8m FT8 at 2.5W TX (Sunday)

Since learning yesterday that I was running 2.5W and not 5W with 3 bars on my FT8, I can report good results this morning on 40.680 MHz FT8. 

Results suggest there is some Es. See map.

RF attenuators

Luckily, there are several online calculators to work out what values of resistor are needed for a given degree of RF attenuation. In the past, I have added attenuators right on the output of my FT817 to get really low power with WSPR on HF bands. 

Starting tomorrow, I hope to do some very low ERP tests on 8m locally. Initially, I shall be sending 8m WSPR with my normal power, to make sure locals are looking in the correct place. Later, I am proposing to send 10mW ERP 8m WSPR with a different callsign to see who can still copy me.  This should give some idea of what would be possible on the 8m ISM band with very low powered beacons.  

Recent OFCOM statements have indicated to me that such operation would be legal without a licence as long as the technical requirements and IR 2030 are met i.e. 10mW ERP at 8m. 

If successful, I think many more UK people could legally experiment at 8m on the ISM band albeit with very low power. I know that Jason M0NYW is proposing such tests in his local area. In my view, this is exactly what research is all about. This is not amateur radio, but it is very much radio by amateurs.

Now, I am no legal expert, so you have to decide what the rules indicate.

See https://leleivre.com/rf_pipad.html .

Sunspots - Sunday November 20th 2022

Solar flux is 115 and the SSN 59. A=5 and K=0.

630m WSPR RX

 This evening I am on 630m (472kHz) WSPR RX. So far, at 2125z, 2 unique stations spotted.

8m QRP WSPR TX

 At the moment I am on 8m 1W WSPR TX. This is in preparation for my 10mW ERP tests next week. No local spots. 

That FT817ND power

Since several people confirmed that 3 bars o the FT817ND means 2.5W and not 5W even with a 13.8V PSU, it means all my 10m and 8m FT8 QRP spots were with 2.5W and NOT 5W. This is even more pleasing. 

From our garden - NOT amateur radio

The fully restored windmill next door is about 200 years old. This is the view from our garden. 

Sunspots - Saturday November 19th 2022

Solar flux is 116 and the SSN 55. A=7 and K=1

FT817ND power levels?

You would think after owning FT817s for about 20 years I would know the answer! The Operating Manual is ambiguous, so I would appreciate a definitive answer from someone who definitely knows!

With an external 13.8V PSU and with three bars showing, what is the power on SSB? 

The implication is this is 2.5W (not 5W), but I am not 100% sure. Please clarify! To get 5W I think you have to have no bars, but I may be wrong.

If it is 2.5W (not 5W), I may have been using 2.5W pep when I thought I was using 5W!

Trinity College, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows the entrance to Trinity College on a sunny day. Most years this street is filled with visitors who come from all parts of the world. 

It is not uncommon to hear more people speaking foreign languages than English on some streets in Cambridge.

8m QRP FT8 (Friday)

 Since about 0945z, I have been on QRP 8m FT8 on 40.680 MHz.  No spots.

An article about 8m has been submitted to Practical Wireless. I hope it will be published early next year. I doubt RSGB RadCom would publish it, which is why I gave them a miss this time. I have written a letter to the editor of RadCom about an amateur band at 8m and it has not appeared. 

UPDATE 1350z:  Having got no FT8 spots, I have moved over to WSPR at 1W. It is on 40.680 MHz USB dial with the tones on 1.5 kHz higher in the WSPR window. I am transmitting 40% of the time.

UPDATE 2035z:  In preparation for my local QRPP 8m WSPR test next week, I have started WSPR transmissions on 40.680 MHz USB dial. My WSPR appears 1.5 kHz HF in the middle of the 200 Hz WSPR slot. My aim is to first ensure everyone is looking in the right place. So far I have had reports from G8CRB (12km). With the reports Steve has given me at 1W, it is unlikely he would copy me at 10mW ERP. Steve is using a fan dipole for 80-12m.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Friday)

At the moment, I am on 10m WSPR with my 500mW W5OLF WSPR beacon. So far, just a spot by LA3RK (1064km).

Sunspots - Friday November 18th 2022

 Solar flux is 119 and the SSN 64.  A=2 and K=0.

630m (472 kHz) WSPR RX

Last evening the furthermost was SM6BGP  (994km). On my screen it said 1003km, but I am not arguing. I am on 630m RX again this evening.  Still using the coax to my 2m big-wheel and a mains plug earth. Tuning is again via the ferrite rod on the shack desk.

UPDATE  1950z:  Quite a decent start.

Autumn - NOT amateur radio

It looks more like autumn every day. The photo shows the fallen leaves at nearby Anglesey Abbey yesterday. 

No wonder "autumn" is called "fall" in the USA!

Rallies at the weekend

The following rallies have been notified to me. As always, check before travelling far.

Saturday November 19th - Wiltshire Radio Rally, Chippenham, SN15 5NJ. rally@chippenhamradio.club .

Saturday November 19th - Rochdale and District Amateur Radio, OL12 7QR.  rozallin@gmail.com .

Sunday November 20th - CATS 43rd Radio and Electronics,CR5 1ES.  bazaar@catsradio.org.uk .

8m FT8

 I am on 8m QRP FT8 on 40.680 MHz. So far today, no stations spotted but I have been spotted by SR4DON (1352km).

UPDATE 1656z:  No further spots on 8m FT8 today. My 8m WSPR local tests start on Monday Nov 21st.

UPDATE 1720z:   I have just written an article about 8m for Practical Wireless. If they publish it, it should appear early next year. My aim is to try to get a tiny 8m amateur band by NoV and dispel the utterly stupid myth that such a band would be "more of the same".

10m QRP (500mW) WSPR TX

Currently I am on 10m QRP WSPR TX with my 500mW W5OLF beacon. 

UPDATE 1701z:   19 spots of my 10m 500mW WSPR today.

Pye Telecom PF9 - NOT amateur radio

In my working life, I worked on the famous PF8 and PF85 products. Many of these famous products were converted for use on the 70cm amateur band. I also worked on the 2 unit PF9 which replaced the PF1. Unlike the PF8, I have not seen these on the second hand market or converted for use on 70cm. 

Sunspots Thursday November 17th 2022

Solar flux is 133 and the SSN 85. A=2 and K=1.