21 Sept 2020

Covid-19 in the UK - NOT amateur radio

There is no doubt that Covid-19 is on the rise, with more cases in western Europe than for several months. We are getting smarter at treating it, but it remains a real threat to the elderly especially. I just hope that the UK government can do enough to stop the exponential rise of this disease. They are trying to balance public health with economic damage. It is not easy.

2m FT8

Since 1219z I have QSYed to 2m FT8 (10W to the big-wheel omni). Within a few minutes I have been spotted by 41 stations in 4 countries.

UPDATE 1314z: Already 2 QSOs and spotted by 64 stations in 8 countries.

UPDATE 1837z: 106 stations in 8 countries have spotted me today on 2m FT8.

Stations spotting me
today on 2m FT8

UPDATE 2042z: 120 stations have spotted my 10W FT8 on 2m today with my 10W to the big-wheel omni. On 2m FT8 RX 109 stations spotted with the best DX a couple of Swedish stations including SF6F (1029km).

6m FT8 Monday

Continuing my "playing" with 6m FT8, I turned on the 6m gear (10W to the V2000 vertical) at about 0833z. Already spotted by 5 G stations plus OV3T (732km) in Denmark (Es?) and I have spotted G3PXT (80km).

UPDATE 0850z: Now my 10W is being spotted by 7 stations, mostly Gs.

UPDATE 1217z: Now 9 stations spotting me and G3PXT is calling "CQ SM" on 6m. Is he after 6m tropo QSOs? I may QSY to 2m FT8  later as apparently there is lots of tropo DX from Scandinavia on 2m FT8.

Pompey in better times - NOT amateur radio


A few years ago we went to Pompey. It rained! What struck me was just how similar life was really even all those years ago 

6m operation

In really good sunspot maximums the F2 MUF exceeds 50MHz at times and world wide DX is possible on 6m. Even with a low wire dipole I recall ZS (South African) stations chatting on SSB and Ws (USA) chatting as if they were locals. These days the F2 layer rarely gets that high. Luckily some impressive DX is possible via E layer, especially in the summer months.

I think it is fair to say I "play" at 6m using 10W and a V2000 omni antenna. Serious operators have big towers, big beams and maximum legal power. This extra "station gain" could be worth some 30-40dB. There is little doubt that this will make a difference.

Most Junes, Japan is worked from western Europe on 6m. With weak signal modes this is possible with more modest stations, although big stations are better equipped to work such long paths. Last year some even worked Australia from western Europe on 6m through a combination of propagation modes. It is not for nothing that some call it "the magic band".

Often people leave the band thinking it is just "white noise" outside of the summer months. Even at unusual times and months the band can open, which is why FT8 can be so useful: it works with weaker signals than SSB or CW, activity is concentrated in a few kilohertz, and there are lots of monitors. WSPR would be even better, but the longer TX slots could mean some fleeting openings are missed even though WSPR can detect even weaker signals.


Encouraging news (I think)

Southgate News has a piece on the report of the Examinations Standards Committee about recent amateur exams. It shows increases in those taking the exams in the UK, although most are men.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/september/uk-amateur-radio-exam-report-released.htm#.X2czhmjYq00

Sunspots - Monday September 21st 2020

 Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=1.

20 Sept 2020

200 years old - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows the windmill next door which is 200 years old this year. The museum had a special day today in the warm sunshine. 

Thistle - NOT amateur radio

 

This was seen at Blicking Hall during our recent visit to north Norfolk. Even wild things can be very beautiful.

6m FT8

It is very late for Es, but my Facebook memories today reminded me that some Es can occur very late in the summer, certainly well outside of the traditional "Es season". For this reason I decided to try 6m FT8.  It is now 0921z and I have been active for about 10 minutes. Surprisingly, already a couple of Gs have spotted my 10W to the V2000 vertical omni antenna. No great DX (best 77km), but life. Nothing yet spotted on RX here and no QSOs.

UPDATE 0929z: Now also spotted by G7RAU (461km) in Cornwall. Not Es, but pleasing. His report of me at -15dB S/N is quite strong. Aircraft?

UPDATE 1525z: My 10W has been spotted by 7 stations so far today with best DX being DK8NE (702km). On RX 7 stations spotted. 

UPDATE 2015z:  Now QRT. 9 stations spotted me today.