Author Archives: PA2S

50 MHz propagation reports April 2023

April 2023 was less “productive” when compared with March. The F2 electron density at moderate to high latitudes is greater during winter than in summer, especially at times of enhance solar activity [1]. This implies that the F2 critical frequencies become lower towards the summer season in the northern hemisphere. During previous cycles, most openings… Continue reading »

50 MHz propagation reports March 2023

March 2023 was an interesting month. It reminded me of March 1979, when first 6 metre amateur signals were heard. After many times trying, I was amazed to hear the ZS6PW beacon on the 12th of March. The station consisted of an indoor dipole on the attic, connected to a converter from 50 to 14… Continue reading »

50 MHz Cycle 25 reporting

50 MHz Cycle 25 reporting

There were times that reports were collected by editors of newsletters. PA0BN edited the Dutch VHF bulletin for many years and my observations were sent to him to merge with those of other active amateurs. The newsletters were a joy to read. Nowadays, there are many blogs and fora, resulting in a lot but distributed… Continue reading »

High mains voltage due to solar panels

High mains voltage due to solar panels

Last week an electrolytic Capacitor had failed in a 70’s measuring instrument (HP 8445B preselector). The capacitor in question is a smoothing capacitor in the power supply assembly. It stopped smoothing, but shorted the whole supply out. Poof, fuse blown. Thank goodness for that! Not much time that moment, so something for the next day…. Continue reading »

Between Dusk and Dawn

Our radio friends in New Zealand informed me that the article on 60 metre propagation was published in the NZART magazine “Break-In”. Below, a link to the article as I submitted it. 60_metre_EU_ZL_propagation_PA2S Summary (taken from the longer version of the study) The author, radio amateur, became intrigued by ionospheric propagation during the late 70’s… Continue reading »