And.....Here We Go Again...(Updated) and (Updated again)...

Here's the Space Weather forecast for the next three days, it's certainly not looking very good.  So far I'm not very impressed with the propagation of this solar cycle, it certainly isn't shaping up to be what they originally forecast for it.

This past week the propagation has been abysmal and it looks like next week won't be any different!

Update as of 0200 UTC, 7 May:

Update as of 1800 UTC, 9 May:

Not Much Improvement...

It was a rather mediocre time on the bands this morning, the affects of the last round of poor propagation was still being felt. Hopefully that will change over the next few days.

The propagation numbers were:  SFI=154, SN=79, A Index=10, and the K Index=1.

Weather wise it was wet, cold, and very windy, not at all what you would expect from there 1st May. It was, in fact, what my friends would call a "hot chocolate" type day.

Here's todays contact map:

All of my contacts, but one, were on 20m today.  Normally it is the other way around.  Along with poor propagation we also had some severe QSB, which certainly didn't help matters.  Radio was my KX3 and a 20m and 40m Hamstick.

It took nearly an hour to put 13 contacts in my log book, it normally never takes that long.  I'm hoping the bands improve and the good propagation returns soon.

Stay Safe Out There!

More Lousy Propagation...UPDATED...

Here's the propagation outlook for the next three days......might be tough going on Monday.

 

Stay Safe Out There!!

Here's the latest on April 24, 0100 UTC:

And the latest on April 24, 0700 UTC:

QRPTTF is over for this year...

Today was the 2023 running of QRP To The Field....so I went out and found a field and operated there.  It was wet and miserable....but I had fun.

Today's propagation was: SFI=151, SN=85, A Index=9, and the K Index=0.  There was some QSB, and more than a few LIDS out there, but we survived.

I finished with 22 contacts in the log and 10 multipliers, so I'm happy with that.  

Here's today's contact map:

Stay Safe Out There!!

QRP To The Field...

Coming this weekend, is this years edition of QRP to the Field.  This year it's open to both CW and SSB stations, it's one of the few that does allow SSB.

Rules and information can be found HERE on their website.

Here in Ontario the event runs from 0800 to 1800 EDT on Saturday, April 22nd.  Check the Rules for the timings in your part of the continent.

I'm planning on getting out and playing in the event.  As they have now allowed SSB I feel it should be supported, although I'll probably do CW as well.

Stay Safe Out There !!

A Good Weekend...

My trip to Portland Bay Conservation Area went very well.  The bands were very busy with all the US State QSO Parties, and the Ontario QSO Party, but it was also POTA's Annual Spring Support Your Park event.

The Conservation Area is actually quite small, but it is very picturesque, and right on off the highway.  It took me 45 minutes to drive there from home, and Kieran VA3KS, was already there set up, waiting for me when I arrived.

First up was some 2m and 70cm simplex work that netted us some contacts, as did a quick visit to 6m.  Kieran, with 15 contacts in his log, left and went north a few kilometres to Mill Pond Conservation Area, and activated there.  I stayed at Portland and made more contacts on 10m, 12m, 15m, 17m, 40m, and 80m.  20m was just wall-to-wall signals and I didn't waste my time going there to try and fight the big guns for a few contacts.

The propagation was up and down, and the QSB was deep and causing the signals to go from S9 to S0 in milliseconds.  The numbers were: SFI=174, SN=151, A Index=7, and the K Index=2.  No rare DX was worked, in fact no DX was worked at all.  My furthest contact was with Tim WI6NG, in California.  

Kieran came back to Portland in time for us to pack up for lunch.  We went to the Portland Restaurant and some great food, if you're ever in Portland I highly recommend the place.

When we returned to the Conservation Area, another ham friend, Ranson VE3RCD, from Smiths Falls was waiting for us.  He had seen our note on the POTA spotting page about being QRT for lunch and had driven down to see us.  Ranson and I stuck around for a few more hours while Kieran left for home.  

It was disappointing to only be able to put 44 contacts in my log in the 6 hours I was there, but it was well worth it...just being able to relax and play radio in the great weather was reward enough.

As usual the KX3 and my Hamstick collection worked flawlessly together.

Here's the days contact map:

My setup in the back of my van:

Stay Safe Out There!!

Portland.....Here We Come...

