ISS SSTV Reception

On hearing that there was going to be a ISS SSTV opportunity from the 28 December to 2 January, a used the Android app ISS Detector to set a reminder in my phone.  Here is what it added to my calendar: -

10 Minutes notice gave me just enough time to put the 2m elements on to the Arrow antenna, set the ID-51A up for recording the pass and then get myself out onto the lawn in-front of the flat (as this pass was going to be a somewhat problematic from the NW facing balcony).    

I managed to record two image transmissions, the second fading as the ISS dipped behind our flat.

This time I used MMSSTV with VB Audio Cable to do the decoding.  It produced good results.

Diploma received on 31 December 2019

FT-8 and 10w on the Mag-Loop

I’ve not been all that active on the HF bands (nor any other bands for that matter), however I thought it was time to give it a go.  Being in a first-floor flat with only a balcony as real estate for an antenna farm, does reduce the options.  My Mag-Loop works reasonably well, but with the advent of digital modes like FT-8, all things have become possible.

In a couple of evening sessions we managed to work the following countries: -

Indonesia, West Malaysia, Switzerland, Belgium, Israel, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, European Russia, Asiatic Russia, France, Ukraine, Japan, Italy, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Sweden and a Maritime Mobile F5MYK/MM

All in all, very enjoyable and even a little addictive.

Kevin Johnson VK4UH - Meteor Scatter

If you want to know everything there is to know about Meteor Scatter, then this video is worth watching.  Kevin (VK4UH) really knows what he is talking about, not like so many charlatan, that claim expert status.

QCX Software updated to 1.03

I Just noticed that there have been a couple of software updates to the QCX since last I checked (1.01a).   On 3 December Hans Summers announced the release of software version 1.03 for the QCX.

As I don't update software all that often I thought I would take a screen shot so I'll have a record of which software I used (so I'll know for next time).

It only took a few minutes and without issue.

There is some added functionality, which includes the following: -
- CAT Control (TS-480 subset, see manual)
- Real time clock option, in bottom right of display, enabled by menu "7.8 Show clock"
- Clock will be automatically set from GPS if it is temporarily connected
- GPS plugged in, puts the radio in Practice mode AND does not key it anymore
- When GPS is plugged and removed, Practice mode is automatically switched off again
- Setting speed to 0, puts the QCX in Straight key mode
- Remove spurious short TX enable at power-up

There is an updated manual with additional info for Version 1.03 .

See: -
Custom splash and Clock function on p.101.
CAT Control commands (PC remote operation) on p.109.