2m FT8 RX - not today

As you will have seen from earlier posts, 2m FT8 has been a true revelation. The 15 second TX periods mean even very short openings are now seen. As a result, unheard of DX (at least for me!) is being copied even with my omnidirectional antenna. When I do go on TX (maybe for 3 minutes a day) I am regularly copied over 300km despite only using 2.5W QRP.

10m FT8 RX

We are nearing the Es season in the northern hemisphere.

Today, I am monitoring 10m FT8 RX, but as yet no spots. Usually, I spot the odd UK station, the odd European and sometimes South America, although openings to this part of the world are usually in the evening at this time of the year on 10m in the UK.

UPDATE 1832z: Still no spots on 10m FT8 so far today. At the moment things look dire on 10m. Usually by now I have copied something, but as yet nothing at all today! I even went to check the antenna was connected! I shall continue to monitor for a few hours, but I am not very hopeful. Later, I may try 472kHz (630m) WSPR RX.

UPDATE 1924z: Still no DX today. G0PQO (IO92) was copied this afternoon but this spot was not uploaded to PSKreporter. I'll give it another hour then QSY to MF RX.

2m FT8 again

After a brief TX period just before breakfast with best DX a spot by G1IDZ (184km), although I was also copied in France, I am now on 2m FT8 RX. Again, I am using 2.5W and my big-wheel omnidirectional antenna. So far, 17 unique stations spotted in 4 countries (0930z).

UPDATE 1145z: Now 35 uniques in 5 countries on 2m FT8 RX today so far.

Stations spotted by 1452z

today on 2m FT8 RX

UPDATE 1452z: Currently 50 uniques in 6 countries on 2m FT8 RX today.

UPDATE 1820z: Now 66 uniques in 6 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX today.

UPDATE 1840z: Now 73 uniques in 9 countries today on 2m FT8 RX. 2m!!!

UPDATE 2128z: Now QRT.  Best DX today on 2m FT8 RX was DJ6GK (607km) in Hesse, Germany.

2m FT8 RX

Since just before breakfast I have been monitoring 2m FT8 RX again. Already (0900z) 24 unique stations spotted in 6 countries with best DX on RX DK2DTF (644km).

UPDATE 1222z:  Now 37 uniques in 7 countries spotted.

UPDATE 1300z: Now 40 uniques in 8 countries.

UPDATE 1903z: Now 56 uniques in 8 countries in the last 12 hours.

UPDATE 2116z: 59 uniques in 8 countries today on 2m FT8 RX. Now time to go QRT.

2m FT8 RX

So far this morning on 2m FT8 RX 18 unique stations in 6 countries in the last 6 hours.

UPDATE 1422z: Now 26 unique stations in 7 countries today.

UPDATE 2144z: Now 63 unique stations in 7 countries today.

2m FT8

After a brief TX period (spotted locally) I am again on 2m FT8 RX. So far, 10 uniques spotted in 4 countries.

Best DX so far today on 2m FT8 RX is DK2DTF (644km).


UPDATE 1310z: The photo shows the stations spotted on 2m FT8 RX so far today.

10m FT8 RX

So far today, just one spot on 10m FT8 RX of DL8FCK (627km) in Hesse in Germany.

UPDATE 1930z: Just one G spot in addition and no DX as yet today.

UPDATE 2145z: Now QRT.

10m FT8 RX

As well as a couple of stations in Rio (Brazil) I also spotted VP8LP, although these spots of the Falklands did not upload to PSKreporter.  It seems that 10m regularly opens to South America, despite the very poor solar conditions. It is definitely worth keeping a watch on 10m FT8. Quite a few EU spots plus 3 in the Canary Is.

2m FT8

After a quick CQ in which my 5W to an omnidirectional antenna was received by G0LUJ (279km) I shall be on 2m FT8 RX most of the day. I may try 10m FT8 much later.

As yet,  just a couple of Gs spotted on 2m FT8.

UPDATE 0918z: Now 3 Gs spotted.

UPDATE 0930z: Now one F and DK spotted. Best DX is F6APE (551km).

UPDATE 1148z: Now 24 unique stations in 4 countries spotted today on 2m FT8.  Best DX is DK2DTF (644km).

UPDATE 1605z: Now 45 uniques. Time to QSY to 10m FT8 RX.

10m FT8 RX today

As usual these last few days, I have been keeping an eye open on 10m FT8 RX. So far today, just G4CJC (74km) spotted. No EU stations spotted yet and no DX.

UPDATE 2019z: As well as a an Italian, PY1SX (9301km) spotted.

