UPDATE 1657z: Best DX on 160m FT8 RX is currently RV1CC (2030km).
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| The stations spotted in the first 30 minutes on 160m FT8 RX this evening |
18 Nov 2018
QSY to topband FT8
A few minutes ago, I decided to go on 160m FT8 for the evening and overnight. I called CQ and then called a German station, but no QSOs resulted, although I was spotted by a couple of Gs and SM0MDG (1348km) despite my 2.5W QRP to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. On 160m FT8 RX, I am spotting loads of EU and a Russian.
UPDATE 1657z: Best DX on 160m FT8 RX is currently RV1CC (2030km).
UPDATE 2135z: Right on time WU1ITU (4831km) in Maine, USA spotted again.
UPDATE 1657z: Best DX on 160m FT8 RX is currently RV1CC (2030km).
10m at present
As most know, we are now at sunspot minimum when solar activity and sunspots are at a low level.
In the past, many would have given up on the higher HF bands and moved down to lower bands to get QSOs. These days we have new weak signal modes and more people are exploring these bands in the "quiet years".
It is fair to say days are mixed. Sometimes it can be very quiet and at other times the band opens, albeit briefly, to distant parts. In the last month DX from South America, South Africa or the Indian Ocean has been spotted on at least half of the days with FT8. Even Australia and North America have been copied!
Indeed, 10m is much harder than a few years ago, but modes like FT8 have proved there are openings on 10m, even when solar conditions are poor and sunspots absent. Never give up on 10m. If more people stuck with 10m, we might all be in for a pleasant surprise.
In the past, many would have given up on the higher HF bands and moved down to lower bands to get QSOs. These days we have new weak signal modes and more people are exploring these bands in the "quiet years".
It is fair to say days are mixed. Sometimes it can be very quiet and at other times the band opens, albeit briefly, to distant parts. In the last month DX from South America, South Africa or the Indian Ocean has been spotted on at least half of the days with FT8. Even Australia and North America have been copied!
Indeed, 10m is much harder than a few years ago, but modes like FT8 have proved there are openings on 10m, even when solar conditions are poor and sunspots absent. Never give up on 10m. If more people stuck with 10m, we might all be in for a pleasant surprise.
Tropo forecasts
Although I rarely use this myself, there is a useful program to predict tropo openings on 2m.
Peace - NOT amateur radio
CDARC 2m SSB net 0830z 144.180MHz SSB horizontal
After several Sundays when I simply forgot, this morning I actually remembered!
Even G8OFA in Salisbury was copied, as well as all the others in the net. Sadly, G8OFA could not hear me. Afterwards I realised I was only on 2.5W and I could have used 5W. I am not sure where all the stations were located. Richard, G3TFX, about 200m away, was strong even without the big-wheel omni antenna!
UPDATE 1542z: G8OFA was using 400W to a 7el (on 2m) dual beam yagi. Quite a bit more ERP than me!
Even G8OFA in Salisbury was copied, as well as all the others in the net. Sadly, G8OFA could not hear me. Afterwards I realised I was only on 2.5W and I could have used 5W. I am not sure where all the stations were located. Richard, G3TFX, about 200m away, was strong even without the big-wheel omni antenna!
UPDATE 1542z: G8OFA was using 400W to a 7el (on 2m) dual beam yagi. Quite a bit more ERP than me!
10m FT8
After a very brief CQ (2.5W), I am now on 10m FT8 RX. No spots yet, unsurprisingly.
UPDATE 1153z: 5 stations spotted in 2 countries with best DX on 10m FT8 RX F1RAD (867km).
UPDATE 1538z: Now 7 stations in 4 countries spotted today on 10m FT8 RX. All EU.
UPDATE 1153z: 5 stations spotted in 2 countries with best DX on 10m FT8 RX F1RAD (867km).
UPDATE 1538z: Now 7 stations in 4 countries spotted today on 10m FT8 RX. All EU.
Topband overnight
On 160m FT8 RX a record number of North American stations spotted with 12 in the USA and Canada plus a couple more in the Caribbean. Best DX spotted was KY7M (8369km) in New Mexico. All these were on the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, which is well exceeding all expectations.
Even on QRP TX it seems to work well.
I am not sure if the pattern suggests directionality, or just a lack of activity from stations further south. The alignment of the "loop" in the ground should imply better results E-W than N-S. Certainly it works well E-W.
Even on QRP TX it seems to work well.
I am not sure if the pattern suggests directionality, or just a lack of activity from stations further south. The alignment of the "loop" in the ground should imply better results E-W than N-S. Certainly it works well E-W.
Salcombe light - NOT amateur radio
17 Nov 2018
Return to Topband
Just over an hour ago, I returned to 160m FT8. My 2.5W CQ using the earth-electrode "antenna" was spotted by 7 stations in 5 countries.
UPDATE 1900z: 160m never fails. Night after night, lots and lots of Europeans and Russians are spotted on FT8 and I don't think there has been a single night when I have been monitoring and not spotted a transatlantic station.
UPDATE 2130z: In the last week, the first North American has been spotted by now. As yet, nothing apart from EU and Russians.
UPDATE 2157z: Best DX so far on 160m FT8 RX is UK9AA (5171km) in Uzbekistan.
UPDATE 2215z: The first North American has been spotted: VA2WA (5115km) in Canada.
UPDATE 1900z: 160m never fails. Night after night, lots and lots of Europeans and Russians are spotted on FT8 and I don't think there has been a single night when I have been monitoring and not spotted a transatlantic station.
UPDATE 2157z: Best DX so far on 160m FT8 RX is UK9AA (5171km) in Uzbekistan.
UPDATE 2215z: The first North American has been spotted: VA2WA (5115km) in Canada.
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