Author Archive
Bargains – really?
December 18th, 2015 | 
Author: Many of the larger dealers are offering special deals in the lead up to Christmas. But, are you really getting a bargain? For example, MLS have the FT1200 at less than £1000 after cash back. Maybe this radio is over-stocked as people prefer the IC7300 or the FT991?
Call me a cynic, but I think we are being offered discounts on radios that have not sold. As they say, “beware of Greeks bearing gifts”. If something looks too good there is probably a catch. Of course, if you really want one of the discounted rigs then now is as good a time to buy as any.
See www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/beware-of-greeks-bearing-gifts.html .
SLOWLY declining solar activity
The slide down from a solar maximum is (usually) slower than the climb from the minimum to the maximum. Very gradually, the sun is going “off the boil” and solar activity is slowly falling away. With each year for several years to come things will get progressively harder on the higher bands. Some are predicting the next maximum may be a “damp squib”, so enjoy the conditions while they last. It is quite possible that 10m will never be as good again in the lifetimes of many of us. Certainly 10m is already not as good as a year ago. Although Es is good at any part of the cycle in late spring and summer, F2 DX is best around the peak of solar activity. In the past 6m has supported worldwide DX at times, but I think those days are sadly over.
FT991 issues?
It looks like Yaesu have had some quality control issues with some FT991 transceivers, although I am unsure what percentage of units sold are effected. It does not look good though. It is always wise to wait a while so these initial issues are ironed out. In Yaesu’s defence, I have had an FT817 (original version with the old PA) for about 15 years and it still works as well as ever. I love it.
CQ-DATV mags free
See http://cq-datv.mobi/ebooks.php .
CQ-DATV is available for free download. I have not tried amateur TV but some remarkable results are being achieved by DATV in the 146-147MHz band. Like all things in our hobby, you can only do so much. I think the use of digital techniques has given amateur TV a new lease of life.
IC7300 – not yet?
The IC7300 is being actively “pre-sold” with UK dealers asking people to part with £50 deposits to secure these transceivers when they become available. I don’t think any have shipped yet and I suspect it will be late spring before they appear in the UK.
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| http://www.icomamerica.com/en/media_events/news/NewsArticle.aspx?id=201521 |
The price will drop once the dealers have creamed good profits from those who must have the rig at any price – the early adopters. Really I would like the 10W version which would be a class QRP rig. This would be even better than the IC703.
It is quite likely that the early sets will have some software or hardware issues which will be corrected on later models sold.
Of all the products around, it looks the most attractive and I like the SDR architecture. Let’s hope the ball grid arrays are soldered well! From bitter experience I know this can be a nightmare tweeking the process. I can wait.
ICOM America has more information on this transceiver.
Tiny APRS transceiver for PC
This transceiver looks like it should be possible to duplicate. A neat design. I think this connects via a USB socket so the PC acts as a node for digital modes like DSTAR.
5MHz amateur band – it is now official
WRC-15 has ratified the first new HF amateur allocation since 1979. Although only 15kHz wide it was agreed internationally. I hope that CEPT allows a wider contiguous allocation. I am sure I cannot be alone in finding all these non-contiguous 5MHz allocations very confusing.
From the RSGB report on WRC-15:
“Z8 has now officially been agreed as the prefix for South Sudan and will be formally entered into the Radio Regulations. Meanwhile the revised Radio Regulations from WRC-15 will officially come into effect from the 1st January 2017. “
