Sunspots - Friday October 14th 2022

Solar flux is 150 and the SSN 57. A=5 and K=2.

8m QRP FT8 TX (Thursday)

At the moment, I am on 40.680 MHz QRP FT8 (first). No spots. I hope to be on again later in the afternoon looking for some FT8 to/from the USA if the MUF goes high enough.

UPDATE 1422z:  No spots at all today.

UPDATE 1629z:  No spots on TX, but ZS6OB (9099km) spotted on 8m FT8 RX. I guess this is TEP.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Thursday)

As I am on 8m FT8, my 10m antenna is free, so I am on 10m WSPR with my 500mW W5OLF WSPR beacon. Plenty of spots of me by F2 from the Canary Is..

UPDATE 1345z:  18 unique stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR today.

UPDATE 1647z: 23 spots of my QRP so far with the furthermost DP0GVN/3 (13685km) in Antarctica.

Rallies this weekend

The following are due to take place this weekend. As always, it is wise to check the information before going a long way.

 October 16th Sunday - Hornsea Amateur radio Club Rally.  YO25 9DW. www.horseaarc.co.uk . 

October 15-16th - National Hamfest. Newark showground NG24 2NY.  www.nationalhamfest.org.uk .

OFCOM and wireless telegraphy fees

 OFCOM is consulting on the fees it charges for certain WT services. See their website for details.

10m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

It is now 0800z. I have been on 10m FR8 RX for about 15 minutes. So far, 92 stations spotted. 10m is really good already.

UPDATE 0852z:  So far this morning, 193 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX including D2UY in Angola. I did not realise there is a bit of Angola that is cut off from the main body of the country.

My 8m challenge

This autumn, I am trying to reach the USA on 8m FT8 TX on 40.680 MHz USB with my QRP. I only use 5W to a low dipole antenna. It is possible if there are enough monitors and the MUF goes high enough. So far, I have not succeeded.

My rig is a modified FT817ND. 

Bury St Edmunds yesterday - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday was market day in Bury St Edmunds. It is a delightful place with mostly locals.

Sunspots - Thursday October 13th 2022

Solar flux is 141 and the SSN 62. A=6 and K=2.

70cm QRP FT8

At 1900z, I think there is an RSGB organised activity FT8 contest. Before that, I think there is a European 70cm FT8 contest. I have already worked a local.

Stations spotting my QRP
on 70cm FT8 this evening

UPDATE 2002z:  Loads of stations spotted on 70cm FT8 RX including EI and PE. Quite a few spotted me on QRP FT8 TX with the 2m big-wheel omni antenna.