8m QRP FT8 (Monday)

It is now 0945z and I have been on for about 45 minutes. So far, the only spot of me is by 4X1BG (3532km). Nobody has been spotted on 8m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1754z:   My own QRP 8m FT8 was spotted in Israel and Kazakhstan  I have spotted 5 stations including 1 in the USA and 1 in Canada.

Sunspots - Monday February 20th 2023

Solar flux is 169 and the SSN 112. A=7 and K=0.

Remember this?

If I remember correctly, this was a prize at our Liverpool University Amateur Radio Society (G3OUL) dinner one year. I think it was 1969.  It is possible the prize was the successor which was the Micromatic.

When I first came to Cambridge, Sinclair has small premises at 20 Newmarket Road.  

Sir Clive once asked me for advice on antennas!

Talking of G3OUL made me quite nostalgic, so I did some Googling!

See https://www.radiomuseum.co.uk/g3oul.html .

Useful archive online

A recent posting on an IO group reminded me of this most useful archive on radio history.

See https/worldradiohistory.com

Chocolate boxes? - NOT amateur radio

These cottages are in the delightful village of Dalham, not too far from us. 

Today, I guess these well kept thatched cottages are owned by the wealthy who can afford them. In the 1800s, they were probably worker's hovels.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Sunday)

Been on for about 30 minutes (it is now 0945z) and, so far with the 500mW 10m WSPR beacon, 3 unique stations have spotted me. No surprises!

UPDATE 1156z:   7 spots of me so far today. USA also spotting me again.

UPDATE 1615z: 29 unique stations have spotted my 10m 500mW WSPR today with the furthermost being FR1GZ (9724km).

8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

Only been on for a short while, but been spotted by 4X1BG (3552km) and I have spotted G4APG (88km).

UPDATE 1008z:  A reminder that I believe anyone in the UK may legally put 10mW ERP beacons on without a licence on the 8m ISM bands as long as the technical requirements and IR 2030 are met. As encouragement, an Australian 8m WSPR beacon at 5mW was copied over 5000km away! See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/2023/01/successful-low-power-tests-on-40-mhz.html . It would be good to see many WSPR beacons on 8m this Es season. 

UPDATE 1150z:  ZS6OB (9099km) spotted on 8m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1238z: 4X1BG (3552km) has again spotted me and I have spotted this station too on RX. The map shows the stations spotted here this morning on 8m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1454z:  Spotted by 2 stations in the Caribbean on 8m QRP FT8. Amazing! When the rig gets hot, the power drops to 1W ish.

UPDATE 1512z:  Several stations were copied on 8m FT8 RX today, that were not reported to PSKreporter.  I am unsure if PSKreporter does not report in a QSO or it was a problem with my internet. G9PUV, G8BCG and another Eire station seen today. Probably F2 backscatter.

UPDATE 1525z:  5 stations have spotted my QRP 8m  FT8 today, including 3 in the Caribbean. I think FG8OG (6670km) in Guadeloupe may be a new country for me on 8m?

UPDATE 1543z:  It must be an issue with uploading to PSKreporter (delay?) or at my end as VA2CY clearly spotted calling CQ. He is on my screen several times , but not showing on PSKreporter.

UPDATE 1557z: WW1L (4976km) has spotted me on 8m FT8 this afternoon. Even with a very low ERP, I am still being copied "across the pond" many times.

UPDATE 1621z:  Now RX only on 8m FT8.

Kingsbridge NOT amateur radio

Not sure when the photo was taken, but it looks over a hundred years ago. This is where I was brought up as a teenager. I ate at the Shambles in the photo just last year. It used to be a coffee bar in my youth. 

Sunspots - Sunday February 19th 2023

 Solar flux is 167 and the SSN 109. A=6 and K=0.

First steps

Looking back, I noticed this photo that shows my first setup on 600m. Later we got an allocation at 630m.