This week's BG radio news

Space weather deserves attention, while new software projects are expanding the possibilities at the workbench and in the shack. This week’s stories range from compact field stations and DX to satellites, emergency communications and Nordic events.

Space weather and HF emergency readiness

In its outlook for further M-class flares on 7 October, DARC describes moderate solar activity, with two smaller M-class flares and a slowly recovering ionosphere. It gives probabilities of 45% for M-class and 5% for X-class events. Reports of a new sunspot region and increased solar wind also point to possible disruption of northerly HF paths and opportunities for VHF aurora.

The NOAA stories cover a Type II radio burst with an estimated speed approaching 950 km/s, a G1–G2 storm watch and a G2 storm reaching K-index 6. These are separate reports rather than one forecast for the entire week. For operators in Denmark, the effects at high latitudes are particularly relevant: a chance of northern lights does not mean stable HF propagation.

Back on Earth, Hurricane Watch Net is monitoring Invest 92L, which ARRL described on 6 October as potentially developing into Tropical Storm Isaias. The area from Louisiana to Florida was the focus, but the net had not been activated. If activated, it uses 14.325 MHz USB during daylight and 7.268 MHz LSB from 1900 EDT through the night as propagation permits—frequencies worth recognising when listening across the Atlantic.

Microcontrollers take on radio duties

Zoltan Doczi’s ESP32-SDR update uses a ring buffer across three SRAM banks to eliminate gaps in on-chip spectrum output. Real I/Q is available at up to 250 ksps, whereas the full spectrum-only output cannot be demodulated. Jochen, DA2JH, takes the idea further with esp32-sdr-trx, offering reception from 1.84 to 2.79 GHz and FM/SSB transmission on 13 cm. Only one board and one Linux host have been tested; transmit power is uncalibrated and harmonics have not been measured.

For measurement and reception experiments, Peter Holzhauser’s ESPsoup pairs an ESP32-C5 with a phone or PC for use on 2.4 and 5 GHz. Features include a spectrum display up to 80 MHz wide, sweeping and GPS-enabled heatmaps. On the PC, ChronAlert brings together APRS, ADS-B and AIS through RTL-SDR, along with Meshtastic messages, while sdrtop provides a terminal-based view of sample rates and data streams.

Software for reception and digital modes

The browser takes on several roles: OFFgrid-SDR runs offline through WebUSB from a single HTML file, without server software. FernSDR, by contrast, is server software for sharing receivers with simultaneous listeners. For digital operating, HamRadioWeb’s Android app provides local-network control of FT8 through WSJT-X or JTDX. On iPhone, APRS Connect offers free messaging over APRS-IS, with radio hardware integration requiring the Pro version.

M17 has released both gr-m17 v1.0.0 for GNU Radio and rpi-dashboard v1.2.0. The former supports SDR transmission and reception; the dashboard adds password protection for settings changes and fixes security issues. Signal quality is now displayed as bit error rate averaged over the entire voice stream. For Danish node builders, this is therefore an operational and security update, and the project recommends downloading and running the latest installer.

The field station, from antenna to accessories

John, VA3KOT, revisits the Long Tall Sally 20-metre antenna, which lengthens the radiator of an elevated quarter-wave vertical while shortening its radials. The motivation is a less conspicuous portable setup and greater consideration for other people using public spaces. A similarly practical approach informs Thomas, K4SWL’s choice of KX2 side rails, where the front cover and USB-C charging board influence the combination. His mcHF field kit went to William B. Umstead State Park, US-2755, on 7 September.

Compact accessories from KM4CFT include paddles and mini microphones, plus a speaker upgrade for the CFT1v1, although not the v2’s SWR meter. The V3 paddles address magnetic-mount problems during operation. Field equipment does not always cooperate, as VE6LK’s two unsuccessful SOTA attempts demonstrate through technical and weather-related difficulties. For further preparation, SSA introduces a Swedish book on portable radio, covering antennas, equipment choices and SOTA/POTA.

DX, contests and amateur radio gatherings

DX hunters can look for VE9MY/P and VE9GLF/P from NA-068 and 3A/WE9G from Monaco. Also reported are C6AQQ from the Bahamas and expected activity by TU7EI from Côte d’Ivoire. The available information does not provide specific operating schedules or QSL routes. The week 41 contest overview offers another starting point for weekend operating, while the W9KNI profile looks back at Bob Locher’s DX career, Honor Roll achievement and work as a Bencher co-founder and author.

The social side features in TX Factor’s visit to National Hamfest, where Dominic, M0BLF, discusses Camb-Hams’ experience with QO-100. Closer to Denmark, preparations are under way for SSA’s annual meeting in Sundsvall on 23–25 April 2027. Quality Hotel Sundsvall will be the base for accommodation and the banquet, with programme and booking information to follow.

Satellites, space science and forthcoming listening

AMSAT-Deutschland’s ERMINAZ-2 report and DARC’s coverage of the first signals give satellite listeners an opportunity to contribute telemetry. The AMSAT ANS-277 bulletin and weekly ANS-277 overview provide further satellite news. DARC marks World Space Week, while a planned British ARISS school contact will connect pupils with the ISS. For an astronomical perspective, Webb’s images of NGC 7129 reveal star formation 3300 light-years away through infrared observations of dust-hidden stars.

Looking ahead, SAQ’s planned United Nations Day transmission on 17.2 kHz offers a specific listening opportunity, with reception reports welcomed. ESPsoup’s developer plans to add RTL-SDR support in approximately two weeks. Also watch for SSA’s continuing programme announcements and any updates on Hurricane Watch Net activation.