8m experiment (Friday)

Shortly, I shall be back on 8m FT8 TX on 40.680 MHz USB dial. Yesterday was disappointing. 

UPDATE 0917z:  My FT8 TX was started at 0813z. EI9KP (649km) has spotted me and I have spotted him. This is so regular that I am suspecting aircraft reflection.

Stations spotting my QRP 8m FT8

Stations spotted here on 8m FT8

UPDATE 1502z: Reports exchanged with S50B (1220km) in Slovenia. 5 stations have been spotted on the band here today. Belgium 8m amateur operation is currently illegal, although the Belgians are considering a small amateur allocation. So far, I have been copied in 5 countries on 8m, despite my QRP system.

How many? - NOT amateur radio

This photo shows a family of ducks we saw on our walk yesterday. At first I could only see 6 ducklings, but then I spotted the 7th. Can you? 

Sunspots - Friday May 6th 2022

Solar flux is 120 and the SSN 85.  A=4 and K=0.

Cow parsley - NOT amateur radio

We did a walk around the village earlier. We walked past this field, which has lots of cow parsley that will be at its best in a few days time.

Rally in Northern Ireland

The following rally is due to be held on Sunday May 8th. As always in these strange times, I advise checking with the organisers that it is taking place.

Sunday May 8th  Lough Erne ARC Annual Rally. Contact alan.r.gault@btinternet.com .

IC-705 and FT8?

The ICOM IC-705 is a great 10W radio with many wonderful features. I love the waterfall and many of the things it has as standard.

It is regularly used on 2m and 70cm (FM and USB, but I have not used it on FT8. Instead, I have used my FT817ND on 8m and other bands for FT8. Why? With the USB lead (even choked) I get desensitisation. I believe the simple solution is to use the IC-705 with wi-fi (yes it has this too!), but I have been too lazy to set this up yet. I am sure there are YouTube videos showing how to set this up! One of my projects in the coming weeks must be to set this up.

If you can point me in the right direction this might save me time. What is the simplest and clearest please?

10m WSPR QRP TX

As the 10m antenna is free, I am on 10m WSPR TX using 500mW from the W5OLF beacon. So far, spots from the Canary Is only at 0833z. 

UPDATE 1355z: 3 unique stations spotting my 500mW with the furthermost TA4/G8SCU (3010km). I suspect these are all single hop F2 propagation.

8m experiment (Thursday)

At the moment (0830z), I am again on 8m FT8 TX on 40.680 MHz USB dial. When we go for a walk later I shall be RX only.  So far, no spots given or received.

UPDATE 1505z:  After just over a month, I am already drawing some conclusions as follows: 

(1) With my QRP and simple antenna I can work DX by Es, but I think TEP exchanges e.g. with South Africa are beyond me. I estimate my ERP could be 20dB down on some of the better stations. 

(2) There are far fewer stations active than I was expecting. Is no-one really interested?

(3) I suspect many of those active lose interest once they know their capability. It looks like I shall have FT8 exchanges with Slovenian stations, then what? 

UPDATE  1507z:  Today I have spotted nobody and nobody has spotted me on 8m FT8. At this rate, especially as OFCOM wants £50 every year, I can see few being interested in the UK. What a great pity.

UPDATE 1518z:  Looks like I shall go QRT on 8m TX after the Es season.

UPDATE 1607z: Now on 8m FT8 TX (first) on 40.680 USB dial.

Swallows (Barn) - NOT amateur radio

These summer migrant birds winter in South Africa. They used to arrive here in early April. They are around as my son has taken a photo, but I suspect there are fewer. It is already well into May and I have still to see one. Last year I only saw 2 the whole spring and summer! Swifts normally arrive about now. 

UPDATE 1410z: We did a nice walk this morning around the village which included several stretches near water.  Had there been swallows and swifts around, we would have seen them. We saw none. My impression is there are fewer even than last year, which is very sad.

Chocolate box village - NOT amateur radio

 

The village of Dalham is not far from us. It is a real "chocolate box" village with lots of thatched cottages.