The sunspot count and the solar flux are high, so I am on 10m FT8 RX for signs that is it worth me trying 8m FT8 later for the USA with my QRP FT8. So far, after about 30 minutes, 32 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 0949z: 55 stations spotted including China and Mongolia.
The ruling Conservative party is holding its annual conference this week in Birmingham.
The prime minister, elected about 4 weeks ago, is having a very hard time along with her chancellor of the exchequer, who is in charge of the money.
She has gone for a policy to stimulate the economy, and reduce energy bills and inflation. However, she is borrowing money to pay for this and markets don't like this. She is taking a gamble. In the past, these gambles have not worked.
She also looks to be turning her back on those in our society who are the most vulnerable.
At this rate she could be ousted as party leader quite soon, along with her chancellor. Unless things rapidly change, I suspect the Conservative party will lose the next general election due in 2024.
Judging by results on 10m FT8 today, I think it is unlikely I shall try on 8m QRP FT8 today on 40.680 MHz.
Of course Murphy's law will say, "you should have seen 8m on Tuesday - it was amazing".
In the next few weeks we dig up the bedding plants and put in daffodil bulbs and winter flowering plants like primroses.
This year we may put in some pansies, as our local nursery had some good, colourful ones (see photo). If these flower over winter, we may get some.
Many years ago I made one on a mag-mount for 136 kHz so I could drive around trying to pick up my QRSS 6uW beacon. There are several designs around, some which are untuned. Much to my surprise, I could easily pick up my little beacon at 24km.
As the frequency is increased, external noise ceases to dominate and they become less effective.
You may find one useful for LF or MF bands.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/antennas/137khz-efp-rx-antenna .
Just before lunch, I went on 10m FT8. I transmitted for a few goes (spotted locally and in Turkey) with QRP, but most of the time I have been RX only.
UPDATE 1405z: Spotted by 173 stations on RX.
UPDATE 1456z: 239 stations spotted. I think 10m FT8 yesterday was better at this time.
It is unbelievably simple. If you can think of a simpler RX that is as effective I would like to know! It is on my main website and in my free PDF book.
By changing the tuned circuit it would work on other bands like 160m or 60m. Not sure where it originated, but you can find lots of similar circuits.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/optical-nanowaves/over-the-horizon .
Even though it is October 3rd, we had a cup of tea in the garden in shirt sleeves. I cannot imagine this being possible for much longer before the spring.
It was taken by a friend in Shetland. There are few trees there, partly as it is so exposed and windy.
Later today, I hope to go on 40.680 MHz QRP FT8 hoping to be spotted in the USA.
As F2 improves still further, copy in the USA on 8m by FT8 is certainly possible as I have worked the USA on 10m QRP SSB handheld from the bedroom!
The main issue is there are too few 8m monitors in the USA. Better equipped 8m stations will make QSOs across the Atlantic. I could, but I am not getting my hopes up!
For the avoidance of doubt, I give everyone permission to report my 8m signals and if this is in the form of a 2-way FT8 exchange, so be it.
The photo shows my wire dipole for 8m. I have been spotted in 14 countries so far with it and QRP.
UPDATE 1715z: Turned on 8m FT8 at 1700z.
In the winter we are on the lookout for signs of new life such as daffodils and snowdrops.
Every season there is something to see. Soon it will be the autumn colours, which always look great.
10m has always been my favourite band. On the run-up to the next solar peak, it is great again with worldwide DX.
In years around the minimum people tend to leave it as it behaves more like a VHF band, although Es is good even at solar minimum.
It also make a great band for local chats. I am surprised it is just empty (listen on the adjacent CB bands) around solar minimum years.
Years ago the RSGB organised activity sessions in the evenings on 10m. Even with 10W SSB and simple, low antennas (CB half waves or wire dipoles) I found I could work across the country. With FT8, inter-G DX should be certainly possible.
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| Stations spotted this morning |
Even when the sunspot count has been zero for days on end at solar minimum I have heard and worked DX, even with QRP SSB. With FT8, it is open far more often than people thought. Often at such times it is a lack of people and not a lack of propagation.
At the moment I am on 10m FT8 RX. Already 27 spots at 0830z from across the world.
UPDATE 0959z: 162 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX. If 10 withm looks good, I may QSY to 8m FT8 later.
UPDATE 1308z: 467 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX.
On 8m FT8 TX on 40.680 MHz (TX first period). 10m is looking good, so just hope some in the USA are monitoring 40.680 FT8!
UPDATE 1525z: Spotted on 8m QRP FT8 by EA3ERE (1153km). No USA DX spots (!), but I am grateful to be spotted at all on 8m FT8.
UPDATE 1854z: QRT on 8m. No USA DX!
It must have been tested it at the QTH of G6ALB, although I do not remember this. The photo shows these tests.
This photo was taken in a previous year. It shows the flowers outside Trinity College.
