Back on 6m FT8

Earlier we went by train to Peterborough, where we went to the Gaia exhibition and had lunch.

Now we are home again, I am on 6m FT8. After a few CQ calls, I am currently RX only. On 6m FT8 TX I was spotted by LA7DHA (1902km) way up in Norway. I assume this is Es. Other spots were by stations in  England.

So far on 6m FT8 RX just one G spotted.

Every time I go on 6m FT8 TX I seem to be spotted at great range, presumably by Es. I think it is disappointing that people desert the band in August thinking that the Es season is over. Clearly with FT8, we are seeing Es every day so far this month that I have been active.

UPDATE 1540z: Another FT8 CQ (10W) was spotted by 6 stations with (again) LA7DHA (1902km) spotting me. Still just one spot on 6m FT8 RX.

Globe - NOT amateur radio

At the moment there is an exhibition on inside Peterborough Cathedral called "Gaia". The centre piece in the nave is a 7m diameter globe of the Earth (see photo). It is very impressive and free in the daylight hours.  They charge in the evenings when there is music and the globe is illuminated.

End fed half wave antennas

The problem with end fed half waves is they are a high impedance at the ends. This is often outside the range that can be tuned with auto-ATUs in many modern rigs that tune out mismatches to about 3:1 VSWR. The common solution is to add a matching transformer so the auto-ATU can cope. There are several ideas around.

See https://vk3il.net/projects-antenna/efhw-matching-unit/

Sunspots - Wednesday August 21st 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the sunspot number 0. A=4 and K=1. Still no sunspots!

BREXIT deal? - NOT amateur radio

We have a Prime Minister who is on record as saying that we will be leaving the EU at the end of October deal or no deal. He has also said the chances of a no deal are 1 million to 1 against.

At the moment both the UK and EU seem to be playing chicken to see who blinks first. It seems to me that the divisions are only over the border between Eire and Ulster. Surely to goodness a compromise can be found that suits both the EU and UK?

If a compromise is not worked out, both lose. No-one wants that.

2m FT8

A few moments ago I switched to 2m FT8 TX. 4 spots with best being GI6ATZ (479km). Yet again, I am running just over 10W to the big-wheel omni antenna.

Already a couple of Germans are in the RX log. FT8 makes things possible that simply would not be possible on SSB or CW for me.

UPDATE 2048z: Just worked F6BTP (323km) on 2m FT8. I called him in answer to his CQ call. I was also copied in Germany (562km) and Eire (565km). Quite amazing with just over 10W to an omni antenna.

Punts in the rain - NOT amateur radio

This photo was taken earlier this summer.

We had a shower of rain, so all the punt occupants suddenly erected umbrellas! They are on the Cam just outside Kings College.

136kHz and 472kHz RX with the E-field probe.

In the coming LF and MF DX season, I hope to be on RX with an E-field probe antenna. As this has to go in a tree, this depends on getting some help as it needs ladder work!

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/mflf/winter

FT991A web page updated

Yesterday I had occasion to ring MLS about my FT991A. Their service on the phone was very good, so I have updated my webpage to share the advice they gave me.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/ft991a

Norwich - NOT amateur radio

In our minds, Norwich is one of the nicest cities in the UK. It has a Norman cathedral and castle, some very old streets, fine shops and a good market amongst its many attractions.

The photo shows one street not far from the cathedral.