2m FT8 activity contest

Starting at 1900z is the RSGB organised 2m FT8 activity contest. At the moment I am RX only, although I might try TX with 2.5W FT8 with the big-wheel omni later.  So far, 35 stations in 6 countries spotted after 7 minutes!

UPDATE 1940z: 74 stations in 7 countries spotted. 1 QSO just now. RX only again as it is too crowded!

UPDATE 2110z:   96 stations in 9 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX this evening and 3 QSOs. My signal was spotted by F1FPL (345km). Now QRT. Quite pleased with just 2.5W and the omni antenna.

Summer Saturday - NOT amateur radio

This was Salcombe, where I come from in South Devon, on a summer day many years ago. 

10m FT8 RX

A few moments ago (0955z), I turned on my 10m FT8 RX. As I had just turned the electricity off whilst I changed a bulb in the bathroom, there was no internet, so no spots were appearing on PSKreporter.  Locally, I was spotting several stations.

UPDATE 1024z:  37 stations spotted and on PSKreporter. Most are single hop F2.

UPDATE 1411z:  172 stations spotted.

Stations spotted today

UPDATE 1744z:  476 stations spotted. QRT soon.

E-Field probe RX antenna

This tiny antenna is very effective on VLF, LF and MF. Versions are available which can be bought ready made or as kits.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/antennas/e-field-probe-efp .

See also https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/antennas/137khz-efp-rx-antenna .

160m FT8 RX overnight

Overnight I was on 160m FT8 RX. In all, 303 stations were spotted as the map shows.  This was with the untuned 10m antenna.

Dalham near Newmarket - NOT amateur radio

 

This is a village not far from us. As you can see, there are lots of thatched cottages. It is very beautiful.

Sunspots - Wednesday March 2nd 2022

Solar flux is 99 and the SSN 65. A=9 and K=2. 

160m FT8 RX

 At about 2000z, I started on 160m FT8 RX using the untuned 10m antenna.  At 2050z, 54 stations spotted. All were European

2m RSGB activity contest (UKAC)

This contest was on this evening. Usually I work about 8-10 stations, but tonight I worked just one before giving up. 

Some good distances were spotted, but there seemed fewer people on. Whatever I tried, I seemed unable to break through with my poor voice. I only tried for about 30 minutes with the big-wheel omni and 10W.

8m permit

I gather this is "in a queue" as the person is very busy. 

In the meantime, I shall get my dedicated 40MHz antenna up and check things. Until I get the permit in my hands, I have no intention of finalising frequencies or making any announcements/skeds. My hope is to send FT8 on a frequency coordinated with others in the UK and Europe to make monitoring easier.

Certainly, up to now, the man I have dealt with at OFCOM has been fast and helpful.