8m experiment (Thursday)

As the storm risk seems to have passed for now, I am again on 40.680 MHz USB dial QRP FT8 TX. So far, spotted by HC02 (1808km) in Portugal. Es seems to be good today.

On the 8m IO group, there has been some discussion about legally transmitting in the ISM band without a special permit. This may be legal at low power in some places. If this is the case, many more people could legally use FT8 and WSPR on the 8m band. You may have to create a special callsign for things like PSKreporter or WSPRnet.  It is definitely worth checking if you can operate a "telemetry" beacon legally on 8m.

UPDATE 1223z:  3 stations have spotted me today so far on 8m FT8 TX. 

Sunspots - Thursday July 21st 2022

Solar flux is 133 and the SSN 129. A=7 and K=2.

My free PDF book - nearly ready

Today I added a few photos, the page numbers and page footers. It is 94 pages long. When I have indexed all the pages and proof read it for silly mistakes, it should be ready. This should be in the next few days.

It is as much about my legacy as anything else, so I cannot, and do not, want to charge anything. When I was fitter, experimenting and building gave me a lot of fun. All I want is you to have as much fun. My legacy would be if this collection gave you some inspiration.

As I find mistakes or add things I expect to keep the same link address, but it will always go to the latest version.

8m experiment (Wednesday)

Because of the thunderstorm risk, I have decided against any transmissions or reception on 8m FT8 today. Everything is still disconnected. 

The storms are still over northern France at the moment, but I am taking no chances, especially as I am likely to be out after lunch.

My usual pattern during the Es season has been to go on 8m FT8 and 10m WSPR TX.

OFCOM and broadcasts intended to be short range or temporary

OFCOM is proposing to change the frequencies for broadcasts intended to be short range or temporary use such as radios at shows or in hospital. The hope is more frequencies can be made available.

See the OFCOM website for details. 

Oscar 100 - what a waste!!

Every few weeks I give an update about activity on the geosynchronous satellite Oscar 100. OK, my last peek was in a weekday mid-morning in Europe. There was nobody on!  Nobody!! OK I may have been unlucky, but this follows a pattern.

Oscar 100 is seriously underused. Judging by this experience I cannot seeing people rushing to launch another!

See  https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

Thunderstorms - NOT amateur radio

Last night we had a brief thunderstorm. More could happen later today. All my appliances and antennas remain disconnected. 

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/ .

Sunspots - Wednesday July 20th 2022

Solar flux is 144 and the SSN 114.  A=26 and K=2.

10m QRP FT8

 

Since before breakfast I have been on 10m FT8. Lots of spots already on TX and RX. 

Sunspots - Tuesday July 19th 2022

Solar flux is 152 and the SSN 125. A=8 and K=3.