472kHz WSPR

About 30 minutes ago, I QSYed to 472kHz (630m) WSPR using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground (10mW ERP). Even though the transverter crystal takes about 20 minutes to fully settle, plenty of spots on RX and TX. At the moment (it is still light here) best DX on RX is PA3ABK (306km).

Initial 472kHz WSPR spots

10m FT8 - a blank

Most of the day I was on 10m FT8. At first I went on TX, calling CQ (2.5W) and then on RX. Not a single spot all day! I have now QSYed to 630m (472kHz) WSPR with 10mW ERP and already had far more success.

Es'hail2 web SDR now live

Southgate News reports that the Goonhilly based web SDR for Es'hail2 (Oscar 100) is now live, so you can see activity.

Please note: uplinks attempts are not yet allowed!!!

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/february/qata-oscar-100-web-receiver-now-live.htm#.XGFguPZ2u00
See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/

Overnight on 160m FT8 RX

No less than 395 different stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX in the last day, including 23 North Americans and 1 Caribbean station on the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. I cannot really expect to do much better even with a big 160m antenna and extensive ground system surely. Best DX was W7AO (7688km) on the west coast of the USA.

Stations spotted in last 24 hours here on 160m FT8 RX.

160m FT8

Although I have only just QSYed to 160m FT8, there are already 18 stations logged with best DX UT1AN (2392km). On TX (2.5W to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground) 9 spots in 4 countries already with best DX DL8BCJ (580km).

UPDATE 1900z: Already 46 stations spotted with best DX R7MA (2859km).

UPDATE 1952z: So far, 91 stations spotted with best DX R8CA (3788km).

UPDATE 2255z: Already 3 North Americans spotted on 160m FT8 RX as well as loads of Europeans.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX to 2255z.

472kHz transverter video

The video I made many years ago of my 472kHz transverter was not on my YouTube G3XBM channel, not sure why. It now is. It is also here.

Architypal Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

Kings College Chapel (see photo in rare sunshine!) is known the world over for the Nine Lessons of Readings and Carols each Christmas. It is many centuries old and one of the finest buildings in the whole world.

Being locals, we get free entry!

10m FT8

In the last few minutes, I QSYed to 10m FT8. After a brief CQ (2.5W) with no spots, I am now RX only (no spots). Just as I came on, there was a weak signal on FT8, but I did not manage to decode it, so there is some activity!

UPDATE 1042z: Just 1 spot so far n 10m FT8  GM4WJA (624km). Es or aircraft?

UPDATE 1303z: No further spots today.

UPDATE 1510z: A few more spots now, although not many. Best DX is DM4KE (956km) on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE  1825z: In the end 5 spots. Time to QSY to 160m FT8 RX.

Es'hail 2 operational later this week

Southgate News reports that Es'hail 2, the first working geosynchronous amateur satellite will be generally available late this week. You may recall this is a Qatari  satellite with 2 amateur transponders in addition to the main TV transmitters. There will be webSDRs to see activity via the internet.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/february/eshail-2-inauguration-day.htm#.XF_06fZ2u00
See also https://eshail.batc.org.uk/

160m FT8 RX overnight

A good night on 160m FT8 RX with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. 23 North Americans, 1 Caribbean and 2 South Americans were spotted. Best DX was HK3W (8507km).