FT8

Many people prefer to chat with people and FT8 is definitely not a chatting mode!  There is a variation called JS8CALL that allows keyboard chats. 

Neither of these can compete with actual SSB, FM or AM conversations. FT8 seems to be like a certain yeast spread in that people either love it or hate it. In my case (with a poor voice) FT8 has been my saviour. I appreciate this is not the case for many.

What FT8 is really good for is working DXCC stations and sniffing out brief openings. The actual space taken up by an FT8 signal is narrow at about 50 Hz. It also works with signals weaker than CW. It occupies just a few kilohertz of spectrum and it is well monitored. Software is free.  Transmissions last just 15 seconds, so very brief openings are unlikely to be missed. This is especially useful on bands like 10m, 8m, 6m, 4m and 2m  especially at times of low sunspot activity. Especially on N-S paths it is my view that the higher HF bands are open far more frequently than we think. The main issue is a lack of activity.

In summary, FT8 has its uses. It is no substitute for voice modes, but definitely has its place.

Es in Europe

Things are getting better, but the Es is mostly in Eastern Europe.

See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .

4m FT8 (Tuesday)

Today, I have decided to concentrate on 4m FT8 with about 10W to my 8m wire dipole matched via the auto ATU in my FT-710. It is now 0814z and, so far, just 1 G near Brighton has been spotted on RX and nobody has spotted me.

UPDATE 0823z: Unchanged. Es does not look good so far.

UPDATE 0837z: Spotted by G0TSM (186km).

UPDATE 1050z:   I have been spotted by 3 stations with the furthermost 9A3TN (1481km) and I have spotted 6 stations. There is Es about.

UPDATE 1524z:  After 11 spots (some Es) I am QRT on 4m and back on 8m FT8. 

10m QRP WSPR TX (Tuesday)

Since just before breakfast I have been on 10m WSPR with my 500mW W5OLF beacon. Spots so far from a local and Italy.

UPDATE 0922z: 10 stations have spotted me, mostly Es.

UPDATE 1044z:  19 spots of my 500mW 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 1923z:   35 spots of my 500mW 10m WSPR today. An HA just spotted me after over 4 quiet hours.

UPDATE 2121z:   39 stations have spotted me.

More Google Crappery? - NOT amateur radio

This came today. Whatever is "a property"? They mention this elsewhere.

" You can now link your new Google Analytics 4 properties to AdSense to get a holistic view of your monetisation...."

Haven't clue what they are talking about (again) but so pleased I can now get a holistic view!! 😉

Sunspots - Tuesday June 20th 2023

Solar flux is 169 and the SSN 181.  A=10 and K=2.

4m FT8

Starting tomorrow, I intend to concentrate on 4m FT8. Even with my compromised antenna, matched using the auto ATU in the FT-710, much of Europe should be in range by Es. It could be fun. I shall probably run 10W, maybe less.

Exile? - NOT amateur radio

Since 1970 I have lived happily in Cambridgeshire. I like where I live. We have a nice house and good friends.

Yet a part of me still yearns for where I come from in South Devon.  If I ever moved back I know it would not be the same. People have moved on or died and my memories of the place could not be replaced. 

It is extremely unlikely that I would move back. Instead I go back for a boost most years. Perhaps this is for the best: happy memories.

10m Lesser Chirpy

These days, many people prefer FT8 or WSPR for QRP. However, it is fun to see where an ultra-simple rig can reach. This has been on before, but with Es so good, it will certainly get all over Europe. As with all simple circuits, it is a compromise.

Although I find it hard to believe, this circuit dates back to 2012!  It is an ultra-simple CW transceiver for 10m. It is capable of improvement, I am sure. Mine was made "dead bug" style.  You can always use the reverse beacon network to see where you are reaching.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/10m-lesser-chirpy

SPAM - NOT amateur radio

My mail provider does a pretty good job of filtering SPAM messages out. Just occasionally (maybe 1 in 1000) it puts things in the SPAM folder that is not SPAM, so I try to check before deleting SPAM for good. If I have not replied to an email, it went in SPAM and I missed it. Do not be afraid to send it again! Usually I respond within 24 hours.

Recently, my most common SPAM is "unable to deliver package" or similar. If you just confirm your details we can send you the package (and no doubt send you a nasty virus as a free bonus!!). Thankfully, SPAM is not an issue.

8m QRP FT8 (Monday)

Es looks promising. 

My 8m FT8 gear (2.5W) was turned at about 0755z. So far, at 0813z, no spots.

UPDATE 1053z: Spots received from HC02 (1808km) and IU8CNE (1626km).

UPDATE 1921z: 3 stations spotted my 2.5W 8m QRP FT8 today.  On the whole, I am still being spotted by the same stations. Where is everyone? I was hoping many more would be on this Es season. Sadly, with a few exceptions, this is not the case.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Monday)

My 500mW WSPR beacon was turned on at about 0755z. So far, just spots from local G4KPX (14km).

UPDATE 1321z: 35 unique stations have spotted my 10m WSPR QRP so far today.

UPDATE 1344z: It is amazing just how strong signals via Es can be. Today, for example, one German station reported my 500mW at +5dB S/N. If his background noise was low, he would probably have received me at 0.5mW. My antenna is nothing special. Raising it a bit higher and with a CB beam I could probably raise my signal by 10dB. So he would probably have spotted me if I was using just 50uW!

UPDATE 1902z:  37 unique stations have spotted me today.

UPDATE 2002z:  38 stations have spotted me today on QRP 10m WSPR.

Sunspots - Monday June 19th 2023

Solar flux is 164 and the SSN 133.  A=10 and K=2.

8m disappointment

Compared with last summer, there would seem to be fewer stations transmitting on 8m. Many who are active know they can be spotted across Europe and far further by F2. It is also true that many may legally operate at 8m without a licence as long as applicable ISM rules are met. In the UK this means 10mW ERP. If this continues (low TX activity) I may go QRT on 8m until the autumn. 

Father's Day - NOT amateur radio

Today was Father's Day in the UK. I was bought a nice bottle of wine by one of my son's as the photo shows. 

8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

Although I have been active since this morning, nothing has appeared on PSKreporter. HC02 (1808km) in Portugal says he has spotted me for over 10 minutes.

UPDATE 1658z: Just HC02 (1808km) spotting me today.

10m QRP WSPR (Sunday)

Stations spotting me to 1415z Sunday

Yesterday 10m was dreadful with no spots at all. 

Today is much better with 14 unique stations spotting my 500mW QRP WSPR beacon.  Several of these have copied me very strongly.

UPDATE 1656z: 17 spots so far. The Es seems to have diminished, but I am being spotted by F2.

Sunspots - Sunday June 18th 2023

 Solar flux is 158 and the SSN 110. A=8 and K =2.

Old friend - NOT amateur radio

We have just returned home from near Hereford where we stayed with an old school friend of my wife. The photo shows my wife with one of our hosts.

10m WSPR QRP TX (Saturday)

Since returning home mid afternoon, I have been on 10m QRP WSPR TX. So far, no spots which surprises me.