160m FT8 RX

For the last few hours I have, again, been on 160m FT8 RX.  Yet again loads of Europeans (150 so far this evening) with best DX RW4PU (3362km).

Stations spotted this evening, so far, on 160m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2222z: Bedtime!  So far this evening 192 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Best DX spot on 160m FT8 RX is RV0AR (5577km) in Asiatic Russia.  Nothing yet from North America.

Oscar 100 (geosynchronous satellite) commercial gear

At the moment, most users of this successful geosynchronous satellite transponder are using semi homebrew kit. This often consists of a PLL locked LNB, an ex satellite TV dish and an SDR at the IF, together with an upconverter, which is often based on 2.4GHz wi-fi parts and amplifiers.

As news of its successful deployment spreads, it is likely that more dedicated commercial gear will become available. I wonder who will be first to offer a complete "solution in a box"? I guess someone will combine an upconverter at the right SSB power with a phase locked LNB down-converting to 432MHz. After all, this is far cheaper than an HF beam and tower. With an expected lifetime of 15 years or more, this will appeal to many DXers.

Flowers on the approach to Kings - NOT amateur radio

At this time of year the flowers on the Backs (of colleges) in Cambridge, UK look their best. The ones in the photo are on the approach to Kings.

BREXIT - NOT amateur radio

Well, the rest of the world must be looking at the UK in utter disbelief thinking how can they make such a mess of leaving the EU. Have they completely lost it?

Like many in the UK, I am rapidly losing the will to live over BREXIT. On one thing we all agree: this is NOT how you do things. Mrs May, the UK Prime Minister, has handled this badly.

Sticking with 2m FT8

Today, I have decided to stick with 2m FT8 RX. So far today, 18 stations in 6 countries already spotted in just the last 3 hours! There is no doubt that FT8 has completely transformed 2m for me: unheard of DX is always within range. When I call CQ (2.5W to the big-wheel omni antenna) I always seem to be spotted at great range. Propagation is often ordinary "flat band"  tropo, with some aircraft reflections at times. I am pretty convinced much is tropo and not aircraft reflections as every time I call CQ with real QRP I get spotted in Cornwall or Northern Ireland.

UPDATE 1510z: 21 stations in 7 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX so far today with the best DX being DK1FG (815km).

UPDATE 1632z: 45 stations in 7 countries spotted so far today on 2m FT8 RX.

Stations spotted here in last 12 hours on 

2m FT8 RX with the big-wheel omni antenna.

Sunspots - Wedesday March 20th 2019

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 13. A=3 and K=1.

2m FT8

This mode never fails to amaze me.

With 2.5W to the big-wheel omni I get spotted at distances I could only dream about on SSB. Not only that, but my poor voice can have a rest. OK, QSOs tend to be basic exchanges and FT8 is not a mode for long chats. Nonetheless, for a QRP station like mine, it is a game changer.

A brief CQ (2.5W to the omni) earlier was spotted by 9 stations with best DX a spot by GI6ATZ (478km). Already a station in Germany has been spotted on 2m FT8 RX. The Hepburn tropo forecast seems to indicate that conditions are flat.

Stations that spotted my 2.5W 2m FT8 CQ just now.

UPDATE 2255z: Bedtime!  In all, 23 stations in 6 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX this evening.

Stations spotted this evening on 2m FT8 RX.

BREXIT - NOT amateur radio

We are meant to be leaving the EU next week. Yet UK politicians are behaving like a bunch of school children squabbling over a piece of chocolate. Whatever your views we have made a right mess of leaving. No wonder the EU officials are frustrated.

What I fail to understand (2 years after the referendum) is why we did not agree before we triggered Article 50 what we could all agree on! The UK Prime Minister, Mrs May, seems to be very stubborn. Surely she must realise that her deal will only get approved as people are totally fed up and see us delaying BREXIT for possibly years.

The last straw will be a bribe for the DUP (more money for Ulster?) if they support her deal. Sorry, but the last 2 years has destroyed my faith in our representatives in the UK parliament. They are all, it would appear, like pigs in a trough. Whatever happened to consensus?  Bring back the stocks and let us throw rotten tomatoes at them.

Gearbest data breach?

An old work colleague has reported that users of Gearbest are at risk of a data breach. As far as I know, I used PayPal. Even so, they have my other details on file.

See https://www.theregister.co.uk/2019/03/18/gearbest_data_breach_1_5m_customers_affected/

Alboran Island - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday I mentioned the Alboran Sea. This was completely unknown to me, so today I went looking more closely at this area. It turns out the Soviets tried to occupy Alboran Island back in the 1960s prompting the Spanish to station a garrison there.  There is a page about this small, remote islet.

See http://www.evs-islands.com/2008/02/isla-alboran-sp-isolated-mediterranean.html  .