me.

Will try to get on NWFG soon!

Show threadG0DBI - KevinMar 31, 2023
OK, I dug out my Elecraft XG1 test oscillator, which is a calibrated 50 microvolt signal source , then recalibrated the S meter to give S9 from that input, and it seems more realistic now.
G0DBI - KevinMar 31, 2023

#Elecraft K2 build continues, having had to stop for a few days because I trapped my thumb in the car door and couldn't hold the soldering iron...

The 40 metre receiver is aligned and working really well. This thing is fantastically sensitive and quiet. S meter is a bit over optimistic, or the meter on my RSPdx reads low, one or the other. Anyway, I'm impressed with how it sounds.

Now, back to soldering. Next stop, the transmitter.

G0DBI - KevinMar 26, 2023

@Rog Propquest has a real time graph showing F2 and Es critical frequency and F2 MUFs. It really helps to bring to life what I'm hearing (and not hearing) on HF, and it was developed by Jim Bacon G3YLA, the former BBC weather man.

The graph page here https://www.propquest.co.uk/graphs.php and an RSGB page with lots of information about it here https://rsgb.org/main/technical/propagation/p-s-c-members-research/propquest-near-real-time-propagation-tool/

PROPquest

Forecasting thunderstorms and severe convective weather across the British Isles and Ireland for up to the next 5 days.

Show threadG0DBI - KevinMar 24, 2023

@w8emv I love Radio 4, and I will be sad when the longwave service closes.

The BBC has already closed a number of medium wave local radio frequencies and longwave is likely to follow, possibly this year or in the first quarter of 2024.

Let's all make the most of it while we can!