Briefly I went on 10m 500mW WSPR. No spots. Now QRT.
30 Nov 2025
6m 5W FT8 (Sunday)
Late Sunday, I went on 6m FT8 with 5W to the V2000 vertical omni antennas. 5 English stations spotted me. Now QRT.
My favourite band - 10m
Over many years, I have had most fun on 10m. Initially, I was on SSB, AM and FM on that band with a low wire dipole. Of course, on 10m antennas are small and CB antennas usually work.
These days, because of my poor voice following my 2013 stroke, I use digital modes like FT8 and WSPR mostly.
DXCC was worked on 10m QRP SSB with a simple wire dipole over 40 years ago, so DX chasing is no longer important. I am more interested to see where my QRP is reaching. That's one of the joys of our hobby: there are so many different ways to enjoy it.
Before my stroke I enjoyed experimenting. I still do, but restrict myself to what I can do at home that does not require soldering or fine motor skills!
A real experimenter
Thanks to DX Explorer, I was pointed to the website of LA6NCA who is a true experimenter. I had not visited his site before. It also looks like he has a good range of test gear. Certainly a site for inspiration.
DX Explorer website
Just now I was watching a video on this website. Then I realised it was derived from one of my designs! I am flattered and hope he really has fun. He is eventually making a tiny PCB for it.
8m FT8 RX (Sunday)
Today, I am on 8m FT8 RX, more in hope than expectation, using my end-fed long wire antenna. I have no idea of the polar plot on 8m, but it has been used to copy CT, EA and G on 8m FT8.
UPDATE 1455z: No spots.
Time and consciousness
We think of time as absolute, but we experience time differently when we sleep deeply and indeed as we age. It may be that our understanding of time is totally wrong.
5MHz operation
Some years ago I tried WSPR on this band.
As I recall I used the coax up to my 2m big-wheel antenna and a mains ground. It worked and I got quite a few reports. The auto-ATU in the rig was used to match the random antenna.
Unfortunately, this part of the spectrum is controlled by the military in the UK. As a result, the UK has a fragmented set of allocations and has never adopted the WARC allocation. Although we are allowed more power and more spectrum, I personally would prefer a contiguous, if narrower, allocation at lower power.
To me, it is all too confusing. I suspect many do not use the band because they are confused by the allocations. There is a band plan on the RSGB site.
29 Nov 2025
2m ultra QRP FT8 (Saturday)
Although at 3.2mW I can see my 2m FT8 signal at the grabber at G0LRD, at 26km I cannot see myself on PSKreporter. I shall increase my power until I am I decoded.
UPDATE 1815z: Increased to 6.4mW. No decode.
UPDATE 1829z: Increased to 12mW. Decode appeared on PSKreporter (just).
UPDATE 1837z: Increased to 25mW. Decoding, but not reliably. I think both G0LRD and I have big-wheel omni antennas.
UPDATE 1900z: Increased power to 35mW. No decodes this time.
UPDATE 1917z: Increased power to 45mW. No decodes.The other variable is S/N at the RX. What I am looking for is what level I need to get reliable and repeatable decodes.
UPDATE 1928z: Increased power to 55mW. It would appear that I am being defeated by local noise. No decodes.
UPDATE 1940z: Increased power to 60mW. No decodes.
UPDATE 1958z: Increased power to 65mW. 2 people now spotting me.
UPDATE 2117z: Increased power to 100mW. A surprise QSO with M0WDN at 100mW with a 15dB attenuator in the input of the RX!! The S/N at G0LRD seems to vary widely suggesting he was pointing a beam in a different direction. I have now gone QRT.
Getting harder?
In all the years I have been involved in amateur radio (it started in 1961!) my main interest has been QRP (low power).
In recent years the local noise level especially in urban areas has gone up, mainly because we have more gadgets and chargers. These often use switched mode power supplies which can produce a lot of noise. Taken together these can increase the noise floor. The result is weak signals can be buried in the noise.
Sadly, this means QRP operation can be harder.
