It suddenly seems to be dark early. Only a few months ago it was much lighter at this time.
Here we are at 1625z with the curtains drawn in "winter mode". In a few weeks it will stop getting darker and gradually lighter, although it is the end of January before we really notice things changing.
I like the seasons. There is something good about them all.
At about 1610z I QSYed to 70cm FT8 with my 2.5W and the 2m big-wheel omni antenna. No spots.
UPDATE 1914z: No spots, so have QSYed to 630m QRP WSPR.
 |
| Stations spotting me at 1455z |
 |
| G0LRD's monitor |
UPDATE 1422z: 19 stations in 5 countries have spotted my QRP signal on 2m FT8 today with the furthermost GI6ATZ (479km). See map. This is too easy too!
UPDATE 1528z: Interesting that I am only spotting 5 UK stations. My RX is working properly, so this suggests low activity.
HF bands present no real challenge. Recent microwatt tests on 10m WSPR have been fun, but I need a new challenge.
My 2.5W 8m FT8 signal has been received in most of the places I had hoped for, and this is not likely to change until there are a few new countries on the band. At the moment I am inclined to ask for a new 8m permit from April 2024 - April 2025 even though I have to pay to do research, which I find utterly stupid!
Later today, I may QSY to a VHF band FT8 as this is "different" and not something I have tried for a while.
In recent days, 8m seems to have lost its attraction a bit.
The FCC does not want to renew access to the band to USA stations and F2 has probably peaked for now. The main Es season in the northern hemisphere is long over and even 6m has been good for F2 DX. At the moment, I have moved down to 10m FT8, although this is really no challenge.
We could definitely do with more countries legally TXing on the 8m band. Even just CW, FT8 and WSPR only at low power 40.680 - 40.685 MHz would be a start. As this would be within the ISM band I cannot see this should be a problem.
My best comparison is with Jason M0NYW who is using the same G3XBM transverter, but I believe a more conventional antenna. He is also reporting his ERP as 10mW. Jason gets better results that me. In the last 12 hours he was spotted by 39 stations, whereas I was spotted by 16.
How much difference is there? Clearly, he is getting better results, so his antenna and ground are better. Most of my reports are quite close to the limit. Also, for some stations, the local noise can put a stop to very weak signals being decoded. When near the limit of decode, a few dB could make a great deal of difference.
So, it is very hard to say how much better Jason's system is than mine.
All I can say is a more conventional setup is better. What I can say is the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground does work and is just about invisible.
My 2.5W 10m FT8 was turned on about 0915z. So far, 10 spots of me by what looks like single hop F2. For some reason PSK reporter was not reporting my spots. I have restarted WSPR-X. Since restarting, I am getting spots from all over the world appearing on PSKr.porter.
UPDATE 0950z: My 10m QRP FT8 has been spotted by 26 stations and 82 stations spotted here.
