2m SSB in the 1970s

When I first started in VHF amateur radio it was in the early 1970s, when most rigs were AM. Gradually people started using FM gear and this mode really took off with the coming of repeaters.

My first 2m SSB rig was a Liner-2. It was a revelation, with distances I could only dream about being workable even with very simple antennas. Nowadays many prefer the "rubber stamp" FT8 QSOs. Back in those early days 2m DXing was real fun and ranges of several hundred kilometres were possible most nights on SSB.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/liner2

Delta-T - NOT amateur radio

Delta-T is a company in our village focusing on plant measurement gear and environmental science. They work from offices that were originally built in the 1500s. At one time they were a worker's co-operative although I am not sure of their business model today.

See https://www.delta-t.co.uk/

2m FT8

All day, I have been on 2m FT8 RX. So far (1304z) 39 stations spotted in 8 countries spotted.

UPDATE 1839z: 64 stations spotted today so far in 8 countries on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2216z: 86 stations copied today on 2m FT8 RX. Soon be time to go QRT.

Sunspots - Friday December 5th 2019

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=3 and K=0.

ICOM SDR radios at RSGB National Radio Centre

Southgate News reports that ICOM has provided IC-7300 and IC-9700 SDR rigs to the RSGB's National Radio Centre.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2019/december/latest-icom-sdr-amateur-radios-supplied-to-rsgb-national-radio-centre.htm#.XeehfeiTLnE

ABC Classic Sydney, 92.7MHz FM, Australia - NOT amateur radio

A few weeks ago we bought a Brennan BB1 receiver.  This plays thousands of stored music tracks, Youtube videos and 40000 internet radio stations from around the world. Quality is great and the device small. I am mightily impressed.

At the moment, whilst typing this, I am listening in the background to ABC Classic from Sydney, Australia. Quality is first class, as if I was a local in Sydney!

2m FT8

Just now, I tried to go on 10m FT8, but on 2 rigs it was showing hi-SWR, so something is wrong with the antenna or its connecting coax. I shall have to investigate.

In the meantime I am on 2m FT8 calling CQ initially with 10W to the omni antenna. Now I am 2m FT8 RX only. 16 spots of me including GD3YEO (384km) and 6 on 2m FT8 RX with best DX being F6APE (551km).

UPDATE 1252z:  Now 32 stations in 6 countries spotted so far today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1815z: 87 stations spotted today on 2m FT8 RX with best DX SM6VFZ (1030km).

UPDATE 1855z: 95 stations in 10 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

Stations spotted so far
today on 2m FT8 RX

UPDATE 2208: 118 stations in 10 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

Narcissi - NOT amateur radio

Recently, my wife bought a pot of narcissi for the kitchen table. It will be great to see them come into flower over the weeks ahead whilst having breakfast. They are a real December and Christmas  plant.

Sunspots - Wednesday December 4th 2019

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 0. A=2 and K=2.

2m UKAC activity contest this evening

Starting at 2000z tonight is the December leg of the 2m activity contest. Normally activity levels on SSB are high. Although I just use QRP and stop on for less than an hour, I frequently manage more than 200km.

UPDATE 2126z: In the end with my 10W SSB 7 QSOs with best DX 243km in the Dales. After about 50 minutes I had to stop because of my poor voice. There were plenty more stations to work.

Stations worked with QRP on 2m SSB

this evening in the activity contest