Solar flux is 162 and the SSN 90. A=4 and K=6.
6 May 2023
5 May 2023
8m QRP FT8 (Friday)
Assuming the storm risk has passed, I intend to go on 40.680 MHz QRP FT8 after lunch. I usually TX with 2.5W about 1950 Hz high in the first period. I should be on by about 1130z. At 1142z, I turned on my 8m QRP FT8.
UPDATE 1425z: No spots yet.
UPDATE 1527z: After an interruption because of a thunderstorm, I am now back on again.
UPDATE 1535z: Still no spots.
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| Just 1 spot by G7PUA/A |
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| The storms seem to have passed at 1819z |
UPDATE 1656z: Just a single spot by G7PUA/A (168km) who has spotted me on 8m QRP FT8 TX. Not sure of the propagation mode. Nobody spotted on RX. QRT because of thunder.
Thunderstorms
We are just having a passing thunder storm.
Although the chances of a direct strike are low (thankfully) in the UK, passing storms can cause power surges that can damage equipment.
I am no expert on thunder and lightning, but I know from others that it should always be treated with respect. Whenever there is a risk, I disconnect mains plugs and antennas "just in case". Opinions vary on what to do, but leaving things connected only works if your lightning protection is very good. Most of us have very poor protection.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/lightning-maps .
10m QRP FT8 (Friday)
My intermittent coax plug has been fixed and now on 10m FT8 with the FT817ND at 2.5W. So far spotted by just 1 G station, but spotting stations across the world on RX.
UPDATE 0944z: 12 stations have spotted my 2.5W and 67 stations spotted here.
UPDATE 1000z: Thunder stopped play! All disconnected. See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/lightning-maps .
160m FT8 QRP last evening
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| 160m FT8 QRP TX |
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| 160m FT8 RX |
Last evening I went on 160m FT8 with 2.5W and the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. As the evening before, results were good.
4 May 2023
10m QRP FT8 (Thursday)
Very late in the day, I decided to switch from 8m to 10m FT8. Just a couple of spots of my 2.5W from the FT817ND. I also discovered that my 10m coax antenna plug is intermittent. This needs investigation. Quite a few stations spotted on RX.
UPDATE 1803z: 4 spots of my 2.5W with the furthermost 9G5AF (5189km).
Rallies on Sunday
These rallies have been notified to me. I do not have contact details, but advise checking with the organisers first if intending to travel a long way.
Sunday May 7th - Dartmoor Radio Rally, Yelverton, PL20 6AL
Sunday May 7th - Hamfest Rally,Thorpe Camp Visitor's Centre. No postcode given.
Spring - NOT amateur radio
The green in spring always looks fresh whereas later it looks tired. This horse chestnut tree looks splendid.
8m QRP FT8 TX (Thursday)
Earlier. I got my first 8m FT8 report for a while. This was Martin's SDR at WESSEXSDR (265km) at a respectable - 17dB S/N.
They have arrived - NOT amateur radio
The swifts are back. This morning 2 were spotted. I have yet to hear them screaming in feeding parties, but the cycle that has been around for thousands of years continues.
See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/ .
160m QRP FT8 last evening
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| Spots of my QRP FT8 on 160m with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground last evening |
Using just 2.5W FT8 on 160m last evening to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground 14 spots of me (as the map shows) were obtained. It works remarkably well with the FT817ND with just the 3C90 transformer and no ATU. I guess the SWR is between 2:1 and 3:1.
Sporadic E (Es)
We are just entering the Es season in the northern hemisphere. DX out to about 1500km with low power is common on the lower VHF bands. The photo shows my V2000 omni in 2020. On 6m even QRP SSB is enough to work DX.
3 May 2023
160m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)
It is not dark here for about 90 minutes, but my 2.5W to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground has been spotted on 2 SDR's in the west country the furthermost WESSEXSDR (265km).
UPDATE 2108z: 11 stations have spotted my 2.5W to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground on 160m FT8.
Still waiting - NOT amateur radio
Today, for only the second time, we had a cup of tea in the garden. Despite looking (and listening) for about a hour, no swifts seen or heard. This is a bit early. Hopefully within a few weeks we will hear the screams, look up and see some. Numbers are meant to be down, although locally they seemed as numerous.
8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)
For the last couple of hours I have been on 8m QRP FT8 again on 40.680 MHz. No spots.
UPDATE 1641z: No spots.
Plans for today (Wednesday)
After returning from shopping, I plan to return to tests on 40.680 MHz FT8.
Later this summer, I want to give 8m WSPR a go, probably at 1W. I am hopeful that more Europeans will give 8m WSPR a go using ISM rules. In many countries a licence is not needed under ISM rules.
On 8m FT8 and WSPR at the same time I can only go on if I am RX only on FT8 at the time.
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