10 Oct 2024
10m 500mW WSPR TX (Thursday)
My stand-alone 10m WSPR beacon is already being spotted in South America by PU5ALE (10191km). I assume this is F2 propagation.
GQRP SPRAT
Many times, I have said that if I had to give up every radio magazine then SPRAT would be the last one to go. This is still my view.
SPRAT is published every quarter as a colour A5 magazine. It is packed full mainly of simple construction projects and annual subs are very low. It is entirely run by volunteers with back issues of SPRAT available on a flash stick at a very reasonable sum. Well worth getting.
9 Oct 2024
70cm FT8 activity contest
This evening starting at 1900z is the 70cm FT8 activity contest.
It always surprises me how far away stations can be copied. I usually work a few locals, but spend most of the time on RX. I use a 2m big-wheel omni antenna only.
I wonder if with 70cm FT8 we can tap into some kind of troposcatter?
All this makes me wonder how effective 70cm FT8 would be with a decent beam and reasonable powers.
UPDATE 1936z: Lots of stations spotted with the furthermost DJ6TA (493km). The more I think about 70cm FT8 is a very under-used band!
EI7GL blog
After being absent for a while, John's excellent blog is back. John has one of the best amateur radio blogs on the internet.
RSGB convention this weekend
October 11-13th - RSGB 2024 Convention, Milton Keynes. See rsgb.org/conventon .
70cm activity contest
Fungi or Lichen? - NOT amateur radio
10m 500mW WSPR (Wednesday)
Since getting home at about 1130z my 10m WSPR QRP has been on. No spots.
UPDATE 1330z: Spotted by 5 stations so far.
UPDATE 2115z: Spotted by 21 stations today. See table.