Solar flux is 167 and the SSN 177. A=5 and K=1.
8 Jun 2023
7 Jun 2023
2m FT8 activity contest
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| Stations spotted on 2m FT8 to 2000z |
There is an FT8 activity contest at the moment and 126 stations spotted on RX and my 2.5W to the omni has been widely copied.
UPDATE 2136z: 181 stations spotted. QRT.
Haircut time - NOT amateur radio
8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)
Gear turned on at 0853z. No spots.
UPDATE 1326z: Just spots by HC02 (1808km) in Portugal.
UPDATE 2020z: QRT.
10m QRP WSPR TX (Wednesday)
My W5OLF beacon was turned on at 0853z. No spots yet.
UPDATE 1148z: 30 stations have spotted me so far today. Although I know some Es signals can be strong, some reports are amazingly strong. Later this week I might try the FT817ND with an attenuator right on the output to see who still copies me at low miliwatts. I could also do this on 8m WSPR.
UPDATE 1329z: 33 stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR today.
UPDATE 2020z: QRT about an hour ago.
European Es (Wednesday)
Early indications are that European Es is not as good as yesterday, but this can rapidly change. My current plans are 10m 500mW WSPR TX and 8m QRP FT8.
See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .
2m activity contest last evening
Last evening was the June 2023 2m activity contest (UKAC).
Conditions were well up, but I found it very hard work with my 2.5W to the big-wheel omni. I guess this is a combination of several factors. Firstly, my low ERP is obviously a handicap with stronger signals being copied over me. Secondly, I have a very poor voice, not cut out to "outshout" others. Thirdly, I have no compressor, so my signal lacks punch.
In the end 6 stations were worked before I gave up. These days, I find FT8 easier as I do not need to "outshout" other stations. To be honest, I am no longer attracted to VHF/UHF voice contests.
6 Jun 2023
Friedrichshafen - mid June
This is the biggest gathering in Europe for radio amateurs. It attracts amateurs from a wide range of countries. I still keep hoping Yaesu will announce a new QRP SDR radio to replace the FT817. I suspect they will not, alas. In my view they have "missed the boat"....yet again. Personally, I fear Yaesu will leave the amateur radio market shortly. They could well be joined by others.
"Times, they are a changing".
The Knowledge newsletter - NOT amateur radio
This has been on before, but I make no apology as I find it so good.
This comes free by email every day and is a digest of news from across the world's press. It usually takes about 5 minutes to read and seems pretty unbiased. If you do not want to buy a newspaper or do not have time to read one, I strongly recommend it.
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