2m FT8 QRP (Tuesday)

Today, I am again on 2m FT8 QRP with 2.5W and the big-wheel antenna. Already at 0930, 8 stations have spotted my QRP including (again) EI2FG (565km). The grabber at G0LRD is very useful.

See http://82.71.9.63:8080/cap/

UPDATE 1018z: 11 stations have spotted my 2m FT8 QRP.

UPDATE 1118z: 12 stations have spotted my 2m FT8 QRP this morning. I guess most that can spot me now have. On 2m FT8 RX,  8 stations spotted here so far.

Stations spotting
me at 1212z

UPDATE 1212z:  So far today, 14 stations in 4 countries have been spotted on 2m FT8 RX. On 2m FT8 QRP TX, I have been spotted by 15 stations in 3 countries.

UPDATE 1827z:   42 stations in 7 countries spotted here on 2m FT8 RX. On QRP 2m FT8 TX 23 stations in 6 countries have spotted me.

Last evening on 2m FT8 QRP

Last evening I was again on 2m FT8 with 2.5W to the big-wheel. Yet again, plenty of stations were spotting me including EI and GI.

Overnight snow - NOT amateur radio

Although it snowed again overnight here in Burwell, I suspect it is much worse to the east. We have some fresh snow on the road and plenty of ice, but it could be much worse. This is the coldest winter here for some time although nothing like 1947 or 1963.

Sunspots - Tuesday February 9th 2021

Solar flux is 74 and the SSN 0. A=6 and K=2.

2m FT8 QRP (Monday)

At 1844z I turned my 2m QRP using the FT817ND at 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far this evening 5 stations have spotted me in 2 countries.

SSB out-of-band?

There is an interesting piece on Southgate News about transmitting out of band. This is particularly important on 60m where the allocations are very small. The important thing is that the dial frequency may be in band but some of the modulation may not be! 

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2021/january/how-far-you-can-turn-the-dial-when-transmitting-ssb.htm#.YCEkAyuTLrc

Snow in Kent - NOT amateur radio

 

They have had plenty of snow in Kent as the photo shows.

You can see they are having fun!

Snow in Burwell - NOT amateur radio

At last in this cold snap we had snow overnight and there are slight snow flurries now. 

This winter is proving colder than for several years and this is the second "proper" snowfall. It is much worse to the east of us. 

At least the children can go sledging and build snowmen. These are rare treats nowadays here.

15m FT8 QRP (Monday)

Shortly, I shall go on 15m FT8 with 2.5W and the tiny indoor loop. 15m seems a good compromise at the moment: open more than 10m, but the loop is still OK.

UPDATE 0940z:  Gear turned on. Much to my surprise, already my 2.5W has been spotted in Finland on TX and I have spotted 5 stations on RX. This is after 8 minutes!!

UPDATE 1112z: 2 spots of my QRP TX so far.  On RX, 46 spots as far away as Australia. The furthermost is VK8NSB (13781km).

Sunspots - Monday February 8th 2021

 Solar flux is 73 and the SSN 0. A=21 and K=1.