8m TX

At the moment my inclination is NOT to apply for a special permit to TX on 8m (costs £50 per year!) but to instead try 40.680MHz WSPR using ISM rules. 

In the UK, this means 10mW ERP and compliance with IR2030. Anyone, even an SWL, may do this without a licence. The callsign can be made up. I shall use one that WSPRnet can accept, so I can see where I am being spotted.

Having either worked or been spotted on 8m FT8 by most active stations, this will be a new challenge in the Es season. My antenna needs attention first. 

Judging by tests at similar ERP on 10m, much of Europe should be in range at times, assuming there are people monitoring!

It would be good if others tried this too.

Sunspots - Friday March 8th

 Solar flux is 137 and the SSN 99. A=11 and K=2.

630m QRP WSPR (Thursday)

At about 1845z, I QSYed from 6m FT8 to 630m WSPR. At 1905z, 2 stations have spotted my 10mW ERP.

UPDATE 1956z:  Plenty of stations spotting me, but it is disappointing that there are so few UK stations on 630m WSPR TX.

UPDATE 2216z:  13 stations spotting me.

Rally this Sunday

The following has been notified to me. Usual caveats apply.

Sunday March 10th - Hack Green Radio Surplus Hangar Sale. Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 8AL. Contact coldwar@hackgreen.co.uk .

Another amazing photo - NOT amateur radio

What I really enjoy about 365project (no affiliation at all with Microsoft) is seeing the variety of photos from all over the world. Some use it as a visual diary, others as a way to be creative. It is absolutely free, although ace membership (paid for) offers some privileges.

This amazing cloudscape was posted a few days ago by a friend.

6m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

Shortly, I intend to try 6m FT8 again with 2.5W and the vertical V2000 omni antenna. At present I am on 630m QRP WSPR. 

UPDATE 1336z:   In tidying up the shack I destroyed the coax connection to my V2000 antenna used on 6m.  I shall have to mend this later, although soldering is now quite hard for me. Moral: do not tidy up shacks! Mind you, I found things I had forgotten I had! 6 English stations had spotted me before disaster struck.

UPDATE 1402z:  Coax mended. Back on 6m FT8. Now 8 English stations have spotted me.

UPDATE  1627z: 12 English stations have spotted me today.

UPDATE 1826z: 14 English stations have spotted me.

10m QRPP WSPR (Thursday)

After my surprise spot yesterday with 500uW (0.5mW) on 10m WSPR, I am again on with the same power from my beacon. 

The beacon must be re-synced to internet time. This is done daily although it probably is good for several days. 

UPDATE 1817z:   1 spot early this morning. My beacon is pre-programmed to report 0.5W even though with the PA off it is actually only 500uW (0.5mW).

Spring collage - NOT amateur radio

 

The photo was recently posted by a friend on 365project. It certainly captures springtime.

Sunspots - Thursday March 7th

 Solar flux is 136 and the SSN 105. A=6 and K=2.

Are we on the long, slow, slide or will we see a second peak?

630m QRP WSPR overnight

A successful period on 630m QRP WSPR with 26 stations spotting my 10mW ERP 630m WSPR. Best DX was a spot (again) by OH1LSQ (1733km).