HF QRP FT8

It is some months since I have given HF FT8 a try. I have a QDX which can give 5W FT8 from 20m to 10m. My end-fed Par antenna has a lowish SWR from 17m to 10m. 

Assuming I can get it working, one thing to try as the sunspots decline (not yet we hope!) will be to send FT8 in sequence on all bands from 17m to 10m.  I have no idea of the antenna pattern on various bands, but it might give me some indications of band openings. 

One of the things I have noticed in the past is people leave the higher HF bands. Maybe with FT8 now, some may stay around. Often it is a lack of activity and not poor conditions. On SSB an isolated call may be missed. Not so with FT8 with lots of people monitoring. 

Incidentally, I can highly recommend the QDX. It is tiny (about the size of a pack of cards) and can run all the modes on WSJT-X.

A very nice addition would be a QDX covering 10m, 8m, 6m, 4m and 2m. Even 10m-4m would be very useful.

See https://qrp-labs.com/qdx.html .

Sunspots - Sunday March 3rd

 Solar flux is 152 and the SSN 91. A=5 and K=1.

Getting to sleep - NOT amateur radio

Usually I sleep well, but have you noticed how hard it is to get to sleep when you try to? 

Sleep is odd as you are not aware when you actually drop off: you are awake and then you must be asleep! Waking up very early is very hard.

Saturday plans

One more day on 10m WSPR at 500uW (0.5mW). Probably go QRO tomorrow with 500mW! I might also give 6m FT8 another try.

UPDATE 1918z:   Spotted twice by LZ1UBO (2039km) with my 500uW (0.5mW) on 10m WSPR.  Maybe I shall stick with QRPP tomorrow! Note, the beacon is pre-programmed to report 0.5W, even though with the PA off it is actually 0.5mW.

UPDATE 1717z:  8 stations in England have spotted me on 6m FT8 today. No DX today.

Dalham, near Newmarket - NOT amateur radio

 This is a village near Newmarket.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

 

My 10mW ERP WSPR was spotted by 23 stations including OH1LSQ (1733km) yet again.

Spring - NOT amateur radio

According to the UK Met Office, spring starts March 1st. True to form, yesterday was cold, windy and wet! In many ways, spring came early in the UK. Daffodils that traditionally appear in March are well out and some are even dead. Blossom is well out. Last year we had blossom early on our pear tree. The frost killed it and we had no pears. Let's hope the same does not happen this year.

Sunspots - Saturday March 2nd

 Solar flux is 153 and the SSN 120. A=9 and K=1.

Village pump - NOT amateur radio

Most of us take plumbing and running water in our homes for granted. 

But there was a time when water had to be collected from the village pump. 

The pump in our village is shown in the photo.

Kenwood handheld TH-D75

MLS is advertising the new Kenwood 2m/70cm handheld for pre-order at £789.  In my view, why would anyone pay this much for a 2m/70cm handheld?  Kenwood makes some good gear and has a loyal following, but at this price I cannot see them staying in the amateur radio market for many more years.

My prediction:  the next 5 years will be a torrid time for Japanese manufacturers of amateur radio gear, dealers and magazines.

MLS call it a "game changer"  .....hmmm.

See https://www.hamradio.co.uk/thd75.