Garden in spring - NOT amateur radio

Springtime again! Despite the virus, life goes on. Today the lawns were cut for the third time. We are lucky to have a garden.

Amateur radio resurgence?

With many of us in full or partial lockdown, minds will turn to what we can all do at home. This year, gardens will be well tended. Home improvements will get done. Many books will get read. Friends and neighbours will be phoned or contacted by video chats.

All things being equal, amateur radio has its part to play. It is a free way to keep in contact with like-minded people. We have an outlet, so let's use it.

One of the things I shall try is to write a few radio articles for magazines. I usually write about things I have done.

OFCOM statement

On the OFCOM website is a statement about their handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

See their website.

2m FT8 vertical

This morning, as an experiment, I am on 2m FT8 with the vertical antenna. ERP is about the same on both omnis. At first glance, it is making little difference with plenty of spots at great range on the vertical antenna. 14 spots of my 10W already!

Stations spotting my 10W FT8 today 
(to 1230z) with the vertical on 2m

UPDATE 1252z:  Already several QSOs and 32 spots in 6 countries of my 10W FT8 to the vertical antenna with the best spot being by EI3KD (583km). Remember this is 10W to a vertical "white stick" fed with cheap CB coax on 2m. Both GI and EI have been reached (again) today with 10W and the V2000 vertical. Really,  polarisation seems to make absolutely no difference! I am being spotted by as many stations on vertical as horizontal omnis.

UPDATE 1319z: Switched to horizontal polarisation to see if Tim Kirby GW4VXE in west Wales and I can work each other. He has a small horizontal beam.

UPDATE 2110z: Today I was spotted by 61 stations in 6 countries, mostly with the vertical omni antenna. Who said 2m is dead? I am only using 10W!

Sunspots - Tuesday March 24th 2020

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=12 and K=2.

Back on 2m FT8

As 17m seems to be closing or closed for me, I have QSYed to 2m FT8 again with 10W and the big-wheel omni antenna.

After just a few minutes, 19 stations have spotted me including GI6ATZ (479km) and EI2OC (583km).  DX on 2m FT8 never fails.  Imagine if I had a big beam and 400W!!

This sort of range is always possible on 2m FT8 and I am convinced this is some sort of (non-aircraft) scatter.

UPDATE 1955z:  Now spotted by 27 stations in 6 countries.

UPDATE 2245z: Since the East Cambs net, I have been using the V2000 vertical antenna on 2m FT8. It seems to be making very little difference, sort of confirming some sort of scatter mode, but not aircraft.. At the moment the best DX spot on the vertical is by EI2OC (583km) with 23 stations spotting me on the vertical. Just now GI6AVZ (479km) was getting at about the same strength as on the big wheel.  Fascinating. Going QRT shortly.

Useful data on social distancing - NOT amateur radio

Many of us are finding life harder at the moment with the current Covid-19 pandemic. This chart shows how social distancing can help slow the spread so that health services can better cope.

We are all asked to do our best to help. Don't just think of yourself: isolating yourself more really, really helps us all.

17m FT8 (10W and the tiny indoor loop)

As I think I have been spotted by most of the stations who would get me on 2m FT8, I may now try 17m FT8 until later this afternoon.

UPDATE 1104z:  Now on 17m FT8 (10W) with the tiny indoor loop. Just one station in southern Spain spotted so far and no-one has yet spotted my signal.

UPDATE 1122z:  Now 3 stations in Europe have spotted me. 4 stations spotted on 17m FT8 RX so far today (3 Europe and 1 Africa).

UPDATE 1235z: 18 stations have now spotted me with PY5EG (9891km) being the best so far. On RX, 16 stations spotted so far today on 17m FT8.

UPDATE 1408z: 35 spots by me of others and 35 spots of my 10W from North and South America, the Caribbean, Africa and Europe! Not bad for 10W and the tiny indoor loop.

Stations spotting me to
1546z today on 17m FT8

UPDATE 1546z: 46 stations have spotted me so far on 17m FT8.

UPDATE 1638z: Now 48 stations on 4 continents have spotted my 10W 17m FT8 to the tiny indoor loop. The loop should be even better on 10m.

UPDATE 1910z:  Now QSYed to 2m after being spotted by 51 stations on 2m FT8.

2m FT8

For a change, I have already gone on 2m FT8. Already 19 stations in 5 countries have spotted me including EI2OC (583km). As usual, still using 10W and the big-wheel omni. This must be some sort of (non-aircraft) scatter as it never fails.

Kestrel - NOT amateur radio

On a recent walk we saw a kestrel. These are quite common. When hunting prey they seem to hover in the sky. This is why the alternative name is wind hover.