It is now 0935z. Although I have been on TX for about 20 minutes with my 500mW W5OLF beacon, no spots. I guess Es is a bit more "hit and miss" now that the season is ending.
UPDATE 1110z: So there is life! Spots by HB9TMC (905km) has spotted me, but only twice.
UPDATE 1344z: GM0UDL (659km) also spotting me. I have noticed before that more northerly stations appear more commonly later in the Es season.
On my return from Devon, I am now on 40.680 MHz USB dial QRP FT8 TX. It is now 0931z and, so far, no spots. Apart from when the rig is cooling, I hope to be on 8m FT8 TX again today after a few days break.
UPDATE 1112z: Still nobody spotting me today and nobody else spotted. Currently off whilst the rig cools.
UPDATE 1342z: Back on TX again. Still no spots.
UPDATE 1725z: Just a single spot by HC02 (1808km). To be honest, I was surprised to get even this.
UPDATE 1807z: 9A2Y (1567km) and I exchanged reports and location earlier by 8m FT8. What a surprise when no other spots (apart from HB9 and GM) of me seen all day on 10m WSPR.
UPDATE 1837z: S51DI (1288km) spotted on 8m FT8 RX.
This is one of the major contests. It is on over the weekend. It used to be in September years ago, but it was changed. Often portable stations put on a big effort with high power and big antennas. On my return from Devon I went on, briefly, this morning, but quickly went QRT as my voice was finding it hard work!
My Echolink now works, but I realise why I lost interest. Nobody seems to be on. I tried calling through the most promising repeaters in the UK and overseas before giving up. Nobody answered.
Today, I return home after a few days with my brother. All being well, I hope to be on 8m TX on 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8 tomorrow.
One of the pleasures of Cambridge is gliding along the back of the colleges on a punt on the river Cam. Many prefer others to do the puntin...
