10m FT8 RX

At 1030z, I turned on the FT817ND with the indoor loop on 10m RX. Comparing results with G0LRD, I think this antenna must be several dBs down. I can't wait to erect a 10m antenna outside again.

UPDATE 1236z:   No spots.

UPDATE 1301z: Just G0LRD spotted.

Geosynchronous Oscar 100

Every few weeks I check activity on the narrowband transponder of this satellite by looking at the web SDR at Goonhilly. The last time I looked was just before 0800z on Monday. 

My impression is activity levels are still low. As I have said before, this is just a quick view and far from scientific. If I looked a few minutes before or after, I might have formed a different view.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

Grandchildren - NOT amateur radio

Like many, we enjoy seeing our grandchildren. We were fortunate to see them all over the last few weeks. Many grandparents overseas have been less fortunate. 

The collage shows them in the last few weeks.

DXCC entities

Long ago, I stopped chasing DX. If I work some rare country or QTH square then great, but I do not chase it as if my life depended on it. There is always tomorrow, but if it "gets away" does it really matter? This is just a hobby. Personally, I like to see where my QRP signals reach, but each to their own. There are many ways to enjoy our hobby.

To some working every entity matters. They enjoy the thrill of the chase. I see Southgate News has a link about this. Apparently there 209 DXCC entities active.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2021/april/dxcc-country-entity-report-19-04.htm#.YH0zZSjYrrc .

French proverb - NOT amateur radio

 "To understand all is to forgive all".  

I believe this is an old French proverb, but what a good one.

I am of the view that there is good and bad in all of us. Most things that go wrong whether personally or globally are as a result of not fully understanding the whole picture. It is all too easy to judge when we only see part of the picture. 

Sunspots - Monday April 19th 2021

 Solar flux is 78 and the SSN 15.  A=16 and K=4.

IC-705 firmware upgrade

The micro-SD card for the IC-705 has arrived. Tomorrow, I may try a firmware upgrade. Others tell me this is straightforward. I certainly hope so!  I am not sure of the latest firmware (1.24?), but I am sure I shall find the latest on ICOM Japan website.

2m FT8 QRP (Sunday)

At about 1900z, I QSYed to 2m FT8 with 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. It is now 1915z and I have been spotted by 5 stations on TX and I have spotted 4 stations on RX.

10m FT8 RX

At 1419z, I turned on the FT817ND and the indoor loop tuned to 10m  As yet (it is now 1432z), no spots. 

The sunspot count is slightly lower than yesterday and conditions more disturbed.

UPDATE 1730z:  Just G0LRD spotted here and on PSKreporter by me. A PY seen mid afternoon, but this doesn't appear on PSKreporter. Overall, this has been disappointing. I'll give it a bit longer before QSYing.  Looking at all the results David G0LRD has got (111 10m spots!!) he is certainly being widely spotted on 10m FT8 today. Not sure what David is using for antenna and power.

If you are looking for a 10m grabber, check this one out in Alaska at http://kl7l.com/28Alaska00000.jpg . If you know of others, please let me know. I see there is a 10m QRSS grabber at https://qsl.net/g4iog/ .

The 4m (70MHz) band

 

At one time very few countries had access to this band and there was no commercial gear.  Now it is widely available, especially in Europe and several transceivers now include 4m.  One place for data is the 4m website that has quite a bit about the band. It is some years since I was active on 4m.

In Es openings, many European countries can be worked with simple antennas and low power. One possibility is my simple transverter.

See https://70mhz.org/ .