144MHz FT8 activity contest

The 2m FT8 activity contest is this evening. I am on RX only. 

UPDATE 1927z: It never fails to amaze me how far away stations can be copied on FT8. I have already copied stations along way away in many countries. See map.

2m activity contest last evening

Last evening was the June 2023 2m activity contest (UKAC). 

Conditions were well up, but I found it very hard work with my 2.5W to the big-wheel omni. I guess this is a combination of several factors.  Firstly, my low ERP is obviously a handicap with stronger signals being copied over me. Secondly, I have a very poor voice, not cut out to "outshout" others. Thirdly, I have no compressor, so my signal lacks punch. 

In the end 6 stations were worked before I gave up. These days, I find FT8 easier as I do not need to "outshout" other stations. To be honest, I am no longer attracted to VHF/UHF voice contests.

2m UKAC (November)

Last night was the 2m November leg of the activity contest run by the RSGB. I noticed my antenna had a very high VSWR, so I stopped after just one contact. I have no idea why this was, but must see what it is now.

UPDATE 1005z:  Still high VSWR this morning. On a dummy load VSWR is low. On RX hearing the Kent beacon normally.

Amazing DX on 2m

EI7GL's blog has a report on the excellent 2m (144MHz) QSOs between Argentina and the Caribbean recently via TEP.

Seee https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/ .

2m FT8 activity contest this evening

Some East Europeans have started 2m and 70cm FT8 activity contests each month. I shall take part in the 2m session tonight.

See https://www.ft8activity.eu/index.php/en/

2m activity contest

This evening was the monthly 2m leg of the RSGB's activity contest(UKAC), that I missed last month as I was on holiday.

Again, my poor voice did not help and I could only stay on for about 50 minutes only. My 5W to the big-wheel omni netted me some decent QSOs as the map shows.

2m FT8 RX

Yet again, I am monitoring 2m FT8. Already 7 stations in 3 countries spotted with best DX DF6PW (633km). This sort of DX is spotted every day on 2m with this mode.

UPDATE 1219z: Now 12 stations in 4 countries spotted today so far on 2m FT8 RX.

2m FT8

Overnight, I remained on 2m FT8 RX. Even when the contest was over, there was still plenty of DX around. Most people appear have moved to WSJT-X V2.0 now.

Best DX at the moment is GW6TEO (371km) in west Wales.

UPDATE 1124z:  10 different stations in 4 countries spotted so far today on 2m FT8 RX with best DX DF6PW (633km).

UPDATE 1634z: Now 30 stations in 6 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1832z: Now 36 stations in 7 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1902z: These are the stations spotted today on the 2m big-wheel omni antenna on 2m FT8 RX.

2m contest

There is a contest currently on 2m (MGM). I am monitoring FT8 RX with the big-wheel omni antenna.

Best DX was DF6PW (633km). Currently 6 countries spotted this morning. At the moment, nothing special: these sort of distances are possible every day by aircraft reflection on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1540z: I think the contest ended at 1400z. Busy on 2m FT8, but perhaps not much different to a normal "flat" day?

UPDATE 2107z: Still on 2m FT8 and still spotting good DX, presumably via aircraft.

Geminid meteor shower

A reminder that this peaks tonight, so often MS DX is possible using the ionised trails of meteors as they burn up. Try 2m perhaps with  MSK144 or FT8.

2m activity contest this evening (UKAC)

If you are in Europe, the RSGB organised UKAC 2m session for November takes place this evening at 8pm UK clock time (2000z). Even if you do not enter the contest then activity is usually good, so plenty of stations to try and work. I normally go on for the first 30-60 minutes running 5W to the omni antenna.

UPDATE 2140z: 7 contacts with the best 116km with 5W and the omni antenna. Not great, but fun. As usual , very restricted on-air time because of poor voice.

Stations worked on 2m in UKAC this evening

2m UKAC contest results

The results of the 2m UKAC activity contest for October have been published. Apparently my position has improved. Seeing I use 5W to an omni and usually stay on for less than 60 minutes, I am quite pleased. I do not take contests too seriously.

See https://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/vhfresults.pl?Contest=144MHz%20UKAC&year=2018

Liner-2 2m SSB rig

How many remember the Liner-2? For me, it transformed 2m operation.

Back in the 1970s it was the ubiquitous rig for DXing on 2m in the UK and rest of Europe.

Coupled with a 30W linear and 9 el Tonna antenna, this was the rig of choice for many. They had plenty wrong with them, but I look back on mine with fond affection.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/liner2

2m UKAC RSGB activity contest

In the October leg of the 2m UKAC RSGB activity contest, I made 6 QSOs in the short time I was on. Best DX was G6DOD/P (216km) on the Isle of Wight. As usual I was using 5W and the big-wheel omni antenna.

2m activity contest this evening

The October leg of the 2m activity contest (UKAC) organised by the RSGB starts at 1900z this evening. I usually enter and send a log in, although I rarely stay on long because of my poor voice. 30-60 minutes and I am done in!

I run 5W to my big-wheel omni antenna. These days, I seem to work (or get spotted) far further with 2m FT8, which does not strain my voice. Most contests I work out to about 200km on SSB. My best is much further.

As I have said many times before, this is a very friendly contest with lots of activity. If you don't want to, there is no compulsion to send in a log. It is a great chance to work a few new stations and squares. As I usually work fewer than 10 stations it is quick to transcribe my logs.

UPDATE 2040z: I was late on tonight and could not stop on long. 6 stations worked in 5 squares with 5W and the omni antenna. I have yet to work out the best DX.

2m activity contest tonight

The September leg of the RSGB's UKAC activity contest starts at 1900z and lasts for 2.5 hours. If I remember the contest is on (!), I usually come on for a part. Usually I manage about 30-60 minutes before my voice cries, "stop!". The contest is usually busy and friendly.

In the end, 9 contacts with my 5W and big-wheel omni antenna. Best DX was M0DXR/P on the Isle of Wight.

144MHz FT8 tomorrow?

Most 2m FT8 activity is on 144.174MHz. As the Es season is drawing to a close now, I may move back to 2m FT8 using the big-wheel omni antenna.

Richard G3TFX suggested I compare the big-wheel horizontal omni with my V2000 omni vertical. There was little difference suggesting the most common propagation on 2m FT8 was by reflections off planes.

Of course some reception may be tropo, so I'll stick with the big-wheel. Mind you, if you only have a vertical stick on 2m then try it, as you may be very surprised. I was surprised that DX that I could rarely hear was commonplace on 2m FT8.

I may swap to 2m FT8 later so I catch the Perseids meteor shower peak during the night.

Storms? 2m UKAC OK?

As you know, I keep a close watch on storms and disconnect everything if there is a threat nearby. At the moment most of the storms seem to be over northern Brittany and just north of Paris. They are many hours away and we may miss them altogether.

Tonight is the August 2m leg of the activity contest (UKAC) organised by the RSGB. Assuming there is no storm threat, I'll put in an appearance for 30 minutes or so starting around 1900z on SSB. If there are storms nearby, I'll give it a miss. Last month, conditions were very good.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/#m=oss;t=2;s=0;o=0;b=;ts=0;

UPDATE  1849z: The storms have crossed the channel and seem to be approaching Kent. At the moment, I think we should miss most of the storms, at least until late tonight.

UPDATE 1957z: 6 SSB contacts in the 2m UKAC, with best DX 229km.  Not bad for 5W, big-wheel omni, useless voice and just 37 minutes of operating.

2m UKAC contest last week

Results for this evening activity contest (held a week ago) have now been published.  Because of my poor voice I only stay on for a short period.

From the results it shows I've climbed to 67th out of 153 in the low power section. Conditions were good last week and a German near Hamburg was worked which is not bad for 5W and a big wheel.

Although very far from a "real" contester, this and the 70cm UKAC contests are friendly and enjoyable: they are good for my voice and often get me a few new squares.

2m Activity Contest (UKAC organised by the RSGB)

Last night, as usual, I went on the 2m UKAC activity contest last night. Best DX (5W to an omni big wheel) was DK0IZ (646km). In all, 11 different stations were worked although I was operating for just 30 minutes. Conditions were up.