 |
| Stations spotted on 472kHz WSPR last evening. |
25 Jan 2019
472kHz WSPR RX last evening
In the end, I decided to stop on 472kHz WSPR RX only until bedtime. Then I QSYed to 160m FT8 RX overnight. On 472kHz, 13 unique stations spotted including 3 in Norway using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. All the usual suspects!
24 Jan 2019
Yaesu FT818
Like many, I found the FT818 a real disappointment.
It looks like Yaesu "copped out" and simply upgraded the FT817ND to overcome parts obsolescence. No attempt whatsoever has been made to actually upgrade the radio such as adding a Lithium Polymer battery, speech processor or auto ATU. Basically it is still an FT817ND. What did the FT818 development cost? $10?
However, it is about half the price of the IC7300 which is 100W and a much better radio, so I am told. Maybe Yaesu will introduce an SDR QRP radio soon? That is, if they don't go bust first! Now, I love Yaesu products and have owned many over the years. But, it seems Yaesu has lost its way in recent years.
Had Yaesu wanted to, they could have developed a world beating radio with thousands selling their FT817s and upgrading to FT818s. It seems to me very unlikely anyone will sell their FT817s to buy an FT818. To me, this is a disaster and shows the market intelligence of a 5 year old. My views and others are free to disagree.
The best I can hope for is Yaesu is beavering away on a QRP SDR radio with everything we want. If they don't, I give them 5 years or less and they will be dead - gone forever.
It looks like Yaesu "copped out" and simply upgraded the FT817ND to overcome parts obsolescence. No attempt whatsoever has been made to actually upgrade the radio such as adding a Lithium Polymer battery, speech processor or auto ATU. Basically it is still an FT817ND. What did the FT818 development cost? $10?
However, it is about half the price of the IC7300 which is 100W and a much better radio, so I am told. Maybe Yaesu will introduce an SDR QRP radio soon? That is, if they don't go bust first! Now, I love Yaesu products and have owned many over the years. But, it seems Yaesu has lost its way in recent years.
Had Yaesu wanted to, they could have developed a world beating radio with thousands selling their FT817s and upgrading to FT818s. It seems to me very unlikely anyone will sell their FT817s to buy an FT818. To me, this is a disaster and shows the market intelligence of a 5 year old. My views and others are free to disagree.
The best I can hope for is Yaesu is beavering away on a QRP SDR radio with everything we want. If they don't, I give them 5 years or less and they will be dead - gone forever.
Stones hidden - NOT amateur radio
472kHz WSPR RX
About 5 minutes ago I QSYed to 472kHz WSPR RX. Already 3 stations spotted with best DX LA8AV (1035km). It is still quite light here.
UPDATE 1608z: Now 4 different stations spotted on this band this afternoon.
UPDATE 2053z: 11 different stations spotted this evening on 472kHz WSPR RX.
UPDATE 1608z: Now 4 different stations spotted on this band this afternoon.
UPDATE 2053z: 11 different stations spotted this evening on 472kHz WSPR RX.
10m FT8
As is usual, I am on 10m FT8 mainly RX. So far, no spots.
UPDATE 1535z: No spots yet. Soon be time to QSY, probably 472kHz WSPR RX at least until bedtime.
UPDATE 1535z: No spots yet. Soon be time to QSY, probably 472kHz WSPR RX at least until bedtime.
Rally
Sunday 27 JANUARY : HORNCASTLE AMATEUR RADIO & ELECTRONICS RALLY
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rall
Horncastle Youth Centre, Cagthorpe Buildings, Willow Row, Horncastle LN9 6DZ.
Doors open 10am and entry is £2. Traders tables are £5 per 6ft table. There is free parking at the venue. The usual traders will be there. Catering is available onsite. Details from Tony, G3PZU, 01507 527 835, tony.nightingale@yahoo.co.uk.
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rall
160m FT8 RX overnight
Quite a decent night on 160m FT8 RX with 8 North Americans, 3 Caribbean and 3 South American stations spotted with best DX PY4AZ (9012km) in Brazil. All received using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. This does work remarkably well at 160m and exceeds my expectations. At the moment 160m FT8 is brilliant, helped by the S0 noise floor with this "antenna".
FT8 is very impressive! In most 15 second periods there are about 10 stations in a 2kHz chunk of the 160m band.
FT8 is very impressive! In most 15 second periods there are about 10 stations in a 2kHz chunk of the 160m band.
 |
| Stations spotted here overnight on 160m FT8 |
23 Jan 2019
160m FT8 RX
A few moments ago (1608z) I QSYed to 160m FT8 RX. So far just 9A4T (1343km) spotted.
UPDATE 1830z: Now loads and loads of Europeans spotted on 160m FT8 this evening. North Americans later? Yes, I expect so.
UPDATE 2300z: 300 stations so far spotted this evening on 160m (yes 160m!) FT8 RX. Nothing yet from "across the pond".
UPDATE 1830z: Now loads and loads of Europeans spotted on 160m FT8 this evening. North Americans later? Yes, I expect so.
UPDATE 2300z: 300 stations so far spotted this evening on 160m (yes 160m!) FT8 RX. Nothing yet from "across the pond".
Joining the dots - NOT amateur radio
Maybe this is another after-effect of my stroke 5 years ago. Perhaps it is another artefact of getting older!
Yesterday we had tree surgeons in and I could have sworn blind that one said tea with one sugar and the other tea with 2 sugars, My wife said they both wanted one sugar. The simple fact is I cannot rely on my memory. It is almost as if my brain fills in the dots and sometimes this is wrong.
Yesterday we had tree surgeons in and I could have sworn blind that one said tea with one sugar and the other tea with 2 sugars, My wife said they both wanted one sugar. The simple fact is I cannot rely on my memory. It is almost as if my brain fills in the dots and sometimes this is wrong.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