10m FT8 RX

This becoming a habit! It is now 3 evenings in a row that South Americans have been spotted on 10m FT8, despite zero sunspots and really low solar flux. FT8 is catching brief openings.

I am on again this morning, but just EUs spotted so far.

UPDATE 1115z: Still just a few EU stations with best DX F4DJK (779km).

UPDATE 2120z: First day in 4 days with nothing outside Europe today. Best DX spotted was EA1EU (1005km).

10m FT8 RX

Despite very poor solar conditions, the last 2 evenings has seen 10m FT8 spots (lots) from South America.

So far today, 7 unique stations spotted in 3 EU countries.

Solar conditions are similar, so let's see this evening!

UPDATE 1330z:  Still 7 uniques in 3 countries, all EU.

10m FT8 today (Friday)

Once again I am monitoring 10m FT8 RX today. So far, only 2 stations spotted - a G and CT1FHW (1681km). I am staying on late in case the band opens again to South America as it did late yesterday. Conditions seem quite similar to yesterday and no better.

UPDATE 2125z:  South America again this evening on 10m FT8.

6m in the Es season

We are rapidly approaching the Es season, bringing alive 10m and 6m and to a lesser extent 4m and 2m with DX up to about 2000km.

Frequently the distances are much further, bringing into range some true exotic DX on 6m.

This year we also have FT8, which is already proving its value as a DX mode. I shall probably be monitoring 6m FT8 RX this season. I suspect 6m will be "open" far more often than we expect!

10m FT8 yesterday

Quite late (after 9pm UK clock time) 10m FT8 opened to South America with lots of stations spotted. I was surprised, as conditions on paper were dire.

10m often opens N-S and FT8 finds the briefest openings now.

10m FT8

Despite the poor prospects for 10m, I am on 10m FT8 RX today, ever hopeful. As yet, nothing spotted.

UPDATE 1256z:  Just G4HZW (210km) and G4CJC (74km) spotted so far on 10m FT8 RX. I suspect these come in by tropo.  In flat conditions I could usually work quite distant Gs  with 10W SSB on 10m. With FT8, both these stations are within range.

UPDATE 1506z: Just 3 Gs spotted on 10m FT8 RX today. Not that surprising.

2m FT8 RX

This is the mode I have used since breakfast.

So far (at 0912z) 6 unique stations in 4 countries with best DX PD0HIM (452km).

UPDATE 0948z: Now  8 uniques in 5 countries with best DX GM4JJJ (489km).

UPDATE 1327z: Now 21 uniques in 6 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1920z: Now 37 uniques in 8 countries today on 2m FT8 RX. DK1VC (503km) is the best DX.

2m FT8 RX

At the moment 9 unique stations spotted today in 4 countries with best DX PD3HIM (452km).

UPDATE 1020z: Now 14 uniques in 5 countries on 2m FT8 RX today.

UPDATE 1328z: Now 24 uniques in 5 countries today on 2m FT8.

UPDATE 1426z: Now 27 uniques in 6 countries. This really is an amazing mode. Best DX is currently DL6YBF (471km).

The photo shows the 2m FT8 spots today up to 1514z. Don't forget, this is just with an omnidirectional antenna in FLAT conditions.

UPDATE 1615z:  Now 35 uniques in 6 countries.

UPDATE 2050z: After about 30 minutes on the 2m UKAC, I returned to 2m FT8 RX. Best DX recently was G4WAC (149km) in Birmingham. Today, in all, 50 uniques in 6 countries on 2m FT8 RX. Best DX was DL0HOL (619km).

2m FT8

After going on the East Cambs 2m FM net, I went on 2m FT8. After a very brief TX period (2.5W to my omni antenna) with best DX G4RRA (334km) in Devon, I went on 2m FT8 RX only. So far 18 unique stations in 4 countries in the last 2 hours with best DX PD3HIM (452km).

UPDATE 2050z: Now 20 uniques in 5 countries in the last few hours.

10m FT8

It appears I am being hopeful!

Since breakfast I have been on 10m FT8, mostly RX. A couple of TX periods calling CQ (2.5W) brought no reports. At the moment, I have not spotted a single station on the band.

UPDATE 1020z: Still nothing.

UPDATE 1120z: F1VEO (594km) in Brittany spotted on 10m FT8 RX at -8dB S/N. So there is some life!

UPDATE 1405z: Now a couple of Gs spotted making 3 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX so far today.

UPDATE 1421z: Real DX!  D41CV (4518km) in the Cape Verde Islands now spotted.

UPDATE 1552z: 6 stations spotted so far on 10m FT8 4 Gs, 1 F and 1 D41.