Now this is what I call a quartz crystal

Pictures from yesterday's SOTA activation of Corndon Hill (GW/MW-013). I had been trying out a new configuration of my "holiday" antenna, a 1/4 wave "linked" vertical for 20 and 17 metres. Best dx was to Japan on 17. Planned other hills but got invited to a friend's home and got distracted 🙂 #SOTA

🎶 Hello Corndon my old friend. Nice to walk on you again. 🎶 Start of the climb up Corndon Hill (GW/MW-013). Calling SOTA soon 🙂

The world seems very dark and grey at the moment but spring is not far away. Snowdrops are showing and daffodils won't be far behind.

Today's mood.

In Bath for the weekend. Walked the longest publicly accessible tunnel in the UK, the 1672m (just over a mile) Combe Down Tunnel 🙂

Current choice of favourite games. These are all I can get on the shelf 🙂

First time in over 20 years I have no aerials up for bands below 4m. Three main feeds for the antennas at the bottom of the garden were pulled back so they wouldn't get damaged while my fallen tree was removed. Cables are still in perfect condition 🙂

Was told a piece of equipment wouldn't charge batteries anymore. Think it tried a bit too hard 🙂

..... once the correct firmware for the hardware was loaded, and the configuration settings updated, another working Lora APRS has been added to my collection.

First power-up and greeted with what appears to be a bad display. But quickly worked out why.........

Well, hopefully, the New Year will start better than the end of the last. The chest infection and tummy problems I've had over Christmas have started to clear and I can feel a little more positive about recovering some fitness. I hope we can navigate the year ahead safely. Happy New Year.

Eyes not that bad

Been Here

If you were opposite here in October 1988 what were you doing? And if not why?

Tree must have had a late night, not got up yet.

439MHz LoRa APRS i-Gate is now properly boxed. Mobile, portable and home complete and working. Bored now 😉 What next 🤔

Part way through boxing up a 439MHz LoRa APRS tracker for use in my 'van or car.

More spaghetti 🙂 My QO-100 ground station (SG-Labs transverter) had been running with two separate Leo Bodnar GPSDOs for RX and TX since I built it. I've been testing with his new 2 port unit which has far better frequency resolution. Once happy I'll rebox it. #qo-100 #satellite

I really do need to tidy up my mobile 439MHz LoRa tracking set-up if I want to take a passenger 🙂 A suitable box has been ordered.

Starting to build a picture of the common routes, in my reception range, myself and others that are using 439MHz LoRa trackers take.

70cm LoRa APRS users. What antennas are you using? Had a long trip out mobile yesterday and was disappointed in the lack of coverage away from home. Mobile I was using a tiny 1/4 wave mag-mount. Home i-Gate is currently attached to a tri-band vertical above the roof-line.

Writing the January VHF column for Practical Wireless tomorrow. Done anything on VHF/UHF recently? Email me and I’ll include it in the column (email good on QRZ)

Slo-mo showing the reception of a LoRa spread-spectrum APRS beacon chirp.

For my portable 439MHz LoRa APRS tracker I have reused the waterproof box that originally contained a Byonics 144MHz tracker. I had lost interest in APRS on 2m due to poor coverage, but for now, low power LoRa is holding my attention 🙂

She is all ok now, but a couple of months ago May had to have an operation to repair a bad wound. She really looked sorry for herself in a little red jacket and "cone of shame".

Ali found a hiding spot.

First post. My LoRa 439MHz APRS coverage is getting hot!