That's Portland, Ontario, ...not Maine or Oregon.  Tomorrow I'm heading there to meet up with another ham to activate Portland Conservation Area, VE-5957, for the Spring Support Your Parks Event.

Our weather for the past few days here has been spectacular...temps anywhere from 20C to 27C., and it's looking good for tomorrow as well.  So the good weather, plus the Support Your Parks Event, equals a road trip.

This will be the second time I have activated this conservation area, it's right on the historic Rideau Canada, and is very quiet electrically.

Propagation wise things have not been the best, but I noticed today that the SN had finally broke one hundred again, so if that remains for tomorrow we should be ok.  Today I did a short activation of VE-5141 at Lemoine Point on 40m and 15m, and did quite well.  The propagation numbers were:  SFI=160, SN=149, A Index=6 and the K Index=2.

Here's todays contact map:

Let's hope everything aligns tomorrow and we have a successful day.

Stay Safe Out There!!

Busy Weekend Coming Up...

I suspect there will be lots of activity on the bands this coming weekend if the list of contests and other events is correct.

Here's the list:

 

  - POTA Support Your Parks weekend

    - 0000 UTC Saturday to 2400 UTC Sunday

 

  - Ontario QSO Party

    - April 15 1800 UTC to April 16 0500 UTC, and April 16 1200 - 1800 UTC

 

  - Nebraska QSO Party

    - April 15 1300 UTC to April 16 0100 UTC, and April 16 1300 - 2200 UTC

 

  - Michigan QSO Party

    - April 15 1600 UTC to April 16 0400 UTC

 

  - North Dakota QSO Party

    - April 15 1800 UTC to April 16 1800 UTC

 

  - Quebec QSO Party

    - April 16 1200 - 2000 UTC  

Have Fun and Stay Safe Out There!!

Rough Propagation Today...

It was a windy -13C when I left the house this morning, a lot colder than what I was expecting. It's been nearly 2 weeks since I was out to do a POTA activation....so you know it just had to happen!

Today I chose to go to VE-5305, the Frontenac County Courthouse National Historic Site. The Court House was built between 1855 and 1858, and it is a beautiful old limestone building.

This was my third activation here, and it's always a difficult activation, the noise floor is perpetually through the roof, and today was no exception. I started off on 40m, and had to work with a S7 band noise.

I only made 16 contacts today, and it took 5 bands to do that.  Contacts were made on 70cm, 2m, 12m, 15m, and 40m. This was a record activation for band changes for me, and the first time I activated on the 70 cm and 12m bands.   Being the weekend I stayed away from 20m as it was extremely busy with nets of great importance.....or so I have been told on air.

Propagation numbers today were:  SFI=125, SN=23, A Index=13, and the K Index=3.  Let's all hope those numbers improve over the next few days!

I used 2 HF antennas today, my hamsticks, and a 9.5' Buddipole whip for 12m, and that's going to get more use.

Here's todays contact map:

Stay Safe Out There!

Incoming Storm...Updated

Get ready for a moderate (G2) geomagnetic storm watch has been added starting March 24th due to a large coronal hole now facing Earth. The solar wind stream flowing from this hole is predicted to reach our planet by Friday.

Here's an update, 1600 UTC, March 23:

And the current conditions as of 1604 UTC:

And here's the 0148 UTC update...an A Index of 60!!!!:

More to follow as it is made public.

The Amazon Truck...

Hopefully, when the Amazon delivery truck arrives...the wife is out 😀.  But today that wasn't the case, she was home.....oh well. I had ordered a couple of new items for the portable shack to make my life a bit easier.

First up was a Bioenno 12v 3amp battery.  This will allow me to hike into some of the POTA parks and not have a rucksack filled with a big heavy battery.  This one should give me a few hours at 10w.

And, the second item to be delivered was an "Anker Soundcore" powered speaker.  It came highly recommended by Thomas K4SWL and Bill K4NYM who both use one.  After so many hours flying on Chinook helicopters my hearing is not what it should be at all, and this speaker makes a huge difference with the KX3.

Here's some photo's:

Stay Safe Out There !!

Good Conditions...

I finally managed to get out and do another POTA activation yesterday, I needed to, it's been over a week since my last one, and it was time to escape from the house for a while.

The temperature was above zero....well, just...it was +1C.  The wind was pretty cold though, which certainly didn't help.

