6m FT8

At about 1018z I QSYed to 6m FT8 from MF WSPR. On 6m I am using about 10W to the V2000 vertical omni antenna. An initial CQ resulted in no QSOs, but was spotted by EI2FG (565km). Judging by the report I do not think this was aircraft reflection. On RX no spots as yet today.

UPDATE 1042z: Although this has not happened today so far, I have noticed several spots of me appearing some time after my transmissions have stopped. I guess these people are not using WSJT-X as I thought this sent spots to PSKreporter immediately.

UPDATE 1156z: Just 2 fairly local Gs spotted so far today.

UPDATE 1450z: A recent FT8 CQ was spotted just by G4YKQ (104km). Best DX on 6m FT8 RX is EB1DJ (1279km).

UPDATE 1538z: A recent 6m FT8 CQ (10W) was copied by 2 fairly local G stations and nothing from further afield. Still just 9 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX today.

Floods - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday we went from Cambridge to St Ives (Cambridgeshire) on the guided bus. Many of the fields were flooded and the river was far higher than normal. One car-park (see photo) was totally under water. I was not expecting this at all.

2m cumulative contest results

The RSGB has published the results of the first 2m UKAC cumulative contest held on first Tuesday evenings. I am about mid-table in the low power section (AL). See the RSGB's website for details. Because of my poor voice, I am rarely on for more than 40% of the time and I only use the big-wheel omni antenna.

472kHz WSPR TX overnight

Stations spotting my 10mW ERP in the last 12 hours 

Last night was quite a good one with spots of my 10mW ERP by 24 stations.  Overnight just one more station spotted me.

UPDATE 1015z: Now 28 stations have spotted my 10mW ERP 472kHz WSPR in the last day.

Sunspots - Sunday January 19th 2020

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=1.

Promising evening on 472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP)

Already 12 spots from Norway this evening and spots by 17 different stations!  This is looking very promising.

UPDATE 2235z: 19 stations have spotted my QRPP 472kHz WSPR TX so far this evening. I shall run until well light tomorrow.

Stations spotting me this evening

By guided bus to St Ives - NOT amateur radio

Many people in the UK know about St Ives in Cornwall, but fewer know of the St Ives in Cambridgeshire. This is a delightful market town on the banks of the River Ouse. It has lots of independent shops, a market and plenty of places to eat.

For some years now you can reach it on the guided bus from Cambridge. Special buses run on special guides (see photo). It uses the route of the old Cambridge - St Ives branch railway.

When in Cambridge and central St Ives they can behave as ordinary buses on ordinary roads. The service from Cambridge is fast and traffic-free. If you have a bus pass it is also free! It goes through some fine countryside and lakes.

472kHz WSPR TX overnight

Overnight, I was again on 472kHz WSPR with the 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode  "antenna" in the ground (see post on this "antenna" a few days ago). 18 stations spotted me including 24 by Jan in Norway.

Stations spotting my 10mW ERP 

on 472kHz in the last 24 hours

Miracle antennas

Miracle whips and similar antennas are only as good as the whip length they are. The trick is an effective ground or counterpoise and matching them effectively. Although not miracles, the miracle whip is a good compromise. Using mine indoors, my best DX on 5W SSB is 11000km to LU. On 10m SSB QRP I expect they are very good for Es working in the Es season.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/mwhip

10m Tenbox transceiver

Like many of my projects, this came to an abrupt halt after my 2013 stroke. I just hope someone, or some group, can take it further. It would not be suitable for DX working, but could make a nice, simple, club project if finished and a PCB made.

If anyone has finished this, please let me know as I am very happy for this to happen. All the data is freely available on the website below. Copy and feel free to change!

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/tenbox