FT8 slots

In the last few years FT8 has taken off like crazy.  It is very sensitive and works with very weak signals, much weaker than SSB and CW. It is not a chatting mode. It allows the minimum details for a QSO to be exchanged. There is a spin-off called JT8call that does allow free form messages, so chats could be had. 

Sadly FT8 has resulted in fewer speech mode chats. Although not a QRP mode per se, it does allow worldwide QSOs with QRP and simple antennas. Most find far less than 100W is sufficient to work the world.

One thing I have noticed is just how busy the narrow FT8 slots get. Although the transmissions only need about 50Hz, it is quite possible to find 20 or more stations in the FT8 window. The advantage is all signals get decoded by the (free) software and split operation within the FT8 window is encouraged.

There is a case of several FT8 slots in each band. The disadvantage is you may have to monitor more slots. There is a case for 2 or 3 FT8 slots on each band. This is still narrower than a few SSB signals.

UK and Covid-19 - NOT amateur radio

Rules within the UK nations vary, so what follows applies to England only. At the moment, the plan is to cautiously relax some rules on March 29th. This is part of a roadmap to complete relaxation of the rules. 

Dates could slip, although at the moment things are still on track. A lot depends on how people behave, vaccines and the 3rd wave in Europe and of course variants emerging.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56553128 .

Friedrichshafen 2021 - off

Although I have looked quite hard, I have failed to find out if this years grand show in June is definitely cancelled. 

2022 is on and I would be extremely surprised if this years show was on, especially with rising Covid-19 cases across Europe. Putting on a show would be expensive and it is unlikely many would want to be there in big crowds with the pandemic, even if they could travel.

The last definitive information I saw was that Dayton, USA was cancelled and Friedrichshafen 2021 was to be decided still. However, Southgate News is reporting that it is cancelled this year.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2021/march/ham-radio-exhibition-once-again-suspended.htm#.YGBoEyvYrrc .

It is definitely not happening in 2021. I have found the official announcement of this. A pity, but understandable. 

See https://www.hamradio-friedrichshafen.com/no-get-together-in-2021-ham-radio-exhibition-once-again-suspended

Notice the word "suspended" . There is an online event June 25th - 27th 2021.

17m FT8 QRP (Sunday)

 At 1109z I went on 17m FT8 QRP with 2.5W to the tiny indoor loop on the shack windowsill. It is now 1116z and so far today, 18 stations have been spotted on RX with nobody spotting my QRP on TX.

UPDATE  1425z:  So far today, 2 spots of my QRP with the furthermost being  UW5ZM (2317km) from the Ukraine on TX and 185 stations spotted on RX. At some point I shall remember to convert BST to GMT. Give me a few days!

Best friends - NOT amateur radio

These were hand reared and are now best friends. Aghhh... 

Sunspots - Sunday March 28th 2021

 Solar flux is 80 and the SSN 11. A=8 and K=1.

Lode - NOT amateur radio

Lode is a sleepy village about 5 miles from Cambridge. Buses are every 2 hours in the weekdays with none on Sunday. 

17m FT8 QRP (Saturday)

 For most of the day I have been on 17m FT8 with 2.5W and the tiny indoor loop. So far (it is now 1510z), just 1 station has spotted me on TX and I have spotted 267 stations on RX with the furthermost YB3EDD (12235km).

Village cottages - NOT amateur radio

 

Burwell (our village) has a total mix of old and new homes. These cottages are on the main High Street. I am not sure how old these are, but I guess most date from the 1800s.

Oscar 100 geosynchronous satellite

Every few weeks, I give my impression of activity on the narrowband transponder of this satellite as seen by looking at the webSDR at Goonhilly. 

As said many times before, this is not a scientific look. It is more of a "quick peek" impression, in this case looking mid-afternoon on a Friday in Europe. 

My impression is activity is very slightly up on the last time I looked. There is still plenty of room.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .