It has been foggy all day, so on my return from Cambridge, I have gone on 2m QRP (5W) FT8. So far (at 1835z) stations have been spotted in 3 countries. I have been spotted by 13 stations across England so far.
UPDATE 2140z: 16 spots of me in 4 countries, with the furthermost F6EGD (472km),
Last evening, I went on 2m FT8 QRP. My signal was spotted by 8 stations (no QSOs) and I spotted 15 stations with the furthermost F6APE (553km). Almost as far was DB9VE (551km). My antenna remains the big-wheel omni.
For the first time, I submitted an entry for this 2m FT8 UKAC activity contest. It was surprising not to see a list of affiliated societies. If it was there, I missed it.
This being the case, I am unlikely to submit an entry in future. The only reason I entered a score was to help CDARC. I could enjoy the activity without submitting an entry.
Starting at 1900z, tonight is the 2m FT8 activity contest (UKAC). Although I often go on with my 5W and omni antenna, I rarely actually submit an entry. I might do this evening.
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| Stations spotting my 5W 2m FT8 this evening |
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| 71 stations spotted on 2m FT8 RX this evening |
The RSGB 2m activity contest (UKAC) is on this evening. I hope to take part briefly with my QRP station.
There is an RSGB FT8 activity contest starting at 1900z, but I think there is a European contest earlier.
UPDATE 2021z: 86 stations spotted on 2m FT8 this evening (see map). I was spotted by 5 stations with the furthermost G7RAU in Cornwall.
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| 2m RX this evening |
I only stayed on for under an hour (poor voice), but there seemed fewer people on even though conditions were better than normal.
Perhaps more people prefer FT8 for contests than SSB? I think the 2m FT8 activity contest is this evening. I often come on, but do not submit a result.
Next Tuesday evening is the 70cm activity contest. Most use SSB.
Almost immediately this resulted in a QSO with G3TKF (221km) as well as 9 spots of me including one by G7RAU (461km) in Cornwall (see map).
3 stations spotted on 2m FT8 RX this morning.
UPDATE 1133z: 7 stations spotted on RX and 11 stations have spotted me on 2m QRP FT8.
UPDATE 1332z: 9 stations have been spotted on RX here today with the furthermost DO7JVK (419km) in Germany. On QRP TX, I have been spotted by 13 unique stations today. Imagine if I had a beam!
Every month I enter this UKAC activity contest. I can only run 10W to my big-wheel omni and because of my poor voice I manage an hour. Results were published today and, surprise, surprise, I am in the top half of the low power section. My points go to the Cambridge club CDARC. In the 70cm UKAC I gave up.
My 2m FT8 system is just the FT817ND with my big-wheel omni antenna. Despite this, I have already been spotted on Anglesey by GW8IZR (337km).
I think FT8 allows even QRP stations to access some sort of troposcatter on 2m.
As mentioned earlier today, this is probably true on 70cm or 23cm although activity is far lower. It is a pity some beacons on these higher VHF and UHF bands don't have FT8 as part of their transmission cycles.
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| 5W pep QRP 2m SSB contacts last evening |
I think tonight is the FT8 activity contest. I sometimes go on, but rarely submit results.
UPDATE 1301z: My VHF power max was set to 5W, so last night all my QSOs were with 5W pep, not 10W!!
Since I released my free G3XBM Project Scrapbook, I have already thought of some things that I have left out!
I also made a 100mW AM transmitter with very pre-emphasised speech and heavy clipping. This was extremely punchy and effective.
In the photo, the rig on the bottom right was a 10m 1W CW TX. It was my first experience of HF, with a loft dipole. Later, I made a 10m PA to increase the power. I think this was to 25W. It was far too much for me!
At the time, my 2m antenna was a hand rotated, 2 element, HB9CV in the loft, that I could turn from the operating position.
Sadly, I no longer have schematics for these rigs, but I shall add reference to these in the next edition, by which time I might remember more, HI.
You often hear the cry "2m is dead these days". It is true that fewer people come on the band just for a chat as, these days, they can do this with video for free locally or across the world on the Internet. My XYL chats with an old friend in Australia on video and it is like she is in the same room. I am also amused when our club Zoom talks are given by someone 5000km away! In many ways the Internet has shrunk our planet and we feel more connected.
Back to 2m. These days there are far more modes, some which require far less bandwidth, yet can go a very long way. An example is FT8 which works with signals far weaker than SSB or CW. I have found that unheard of DX seems possible at just about any time on 2m QRP with an omni antenna. By the way, FT8 needs just 50 Hz of bandwidth whereas SSB typically needs 2400 Hz.
Yes, 2m is quieter than it was 30-40 years ago, but there is still activity of a different sort. Indeed, if you listen on repeaters or FM simplex these can be quiet. Calling CQ on SSB is far less likely to get a response.
In some areas, local noise can be a nightmare. Here, thankfully, it is still fairly quiet. I use a V2000 vertical for FM and a big wheel omni for SSB and FT8. Even with QRP, I find great DX can always be worked with 2m FT8. Give 2m a go sometime.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/2m-operation .
One photo shows the matching arrangement and the other the full whip.
As 10m seemed dire, I decided to go on 2m FT8 with 5W from the IC-705. Immediately, I was spotted by a couple of stations.
UPDATE 1605z: Already my 5W to the big wheel omni antenna has been spotted by 9 stations including a couple in Northern Ireland. Who needs beams and high power?
UPDATE 1844z: 20 stations have spotted me so far. On 2m FT8 RX the furthermost spotted is DL2ART (499km).
The results of the latest 2m activity contest run by the RSGB have been published. In the low power section I have climbed from 81st to 70th place. At this rate I might win the section by 2060!!
See https://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/vhfresults.pl?Contest=144MHz%20UKAC&Date=&year=2022 .
