10m FT8 RX

 

At about 1115z I went on 10m FT8 RX.  So far (at 1137z) 147 stations spotted so far today from all over.

UPDATE 1300z:  361 stations spotted today so far on 10m FT8 RX.

Plans for the day (Sunday)

Later this morning (all being well) I expect to be on 10m FT8 RX. 

If things look promising, I shall switch to 8m QRP TX on 40.680 MHz later in the afternoon, hoping to reach the USA.  As yet, this has not been successful on 8m, but let's hope for success whilst F2 propagation is good. 

Having worked the USA handheld with QRP SSB from the bedroom with just a base loaded whip on 10m SSB, it should be easily possible on 8m FT8 if there is propagation. My main issue is there are too few 8m monitors in the USA. This means the USA may be reached on 8m QRP FT8, but not be reported!

Norwich train - NOT amateur radio

Last week, we went to Norwich by train from Ely.  Ely station is always busy. I guess this is because many lines converge here.

Sunspots - Sunday October 9th 2022

Solar flux is 157 and the SSN 137 A=12 and K=4.

King's College Chapel a year ago - NOT amateur radio

A year ago we had this practically to ourselves because of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Engineering in the future?

This photo was taken some years ago in the back of the garage in our old house. I failed with my grandson. 

Huge satellite - NOT amateur radio

A huge satellite should be clearly visible from Earth. In fact some astronomers are worried that this and its companions could be so bright they may interfere with some observations on earth.

See https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/bluewalker-launched-spacex-largest-satellite-astronomers/ .

12m FT8 RX

As 8m was drawing a blank, I went on 12m FT8 RX using the 8m (i.e. well off tune!) antenna. To my surprise, it was full of FT8 signals around 24.915 MHz. After probably less than 15 minutes, 126 unique stations spotted. I did try 15m briefly, but this was much the same.

UPDATE 1446z:  301 stations spotted from most parts of the world.

10m WSPR QRP TX (Saturday)

As the 10m antenna is available, I have remembered to go on 10m WSPR (I keep forgetting I can do this!).  No spots yet today.

UPDATE 0918z:  Several spots from the Canary Is. These look like single hop F2.

UPDATE 1650z:   21 spots so far, with lots from the USA. It appears I am romping into the USA on 10m WSPR.

8m QRP FT8 TX (Saturday)

The 8m FT8 gear was turned on at 0846z on 40.680 MHz.  No spots yet. 

UPDATE 0938z:    No spots.

UPDATE 1645z:    I am trying again on 40.680 MHz FT8 QRP to get spotted in the USA. Alas, no spots.

Speech processing

Most rigs of the modern era have speech compressors. Early radios did not, and it was vital to make sure your signal was "punchy". I well remember an article in an early VHF Communications magazine that looked at this.

See https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-DX/VHF-Communications/VHF-COMM.1971.1.pdf .

Norwich market - NOT amateur radio

Norwich is a fine city with a great market. We visited there on Thursday. 

10m WSPR yesterday

As I was on 8m FT8 yesterday evening and the 10m antenna was free, I decided to go on 10m WSPR TX with my 500mW beacon. 

As well as several Ws, I was spotted in Antarctica by DP0GVN/3. which is the German base down there. This is the first time I have been spotted in Antarctica this solar cycle.

Sunspots - Saturday October 8th 2022

 Solar flux is 160 and the SSN 146. A=15 and K=3. 

8m QRP FT8 TX (first)

As 10m was looking promising, I have switched to 8m FT8 TX on 40.680 MHz.

UPDATE 1640z:  No spots on 8m FT8.

UPDATE  1921z:   No spots. Now QRT on 8m.

Autumn splendour

For about 6 years we have been following this tree at Anglesey Abbey nearby.  

At the moment it looks magnificent, but in a few short weeks it will be bare until spring. I just love seasons. 

Reflections - NOT amateur radio

 

We spotted these reflections in the River Wensum in Norwich yesterday.

The Tenner transceiver

Hopefully, this will spark some ideas. I build this rig on the up-slope of solar cycle 24, but with cycle 25 now in good shape, it should be capable of plenty of DX with simple antennas. It worked plenty of DX.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/10m-tenner-qrp-cw .

10m FT8 RX

The 10m FT8 RX gear was switched on about 0851z.  It is now 0907z and, so far, 42 stations have been spotted.

UPDATE 1318z:  571 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX so far.

Plans for today (Friday)

My current plans are to go on 10m FT8 RX for most of the day and maybe 8m QRP FT8 TX later if things look promising. 

I must remember to go on 10m WSPR then as the antenna will be free and the PC will not be needed. Usually, I forget this!