10m 500mW FT8 (Friday)

Without an external attenuator, 500mW FT8 is the lowest power I can run from my IC-705. It was turned on at about 0945z.

UPDATE 1036z: So far, spotted by 83 stations. It is still too easy!! Furthest is RN4WA (3365km).

UPDATE 1433z: 231 stations have spotted me including VO1CH (3737km).  See map. I think I'll stick with 500mW today, but might try 50mW 10m FT8 another day. At 500mW FT8, I have no problem at all getting lots of spots on 10m. Furthest is a spot by HZ1BQ (4465km).

UPDATE 1640z:  250 stations have spotted my 10m 500mW FT8. Furthest is W4SPF (7202km).

UPDATE 1708z: QRT.

2m activity contest last Tuesday

Every month, despite my poor voice I go on the 2m and 70cm activity contests (UKAC) organised by the RSGB. It may be me, but I am sense there are fewer people taking part. 

Perhaps it is me, but maybe the higher local noise floors in urban areas are making it harder for QRP stations. Certainly, I generally work fewer 2m stations, whereas I don't have the same problem on 70cm. in fact I usually work more now on 70cm SSB!

Where I was spotted with 2m 10W SSB to the big-wheel omni antenna

On FT8 with half the power I am regularly spotted on 2m in GI and EI at well over 400km. It seems to me that on 2m FT8 it is far easier.

Sunspots - Friday November 7th

Solar flux is 163 and the SSN 104.  A=43 and K=5. 

2m 5W FT8 (Thursday)

 My 2m FT8 gear was turned on at about 1820z.

UPDATE 1857z: So far, 11 spots of me with furthest GI6ATZ (479km).

UPDATE 1922z:  QRT.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Thursday)

My beacon was turned on just before lunch.

UPDATE 1444z:  No spots.

6m 5W FT8 (Thursday)

My gear was turned on at about 1145z.

UPDATE 1745z:  16 stations have spotted me.  All are in the British Isles.  See  map.

The Tenner QRP CW transceiver

This was a 500mW CW transceiver that I designed and built some years ago. 

It is also on my website. 

It has worked plenty of DX.

FTX-1 and IC-705 head to head

In the end, if you are choosing between these two transceivers, it will be a personal decision based on the way you operate. 

Another factor is price with the IC705 considerably less expensive than the FTX-1 in the UK. In this video, both are compared. The IC-705 has more features built in.

Personally, I would not pay the extra for the FTX-1.  If it was the same price as the IC-705 it might be a harder decision!

Village centre?

In our village, Burwell, we have no real village centre, with shops in various places. 

Perhaps the village centre could be considered as near our local co-op shop where there are a few shops together as in the photo. 

Thursday plans

 Later, I will continue with 500mW 10m WSPR and 5W 6m FT8 probably.