My 8m QRP FT8 has just been turned on (40.680, TX first period, DF about 1950 Hz). No spots yet.
UPDATE 1052z: Still no spots. I get the distinct impression there are fewer people on 8m FT8 than in the last Es season. Unless things change soon, I may concentrate on 10m FT8 instead this season.
UPDATE 1434z: one spot of me by EA3ERE (1153km). Es definitely. Spotted in 4 countries so far this Es season.
UPDATE 1550z: Now spotted by S50B (1220km).
Although the QRP beacon has just been turned on, already spots from 4 unique stations. These look like Es and F2. A very promising start today.
UPDATE 1047z: 6 unique spots of my QRP 10m WSPR so far today.
Few radio amateurs have the tools to solder SMD parts. As time progresses, SMD parts will get progressively smaller and discrete parts rarer. Some sort of SMD capability will become essential for experimenters.
In many ways SMD parts are better. Without leads they become more predictable in RF circuits. With leaded parts, lead inductance can be significant, especially at VHF and above.
The smallest SMD parts are now 0.25mm x 0.125mm!! Good job I am retired. 😁
Imagine a sneeze!! Oh b****r. 😆😊
A quick look at https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ suggests that European Es could be promising later. My current plan is 8m QRP FT8 and 10m 500mW WSPR TX, with 8m WSPR later. Things will be turned on later this morning.
If 8m is disappointing and few stations are active this Es season, I shall probably QSY to 10m FT8 next week. If the Es looks really good, I shall go on 8m again and on 4m FT8.
My 8m "experiment" was to find out how effective a very simple QRP station could be. For this lots of monitors are needed. Sadly, I think there are fewer people on than in the last Es season, at least so far. I was hoping 8m would be busy with WSPR and FT8 beacons from stations without a licence operating under ISM rules.
UPDATE 1446z: Good Es today in central Europe!
Yesterday I went on 4m for the activity contest and on FT8.
My conclusion is 4m is underused, at least outside the Es season. If you are thinking about getting on 4m you might be disappointed.
Quite late (1945z) I QSYed to 6m FT8. Just 5 Gs spotting me.
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| Stations spotting me on 6m FT8 this evening |
Whilst waiting for the 4m activity contest to start I went on 4m FT8. G3WCS (223km) spotted me pretty well. even though I was using the low 8m dipole via the auto-ATU in the rig.
After proving the rig/antenna worked OK on 4m SSB, I have returned to 4m FT8. At the moment just G3WCS is copying me.
UPDATE 1951z: When I checked back on SSB activity later, I could copy few stations, so I went back to 4m FT8. Just G3WCS spotting me, so I QSYed to 6m FT8.
At about 1550z, I changed to 8m WSPR. I am running 2W on 40.680 MHz (20% RX, DF about 1550 Hz in the WSPR window). Already spotted by HC02 (1808km) in S.Portugal quite well. Nobody spotted on RX. I shall probably be on until about 1845z.
The following rallies are due this weekend. I always advise checking before going far.
Sunday May 21st - RetrotechUK. Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Coventry, CV8 3FL. Contact jezzer3@hotmail.com
Sunday May 21st - Dunstable Downs Radio Club Annual Rally, Luton (No postcode or contact details given).
