24 Sept 2018
2m FT8
A CQ call a few minutes ago was spotted by 5 stations in 2 countries again including 2 Cornish stations when I was again running just 2.5W to the omni. It seems that with FT8 anything is possible at any time with flat conditions. BTW I had a QSO with G8ALS again.
UPDATE 0900z: Best DX on RX is F4TTR (477km).
UPDATE 1142z: 10 stations in 2 countries spotted so far on 2m FT8 RX today.
UPDATE 1653z: Now 16 stations in 3 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 2135z: When I went QRT about an hour ago I was up to 19 stations in 4 countries spotted today.
UPDATE 0900z: Best DX on RX is F4TTR (477km).
UPDATE 1142z: 10 stations in 2 countries spotted so far on 2m FT8 RX today.
UPDATE 1653z: Now 16 stations in 3 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 2135z: When I went QRT about an hour ago I was up to 19 stations in 4 countries spotted today.
23 Sept 2018
OFCOM rubbish?
As many will know I am highly unimpressed with OFCOM who come over as a bunch of impotent wimps. A bunch of infants could probably do better. This impression was based on personal, direct contact some years ago.
This weekend this impression was re-enforced by their apparent lack of interest in CB operators using far higher power than allowed. A "freedom of information" request about this was reported on Southgate News. If this is correct, and I have little doubt it probably is, it further re-enforces my view that OFCOM is only interested in money. Anything that does not generate money is unimportant. At least that is my impression.
As for illegal SMPSUs on the market, forget it.
Bring back the GPO and real enforcement!!
This weekend this impression was re-enforced by their apparent lack of interest in CB operators using far higher power than allowed. A "freedom of information" request about this was reported on Southgate News. If this is correct, and I have little doubt it probably is, it further re-enforces my view that OFCOM is only interested in money. Anything that does not generate money is unimportant. At least that is my impression.
As for illegal SMPSUs on the market, forget it.
Bring back the GPO and real enforcement!!
Jackdaws (birds) - NOT amateur radio
At the moment there are 5 jackdaws on the roof next door. Usually we see one or two together.
See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/jackdaw/ .
See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/jackdaw/ .
"Sapiens: a Brief History of Mankind" - NOT amateur radio
I have just finished this book and have started its sequel "Homo Deus". "Sapiens" is a thought provoking book. It looks at the evolution of homo sapiens as a species. It argues that all religions are illusions and looks why our species has dominated all others. It certainly provides food for thought. The second book is, I believe, a look into the future.
I bought my copy of "Sapiens" from a second hand bookshop at a National Trust property. At well over 400 pages, this non-fiction book was good value.
Not quite sure why I had not come across this before.
I bought my copy of "Sapiens" from a second hand bookshop at a National Trust property. At well over 400 pages, this non-fiction book was good value.
Not quite sure why I had not come across this before.
Burwell Museum Talk - NOT amateur radio
Our local Burwell museum has a talk this Thursday.
Honor Ridout on “I can’t stoop either” : Victorian fashions and Punch Talks are from 14.00-15.00 followed by tea and biscuits.
Free with museum admission. No admission charge for season ticket holders and current museum volunteers. Drop in. Booking recommended for a large group. Museum admission applies.
Another lizard - NOT amateur radio
New version of WSJT-X available (V2.0 rc1)
There is a new beta version of WSJT-X available. This is WSJT-X V2.0 rc1. I have yet to download it. Apparently the decode sensitivity on FT8 is slightly better by about 1dB.
It may be worth waiting as I have been told there are some issues with this beta release (PCs freezing). When I tried to install it aborted saying it was missing a .dll .
See https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html .
It may be worth waiting as I have been told there are some issues with this beta release (PCs freezing). When I tried to install it aborted saying it was missing a .dll .
See https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html .
10m WSPR (500mW)
Although I have been on 10m WSPR TX since breakfast, no spots as yet today.
UPDATE 1537z: Still no spots today.
UPDATE 1728z: Several spots from a couple of Germans. Best DX DK7FT (898km).
UPDATE 1537z: Still no spots today.
UPDATE 1728z: Several spots from a couple of Germans. Best DX DK7FT (898km).
2m FT8
Once again, I am on 2m FT8 with 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. After a brief CQ I worked G8ALS (127km) but was spotted yet again by 2 stations in Cornwall and one in France.
Best DX on RX is DJ6GK (607km). So far 12 stations in 5 countries spotted today.
UPDATE 1503z: So far, 24 stations in 5 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX today.
UPDATE 1730z: 32 stations in 5 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX so far today.
UPDATE 1902z: 33 stations in 6 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX today. Soon be time to go QRT.
UPDATE 1918z: Just before going QRT I called CQ at 2.5W. No QSOs, but yet again I was spotted by 2 Cornish stations. Every time I call CQ, this range seems possible. Amazing. This must be "normal" flat band tropo and not aircraft.
Best DX on RX is DJ6GK (607km). So far 12 stations in 5 countries spotted today.
UPDATE 1503z: So far, 24 stations in 5 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX today.
 |
| 2m FT8 RX today so far |
UPDATE 1902z: 33 stations in 6 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX today. Soon be time to go QRT.
UPDATE 1918z: Just before going QRT I called CQ at 2.5W. No QSOs, but yet again I was spotted by 2 Cornish stations. Every time I call CQ, this range seems possible. Amazing. This must be "normal" flat band tropo and not aircraft.
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