About 30 minutes ago I switched to 160m FT8 RX using the earth electrode "antenna" in the ground (see earlier post today for details). So far, 21 stations spotted with best DX RU3FM (2504km).
It will be interesting to see how many North Americans are spotted overnight.
UPDATE 1730z: 30 stations spotted so far this evening.
15 Jan 2020
Earth-electrode "antenna" in ground
As many know, this simple arrangement has given me great success on 1840kHz FT8 and 472kHz WSPR. I am sure a "proper" antenna and ground would be better, but for me, at 2 QTHs, it has worked.
On 160m QRP TX it has allowed me to be copied in North America! Although I used the mains earth at this QTH (you need to check if this is safe with your mains system), I used an external ground at my old QTH with the interconnecting wire on the ground with broadly similar results. My theory is this arrangement acts as a loop in the ground on VLF, LF and MF. At the old QTH I did not need the matching transformer.
On 160m QRP TX it has allowed me to be copied in North America! Although I used the mains earth at this QTH (you need to check if this is safe with your mains system), I used an external ground at my old QTH with the interconnecting wire on the ground with broadly similar results. My theory is this arrangement acts as a loop in the ground on VLF, LF and MF. At the old QTH I did not need the matching transformer.
Polyakov RX idea
For modes like WSPR, FT8 and similar you may find inspiration in this very simple RX designed many years ago for 10m WSPR. Although direct conversion and hence DSB, it worked well.
At the time I used very low cost GQRP 14.060MHz crystals, pulled up a little bit. For FT8 you would need low cost crystals at half 28.074MHz. The audio parts alone might give someone ideas.
At the time I used very low cost GQRP 14.060MHz crystals, pulled up a little bit. For FT8 you would need low cost crystals at half 28.074MHz. The audio parts alone might give someone ideas.
BBC MW closures - NOT amateur radio
Southgate News has a further piece about BBC Medium Wave local radio closures planned.
See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/january/further-changes-to-some-bbc-local-radio-medium-wave-services.htm#.Xh7f8fKTLnE
See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/january/further-changes-to-some-bbc-local-radio-medium-wave-services.htm#.Xh7f8fKTLnE
2m FT8
On 160m FT8 nothing copied for 2 hours now, so I have QSYed to 2m FT8. Initially I called CQ (10W to the big-wheel) and was spotted by 7 stations including 2 in Cornwall. Best DX was a spot by G7RAU (461km). On 2m FT8 RX 2 spots so far with F5APQ (180km) the best DX.
UPDATE 1104z: 6 stations spotted today so far on 2m FT8 RX. Best DX is G6YBV (261km).
UPDATE 1135z: So far today my 10W 2m FT8 to the big-wheel omni antenna has been spotted by 11 stations with best DX being PE7FG (445km). BTW, I am using WSJT-X v2.1.2. I get very annoyed when people call me after I have finished a TX CQ session. This happened this morning when I was called by a French station way after I had left the shack. Call me when I am on a transmitting session, or you are very unlikely to a reply! If I am on TX calling CQ I always try to reply.
UPDATE 1155z: Currently 11 stations in 5 countries spotted this morning on 2m FT8 RX with best DX HB9MOZ (765km).
UPDATE 1104z: 6 stations spotted today so far on 2m FT8 RX. Best DX is G6YBV (261km).
UPDATE 1135z: So far today my 10W 2m FT8 to the big-wheel omni antenna has been spotted by 11 stations with best DX being PE7FG (445km). BTW, I am using WSJT-X v2.1.2. I get very annoyed when people call me after I have finished a TX CQ session. This happened this morning when I was called by a French station way after I had left the shack. Call me when I am on a transmitting session, or you are very unlikely to a reply! If I am on TX calling CQ I always try to reply.
UPDATE 1155z: Currently 11 stations in 5 countries spotted this morning on 2m FT8 RX with best DX HB9MOZ (765km).
Poor on 160m FT8 RX last night
Overnight was poor on 160m FT8 RX. The number of North American stations spotted was the smallest seen all season. 317 stations spotted in the last 12 hours. Although no 160m expert it looks, to me, as if conditions are changing.
 |
| Stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX overnight |
14 Jan 2020
70cm activity contest tonight from 2000z
Although I am not really equipped for 70cm SSB, I shall have a go again using the 2m big-wheel and 10W SSB. Because of my poor voice I usually stop after about 40 minutes.
The band can be quite active, although with strong winds and rain, I expect some /P stations will stay at home! Often I manage over 100km on 70cm with this less than optimum set-up. If taking part, have fun. If you are really keen, the contest lasts 2.5 hours I think. My log is usually submitted by 2130z!
UPDATE 2100z: Well tonight with the high winds and rain, conditions were dreadful. After just 2 contacts I gave up and returned to 160m FT8 RX.
The band can be quite active, although with strong winds and rain, I expect some /P stations will stay at home! Often I manage over 100km on 70cm with this less than optimum set-up. If taking part, have fun. If you are really keen, the contest lasts 2.5 hours I think. My log is usually submitted by 2130z!
UPDATE 2100z: Well tonight with the high winds and rain, conditions were dreadful. After just 2 contacts I gave up and returned to 160m FT8 RX.
Return to topband FT8
A sort while ago I decided to QSY to 160m using the earth-elecrode "antenna" in the ground. My 10W CQ was spotted by 16 stations with best DX being SP1FJZ (1086km). On 160m FT8 RX 24 stations spotted within a few minutes with best DX being 9K2HN (4567km) in Kuwait.
UPDATE 1920z: Now 159 stations spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 2200z: 313 stations so far spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX. Nothing from North America spotted yet.
UPDATE 2317z: 378 stations so far spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX with best DX WP4G (6803km) in Puerto Rico. No North Americans yet.
UPDATE 1920z: Now 159 stations spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 2200z: 313 stations so far spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX. Nothing from North America spotted yet.
UPDATE 2317z: 378 stations so far spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX with best DX WP4G (6803km) in Puerto Rico. No North Americans yet.
ERP solutions? - NOT amateur radio
Today I got an email advertising Microsoft's ERP solutions.
OK, I have been retired now for almost 12 years, but I have no idea at all what this is about! Perhaps I am out of touch with modern acronyms used in industry. To me ERP stands for "effective radiated power".
Please would someone enlighten me, and some others?
UPDATE 1015z: Enterprise Resource Planning. I Googled it! Sounds a similar idea to throwing cushions to break ice at meetings - equally stupid.
OK, I have been retired now for almost 12 years, but I have no idea at all what this is about! Perhaps I am out of touch with modern acronyms used in industry. To me ERP stands for "effective radiated power".
Please would someone enlighten me, and some others?
UPDATE 1015z: Enterprise Resource Planning. I Googled it! Sounds a similar idea to throwing cushions to break ice at meetings - equally stupid.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
