17 Nov 2018
East Suffolk - NOT amateur radio
10m FT8 RX
During the daytime I am again monitoring 10m FT8 RX. So far, 3 stations spotted in 3 countries. I suspect these are all tropo or aircraft reflections.
UPDATE 1058z: Now a couple of stations in the southern Indian Ocean! Best DX is 3B8CW (9751km) on Mauritius. A band with plenty of surprises!
UPDATE 1058z: Now a couple of stations in the southern Indian Ocean! Best DX is 3B8CW (9751km) on Mauritius. A band with plenty of surprises!
New Mexico on Topband!
Overnight, I was on 160m FT8 RX. Lots of Europeans again and 8 North Americans spotted with the best DX being AA7A (8369km) in New Mexico,USA. Still using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, which has far exceeded expectations.
16 Nov 2018
Worth Sharing - NOT amateur radio
This was shared on Facebook by Michael Rainey. I hope he doesn't mind me sharing this here.
Return to 160m FT8
As 10m was dire, I QSYed to 160m FT8 about 30 minutes ago. My brief CQ call (2.5W to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground) was spotted by 5 stations with best DX being DO1HJK (602km).
UPDATE 1852z: Loads of Europeans again on 160m FT8 RX with best DX RN9N (4605km).
UPDATE 2215z: Already 3 North Americans spotted on 160m FT8 this evening with the best DX being W8LRL (5919km).
UPDATE 1852z: Loads of Europeans again on 160m FT8 RX with best DX RN9N (4605km).
UPDATE 2215z: Already 3 North Americans spotted on 160m FT8 this evening with the best DX being W8LRL (5919km).
 |
| Stations so far spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX |
Es'hail-2 satellite launched
The latest Qatari satellite, which carries a geosynchronous amateur transponder has been launched. I expect it will be some weeks before we are fully aware of the mission's success. If it is successful, it could be transformative.
See https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/16/11/2018/Qatar-launches-Es’hail-2-satellite
See https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/16/11/2018/Qatar-launches-Es’hail-2-satellite
Spotting pirates
This is an age-old issue. In my youth, even I was guilty, running an illegal MW TX! Mind you, with a range of maybe 20m, I doubt I caused any QRM.
On FT8, a useful trick is to see where the station is being spotted. If there are few spots close to the station's location, be suspicious. If the station is being spotted locally and across the world, it is more likely to be genuine. I know this is not a 100% sure-fire check, but if you have doubts it is worth checking.
On FT8, a useful trick is to see where the station is being spotted. If there are few spots close to the station's location, be suspicious. If the station is being spotted locally and across the world, it is more likely to be genuine. I know this is not a 100% sure-fire check, but if you have doubts it is worth checking.
Best night yet on 160m FT8
Overnight I was again on 160m FT8 RX. In all, 8 stations in North America spotted with the best DX being W7AL (7331km) in Idaho. This station was widely spotted in the USA and Europe, so I am pretty sure he is genuine. As before, loads of Europeans spotted.
10m FT8
Although I have been on 10m FT8 since before breakfast, no spots yet.
UPDATE 1216z: Just G0OYQ (177km) and PD1DL (328km) spotted so far on 10m FT8 RX today.
UPDATE 1735z: A poor day on 10m FT8. Just 5 UK stations and 1 in The Netherlands. Time to try 160m WSPR.
UPDATE 1216z: Just G0OYQ (177km) and PD1DL (328km) spotted so far on 10m FT8 RX today.
UPDATE 1735z: A poor day on 10m FT8. Just 5 UK stations and 1 in The Netherlands. Time to try 160m WSPR.
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