10m FT8 with the external antenna

At 0515z I turned on my 10m FT8 gear with 2.5W and the external antenna. So far today 31 stations have spotted me. 

Sunspots - Saturday July 3rd 2021

 Solar flux is 95 and the SSN 72. A=5 and K=2.

External 10m antenna

Late this afternoon, with the help of G3TFX, I re-erected my Par EF-10/20/40 antenna. It matches fine on 10m and 40m but the match is off on 20m. Since erecting this I have been spotted by 48 stations on 10m FT8 with the furthermost CU6AD (2679km). 

On RX it seems to work from 40m-10m. I have not tried other bands yet.

On 10m FT8 RX 80 stations have been spotted with the furthermost PT2VHF (8874km).

UPDATE 2106z: Copied in the USA (New England) by a couple of stations with the furthermost W1BZJ (5317km).

Switzerland - NOT amateur radio

Switzerland is a beautiful mountainous country as this image that was on 365project earlier shows. 

I have been there a few times for work and holidays. Slovakia, which is very similar, is about half as expensive.

2m FT8 yesterday

Most of the time yesterday evening I was on 2m FT8 RX using the big-wheel omni antenna. At the start I was on TX and was spotted by 5 stations when I was using 2.5W. Most of the time I was on RX. I spotted 23 stations on 2m FT8 RX as the map shows. 

Sunspots - Friday July 2nd 2021

 Solar flux is 94 and the SSN 56. A=7 and K=1. 

Norfolk churches - NOT amateur radio

Whatever your views on religion, we have more churches with round towers in this area than anywhere in the world. The church in the photo is in Norfolk. 

2m FT8

 At the moment, I am on 2m FT8 using 2.5W and the big wheel antenna. I have been spotted by 5 stations and I have spotted 2 with the furthermost on RX PE1EZU (315km).

UPDATE 2002z: 12 stations spotted on 2m FT8 RX with the furthermost DK1FG (815km).

Rally postponed and new venue

The Dartmoor Radio Rally with a new date (was July 4th) is now at a new venue at the Yelverton War Memorial Hall on August 15th. The postcode is PL20 6AL for those with GPS. 

Admission is £2.50 and Roger on 07854 088882 or email 2e0rph@gmail.com has more details.

Butterfly - NOT amateur radio

 

This very kind butterfly kept very still so I could take a photo. 

Usually they fly away just as I am about to shoot!