The propagation numbers were:  SFI=134, SN=23, A Index=7, and the K Index=2.  There was some QSB but not a lot, in fact it really didn't bother me at all.  

As usual in winter I used my KX3 and hamsticks for ease of set-up and yesterday was no different.  It was a slow day POTA wise, but I did hear many station taking part in the Russian DX Contest.  Be what it may, but I only managed to put 11 contacts in the log.  I did make contacts with DX stations in Germany, The Netherlands, Spain, and the Dominican Republic.  Not bad for 10w and a 10m Hamstick!!

Here's yesterday's contact map:

Stay Safe Out There!!

A Quick POTA Activation...

Yesterday I thought I would sneak off to the local park and do a quick POTA activation, the weather was nice...and as a bonus the temperature was above zero, in fact it was +3C and no wind !!

The propagation numbers were: SFI=180, SN=155, A Index=22, and the K Index=2.  Not the best of numbers, but I've activated in much worse at the bottom of Cycle 24.

So it was off to Lemoine Point, VE-5141, which is about 15 minutes from my QTH, and surprisingly it was very busy for a weekday.  It took me longer to find a good parking spot than it did to get the park activated.

First up was 10m, and while the band was quiet, there was very little traffic on it.  I ended up with five contacts there before moving on to 40m, which while very noisy, managed to scare up 14 more contacts for me.  

Radio was the KX3 at 10w, and the antenna was a 10m or 40m hamstick mounted on a mag-mount on the roof of the van.  

Here's the contact map.....I'll let you guys figure out which were the 10m and which were the 40m contacts!

Stay Safe Out There!

Not a bad weekend to be on the bands...

Not a bad weekend to be on the bands!!  This weekend was the ARRL SSB DX Contest, and I managed to put 30 countries in my log in about 2.5 hours of on-air time.  My "go-to" bands were 10m & 15m, in fact I never even checked any of the other bands at all.  It's nice to see something other than 20m & 40m being used.

I must admit that after spending the last 2 years not contesting at all, I have come to love the laid back attitude of the POTA activations I do.  This weekend was fine to put a few DX entities in the log again, but I can't see me getting seriously back into contesting like I used to do.  Being asked to repeat my callsign three or four times, and then getting a "59" signal report, just makes me laugh now.  

Another thing that crossed my mind today, is why is it that we mostly only hear these European stations during contests?  Do they never get on and call CQ during weekdays or evenings....or do they only take part in contest weekends?

Was it just me or did it seem there were less stations calling CQ this weekend?  While the bands were busy, they did not seem as busy as years past.  Too many people hanging out on 14.074 it would seem.

Propagation on Saturday was:  SFI=175, SN=122, A Index=22, and the K Index=2.  

Antenna in use this weekend was my 80m EFHW fed with a 49:1 Unun.  If nothing else it's nice to know the antenna is still capable of working DX.  Radio was trusty my FT-950 at 100w.

Saturday's contact map:

Solar Storm Inbound...(Updated)

The current geomagnetic storm watch has been upgraded to include the possibility of a strong (G3) level geomagnetic storm within the next 24 to 48 hours. This is in response to the possible combined effects of two CMEs that occurred on Friday and Saturday that will be sweeping past Earth.

This is the first time I have ever seen the K7 and G3 warning posted. I think it will be a rough few days on the bands.

UPDATE:

The G3 Solar storm continues, and will continue for the next 24 hrs. They expect it to degrade to a G2 storm on Wednesday. Here are the updated predictions:

Sunday on 10m...

Today was one of those rare winter days here when the temperature goes above zero, in fact when I left home this morning it was +3C...a heatwave here for this time of year!! The ground is still frozen solid, and there are lots of places still covered in ice which makes setting up antennas interesting.

The propagation report for today was pretty good, in fact it was probably the second best day this cycle so far. Todays numbers were: SFI=210, SN=203, A Index=11, and the K Index=1.  

Once I reached a park that had a clear parking lot that you could actually park in, I set up my KX3 and a 10m Hamstick, and got to work.  Within minutes I had the UK, Italy, Spain, and the Czech Republic in the log.  It was just a great morning on the band.  

The other noticeable thing today was the S1 noise floor.  There was no straining to hear the weaker stations, I don't think I worked anyone who was less than S5 today.

I'll be back out tomorrow and see what I can work then, maybe I'll try 15m as well.

Here's todays contact map:

Stay Safe Out There!

