26 Oct 2021
Coffee in the garden - NOT amateur radio
CQ WW DX SSB contest
This weekend is the CQWW DX contest SSB leg. In years gone by, I filled pages in my logbook with QSOs, but since my stroke it has been far harder. This year, 10m should be pretty good after poor conditions for several years. I hope to pop on to work a few stations, although I never submit a contest log. Many times I forget it is on! It runs all weekend and usually the HF bands are buzzing.
See https://www.cqww.com/ .
Cactus Day - NOT amateur radio
Around now in late October we have celebrated Cactus Day with our grandchildren. Don't ask why it is called Cactus Day!! This was lunch time.
10m FT8 RX (Tuesday)
My gear was turned on at about 1050z. So far, 115 stations spotted.
Ferrite rod loading
On both 630m WSPR and 160m FT8 RX I have had great success using the FT817ND and the coax to my 2m big-wheel antenna. Just a mains earth was used in my case. If you cannot use this I expect a simple external ground would do instead. The tapped ferrite rod is shown. This was used as an ATU. The coax is quite short and the big-wheel about 5m at its highest. At its lowest the coax is about 50cm off the ground.
On 160m my noise level is S8-9. Despite this I can copy loads on FT8.
25 Oct 2021
Start them young
10m FT8 RX (Monday)
Since just after breakfast, my 10m RX has been on. 139 stations spotted with the furthermost A41ZZ (5854km).
UPDATE 1925z: 359 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX. Now QRT.
On the bus
Every Friday I go into Cambridge on the bus for my University of the 3rd Age lecture. Most people wear masks. It is busier now.
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