The problem is not so much the low power but the noise floor at the receiving end. If you have an electrically quiet QTH, you can still dig these signals out. Such sites are becoming rarer.
Probably there is a power below which it gets much harder. At very low power it is easy to be clobbered by a stronger station as well.
Thinking of the future, I suspect 5W QRP will be a good choice.
Trump pardons drug trafficker
Some times (many times actually) I question the motives of US President Trump.
Allegedly, he has just pardoned the former president of Honduras who was jailed for 45 years on drug trafficking charges. I find this at odds with the "make America great again" movement and keeping drugs out.
Many Americans voted for him, so I would be interested to hear their views.
15m 100mW FT8 (Saturday)
At 1217z, I changed from 100mW 15m WSPR to 15m 100mW FT8. Now, FT8 is about 10dB worse than WSPR, but there is more activity on FT8 these days.
UPDATE 1340z: Just. one spot of me by SP9WTC (1480km). Maybe I am being clobbered by a stronger station? Also, I suspect it is increasingly likely that QRP signals are now buried in noise, making QRP operation harder than it once was. Even with a 15dB attuenuator in circuit right next to the rig I am spotting 119 stations. This suggests an effective power of low watts if they were running 100W.
UPDATE 1708z: Well it helps if you use a 15m antenna! I discovered I was using my 2m big-wheel antenna rather than my end fed HF antenna. So I am surprised to have got any spots with 100mW 15m FT8.
Swaffham Prior
It is unusual having 2 churches in the same churchyard (don't ask me why!) and 2 windmills.
It is a sleepy village on a rare "hill" overlooking the fen.
100mW 15m WSPR (Saturday)
For a complete change I am trying 15m 100mW WSPR.
UPDATE 1117z: Just 6 spots from a station in Austria. These days, although less sensitive, there seems to be far more activity on FT8 than WSPR.
UPDATE 1212z: Still just 6 spots of me from OE3GBB/Q (1233km). If I was starting out, I think you are more likely to have success with QRPP on FT8 rather than WSPR. QSYed to FT8.
Ely Cathedral sun
The cathedral is at the top of the “hill “ and can be seen for miles around.
This was the sun shining through a stained glass window.
28 Nov 2025
2m 5W FT8 (Friday)
At about 1715z, I QSYed tp 2m FT8 with 5W to the big-wheel omni antenna.
UPDATE 1841z: Since about 1835z I have been vertically polarised with my V2000 vertical omni. This is fed with CB RG58 coax, so I would guess the ERP is similar. It seems to make little difference which rather supports the scatter theory.
So far 12 stations have spotted me with the furthest EI2FG (565km).
I am convinced this is some kind of scatter.
 |
| Stations spotting my 5W FT8 to the omni |
UPDATE 2125z: 22 stations in 6 countries spotted my 5W FT8 this evening. See map. Now QRT.
Talent
If I had tried to decorate them, they would have looked a mess!
10m 500mW WSPR (Friday)
My beacon was turned on at about 1425z.
UPDATE 1522z: 7 stations have spotted me so far. See map.
6m 5W FT8 (Friday)
My gear was turned on at about 1425z.
10m 2W FT8 (Friday)
UPDATE 1430z: 335 spots of me. See map of those spotting me. Now QSYed to 6m FT8 and 10m WSPR.
New cafe
Most Thursdays I spend some time in a nearby village whilst my wife attends a class. Usually I go shopping. Yesterday I went to a cafe which served an omelette and coffee at very reasonable prices. Service was good. I shall go there again.
27 Nov 2025
10m 2W FT8 (Thursday)
UPDATE 2105z: So far, 144 stations have spotted me. See map.
UPDATE 2139z: QRT. In the end 146 stations spotted me.
Thursday plans
Probably more 8m FT8 receive again. Yesterday was disappointing with nobody spotted .
26 Nov 2025
Memories?
If you live in the UK I wonder if you remember the French onion men? They were quite common in the 1950s.
They came across from France and travelled across England with onions strung over their shoulders. These onions in a UK supermarket reminded me of them.
