On our primary school classroom ceiling, we could see the reflection of sunshine on the water reflecting on the ceiling. Funny how I can remember this and seeing the harbour from the playground. We just took it all for granted, not appreciating how lucky we were.
Just 10 years before some of the landing craft in the Normandy landings of WW2 went from here. It must have been so different then.
For about an hour, I have been on 10m QRP TX running 500mW from my W5OLF beacon. So far, 3 unique stations have spotted me. It is now 1205z.
It is now 1120z. I have been on 8m QRP FT8 on 40.680 MHz for about 20 minutes. So far, 1 spot on TX by G4FFC (47km), On RX, no spots. On 8m FT8 I Use 2.5W and a low wire dipole.
UPDATE 1502z: Nothing back from the RSGB about my email suggesting a 5 kHz wide 8m amateur band, narrow digital only. Am I surprised? Not really. No further stations spotting me today and I have spotted nobody.
UPDATE 1518z: In the UK my understanding is we can use equipment without a certificate of conformity or type approval at 8m as long as it meets the technical requirement and the interface requirements as detailed in IR 2030. This is because we have no intention of putting anything on the market. This means 10mW ERP and we are responsible for compliance. From my own tests and tests by M0NYW, 10mW ERP certainly covers the local area with WSPR and might well work on FT8 over some paths, especially with proper 8m antennas at both ends. My own tests were with a low wire 8m dipole, whereas most locals receiving me were using a variety of (non 8m) antennas. In better Es openings I would expect 10mW ERP to reach Europe. This means many more UK stations could legally operate 8m WSPR beacons.
Every week, OFCOM updates the figures it holds on us and publishes these. Check the OFCOM website for their latest figures.
Nearly forgot again that when I am on 8m FT8, I can also go on 10m QRP WSPR with my stand-alone W5OLF beacon. The beacon was turned on at about 1130z. At 1305z, my 500mW beacon had been spotted by 7 unique stations.
This little beacon has given me good service for many years.
At about 1130z I turned on my 2.5W QRP 8m FT8 (TX first and RX) on 40.680 MHz. At 1257z, no spots.
After shopping in a minute I think I shall immediately go on 8m QRP FT8 on 40.680 MHz. This will be around 1100z.
So far this autumn my 2.5W has only made it to the USA once on 8m.
