6m FT8

A short while ago, I QSYed to 6m FT8. Initially I called CQ, but was only spotted locally. On 6m FT8 RX 3 stations spotted with best DX F6BTP (323km). At the moment no Es is evident. This late in the season we are dependent on random Es openings, but FT8 increases chances.  As before running about 10W and the antenna is the V2000 vertical omni.

UPDATE  1445z: A recent 6m FT8 CQ was spotted by 2 Gs only. At this time of year 2m FT8 seems to give consistently better results now the main Es season is over.

UPDATE 2138z: 23 stations in 6 countries spotted on 6m FT8 RX with late Es to Denmark, Norway and Finland. Best DX spotted on 6m FT8 RX is OH2FNR (1741km).

Magnetic Loops

Some years ago, and again recently, I have been using a magnetic loop antenna. These are narrow band and sharp tuning, but can be remarkably effective.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/magloop

Tomatoes - NOT amateur radio

Earlier in the summer a friend gave us two tomato plants that we put in a trough in the sun. Apart from watering we have done nothing to them. We had already collected quite a few ripe tomatoes and given some away, but we had a lot more when we got back from our holiday. Perhaps we would have had even more had we done the right things! Anyway, for the effort put in (zero) we did pretty well.

Spider in the bath - NOT amateur radio

Some people are very scared of spiders. Like most phobias, they are irrational, but for the sufferers very real.

Having been away for 8 days I am sure the big one in our bath last night must have had a field day. I put it outside. At this time of year we get plenty. As far as I know most UK spiders are harmless.

Sagrada Familia, Barcelona - NOT amateur radio

Last week we visited Gaudi's famous basilica in Barcelona which was started in 1882 and supposedly has another 30 years of work still to do. Perhaps they have very long tea breaks or siestas!

When we last visited in 2003 it was a dusty building site. Now it is a wonderful place bathed in coloured light via the stained glass windows.

We bought tickets in advance to avoid the long queues.

The photo shows part of the internal roof. If you are in Barcelona it is well worth a visit.

2m FT8 RX

Overnight I stayed on 2m FT8 RX. In the last few hours 2 stations spotted with the best DX being DL6YBF (471km).

UPDATE 0853z: Now 9 stations spotted so far in 4 countries on 2m FT8 RX this morning.

UPDATE 1312z: When I QSYed to 6m FT8 38 stations in 6 countries logged on 2m FT8 RX with best DX being F6APE (551km).

Sunspots - NOT amateur radio

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN is still zero. A=5 and K=1.

Cadaques - NOT amateur radio

One of our trips was a boat ride around the coast from our base in Roses, Catalonia to Cadaques. The sea was quite rough with the boat making heavy weather at times. As you can tell from the photo Cadaques is great place.

Nearly the last holiday photo - NOT amateur radio

Pretty sure I posted a photo of our hotel buffet a few days ago. This was a  small part of the dinner buffet in our hotel last night. The food and choice was very good for a 3 star hotel in a great location.

We were very lucky with the weather that was warm and sunny most days. There was quite a wind on some days, although this was generally warm.

2m FT8

Since arriving home, I have been on 2m FT8 RX. So far, 18 stations spotted in 6 countries with best DX spotted on 2m FT8 RX being  GI6ATZ (479km).

UPDATE 2016z: Currently 20 stations spotted this evening.

UPDATE 2045z: A brief CQ resulted in a couple of QSOs and 12 spots with best DX GI6ATZ (479km). Not bad for 10W and an omni-antenna.

Going home - NOT amateur radio

Later today we should be home after our holiday in Catalonia.

UPDATE 1932z: Safely home again.

Sunspots - Wednesday September 11th 2019

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=1.

BREXIT - NOT amateur radio

So the UK Parliament has been prorogued (suspended) for 5 weeks. My own view has always been to remain and reform the EU from the inside. It badly needs to be reformed. If a General Election comes like many I shall vote Lib Dem. They are far from perfect but they are closest to my values. To say we are in a mess is an understatement.

2m SSB handheld

Many years ago I used an MX2 handheld on 2m and worked some impressive DX handheld. This small rig was also used with several transverters. It is several years now since I used it.

See my website for more details.

Barcelona tall ship - NOT amateur radio

On our 1.5 hour harbour trip yesterday we passed this ship.

Huge buffet - NOT amateur radio

At our hotel in Catalonia they provide huge buffets with a wide choice both at breakfast and dinner with free wine and water.

The photo shows part of the buffet at dinner.

DXpedition to Nauru

As you may know I rarely chase DX although others may. There is a DXpedition to Nauru reported on Southgate News.

Anholt Island, Denmark - NOT amateur radio

It is odd how you look at a map and discover places you did not know existed. One such place is Anholt Island, midway between Denmark and Sweden. It is only about 22 square kilometres in area. The linked website is in Danish. There may be an English version, but I did not seek it out.

Sunspots - Tuesday September 10th 2019

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN 0. A=14 and K=2.

Hidden disabilities - NOT amateur radio

Since my stroke in 2013 I have been even more aware than ever that many people suffer in silence and many people are totally unaware of the hidden disabilities these people have to live with daily.

I bet many we meet in the street have some sort of inner pain: it could be a physical or mental illness, a family breakup, death or whatever. As the saying goes "never ever judge a book by its cover".

Often the people we come across are suffering inside. Never judge by what you see. Everyone has their story and what you see on the outside may very well not be the whole story.