8m experiments continued

All being well, I hope to be on 8m FT8 TX again later on 40.680 MHz. At the moment I am on 8m MSK144, although I am not being spotted. Over the weekend I was spotted by 4 locals. Tests with Borat in Central Europe were not successful this time, but I am sure we will exchange reports soon. 

At one time I was expecting to be on 24/7, but for the moment I am only coming on in the day unless someone wants a test at night e.g. in a meteor shower.

I am not doing crossband contacts. Personally I think OFCOM should have created a very small 8m amateur band available by NoV. Just 5 kHz would have been enough. 

UPDATE 0935z:   After initially being on 8m MSK144 (no spots), I am now on 40.680 MHz FT8 TX (2 local spots) and RX.

UPDATE 1013z:  Just 8m FT8 RX only for a while. Back on 8m FT8 TX shortly.

UPDATE 1056z:   Back on 8m FT8 TX.  2 local spots.

UPDATE 1108z:  I have heard that Paul G7PUV on the south coast has now got his 8m permit.  As he has a beam and more power, I am hopeful of copying him on FT8.

Sunspots - Monday April 4th 2022

Solar flux is 128 and the SSN 129.  A=12 and K=2.

Ely (Friday) - NOT amateur radio

 

We did a nice walk in Ely on Friday. My wife made this collage. We had all sorts of weather!

The world famous university boat race between Oxford and Cambridge was held near here last year. It is usually held on the River Thames.

10m QRP WSPR (Sunday)

I keep forgetting that when the 10m antenna is free, I can go on 10m WSPR QRP TX with the W5OLF 500mW beacon. It is now 1330z and, so far,  14 spots by 3 stations with the furthermost EA8BFK (2880km).

UPDATE 1900z:  QRT soon. 5 different stations spotted me today.

UPDATE 2110z:  QRT.

8m TX tests (Sunday)

So far, I have had reports from 4 different local stations on 8m FT8. One station asked me to try 8m WSPR and he got 4 spots from me, even though I was only using 1W at the time. Reports suggested that even at 100mW he would have copied me. 

At the moment I am on 40.680 MHz MSK144. This is more suited to aircraft and meteor trail reflections, but is less good locally.

UPDATE 1419z: Despite being on 8m MSK144 for several hours, nobody spotted me, but 4 locals spotted my FT8 earlier. At the moment I am on MSK144 RX hoping to spot someone off aircraft or random meteors. G7PUV on the South Coast of the UK (if his 8m licence has come through yet!) has a beam and higher power. I should copy bursts from him.

Sunspots - Sunday April 3rd 2022 is

Solar flux is 143 and the SSN  118.   A=22 and K=2.

Solar data update

Early in the month, my favourite site for solar data usually updates the information. It is now April 2nd 2022 and the data has not yet been updated. So far, the signs are quite encouraging that this cycle will be at least as good as the last. Mind you, the last one was quite weak! I have not seen recent forecasts.

See https://www.solen.info/solar/ .

10m QRP WSPR TX (Saturday)

As the 10m antenna is free, I am on QRP WSPR TX at 500mW using the W5OLF beacon. So far, I have had 4 reports from G4KPX (14km).

UPDATE 1600z: 3 unique stations spotted so far today as the table shows. Still on TX. Furthermost is EA8BFK (2880km).

Transmitting 8m FT8

Since just after breakfast, I have been transmitting FT8 at QRP on 40.680 MHz USB dial. So far, 2 local spots have been received for which I am very grateful. I shall remain on TX. The dipole is quite low still.

As far as I know these are the first reports of a UK, non beacon, station on 8m.  As part of my research I welcome reports by PSKreporter or email. My T&I licence does not allow conventional QSOs, but I would like to know who you are and where you are . In my view, 2-way 8m FT8 exchanges are legal if you have a permit for 8m TX. 

UPDATE 1338z: 3 local spots so far. Thank you.

UPDATE 1644z:  Now QRT on 8m.

Any amateur radio or SWL station, anywhere on the planet, has my express permission to receive my test signals on 8m and give me reports.

Railway - NOT amateur radio

 Until the 1960s we had a railway in Burwell. Then the line was axed. Today the station is houses. If the line was still there, a lot of people might commute on it to Cambridge.