Wednesday plans
Probably stick with 8m FT8 receive today. Spots are far fewer than on 6m, but already 3 countries spotted.
25 Nov 2025
Margaret are you grieving?
Today we heard the very sad news that my wife's brother has died. He was in hospital and was in pain. In the end he just slipped away.
At one time it was our parents dying. Now it is those of our generation who are passing away.
I am reminded of this poem by Gerard Mandley Hopkins.
"Márgarét, áre you grÃeving......"
Faroe Islands
A friend of mine on 365project (one photo a day and no connection with Microsoft 365) lives in the Faroe Islands and posts some amazing scenes. At this time of year it must be dark for a lot of the time. At my age I doubt very much I shall get there, but I enjoy the photos.
Black Friday sceptic
In recent years we appear to have adopted this American sales date in the UK. I cannot speak for the rest of Europe. Like Halloween, which was nothing years ago in the UK, this has grown enormously.
The common factor is commercialism. Anything that can help retailers make a profit must now be exploited. Research has shown that retailers often raise prices in the months before Black Friday so we think we are getting a real bargain in the Black Friday sales. I expect there are some exceptions, but do not be fooled. This is ultimately about making profits over a longer period and selling more Black Friday and Halloween merchandise.
As a child I had never heard about Halloween "trick or treat". In my view both Black Friday and making profits from Halloween both stink.
Reconsidering 8m TX permit
At the moment, I am undecided about submitting a new application for an 8m TX permit. I am unlikely ever to need modes except FT8, WSPR and CW and unlikely to need much power. I really just need 40.680-40.683MHz.
The best time would be to get active around February to catch any F2 and then the Es in the spring and summer. Also I might catch some F2 in autumn 2026.
I enjoy experimenting, but don't like the idea of paying. Maybe just one year? Thinking!
8m FT8 RX again (Tuesday)
Yet again, I am trying 8m FT8 RX on 40.680 MHz.
UPDATE 1158z: G8VER (66km) and CT7BIZ (1422km) spotted on 8m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 2016z: QRT.
24 Nov 2025
Times Radio on YouTube
Personally, I find the interviews on Times Radio very informative. I aiways advice seeking your news from many sources to avoid bias.
How small can you go?
This is a video about making a really tiny Pixie transceiver and some portable antennas.
Not been on TX today
As today was a family birthday, I was not at home much of the day. Instead, I stayed on 8m FT8 RX all day. I should be on TX on Tuesday.
23 Nov 2025
Ukraine
This is being written before Ukraine, the EU and Britain have responded to President Trump's 28 point peace plan, that seems to be heavily weighed in Russia's favour. I hope a mature discussion ensues and it ends with a fair (to all) settlement.
Personal view : I do not trust President Trump
Many people in the USA voted for President Trump. As far as I am aware, this was fair and they elected the person they wanted. I am in no position to comment on matters in the USA.
However, I am perfectly at liberty to express my personal view of his role on the world stage. Others may think very differently.
On the world stage I personally think President Trump has performed badly. This is my personal view. In the Ukraine and Gaza it would appear that the views of the common people have not been well considered.
He seems to be in the thrall of President Putin, the Israeli government Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyaho and Mohammed bin Salman. I get the impression he sees world stage diplomacy as real estate deals, rather than the lives of real people.
Can the IC-705 be widebanded without uncasing?
As many know I have held a TX permit for 8m in the UK.
In the past I have owned an FT-710 which can be put into "engineering mode" by pressing a combination of buttons without the need to uncase the rig and without invalidating the warranty. This allowed TX on 8m, although I never used the FT-710 outside the amateur bands. Instead I used my FT817ND that was widebanded by MLS. On the FT-710 it meant I could TX on 8m if I needed to, but never did.
I am wondering if there is a similar trick with the IC-705 (i.e. just button presses) which would give me TX on the IC-705 at 8m.
I am aware of the diode mod, but do not want to go inside the rig as I no longer trust my fine motor skills!
8m FT8 receive (Sunday)
My gear was turned on before breakfast.
UPDATE 1654z: Just G8VER (66km) spotted again. This is the Verulam Club in St.Albans.
If I get no more spots today, I may return to another band tomorrow.
UPDATE 1908z: No further stations spotting me. QRT.
22 Nov 2025
8m FT8 receive (Saturday)
My 8m dipole was taken down some months ago. This afternoon, just for fun, I am on 8m FT8 receive with my end-fed long wire. I have no idea at all how this works on 8m. Let's see if I get any spots. Also, I have no idea how sensitive the IC-705 is at 8m.
UPDATE 1621z: G8VER (66km) spotted. It works.
I remain extremely disappointed that so many PTTs seem to have a very negative attitude to 8m. A few PTTs have granted access to 8m, some for a limited time. As far as I know there have been NO reports of interference caused by those granted access. I object to having to pay to do valuable research especially when my own PTT (OFCOM) seems so negative.
UPDATE 1935z: I shall probably try 8m FT8 RX again tomorrow.
Bullies?
It appears to me that Ukraine is "between a rock and a hard place".
It looks like they are being offered a very poor deal over their heads by Russia and the USA.
If they do not accept the USA is likely to stop intelligence sharing and just walk away.
The world seems to be run by selfish individuals who are more interested in their own enrichment rather than that of their citizens.
Where are the leaders who put the interests of the common person ahead of rich billionaires?
10m 500mW WSPR (Saturday)
My beacon was turned on at about 1008z.
UPDATE 1932z: 14 stations so far spotting me. See table and map.
6m 5W FT8 (Saturday)
My gear was turned on at about 1010z.
UPDATE 1014z: So far, 6 English stations have spotted me.
Saturday plans
Today will probably be a repeat of late yesterday with 500mW 10m WSPR and 5W 6m FT8, but I have not decided yet.
21 Nov 2025
10m 500mW WSPR (Friday)
My beacon was turned on mid-afternoon.
UPDATE 2200z: Spotted by 6 stations. Now QRT.
6m 5W FT8 (Friday)
UPDATE 2150z: 19 stations have spotted me. QRT. See map.
View from the kitchen
We had our first heavy frost this morning. It was cold, but it is now sunny. We are lucky to look out of the kitchen and lounge on to a windmill and village museum.
Hope Cove, Devon, UK
My family can be traced continuously back to the mid 1500s in this Devon village. Most days I look at the webcam at the Cottage Hotel there to see the weather.
10m 2W FT8 (Friday)
My gear was turned on just before breakfast.
UPDATE 1520z: 249 stations have spotted me in 5 continents. Now QSYed to 6m FT8.
The nature of consciousness
We live in a world where of space and time where time seems to flow from the past into the future. What if time is an illusion and everything we have ever experienced is always there? We have a lot to learn!!
20 Nov 2025
6m 5W FT8 (Thursday)
UPDATE 1825z: 18 stations have spotted me. The furthest is ZS4TX/6 (8766km). See map.
10m 500mW WSPR (Thursday)
My beacon was turned on at about 1300z.
UPDATE 1646z: 8 stations spotting me with several in the USA.
London theatre trip yesterday
19 Nov 2025
London trip
No radio today
As were in London much of the day, I was not on the radio today, but hope to be tomorrow. Probably 6m 5W FT8 and 10m 500mW WSPR.
Kierkgaard quote about life
There is a famous quote by the Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard about life. It is pretty profound.
"Life can only be understood backwards. But must be lived forwards."
AI voice?
As many know, I had a stroke in 2013 that left me with a totally poor voice that many find hard to understand. Before my stroke I made quite a few YouTube videos, so I have quite a few samples of what I used to sound like.
My wife has suggested I use these to create an AI voice of me as I once sounded. I have never tried AI for this, but it sounds a good idea. The first stage will be to collect some audio samples from YouTube and then recreate my old voice using an AI tool.
If you know of suitable (preferably free) tools, please let me know as soon as possible.
18 Nov 2025
More from Times Radio
This video was on YouTube earlier. It includes a piece about the disappearance of Sergei Lavrov who is the Russia Foreign Minister who seems to have "dropped off the radar" in recent weeks. Apparently he is very bright and has been a real supporter of President Putin of Russia.
Search engine gripe
Have you noticed that when you search for something often the site at the top of the search (which many people click first) is NOT the main site you are looking for?
Unless you are very careful, you are linked to some other site. I noticed this recently when I tried to donate to a charity. The first site was nothing at all to do with the site I was after.
Today, I was looking for another site and the first link (presumably paid for) was nothing at all to do with the site I was after. Personally I find this morally wrong and sneaky.
AI and data centres
There is no doubt that AI consumes hugs amounts of power. We have some way to go to match the memory and processing power of the human brain. I am sure this will get better with time although we are a long way away at present.
So far I have been very impressed with Gemini AI that renders old black and white photos in colour in just seconds.
This creates a moral dilemma: we all want the benefits of AI without its power-hungry nature.
10m 2W FT8 (Tuesday)
UPDATE 1832z: So far, spotted by 354 stations. See map.
FT710 and IC7300mk2
The FT-710 scores very highly on the Sherwood tests. I do not think the latest ICOM rig has been tested, although the mark 1 was somewhat lower down. For most people most of the time these numbers are academic.
Both rigs cover up to 70MHz. I know the FT710 can be widebanded without uncasing. I am not sure about the IC7300mk2.
The Yaesu radio is considerably less expensive in the UK and comes with a Yaesu cashback. I think Yaesu offers a 3 year warranty.
I am sure both are good radios.
17 Nov 2025
Another day off the radio
As I was in Cambridge most of the day, I decided not to go on the radio today.
VHF magnetic loop antenna
VK3YE is a real experimenter. This is a recent video describing the use of a tin can as a VHF loop antenna.
16 Nov 2025
Times Radio on YouTube
Most days I try to watch TimesRadio on YouTube. I find watching these most informative. They tend to interview lots of different people who have views on the international affairs.
Day off radio
This morning we went shopping and our son and grandson came for lunch, so I am having a day off the radio.
6m 5W FT8 yesterday
15 Nov 2025
6m 5W FT8 (Saturday)
At about 1645z, I QSYed to 6m QRP FT8.
UPDATE 1650z: Spotted by 3 English stations.
10m 4W FT8 (Saturday)
UPDATE 1653z: So far, spotted by 519 stations today. See map. Now QSYed to 6m.
14 Nov 2025
Frontline for Times Radio
This is a YouTube channel I look at quite often for world news. They frequently interview some important people on the world stage.
As I often say, it is important to get your news from multiple sources to minimise bias.
CB and amateur radio
It is a while since I listened on 11m CB, but in the past the CB band was busy when the 10m amateur band appeared to be dead.
It is my view that at some point in the future there will be a merging of amateur radio and CB. I have come across an online SDR which monitors the CB band from the UK.
Born in a stately home!
After WW2 Flete House in Devon was a nursing home. This is where I was born. At the time we lived in a council house.
13 Nov 2025
Old photo
The validity of this photo is not known. I first saw it well before AI! If correct, it is probably a photo of a human being born in the 1700s
Working Antarctica
This may be a rare chance to work a station in Antarctica although you might have to be quick as I think the station is only active for a few days.
Soham
Soham is a fenland town about 8km from our village. This was a view earlier with the church behind the trees.
Autumn in our village
Many trees in our village have lost their leaves until the spring when new buds will form and the cycles go on as they have for millions of years.
70cm FT8
Last evening 34 stations were spotted in the activity contest on 70cm FT8. See map. This is typical . Amazing.
12 Nov 2025
70cm FT8 activity contest (Wednesday)
This evening is the 70cm FT8 activity contest organised by the RSGB. I think the contest in Europe starts earlier.
UPDATE 1813z: Already spotted 8 stations with the furthest PA2WDR (280km). My antenna is just the 144MHz big-wheel omni.
