160m QRP FT8 tonight?

Overnight, I may give 160m FT8 a go with my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. This assumes the match is acceptable. 

For a first try I shall probably use 2.5W. It is unlikely I shall be on until it gets dark. I don't think I have tried 160m FT8.

UPDATE 1656z:  The match is good and I am on 160m with 2.5W FT8.  No spots on RX or TX.

UPDATE 1831z:   One UK spot of me by 2E0INH (60km).

UPDATE 1900z:  3 UK spots of me so far this evening. Still very much light. Furthermost is G4BRK (133km). This is quite reasonable with 2.5W FT8.

UPDATE 2039z:  6 spots of me (see map).

UPDATE 2154z : 11 spots of me with 2 spots from Norway.

Wicken Fen walk - NOT amateur radio

 

This morning, we did a very nice walk around part of Wicken Fen.

630m QRPP WSPR overnight

Well, either the internet was not working here from the shack or there was an issue with WSPRnet. Although I was spotting DX on 630m WSPR and was sending all night, no spots at all. I shall probably try again tonight.

6m 10mW FT8 (Monday)

My QRPP 6m FT8 has been on since about 0815z. No spots.

UPDATE 1601z:  32 spots of my 6m 10mW FT8 (see map). This proves that very little power is needed when Es is good.

Sunspots - Monday May 27th

 Solar flux is 156 and the SSN 148. A=10 and K=1.

Is there a problem with WSPRnet?

 At the moment I am on 630m WSPR with my usual 10mW ERP. I am seeing no spots on RX or TX. This could be that I cannot connect to the internet or there’s a problem with WSPRnet. I shall leave it on overnight.

Distant thunder - NOT amateur radio

Between the showers, we were trying to do some gardening. 

The photo (yet again!) is of the windmill next door with storm clouds behind just now.

Low cost 70cm QRPP modules

Before anyone tells me I know Baonfeng and Quansheng handhelds are available at very low cost, but I wonder if any experimenters are experimenting with low cost modules designed to send digital signals at short range?  

Many are available on Amazon.

500uW 10m WSPR (Sunday)

Quite surprised to see my 500uW QRPP 10m WSPR had been spotted this morning by GM4WJA (624km). I suspect this is Es as I have been spotted in N.Ireland when I was running just 10mW FT8 on 6m.

6m 10mW FT8 (Sunday)

My 10mW 6m FT8 to the V2000 vertical omni antenna is on, but no spots at 0858z. 

UPDATE 0950z:  Spotted by GI0OTC (560km) in Northern Ireland. I suspect this is Es as I have also been spotted running just 500uW in Scotland on 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 1459z: No more spots of me on 10mW 6m FT8 surprisingly. No further Es reports of my QRPP. Perhaps later?

UPDATE 1735z: Some Es now. 4 spots of my 10mW 6m FT8 so far.