6m FT8

At about 1025z, I turned on my 2.5W 6m FT8 to the V2000 vertical omni antenna again. No spots yet. Yesterday, I was only spotted by a couple of Gs on 6m FT8.

UPDATE 1223z:  No spots. At the moment, today is even worse than yesterday on 6m FT8! I shall stick with it for now. The problems are poorer conditions and fewer stations. I am quite surprised not to have been spotted by some Gs.

UPDATE 1430z: 2 stations spotted on RX with G4FKA (207km) the furthermost. Nobody has spotted me.

UPDATE 1620z: 2 Gs have spotted me today on 6m FT8.

Oscar 100 satellite - activity still low

Every few weeks I give an update on narrow-band activity through this geosynchronous satellite. I listened last night and this morning. 

When I listened there were between 5 and 7 QSOs only on SSB, so plenty of room. I am sure the lack of easy commercial gear is stopping more people getting on. I guess compared with an SDR HF rig, the quantities are just not there. Also, there is the risk: if a part fails and the satellite just stops working the whole market just goes.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/

Last night's 70cm activity contest

Last night I was on 70cm in the activity contest organised by the RSGB. Because of my poor voice I was on for about 45 minutes only. 

In all, 6 stations were worked with 10W and the 2m (not 70cm!) big-wheel omni antenna. The contacts are shown on the map. This is a friendly contest. 

Sunspots - Wednesday November 11th 2020

 Solar flux is 87 and the SSN 27.  A=2 and K=0.

Practical Wireless QRP Contest

In this contest I worked just 3 locals when active. I was quite close to the bottom in the results. 

The last time I seriously entered this contest (30-40 years ago?) I was using 1W AM and ran a large parabeam antenna /P from a good QTH.  

This time we could not operate /P and only from home. My antenna is just the big-wheel omni antenna.

70cm activity contest

Unless I am mistaken, this evening, starting at 2000z, is the 70cm activity contest organised by the RSGB. I use 10W and the 2m big-wheel. As yet, I have not seen an email reminder. I usually stay on for less than 1 hour, although the contest lasts 2.5 hours.

UPDATE 1815z:  Guess what? The reminder email has just arrived.

2m FT8 QRP

At 1433z, I QSYed to 2m (FT-817ND) FT8 with 2.5W to the big-wheel omni antenna. At 1445z, 3 stations had spotted me with the furthermost being G7RAU (461km) on the Lizard in Cornwall. So far today, just 1 station spotted and that was G8VDP (182km).

UPDATE 1520z: A quick look at G0LRD's grabber showed my QRP signal a little down on normal, so I have increased the ERP just a little by adjusting the SignaLink USB. See http://82.71.9.63:8080/cap/ . Now being spotted by 7 stations in 3 countries with the furthermost being EI2FG (565km). Also spotted by GI6ATZ (479km). If I got these ranges on 2m SSB with QRP I would be totally amazed. On 2m FT8 this is daily.

UPDATE 1800z: 18 spots of me so far today.

6m FT8

OK, I must like white noise! 

For a change today I am on 6m FT8 QRP with 2.5W and the V2000 vertical omni. It would not surprise me at all if the whole day passes without any spots. Outside of the Es season people often leave the band. With FT8, there is some chance.

UPDATE 0945z: Well, I have already been spotted by G0PQO (50km) at -21dB S/N. This was almost immediate. So much for the whole day without spots!

UPDATE 1035z: I have been spotted by a second station! M1ABK (70km) at -18dB S/N.  I suspect this is ordinary tropo i.e. these stations, if active, would spot me most of the time.

UPDATE 1430z:  1 station has spotted me and I have only been spotted by the 2 G stations earlier. I think I shall QSY to 2m FT8 shortly.

Sunspots - Tuesday November 10th 2020

Solar flux is 90 and the SSN 27.  A=1 and K=0.

OT2CARE

This is a special Belgian call that I spotted this evening on 2m FT8. At first I wondered if it was a pirate!

See https://www.qrz.com/db/OT2CARE