Today I have 2 aims.
Firstly I want to concentrate on 8m QRP FT8. It is the winter Es season and the F2 MUF is increasing. Yesterday the USA was spotted in Australia on 8m. There are more countries monitoring 8m.
Secondly I want to test my SDR for the first time.
UPDATE 1807z: My SDR tests will have to wait until tomorrow.
Many years ago I was taught that wisdom is quite different from being clever. Often the most profound things come from someone with wisdom, as these words that are supposed to have come from a woman of 92.
When I go on 2m FT8, a very useful resource is the monitor a G0LRD. It is situated not far from Cambridge and my signal is usually about +5dB S/N. With it, I can look at 2m FT8 activity received locally, and check my own 2.5W is clean.
An example of David's page is attached. I think David also uses a Wimo big-wheel omni antenna. It is a great local (to me) resource.
My built QDX transceiver covering 10m has been ordered. According to Hans the waiting time is currently about 1 month, so it might be ready at the end of January. As FT8 and WSPR are the main modes used because of my poor voice, I can see this transceiver being well used. It covers 20m,17m,15m,12m and 10m. My antenna is a good match on all bands except 20m. Even there it could be used on RX.
See http://qrp-labs.com/qcxmini/assembled.html .
See http://qrp-labs.com/ .
The following rally has been notified to me. I guess they are assuming most attendees are still on holiday.
Thursday December 29th - Yeovil ARC Rally, West Camel, Yeavil,Somerset BA22 7QX. No contact details given, but always worth checking before travelling.
Much of the morning, I have been on 10m FT8 RX. There is no doubt that HF conditions are again good. The average sunspot number must be around 100 and 10m FT8 DX from around the world is widely spotted most days.
UPDATE 1157z: 179 stations spotted.
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| Stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today at 1902z |