UPDATE 1946z: 29 stations spotted with the most distant EI8KD (518km). See map,
More on solid state batteries for electric cars
Last week I mentioned solid state batteries.
For years, we have heard a lot of hype about these that promise lower costs, greater range and no rare earths.
It would appear we are now getting closer. I saw this video which compares various approaches.
IC-705 Portable?
If I was ICOM develepment now I would be working on a true handheld version of the IC-705. They have the electronics, so just need to re-develop the mechanics. There has never been a decent replacement of the FT817 by Yaesu.
Should such a product come to market, ICOM could make a killing.
New DX Explorer video
The Pititico is a really simple 1 transistor transceiver.
See https://yo6dxe.com .
11 Nov 2025
6m 5W FT8 (Tuesday)
To finish today, I went on 6m 5W FT8 with the V2000 vertical omni antenna.
UPDATE 1904z: Just the usual English spots.
2m 10mW FT8 (Tuesday)
After going QRT on 10m I went to 2m 10mW FT8 using to big-wheel omni antenna. Although barely visible on the grabber at G0LRD (25km) the other side of Cambridge, it was decoded.
What can you believe?
If you look on YouTube you could believe anything.
Many of the videos are now created using AI, so the only thing you can be sure of is "this could be incorrect". It is getting harder and harder to tell what is real and what is fake.
Unless you are absolutely sure it is safer to assume everything is fake!
Son's 1998 prank
Recently, quite by accident, I found an old letter supposed to have been written by the editor of RSGB RadCom inviting me to write a series of articles. I recall being very flattered at the time and boasting to my family.
Then the boys told me it was an elaborate hoax!! They made a very convincing letter as I was quite taken in!
QSL cards
In recent years I have not sent out many QSL cards, but I have received several recently by email.
Most have been useless as the date is shown as 0000.00.00 which must be an error as in this example. I am happy to confirm the contact as long as the details are correct, not otherwise.
I think these are sent out by email when the amateur subscribes.
10mW 10m FT8 (Tuesday)
Today, I am on 10m FT8 with 10mW to see how it goes. The gear was turned on about 0945z.
UPDATE 1020z: No TX spots. It is interesting that I am receiving stations from all over the planet. This implies they could run 15dB less power and still be copied if the attenuator was not there. I guess at 10mW I am more likely to be crushed by a stronger station or be below their noise floor.
UPDATE 1125z: Spots by YL3NF (1567km) and IZ0EWJ (1546km) . Even 10mW FT8 works! I think 5W is far easier, but I shall leave it at 10mW all day.
UPDATE 1420z: Spotted by 7 stations when I was running 10mW FT8 today.
10 Nov 2025
Is Russia heading for recession?
With oil prices falling and increasing sanctions causing China and India to think twice before buying Russian oil (its major export) there is a danger of the Russian economy being in serious trouble.
Solid state batteries
Most agree that electric cars are not there yet.
Early adopters have to contend with lithium-ion batteries, where lithium is in short supply (and often mined by children), limited range, high prices and long charging times.
If ranges were significantly improved, charging would be needed less often. Also price puts many off currently. One answer that always seems to be "just around the corner" are solid state batteries. These promise greater ranges, lower prices and no rare materials.
These seem nearly there, but not quite. With all the research it is likely this will come, but when?
9 Nov 2025
Monday plans
At the moment I am not sure about Monday. I may try 23cm beacon hunting with my SDR receiver or even lower power on 10m FT8. If there is thunder around I may just stay off the air.
Spitting Image
This was originally on terrestrial television, but is now on YouTube. I imagine they avoid some of the censorship this way.
50mW 10m FT8 (Sunday)
I have used the GE3 prefix to distinguish the 50mW signals.
UPDATE 1304z: 59 stations have spotted my 10m 50mW FT8 today. Furthest is OX3HI (3173km).
UPDATE 1449z: 84 stations spotting me. Nothing from the USA or Canada yet.
UPDATE 2012z: 97 stations have spotted me with the furthest KW7MM (8476km) in Arizona. See map.
8 Nov 2025
Day off the radio?
