8m TX permit

OFCOM has assured me that it has granted all I asked for, but seem unable to tell me exactly what I am getting before I pay £50!  

As I do not know several things, I have asked them to clarify these before I shell out. I think this is reasonable. My wish is to go ahead.

Assuming all is OK, I hope to start TXing FT8 before the Es season and all reports will be appreciated. I suspect this summer could be most interesting on 8m regarding propagation studies.

UPDATE 1239z:   OFCOM has clarified things. It has granted me 40-42MHz and I can use my own amateur callsign. It is soon to invoice me. The permit is for a year starting April 2nd 2022. I must not cause interference! 

10m FT8

 After a very brief TX period with 2.5W FT8 (3 DX spots), I am now RX only.  49 spots so far with the furthermost YB2IQ (11988km).

UPDATE 1154z:  114 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1947z:  463 stations spotted.

Sunspots - Monday February 28th 2022

Solar flux is 97 and the SSN 48. A=13 and K=3. 

10m FT8 RX

Once again, 10m is becoming a great DX band. 

Most days, DX from across the globe has been copied on 10m FT8. 

If you are after a simple RX to monitor 10m FT8, then my 10FT8R RX may be the answer. You may be able to make yours better or simpler!

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/10ft8r-rx .

Daffodils - NOT amateur radio

 

This was me yesterday taking a photo of some daffodils near our church.

Anglesey Abbey earlier - NOT amateur radio

 

The photo shows Anglesey Abbey earlier in the afternoon sunshine. 

John Lewis - NOT amateur radio

John Lewis is one of the most respected store chains in the UK. 

Recently, they announced they would be "retiring" (don't you love that?) their long held policy of never knowingly undersold. This basically meant if you could buy it cheaper elsewhere, they would match the price. With the internet, this policy is far more difficult now.

Whilst I understand this, it is yet another example of things getting worse rather than better. In my view John Lewis, like many high street shops, is struggling. I hope they survive.

40m FT8 in the last day

 

578 stations spotted in the last day on 40m FT8 RX as the map shows using the untuned 10m antenna.

UPDATE 1407z:  1005 stations spotted on 40m FT8 RX in the last day. 

Sunspots - Sunday February 27th 2022

 Solar flux is 97 and the SSN 22. K=2 and A=2.

40m FT8 RX (Saturday)

At about 1900z I QSYed to 40m FT8 RX using the 10m endfed antenna untuned. So far (at 1957z) 221 stations spotted. At the moment 40m seems to be the best all round band day and night. I shall probably leave it on overnight.

UPDATE 2020z:  264 stations spotted.