Every few weeks I try to assess the activity on the narrowband transponder of this satellite. The last time I looked was about 1845z on Friday, which is mid evening in Europe.
Activity is still disappointing.
Simple QRP projects, 10m, 8m, 6m, 4m, FT8, 160m, WSPR, LF/MF, sub-9kHz, nanowaves and other random stuff, some not related to amateur radio.
Activity is still disappointing.
As the year progresses, we will move out of the Es season and, hopefully, see some F2 openings. Last autumn I was spotted in the Caribbean on most days on 8m despite using 2.5W FT8 to a low dipole.
If things progress as we can expect, there will be fewer Es openings. Es does not "drop off a cliff", but openings will become smaller and less frequent. There will still be good days, but these will be less often.
See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .
The furthermost is EA8BFK (2880km), which I think is F2.
UPDATE 0902z: Spotted by 12 stations (see table).
UPDATE 1055z: Spotted by 14 stations.
UPDATE 0907z: Spotted by 16 stations
UPDATE 1242z: 42 stations have spotted me today.
UPDATE 1845z: 53 stations have spotted me (see map).
UPDATE 2016z: 56 stations have spotted my 6m QRP FT8 in the last day. Now QRT.
EI9KP was a regular spotter of my 2.5W 8m FT8, but despite many spots by others in Eire recently, nothing by EI9KP. Does anybody know why p...