It looks like we’re in for a decent week with a big high pressure system over UK.
15 Sept 2024
Oscar 100 narrowband activity
To say I am disappointed is an understatement.
It certainly has encouraged some to assemble a ground station, but general activity is way below what I would have expected.
My last "peek" at the narrowband webSDR at Goonhilly Down was mid evening in the UK on a Saturday evening, when I would have expected activity levels to be good.
Based on the activity levels seen, I think it is very unlikely we will see another geosynchronous amateur satellite in a hurry.
14 Sept 2024
8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)
At about 1554z, I QSYed to 40.680MHz QRP FT8. No spots. There are far more 8m monitors.
UPDATE 2030z: Spotted 1 Italian, but I was unable to work him. Now QRT.
Es or F2 or F2 backscatter?
Today, my QRP 6m FT8 has been widely copied in SE and central Europe. At the last count, 89 stations had spotted me. Now Es can occur at any time of year, but I wonder if these spots are related to F2 propagation?
I am definitely not a propagation expert, so would appreciate your thoughts.
The latest Es map suggests it is Es. See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .Last Tuesday on 70cm QRP SSB
Also, I only have a 2m big-wheel omni antenna. Talk about making things hard, HI!
In all I made 3 QSOs with the furthermost G4CLA (105km). He must have great antennas and ears.
Blackberry picking - NOT amateur radio
Although we really should have gone last week, we still managed plenty for a blackberry and apple crumble and breakfast.
80m FETer transceiver
This is a complete transceiver using just a single FET and very few components. It is detailed on my website.
10m 500mW WSPR TX
My tiny stand alone W5OLF 10m WSPR beacon has been on since just after breakfast. So far (at 1100z) 11 unique stations have spotted me.
UPDATE 1438z: 26 spots of me. See table. Usually I look on WSPRnet for spots. I am not sure how PSKreporter works but it seems to miss many WSPR spots.
6m QRP FT8 (Saturday)
Stations spotting my 2.5W 6m FT8 |