2m FT8

After yesterday's success with in excess of 77 stations spotted in 10 countries, I am again active on 2m FT8. A couple of brief TX periods (2.5W to my omnidirectional antenna) resulted in spots from as far away as Pembrokeshire and Devon. On RX, I have (so far) spotted 15 unique stations in 5 countries.

UPDATE 1041z:  For the first time I used the "auto sequence" feature in WSJT-X V1.9 to have a QSO with G8ALS (127km). Still 2.5W to the omni antenna here. In all,7 stations have spotted me today on TX.  My "score" today is 22 uniques in 6 countries on 2m FT8. Of course, to spot a station only needs 15 seconds of opening (maybe less as I am no expert!), so even the briefest opening gets spotted.

UPDATE 1230z: Now 25 uniques in 6 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1600z: Now 44 uniques in 8 countries today, so far, on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1632z: Now 45 uniques today. A couple of stations seem unable to get their QTH locators right - either that or they like swimming in the North Sea. I suspect it is the former!

UPDATE 1720z: A very easy QSO with G8NRY (158km) in IO93 square. He answered my CQ call. 2.5W to my omni antenna on 2m FT8.

UPDATE 2050z:   The map shows where my 2.5W (into an omnidirectional antenna) was copied in the last few hours on 2m FT8.

Sunspots - Thursday March 22nd 2018

Solar flux is 68 today and the sunspot number remains zero. A=4 and K=1.

MLS Open Day to demonstrate IC7610

Although well outside of my price bracket, you may be interested in this special demonstration day featuring the ICOM IC7610 transceiver. At just under £3.5k, there is no way I am ever going to get one unless Father Christmas decides I have been a very good boy and comes in April! Even the PSU is just under £500, which to me is silly money. As I have said before, each to their own when it comes to disposable income. Some spend silly money on other hobbies and I am not one to judge.

See https://www.hamradio.co.uk/amateur-radio-base-station-radio-icom-base-station-radio/icom/icom-ic-7610-now-in-stock-pd-7032.php

Hidden disabilities - NOT amateur radio

Like many, since my stroke in 2013 I have had a hidden disability. Many say, "you do look well" or similar. Indeed to most people I look just fine.

What few realise is that for over 4 years I have felt unbelievably giddy when on my feet. Looking up is dreadful for me. It is like being permanently drunk. Just walking along a pavement (sidewalk) can be troublesome. Crossing a roads is a nightmare. Rushing along is now very hard. Add to that my voice is now very poor. Just chatting is now much harder to the point that I rarely start a chat because others will probably not understand. I'll have to repeat myself, which is exhausting.

Others too may have impairments that are hidden, making people think there is nothing wrong. To coin a well known expression, "never judge a book by its cover". Other people may well be fighting a battle inside that we cannot see or experience. Never, ever, under-estimate the struggles others may have to deal with.

One thing I have learnt is never judge others. Inside they may be having a very rough time, be it physical or mental.

Overnight on 472kHz WSPR

Last night, I stayed on 472kHz WSPR RX until the battery in the shack PC "died". This happened a little after 0310z. No new stations were spotted after I went to bed. In all, 12 unique stations were spotted using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

Sunspots - Wednesday March 21st 2018

Solar flux is 69 today and the sunspot number zero. A=8 and K=2.

2m FT8

Just before breakfast I went on 2m FT8 RX, after a few minutes on TX during which short time my 2.5W was spotted by 3 stations.

Up to now (it is only 0908z) I have spotted 16 unique stations in 5 countries. Best DX on RX is EI3KD (583km).

UPDATE 1202z: Already 35 uniques spotted in 6 countries on 2m FT8 RX since breakfast.

UPDATE 1635z: Now 42 uniques in 6 countries with best DX OZ1BEF (721km) in central Jutland, Denmark.

UPDATE 2028z: 64 uniques in 9 countries. What a day!!

472kHz WSPR RX

For the last hour I have been charging the shack PC's battery, so that I can operate on PC battery power this evening. Unbeknown, I had the 472kHz RX connected, even though the noise floor would have been high. Remarkably, 5 unique stations were spotted with the best DX LA2XPA (1310km). I am now operating on battery power with a lower noise floor for the rest of the evening.

UPDATE 2306z: 12 uniques so far. I'll leave things running until the PC battery dies,which should be about 0300z. I doubt I'll spot much more though.

10m FT8 RX

Since just after breakfast, I have been on 28MHz (10m) FT8 RX. Only 2 stations spotted with best DX 9A7JCY (1424km).

UPDATE 1930z: As well as a few EU stations I spotted a couple of Brazilians and VP8LP (12773km) in the Falkland Is on 10m FT8 today. Oh, by the way, the sunspot number is zero!

UPDATE 2012z: Wonder what antenna other people recommend for 10m? Presently I am just using a low Par triband end fed, which is not ideal on 10m. Some have recommended the Solacon I-MAX 2000, which is a CB 5/8 vertical.

Cottage - NOT amateur radio

There are quite a few old houses in our village. The oldest dates back to the 12th century, I think. This cottage is probably much younger - maybe 100 years old. Nonetheless, it is quite fine.