Today, I shall probably not go on the radio. On Sunday I may give 10m FT8 a try with 50mW.
Obscene?
I have just heard that the richest man in the world has just got a salary package that could be worth an extra $1trillion.
When some in the world are starving, I find this obscene. Meanwhile the poor get even poorer.
Some advert for democracy - NOT.
Web SDRs
There are quite a few SDRs (software defined radios) connected to the internet often with extensions so you can decode your favourite modes. It is fun to take a listen to these.
I was listening on 10m FT8 via http://sdr.gb0snb.com:8073/ which uses an active loop by George Smart M1GEO called the Wellgood loop. See https://www.george-smart.co.uk/projects/wellgood-loop/ .
A search on Google or similar will produce a list. of webSDRs. Alternatively see https://rsgb.org/main/operating/web-sdr-receiver/.
7 Nov 2025
USA government shutdown
Not being a politician, I am unclear about the government shutdown in the USA, but it must be costing a lot to the USA economy. I can see this becoming a massive issue.
10m 500mW FT8 (Friday)
Without an external attenuator, 500mW FT8 is the lowest power I can run from my IC-705. It was turned on at about 0945z.
UPDATE 1036z: So far, spotted by 83 stations. It is still too easy!! Furthest is RN4WA (3365km).
UPDATE 1433z: 231 stations have spotted me including VO1CH (3737km). See map. I think I'll stick with 500mW today, but might try 50mW 10m FT8 another day. At 500mW FT8, I have no problem at all getting lots of spots on 10m. Furthest is a spot by HZ1BQ (4465km).
UPDATE 1640z: 250 stations have spotted my 10m 500mW FT8. Furthest is W4SPF (7202km).
UPDATE 1708z: QRT.
2m activity contest last Tuesday
Every month, despite my poor voice I go on the 2m and 70cm activity contests (UKAC) organised by the RSGB. It may be me, but I am sense there are fewer people taking part.
Perhaps it is me, but maybe the higher local noise floors in urban areas are making it harder for QRP stations. Certainly, I generally work fewer 2m stations, whereas I don't have the same problem on 70cm. in fact I usually work more now on 70cm SSB!
 |
| Where I was spotted with 2m 10W SSB to the big-wheel omni antenna |
On FT8 with half the power I am regularly spotted on 2m in GI and EI at well over 400km. It seems to me that on 2m FT8 it is far easier.
6 Nov 2025
2m 5W FT8 (Thursday)
My 2m FT8 gear was turned on at about 1820z.
UPDATE 1857z: So far, 11 spots of me with furthest GI6ATZ (479km).
UPDATE 1922z: QRT.
6m 5W FT8 (Thursday)
My gear was turned on at about 1145z.
The Tenner QRP CW transceiver
It is also on my website.
It has worked plenty of DX.
FTX-1 and IC-705 head to head
In the end, if you are choosing between these two transceivers, it will be a personal decision based on the way you operate.
Another factor is price with the IC705 considerably less expensive than the FTX-1 in the UK. In this video, both are compared. The IC-705 has more features built in.
Personally, I would not pay the extra for the FTX-1. If it was the same price as the IC-705 it might be a harder decision!
Village centre?
Perhaps the village centre could be considered as near our local co-op shop where there are a few shops together as in the photo.
5 Nov 2025
Wars
We live in more uncertain times with people seeming more angry than they were, In many nations the rich are getting richer and the poor poorer.
In my view, this widening gap between rich and poor is a pointer towards revolution, when the poor say "enough is enough". Sadly, rich billionaires control most of the media and ways by which people communicate.
I really hope revolution in many nations can be avoided. I hope that those voted into high office look beyond "feathering their own nests" and look to really improve the lot of the common man.
What is happening in the USA is a poor advert for democracy. What is happening in Russia is troubling too.
6m 5W FT8 (Wednesday)
My gear was turned on at about 1120z.
UPDATE 1634z: 30 stations have spotted me . See map. It seems that almost all times I go on 6m QRP FT8 TX, I get spotted in mainland Europe.
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