MLS were expecting their first batch of these mid September, but I am not sure if they got these. Does anyone know if it has got CE approval? What I am wondering is is the blockage at the ICOM factory or approval?
19 Sept 2020
20m FT8 Saturday (4W to indoor loop)
As an experiment I left 20m FT8 RX on overnight. Best DX was 5Z4VJ (6858km) in Nairobi. As usual, I am using the indoor loop.
UPDATE 0825z: On RX 150 stations spotted in the last 3 hours with best DX ZD7MY (7606km) on St Helena. 4W TX switched on at 0747z. No spots of me yet.
UPDATE 1040z: 248 stations in 4 continents spotted here this morning and 11 stations spotting me.
18 Sept 2020
Keeping an eye on the neighbours - NOT amateur radio
Our neighbours were asked to keep an eye on their neighbour's house and garden when they were away on holiday. My neighbour decided to rebuild the fence. I think his neighbours have some leaks!
20m FT8 (4W to indoor loop)
Since just before breakfast I have been on 20m FT8 with the tiny indoor loop antenna. It is now 1140z. So far, my 4W has been spotted by 14 stations in 2 continents and I have spotted 198 stations.
UPDATE 1545z: 13 Europeans plus 1 on the Canary Is have spotted my 4W 20m FT8 today so far. On RX, 424 stations spotted with best DX YB2HAF (11989km).
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| Stations spotted in the last 12 hours |
Cambridge Radio Club (CDARC)
In the last few months I rejoined the Cambridge club as a country member. Meetings are currently held as Zoom meetings online and these have been very good. I do not like driving far, if at all, at night these days. Zoom meetings suit me well. This week, we had a joint quiz and social by Zoom with a club in Northern Ireland. This worked out really well.
Coastal erosion - NOT amateur radio
17 Sept 2020
Return to 20m FT8
At about 1345z, I returned to 20m FT8 using 4W and the indoor loop. So far, in about 12 minutes, 47 stations have been spotted, although no-one yet has spotted me and no QSOs.
UPDATE 1425z: Plenty of DX being spotted with the best being LU4EFC (11336km). 4 continents spotted so far in this session. 88 stations so far spotted this afternoon. 179 stations spotted on 20m FT8 today.
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| Stations spotted |
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| Stations spotting me |
UPDATE 2020z: 437 stations spotted here in the last day in 5 continents on 20m FT8 RX. 20 stations including 3 in the USA have spotted my 4W 20m FT8 TX to the tiny indoor loop. I remain amazed that this tiny antenna works so well.
2m big-wheel omni antenna
As mentioned in the last post, I use a Wimo big-wheel omni antenna for 2m SSB and FT8. This is horizontally polarised and has a slight gain (2-3dB?) in all directions. It works very well. It was erected some years ago by David G0LRD.
It is also used on 70cms for SSB and FT8.
It suits my operating perfectly as no rotator or beams are needed. It is ideal for FT8 and monthly activity contests on 2m and 70cm SSB. For FM I use a vertical V2000.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/bigwheel
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