10m FT8 (Saturday)

 

At the moment (1125z) I am on 10m FT8 RX. So far, 93 stations spotted. 

When I QSYed from 70cm FT8, there were still stations on and the band was still "up".

UPDATE 1325z:  124 stations spotted on RX.

UPDATE 1510z:  361 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX. Time soon to QSY to 70cm FT8 QRP. 10m FT8 RX spots shown on map.

DXing with a twist

One facet of HF radio that you may want to try for fun is DXing with a crystal set where all the power comes from the TX. 

Although you are most likely to hear broadcast stations, you may also copy amateurs. These days it is harder as most speech is on SSB, so you can only copy the muffled sound of envelope detection, but I have copied AM amateurs on 160m. For envelope detection, you may need a "proper" RX to identify the signal.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/crystal-set-dxing .

Promise - NOT amateur radio

At the moment in the UK we are in the depths of winter with frosts and cold weather. Actually, we have had a good month so far. yes, it has been cold, but also bright and sunny.

There are already promises of better weather to come as this picture from yesterday shows.

Jay at Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio

 

This colourful bird (crow sized) was at Anglesey Abbey yesterday.

70cm FT8 in the last day

Conditions are up on 70cm. 

In the last day I have stuck with FT8. In all, 43 stations spotted with the furthermost being F8DLE (735km). 

Remember this is with a vertical omni antenna! It is also 70cm!

Sunspots - Saturday January 15th 2022

Solar flux is 110 and the SSN 112. A=15 and K=3.

8m NoV

The wait goes on and on and on! 

I have chased OFCOM twice this week and heard absolutely nothing, except their computer generated reply which is about a month out of date. 

Maybe I shall hear next January? Oh there's another pig flying by.....

Someone at OFCOM please give me an answer!

70cm FT8 (Friday)

At about 1615z, I QSYed to 70cm FT8 from 10m. At first I called CQ with 2.5W and the V2000 vertical omni antenna, but now I am RX only. On TX, no QSOs, but I was spotted by 3 stations with the furthermost being G4RQI (194km).  On RX 2 stations spotted, both Gs.

UPDATED 1736z:  10 stations spotted on RX with the furthermost DC8UG (557km).

Cold and frosty - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows Anglesey Abbey earlier. It was cold and frosty. 

10m FT8 RX

Shortly, I hope to go on 10m FT8 RX. Sunspot count is over 100 and maybe there will be some decent DX again. 

It is a bright, sunny morning here, whereas the BBC weather again says clouds and no sun. We are off for a walk shortly.

UPDATE 0925z: 10m gear turned on at 0915z. So far, 23 stations already spotted on RX including 2 in Australia.

UPDATE 1236z:  176 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX.