The map shows the activity on 70cm FT8 well before the UK contest starts!
My antenna is just a 2m big-wheel omni too!
10 May 2023
70cm FT8 activity contest
Ely cathedral - NOT amateur radio
At one time, it was surrounded by marshy land hence the name "Isle of Ely".
8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)
At about 1530z, my 8m FT8 was turned on. I am on 40.680 MHz with a DF of about 1950 Hz TXing in the first period. No spots.
160m QRP FT8 (Tuesday evening)
With SSB bandwidths my noise level on 160m is around S9. On FT8 (50 Hz bandwidth) I have no trouble getting across Europe with 2.5W and my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Last night my CQ calls were answered by stations in France and Germany.
If you have noise issues try FT8 (50 Hz) or WSPR (6 Hz).
Oscar 100 - getting better?
Every few weeks I look at activity levels on the narrowband transponder of this geosynchronous satellite. Most times it is a tail of woe with activity levels far below what I would have expected. My last peek was at 1410z on a weekday afternoon in Europe.
This time, activity seemed better. In fact, I have never ever seen it busier!
9 May 2023
160m QRP FT8
UPDATE 2116z: 12 stations have spotted my 2.5W QRP 160m FT8. (see map).
Frustration - NOT amateur radio
Several times in the last few days I have had to ring about house insurance. After about a minute of time wasting drivel I was asked to say in a few words what my call was about.
Clearly they were using voice recognition or AI. Without fail my few words were not understood! When asked was I asking about car insurance "is that right?" I replied "no!!".
In the end I was put through to a human being. I hate AI. With a poor voice, I am on to a loser every time!!!
10m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)
A few moments ago, I swapped to 10m FT8 instead of WSPR. I am running 2.5W. Both on TX and RX, spots received. Either the band has just woken up or most are now on FT8 rather than WSPR!
UPDATE 1405z: 5 stations have spotted me with the furthermost being 4X1UF (3513km). On RX, all over copied.
UPDATE 1704z: 8 spots of my QRP.
10m Es operation
As we approach the late spring and summer in the northern hemisphere we are entering the Es season. This usually means propagation out to about 1500km is possible on all modes, often with very strong signals. Es is good at any point of the solar cycle at this time of year.
Most days at this time of year 10m and the low VHF bands will open to somewhere. Not every day is good. Some days will be disappointing. Often antennas like CB whips work perfectly well. Usually a few watts is quite enough whatever the mode.
8m QRP WSPR (Tuesday)
For a change, I am on 8m WSPR in the WSPR window just above 40.680 MHz. Yesterday, my 2W 8m WSPR to a low dipole was copied in Germany and Portugal.
UPDATE 1207z: No spots.
UPDATE 1848z: About an hour ago, I went back on 8m WSPR. No spots.
70cm activity contest tonight
As this is the second Tuesday in the month, at 1900z tonight should be the 70cm UKAC activity contest organised by the RSGB.
As I can only run 2.5W to a 2m big-wheel and my voice is poor, I usually stay on for much less than 1 hour.
As I recall, activity last time was down with many preferring the FT8 activity contest that is usually on the Wednesday. Usually, the activity contest sees SSB activity higher than usual.
10m QRP WSPR TX (Tuesday)
Since about 0800z I have been on 10m WSPR TX with my 500mW beacon.
UPDATE 0842z: No spots yet.
UPDATE 1208z: No spots. Bad Es day?
UPDATE 1251z: Still no spots, so probably swapping to 10m FT8.
The South Hams of Devon
From this picture you can see why I think the South Hams is the best place on Earth.
V2000 vertical omni
8 May 2023
10m QRP WSPR TX (Monday)
When on 8m, I keep forgetting that my 10m antenna is free and I can go on 10m 500mW WSPR TX with my beacon. 10m WSPR QRP TX was turned on at about 1530z.
UPDATE 1545z: Widespread reports by Es of my 500mW 10m WSPR TX now being received. Some reports suggest just uWs would be sufficient! This suggests widespread reception by Es of unlicenced 8m ISM WSPR beacons.
UPDATE 1842z: 27 unique stations spotted my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon in just a few hours. Es is definitely back. It is still on TX. Furthermost was TA4/G8SCU (3010km).
The future of amateur radio
This is a subject I have discussed before. These are my current views. I may well be proved wrong.
- National authorities like OFCOM and the FCC gain nothing from amateur radio and have no real interest.
- In 20 years' time most of the people currently active in amateur radio will be dead.
- In the future, all amateur radio will be run by national radio societies like the RSGB and ARRL who will allocate callsigns for those that still want them.
- Exams will not be needed. Who needs exams to talk about gardening on 80m with commercial gear?
- Deregulated services like ISM and CB will merge with a deregulated amateur radio service.
- There will be fewer dedicated amateur radio products.
- There will be fewer, and smaller amateur radio magazines.
Amateur radio as a service is changing. In my view, the future is about deregulation and as long as you don't interfere with others, it may be allowed. Access to all (current) amateur bands will be open to all.
Does it bother me? Not really. Experimenters will continue to experiment and those that want to natter about gardening can just get on with it.
Cynic, me?
Mr Putin, what are you hoping to achieve? - NOT amateur radio
The "special operation" by Russia against Ukraine is now in its second year. At one time the Ukrainian people had a certain respect for Russia. Indeed many in both nations have relatives in the other country. All respect by the Ukrainian people for Russia has gone. The Ukrainian people HATE Russia.
In my view, this war/invasion is totally and utterly stupid. What good can ever come of this? Every country has the right to determine its own future. By free and fair elections the people can choose their own future without external interference. I sincerely hope peace can be created.
New page on website
For the last month or so, I have been having great fun using my tiny QDX digital transceiver from QRP Labs. I am amazed that something this tiny works so well. If is so much smaller than my other rigs! A webpage has been created.
Mine is the version covering 20m to 10m. Other versions are available.
Just imagine a good multi-band transceiver with case with change for less than $100. Every amateur home should have one! If your soldering skills are normal this should be a straightforward build.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/qdx
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