A New Antenna...

A package arrived at the VE3FI Shack today, a brand new JPC-12 portable antenna.  It's a great piece of kit, and I'm looking forward to using at soon as the ground in Eastern Canada has thawed out.

It is, here in Eastern Canada anyway, a three season antenna.  I doubt the ground spike would last very long being banged into the frozen ground at -30C around here.

The antenna is supposed to work on 40, 20, 17, 15, and 10m.  While I have not been able to test it yet myself, there are plenty of Youtube videos out there showing how it is used and its good performance.  It comes in a very nice case, and is built very solidly and looks and feels to be of a high quality.  My only issue is that it does not use the now standard 3/8x24 thread.  Instead it uses whatever thread the hams in China use - so I can not use my Buddipole parts and coils to "experiment" with it.

I will be the first to admit that the so-called "manual" is an absolute joke.  It's written in a form of quasi-English used by nobody in particular, on a deserted island, in the West Pacific.  It also has a few pages written in Chinese.  The first time I use it will be spent with my analyzer trying to figure out the coil and whip setting for the various bands....I have looked on line to see if anyone has already done this, but have found nothing.

Given the weather we are currently having here ( -35C here today ), it will be a while before I can get it out into the field and test it.

Here are some pictures of it in the case:

Until next time, Stay safe out there!!

After Winter Field Day...

A good weekend was had, but the weather could have been a lot better though as it snowed for most of it.  This year I did a combined POTA / WFD event, so I had the best of both worlds.  This was possible because the new WFD Executive has allowed a new class, that of "Mobile".

This allowed me, over the weekend, to go to seven different local POTA spots, setup, and take part in both POTA and WFD...and a good time was had!

I had originally made plans to take my 31' collapsible mast and a 40m EFHW antenna, but to be honest I don't think it would have stayed vertical with the wild wind we had.  So it was back to the old standby of hamsticks and a mag-mount.   My KX3 worked great, with no issues at all.

Was I happy with my results?  Not really, but given the fact I only operate QRP and use a severely compromised antenna system, I like to think I could certainly do better.  The other factor was the fact that while the propagation numbers looked good, in reality - not so much.  The numbers were: SFI=145. SN=76, A Index=9, and the K Index=2.   We also had a lot of deep QSB to contend with.

Operating in the back of my van at night causes some problems.  I like to stay as stealthy as I can at night, as you never know who's about, or what they are up too.  So I don't like using bright lights.  Last week I found a small, USB rechargeable light, it's supposed to be used to read a book in bed, but I used it to illuminate my log book so I could see to write.  It worked great, and it was pretty stealthy as it's not too bright.

All-in-all it was a good weekend, apart from the 37cm of snow we received that is.  

Here's the weekends contact map:

Stay Safe Out There!

Winter Field Day 2023...

 

Great Propagation...

I had a few free minutes yesterday so I decided to run out and do a fast activation of Parrott's Bay, VE-5142, so I could at least take part in the Support Your Park winter event being held this weekend.

Weather wise it wan't a nice day.  The outside temperature was only -2C, but it was very damp out and the wind was pretty strong making it feel a lot colder.

It was great to see that for the first time in years both the SFI and the SN was above the 200 mark, almost ensuring a good day on the bands.  The days propagation numbers were: SFI=218, SN=204, A Index=6, and the K Index=2.

This weekend also has the NAQP SSB Contest taking place, lucky I got on the air, and completed the activation, before the wall of hungry contesters hit the airwaves.  

I ended up with 30 contacts in the log in 25 minutes, using both 10m and 15m. This was the first time I have activated on those bands, and I was very pleased with how it went.  As usual I used my KX3 at 10w, and 10m and 15m hamsticks.

Here's todays contact map:

Stay safe out there!!

In Todays Mail...

An interesting package arrived in the mail today. It was addressed to me....but it had no return address on it, and even more mysterious was the fact there was not even a note inside the package. It arrived as a surprise and completely anonymous.

So, what was in the package you ask?  Well, that's where it gets interesting. It was a 1878 Jerome Redding & Company CW set. The set comprises of a full-sized camel back brass key on a jappened base and a sounder. It's stamped with the Jerome Redding & Co mark, and a resistance rating of 4 ohms. So it was designed for use with a single 1.5 volt cell.

The original cost was $4.20 in US dollars, or about $148 today in 2023.

