My 2.5W FT8 gear was turned on at about 1000z. No spots yet.
UPDATE 1515z: Although I have been on 8m FT8 all day, no spots on RX or TX. This could just be holiday season, or a slack time of year with fewer F2 and Es openings. Also, most people have worked all the stations available. We need more countries and experimenters on 8m.
My 8m QRP 2.5W to the dipole was turned on about 1013z.
Via the QSL bureau I (unexpectedly) received QSLs from Slovenia and Croatia for 8m FT8. I shall QSL back direct .... although I shall have to make some cards first!
UPDATE 1335z: No spots today on RX or TX.
All being well, I hope to be on 40.680MHz FT8 (DF about 1950Hz) with my 2.5W and dipole tomorrow (Wednesday). I should be on from just after breakfast.
My 2.5W FT8 to the dipole was turned on at about 1015z.
UPDATE 1049z: No spots.
UPDATE 1545z: Spotted by MM0AMW (523km) on the Mull of Kintyre. I think this is a new person monitoring 8m.
My 2.5W 8m FT8 was turned on after breakfast.
UPDATE 1645z: No spots today. Now QSYed to 630m QRP WSPR.
Yesterday was a surprise with 2 spots of my 2.5W QRP from the Caribbean. My QRP FT8 is already on 40.680MHz (at 0930z). Who knows what today will bring?
UPDATE 1555z: No spots. I get the feeling there will be no spots today.
My 8m FT8 2.5W is currently on. No spots until 1330z (TX or RX).
As there is a small Es peak in mid winter, there is a chance of some European spots if there are people monitoring. I suspect there are fewer people monitoring at this time of year.
My 2.5W FT8 was turned on at about 1415z.
UPDATE 1620z: No spots. F2 conditions seemed to have gone down a bit. Maybe we'll see a bit of winter Es at the turn of the year on 8m?
My 2.5W to the dipole was turned on about 1040z. So far, no spots.
UPDATE 1540z: No spots today.
This last week, I have not been spotted in the Caribbean on 8m with my 2.5W and dipole on FT8. I wonder if the autumn F2 has peaked with more to come in February/March? I am no propagation expert, but a few weeks ago I was spotted almost daily in the Caribbean on 8m FT8.
My 2.5W to the low dipole on 8m FT8 was turned on at 1110z. So far, no spots. My local reporter G4WSZ (12km) is in Germany, so local spots.
UPDATE 1715z: No spots of me today, but I did spot ZS6WAB (8931km) in South Africa on 8m FT8 RX.
My 2.5W to the dipole was turned in about 1445z. Yesterday the SWR was higher than 3:1. Now it is perfect. I have no idea why! Perhaps a bird was sitting at the feedpoint? I don't think it is wet in the coax as conditions at the moment are very similar to yesterday. No spots.
UPDATE 1730z: No spots all day.
At about 1430z my 2.5W 8m FT8 and a dipole was turned on. For some reason, my dipole has gone high SWR and it is actually lower on my triband V2000, so I am using this at present. Not quite sure what has changed.
UPDATE 1445z: Just local G4WSZ (12km) has spotted me.
My 2.5W and dipole was turned on about 1500z. This is later than usual. No spots.
UPDATE 1735z: Just local spots by G4WSZ (12km).
At 1110z I QSYed to 8m FT8 with my 2.5W and dipole.
UPDATE 1450z: No spots on TX. Just ZF1DM (7752km) on RX.
