HF and VHF FT8

Although not a great mode for chats, there is no doubt that FT8 has really taken off. DX that was once unimaginable is possible, even with QRP and small antennas.  I suspect many put their receivers on FT8, maybe endlessly call CQ, and leave it to see what comes through, looking later. Fewer people will just talk in the future, which is sad. There is even an automatic mode, so you can be gardening whilst your PC is having a QSO!

Certainly for me, real 2m DX is possible every day even with QRP.

The danger is people leave modes like FM, SSB and CW and move instead to FT8. Casual listeners will not "find" amateur radio as we did years ago.  How people "find" our hobby is important for the future.

One of my first experiences was accidentally hearing a local amateur on 160m AM. What are the chances of this today?

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/hf-ft8

Dead rat? - NOT amateur radio

This was spotted outside our local bakers.

At first I thought it was a dead, shrivelled up, rat that someone had put there to say, "don't use this bakers".

On closer examination, I could see it was ivy!

BTW, the bakery makes excellent soft rolls!

BREXIT - NOT amateur radio

There is no doubt that Theresa May, the UK PM, must regret the alliance with the DUP in Northern Ireland as it is they who are effectively blocking a withdrawal agreement with the EU. The sticking point is the border with Eire. Neither the EU or UK wants the return of a hard border.

When she held a snap general election we all expected her Conservative government to win an outright majority. Instead, her position weakened and she depends on the DUP for a slim majority. Whatever your views are on BREXIT, this is not a recipe for strong government.

In my view, as no parties want a "no deal" divorce, we will either get more time or a fudge.

Short amateur callsigns

According to Southgate News, OFCOM is now issuing 2 letter callsigns for intermediate licences in the UK.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/october/ofcom-now-issuing-short-2e0xx-intermediate-callsigns.htm#.W8bpO_ZFy00

2m FT8 for the day

It never fails! A CQ (2.5W to the big-wheel antenna) was copied by 3 stations including 2 in Cornwall. It seems Cornwall is nearly always within reach. I suspect this is my limit under "no lift" conditions on 2m FT8. With SSB or CW I'd struggle to get half as far!

On 2m FT8 RX, just 2 spots so far - a G in Kent and GM4FVM (428km).

I shall probably return to 10m FT8 later.

UPDATE 0936z: 9 stations spotted in 3 countries so far today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1021z: 15 stations in 5 countries so far today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1149z: Now 19 stations in 6 countries spotted today on 2m FT RX.

UPDATE 1530z: Now 35 stations in 7 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

Last night on 472kHz WSPR

Not as good as the previous night with less DX. My own 10mW ERP was spotted by 5 stations with best DX PA3ABK (306km) and I spotted 10 stations with best DX IW4DXW (1190km).

472kHz WSPR last night

Sunspots - Wednesday October 17th 2018

Solar flux is 69 today and the sunspot number 11.  A=5 and K=1.

QSY to 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP)

As 10m seems to have closed, I QSYed to 472kHz WSPR about 10 minutes ago. A couple of G spots of me (from the reports it looks like my transverter is still settling) and 1 DX spot on 472kHz WSPR RX: DC0DX (467km).

OFCOM technical advice

OFCOM has published technical advice on improving data access for rail passengers.

See https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/123657/Rail-connectivity-advice-DCMS.pdf

ICOM IC202 and IC202S

Probably few will recall these QRP portables. They were made by ICOM and followed in the footsteps of the Liner-2.

They had a very good VXO covering a decent part of the SSB band on 2m. Similar rigs were made for 70cm, and, I think, 6m, although I am unsure about this. I expect someone will tell me! (see below)

As you can tell, these had a very "military" look. Mine was mainly used at home, although some impressive 2m SSB DX was worked portable with just the whip antenna.

The quiet VXO made these rigs popular for IFs in EME rigs. I owned an IC202 and used it with a transverter on 10m too. Much DX was worked on QRP SSB.

UPDATE 1535z: Well, Bas (see comment) has pointed out the 6m version was the IC-502.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/ic202