Times they are a changing on 6m FT8

Since about 15 minutes ago, I have been on 6m FT8. Initially I called CQ, but got no reports at all - ziltch. Not even a G spot. What this tells me is there are far fewer stations monitoring than a few months back in the Es season. I'll stick with it, but I am less hopeful of spotting much or being spotted with my 10W CQ calls.

UPDATE 0944z: 3 spots so far on 6m FT8 RX with best DX IS0AWZ (1598km) on Sardinia.

UPDATE 1012z: A10W 6m FT8 CQ was spotted by G0SYP (222km). This was 2 hours ago, so must have been my earlier CQ.

UPDATE 1145z: Well, there is still life in 6m FT8! At the moment 16 stations in 5 countries spotted including some that must be Es. Best DX spotted, so far, is CT1EUB (1814km) in southern Portugal. My own 10W 6m FT8 CQ was not spotted by anyone.

UPDATE 1600z: Although I have been monitoring 6m FT8 most of the day, no more Es seen here since lunch. At the moment 21 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX with the best DX being  IH9YMC (1943km).

UPDATE 1918z: In the end, 26 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX today as the map shows. There is still some Es, but it is harder to find than a few months ago. It is worth using FT8 and putting out the occasional CQ call.

UPDATE 2049z: Just now I put out a 6m 10W FT8 CQ.  I was not expecting anyone to spot me really. Then G3XGS (63km) spotted me.

Sunday Rally

The following takes place this Sunday:

Sunday 22 SEPTEMBER : WESTON-SUPER-MARE RADIO RALLY

The Campus Highlands Lane Weston super Mare BS24 7DX (Jct 21 M5). Doors open 10am to 3pm. Entry is £3. There will be trade stands and a Bring & Buy stall. Excellent catering and a large car park. Enquiries to Dave Dyer by email to G4CXQ@btinternet.com or on 07871 034206.

A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

2m FT8 RX

All day, I have been on 2m FT8 RX. As usual, lots of stations copied.

As of 1930z 74 stations in 10 countries had been spotted today. This seems usual on 2m FT8 RX.

Brother's visit - NOT amateur radio

After a few days my brother has gone back to Devon. It was good to see him. All being well I shall see him in Devon in November.

Old car - NOT amateur radio

A few days ago we went to Norwich. This car was parked outside an hotel near the cathedral. I am not sure if this car dates from just before or just after WW2. It is certainly a fine car. I think it is a Bentley.

The joys of 2m FT8

There can be little doubt that FT8 has transformed amateur radio.

Some would say this has led to a further decline in the use of CW and SSB. FT8 is definitely not a chatting mode, but it does work with weak signals and is great for short DX QSOs even with very modest stations. It also only occupies 50Hz of spectrum. All activity on any band is within a few kilohertz and there are plenty of people monitoring. I watch PSKreporter maps to see where I am being spotted. Every day I get a pleasant surprise!

In my own case on 2m, every day I get spotted by stations at double (or more) of the range I can work on SSB. Some reports are at ranges I could never even dream about.

Also, these days my voice is poor, so FT8 well suits my operating. I regret the decline in casual chats, but monitoring the FT8 watering holes on any band certainly improves the chances of being copied. Personally I like FT8.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/2m-ft8

The UK pound against the euro

When I looked last night, the UK pound had suddenly appreciated further against the euro. At one point it was worth little more than 1.07 euros, whereas now (last night) it was over 1.13. Before the BREXIT referendum, it was far higher. Does this suggest a big rebound if we (finally) agree a deal?

With all the uncertainty over BREXIT some were expecting it to fall close to parity. I am puzzled.

Sunspots - Thursday September 19th 2019

Solar flux is 66 and the sunspot number zero. A=9 and K=1.

Late switch to 2m FT8

At 1848z, I switched from 6m to 2m FT8. A 10W CQ using the big-wheel omni resulted in a QSO with G3KZR (231km) in IO81 square. I was spotted by 12 stations with best DX being DF0MU (475km). Every time I call CQ on 2m with 10W on FT8 I seem to get spotted at this sort of range.

UPDATE 2040z: 24 stations in 6 countries spotted in the last few hours on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2112z: The map shows the stations spotted on 2m FT8 RX this evening.

6m FT8

Today I am again on 6m FT8. After an initial 10W CQ to the V2000 vertical (no spots at all), I am RX only. So far, just one spot on 6m FT8 RX. This was G3TKF (221km). Nothing from the rest of Europe. I suspect many have now deserted 6m as the main Es season is over.

UPDATE 0922z: I see another G has been spotted. This is G8SGI (116km).

UPDATE 1057z: Now 4 Gs spotted on 6m FT8 RX this morning. No sign (yet) of any Europeans.

UPDATE 1012z: A recent 6m FT8 CQ (10W) was spotted by G3RED (55km).

UPDATE 1837z: On 6m FT8 RX 10 stations (all G and 1 GU) spotted. On TX during my brief 10W CQ calls just 2 spots (no QSOs) with best DX a spot by PA2CV (396km). Judging by the report, I suspect this was tropo.