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.

The Pixie

This is a classic QRP CW transceiver. Like all simple transceivers it is a compromise. Chinese versions are available at less than the cost of the crystal alone in the UK. The Chinese kit I built was for 40m and worked first time.

The Pixie is a derivative of the Micro-80.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/pixie

Simple Regen Circuit

Regen receivers amaze me. How something so simple can work so well never fails to intrigue me.

I was looking for a photo I took some years ago, but so far I have failed to find it. I still have the RX in a drawer!


See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/regen

Sunspots - Tuesday April 10th 2018

Solar flux is 69 and the sunspot number 0.  A=10 and K=2.

Soloists - NOT amateur radio

At my wife's concert one of the soloists was sick, so at the very last minute he was replaced.  Thankfully he was excellent.

See www.cambschoral.org.uk

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.

Sunspots - Monday April 9th 2018

Solar flux is 68 today and the sunspot number still zero. A=5 and K=2.

Wife's Concert - NOT amateur radio

My wife's concert in Cambridge was last night. Here is a picture.

Sunspots - Sunday April 8th 2018

Solar flux is 67 today and the sun remains spotless.  A=5 and K=2.

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).