Here is the drawing of it in the 1880 company catalogue:

And.....here are pictures of the actual machine on my desk today:

As I stated above, I have no idea who sent this to me, but Thank You Very Much!!!!  This will be the centrepiece of my key collection.

2023 Plans...

As I did this time last year, I have started to think about making some radio plans for this year.  I think it’s safe enough to travel these days, as long as you play it safe around crowds…..which I don’t plan to be in or near.  Just like last year, my main plan this year is to simply survive without catching anything nasty!

So far this year, apart from a few cold days, we really have not had the bitter cold winter we normally get.  I’m sure this will change as we roll further into January and February, but for now I’m enjoying the heat wave of +2C.  I should mention that it hasn’t been cold, but it has been very damp which is worse in my book.

Given the current price of gas (petrol) here I really shouldn’t be making any long distance travel plans as the prices are expected to rise even further….a lot!  But, in the end it’s only money.  

So with this in mind I have resurrected some plans I made last year for a few POTA micro-DXpeditions.  At this point in time, I’m pretty certain my big trip out to the west coast isn’t going to happen (even though it’s planned down the last detail) so I will replace it with several short duration camping and radio trips.  

The first trip I have planned is down to Point Pelee in South-West Ontario, and return home along the lakes, activating the many POTA locations as I pass them.  That one will be a 5- day trip with each night at a different park.

The second one that I also had planned for last year, will be a trip to Penetanguishene and around the Georgian Bay POTA parks to Tobermory. That one will be a 4-day trip, and once again each night will be at a different park.

The "pre-pre-planning" for both Field Days, winter & summer, has already started, and plans are in the works for the W/VE Island QSO Party and the International Lighthouse Weekend both held in August.  Chillycon is also on my agenda for September.

Stay safe out there!!

The 2022 Year End Wrap Up...

2022 leaves us in a few hours, and to be honest, it really wasn't that bad....it did fly by though.  There seems to be truth in the saying the the older you get the quicker time goes by.

Once again the family and I have been very lucky, none of us have been sick, and all of us have been able to get our shots and boosters on time with no issues.  Thankfully, all of my friends have also been lucky and escaped the covid plague.  Let's hope that this Covid mess is now behind us and we can start to get back to normal..

I have had an exceptional year with amateur radio, Starting on January 1st of this year I have made at least one QRP contact every day, and not a day has been missed.  In fact I have put 4000 QRP contacts in my log this year, and yes, I'm still hearing that "QRP doesn't work"........yeah, and I have still a unicorn for sale to the highest bidder.  As I did last year, all my POTA activations have been done with my KX3.

I have activated 180 parks in the POTA program, which is more than last year.  I wonder if I can keep that pace up in 2023?  

At the start of last year I was determined to get on the air using CW.  My Dad, VE7CVQ (SK) was a CW fanatic.  So.....I'm pretty pleased to tell you that this year I have made and completed 457 CW QSO's, and I'm really, really pleased with that.

Plans for next year...there are several POTA mini-DXpeditions planned to different parts of the province, as well as the long delayed trip out west to see family.  The western trip was supposed to happen two years ago, but obviously didn't happen.

I hope everyone has a very Happy New Year, and that you all stay safe.

Last POTA of the Year...

Lemoine Point VE-5141

What a beautiful day it was here at the QTH.  Blue skies and +6C, and not a drop of wind......far too good weather to sit around at home, so off I went.

The propagation this morning was:  SFI=160, SN=118, A Index=5, and the K Index=3.

Today was two activations for the price of one.  Recently they added VE-6003 The Great Lakes Waterfront Recreational Trail, and by chance this trail intersects a good number of local POTA sites.  So I had both VE-5151 and VE-6003 up on the air at the same time today.

It wasn't a good day for DX, in fact there wasn't any.  Furthest contact today was with Ron WD5CSK, in Oklahoma.

Antenna today was my 28.5' vertical and 17' ground radial, held up with my SOTABEAMS tactical mini-mast.  Radio was my KX3 at 10 watts.

Propagation looks to be dropping in the toilet for the next two days, so this looks like this was my last activation of the year.  

Here's todays contact map:

Stay Safe Out There!!

Christmas Time....

May peace, happiness and goodwill be with you and your family not only on Christmas, but throughout the year and beyond. 

From my house, to your house, here's wishing you all a very 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2023.