According to the beacon keeper, the 8m beacon at GB3MCB on 40.050 MHz should be operational next weekend subject to the rigger and weather. They also have permission for a 5m beacon.
As yet, I have not checked on modes. I hope to copy it by MS, scatter, and maybe tropo.
The probable modes are CW and PI4.
In my view, ALL beacons should include an FT8 sequence as this mode is (I think) as good as PI4 and is included free with WSJT-X and other software packages making 24/7 monitoring easy.
After a successful RX session on 10m FT8, I am now on 10m QRP WSPR (500mW from my W5OLF beacon) as the antenna is available.
UPDATE 1815z: Just F2 spots from 2 stations in the Canary Islands. No DX from the USA today. I think most people now use FT8.
All afternoon and early evening (UK time) I shall be on 40.680 MHz FT8 RX hoping to spot some DX from North America via F2.
OFCOM is consulting about new licences for satellite opearation by Mangata. See the OFCOM website for details.
As mentioned yesterday, I am on 10m FT8 RX again this morning, but may QSY to 8m FT8 RX this afternoon if F2 propagation looks promising. Judging by initial 10m results, F2 to the USA is looking a possibility on 8m later.
Initially, I shall be RX only on 8m FT8 on 40.680 MHz. I shall try TX if things look possible.
UPDATE 0915z: 71 stations already spotted on 10m FT8 RX.
This very simple software RX by SM6LKM was found about 10 years ago. I think it has been developed further by others.
F2 conditions are getting better, so I may try 8m FT8 tomorrow PM. I shall probably go on 10m FT8 in the morning.
At some point this autumn I hope to copy USA 8m stations on 40.680 MHz FT8. To get any reports of my 8m FT8 signals or even a QSO across the Atlantic would be incredible.
Next year, all being well, I hope to try some /P 23cm operation in some of the RSGB organised activity contests (UKAC). I am wondering if there is a popular antenna used in these contests?
Clearly very high gain antennas will give good signals, but will miss stations that are out of the very sharp beamwidth, whereas smaller antennas will have broader beams, but less gain. Perhaps, stations use one antenna for hunting, then a sharp, high gain one when on beam.
It is a very long time since I was on 23cm and then only RX.
Is there a favourite antenna?
We watched on TV.
This morning, I am on 10m FT8 RX. Lots of F2 propagation at 0752z.
UPDATE 1035z: Worldwide (almost) reception on 10m FT8 RX this morning.
As I totally failed in my quest to copy the EI1KNH beacon, I have QSYed to 10m FT8 RX. I was going to go QRT, but decided to leave things on for a few minutes. The FT8 segment was full of stations from South America. I went QRT then.
Within 25km of me are probably several stations that I could work on 23cm with a very modest indoor antenna. When my transverter arrives I shall have to arrange a few skeds!
Starting tomorrow, I expect to be mainly on 10m QRP FT8. If F2 looks promising I shall QSY to 8m FT8 on 40.680 MHz hoping for the USA. This might be possible in late October or November.
My order and payment for the 23cm transverter has been received. When it comes, I shall try for some local 23cm QSOs, although my main aim is some UKAC sessions /P next year.
Do the British like queues?
Our son has just been around for lunch and made a very sensible suggestion about the queue to see the Queen's coffin lying in state.
Instead of the stupidly long queue why not allocate people timed slots which could have been obtained at ticket offices or online? Some people queued for many cold hours overnight!
Looking back, the queues were totally unnecessary. Instead, they could have been told. "your slot is Friday at 2145" or similar. They could have then gone away and come back at their appointed time.
In this modern age this was so stupid.
When on 8m FT8 or other modes, the FT817ND and PC are tied up, so I go on 10m WSPR with the W5OLF 500mW beacon.
So far this morning, just spots from the Canary Is by what seems like F2 propagation. No signs of any Es today.
UPDATE 1345z: Some reports have been +6dB S/N which is very strong.
It is hard to appreciate just how much the media influences us all.
In Russia, folks are told that the war in Ukraine is a "special operation" to liberate oppressed people. In the west we are told the Ukrainians are without fault. In the 1970s we were always told the USA was perfect in Vietnam and the Vietcong was evil.
We rarely hear a truly balanced view. All sides want to slant things their way.
The truth is usually somewhere in the middle. The west is not perfect, Russia is not perfect, Ukraine is not perfect, and the Vietcong was not the evil it was portrayed.
In all wars and in peacetime, the media influences us all. My plea is to get your data from multiple sources and make up your own mind. Don't always believe what you are fed.
This photo was taken in a previous year. It shows the flowers outside Trinity College.
