8m QRP FT8 (Friday)

Most of the morning I have been on 8m QRP FT8 on 40.680 MHz. No spots. 

UPDATE  1446z:  3 stations spotted so far on 8m FT8.  EA8AQV (2930km) was "worked" on QRP 8m FT8. I hope he is legal, but I have no way of telling.

Ham Radio Magazine

This magazine went long ago sadly. 

When it first appeared, it was A5 format. I think it is still available online in PDF format for back issues, although I forget the link. It was a great magazine.

In the coming years, I can see several amateur radio magazines going or shrinking in size. It would not surprise me if many national radio societies go to A5 format for their magazines as adverts get fewer and as a cost saving measure. It would not bother me at all is they went to A5 size.

630m (472 kHz)

It is some time since I was last on 630m (472 kHz) . At one time I used a ferrite rod as an ATU. I must have a go again this autumn. 

Commercialisation - NOT amateur radio

A few years ago, the UK made little of Halloween. This all changed.

Sunspots - Friday October 14th 2022

Solar flux is 150 and the SSN 57. A=5 and K=2.

8m QRP FT8 TX (Thursday)

At the moment, I am on 40.680 MHz QRP FT8 (first). No spots. I hope to be on again later in the afternoon looking for some FT8 to/from the USA if the MUF goes high enough.

UPDATE 1422z:  No spots at all today.

UPDATE 1629z:  No spots on TX, but ZS6OB (9099km) spotted on 8m FT8 RX. I guess this is TEP.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Thursday)

As I am on 8m FT8, my 10m antenna is free, so I am on 10m WSPR with my 500mW W5OLF WSPR beacon. Plenty of spots of me by F2 from the Canary Is..

UPDATE 1345z:  18 unique stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR today.

UPDATE 1647z: 23 spots of my QRP so far with the furthermost DP0GVN/3 (13685km) in Antarctica.

Rallies this weekend

The following are due to take place this weekend. As always, it is wise to check the information before going a long way.

 October 16th Sunday - Hornsea Amateur radio Club Rally.  YO25 9DW. www.horseaarc.co.uk . 

October 15-16th - National Hamfest. Newark showground NG24 2NY.  www.nationalhamfest.org.uk .

OFCOM and wireless telegraphy fees

 OFCOM is consulting on the fees it charges for certain WT services. See their website for details.

10m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

It is now 0800z. I have been on 10m FR8 RX for about 15 minutes. So far, 92 stations spotted. 10m is really good already.

UPDATE 0852z:  So far this morning, 193 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX including D2UY in Angola. I did not realise there is a bit of Angola that is cut off from the main body of the country.

My 8m challenge

This autumn, I am trying to reach the USA on 8m FT8 TX on 40.680 MHz USB with my QRP. I only use 5W to a low dipole antenna. It is possible if there are enough monitors and the MUF goes high enough. So far, I have not succeeded.

My rig is a modified FT817ND. 

Bury St Edmunds yesterday - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday was market day in Bury St Edmunds. It is a delightful place with mostly locals.

Sunspots - Thursday October 13th 2022

Solar flux is 141 and the SSN 62. A=6 and K=2.

70cm QRP FT8

At 1900z, I think there is an RSGB organised activity FT8 contest. Before that, I think there is a European 70cm FT8 contest. I have already worked a local.

Stations spotting my QRP
on 70cm FT8 this evening

UPDATE 2002z:  Loads of stations spotted on 70cm FT8 RX including EI and PE. Quite a few spotted me on QRP FT8 TX with the 2m big-wheel omni antenna.

10m WSPR QRP TX

It is now 1503z and I have been on 10m WSPR TX (500mW), so far, after about 15 minutes by 2 stations in the Canary Is.

UPDATE 1736z: 12 unique stations spotted.

8m QRP FT8 TX

In a few moments I hope to be on 8m QRP FT8 TX on 40.680 MHz (first). 

UPDATE 1748z:  No spots on RX or TX. Perhaps another day I shall reach the USA? 10m WSPR has been good to the USA, but the E-W F2 MUF needs to reach 40.682 MHz.

Bury St Edmunds Abbey Gardens - NOT amateur radio

These are the Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds. We went there today. 

Museum van - NOT amateur radio

This little van used to do deliveries locally.  It was in our local museum across the road yesterday. 

Sunspots - Wednesday October 12th 2022

Solar flux is 150 and the SSN 72.  A=7 and K=1.

70cm activity contest (UKAC) October

This evening, I took part in the 70cm activity contest (UKAC). In all, 3 stations were worked when using 10W and the 2m big-wheel omni antenna. I was on for under an hour.

The impression I am getting is there are fewer SSB stations active than there were a few years ago. Perhaps more are using FT8 than SSB these days? Unless I am mistaken the 70cm FT8 UKAC is tomorrow. It will be interesting to see how busy this is. My expectation is there will be far more people active during this.