Many years ago whilst driving around the lanes of Devon I worked G3USB/M on 2m FM. I used to work with him in old Pye days. After a period of inactivity, he is now on the air again from 26km away. He has spotted me several times recently on 6m FT8.
I checked QRZ.com but could not see an email address. If anyone has this I'd be most grateful as I should like to get in touch.
Traditionally, the Es season in the northern hemisphere peaks around May, June, July. It is now well into August and I am wondering if more people are "staying around" on 10m and 6m FT8 than before?
In the past, many people took a look, heard nobody, so QSYed to a lower band. With FT8 a band can be monitored very easily and signals can be fleeting and weak. It is my thought that brief peaks in Es occur far more often than we think. FT8 might just be the key that "unlocks the door".
Today, as an example my 2.5W to a vertical omni has been spotted widely in Europe (96 stations at 1442z) on 6m FT8. Openings may only be fleeting and weak, but that can be enough. With more power and a beam just imagine what could be possible.
The Pixie transceiver was derived from the Micro80. Both have severe limitations, especially on RX. Nonetheless, they work and can be a very low cost introduction to the hobby. I have built both in the past.
You may be amazed that something this simple actually works.
So far (at 0926z) just spots from G4KPX (14km).
UPDATE 1027z: 3 unique stations spotting me. There is some Es.
I meant to include details of how I accessed the world DMR network with just an Android phone (no hotspots, DMR portables or dongles needed), but I forgot, so this will have to await the next edition!
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/book
My 2.5W to the vertical omni V2000 was turned on about 0850z. So far, (at 0905z) just 3 UK spots of me and nobody on RX.
UPDATE 1030z: 8 stations spotted on RX and 13 stations have spotted my 6m FT8 QRP. There is some Es.
Isn't it amazing that Mr Trump is so popular in the USA? It is surprising that a nation so vast cannot find a young, sharp, intelligent potential president. It looks likely both candidates will be older than me and I retired 14 years ago!
In the UK the leaders of the major political parties are younger. I am so glad we live in a democracy and can change parties every few years. Some policies need long term agreements like health and social care.
The way we elect people in the UK can probably be improved. The important thing is that we use our vote. There are good people and bad (sadly) in all political parties in all nations.
My last peek was late afternoon in Europe on a weekday. To my surprise there was more activity than I expected. At this stage, I would have hoped for even more activity.
A reminder that OFCOM has a number of new publications and it updates the data it holds on licences every week. See the OFCOM website for details.
Since I am on 6m FT8, I am on 10m WSPR TX with the 500mW TX beacon. So far, 3 unique spots from Germany.
My gear (2.5W to the V2000 vertical omni) was turned on about 0700z. So far, I have been spotted by 13 stations across Europe at 0738z.
 |
| Spots of my QRP 6m FT8 TX at 1608z |
There are radios that use systems like Echolink. These use the internet, but the final link can be to, for example, a distant repeater. I have had chats with someone in a car in Australia. It is novel.
Some systems e.g. Hamsphere and CQ100 use the internet entirely. No traditional ham radio is involved.
If you are unable to erect antennas e.g. in a care home, such systems might allow you to keep in contact with fellow hams. At the moment, I am not a great fan. In the future I might be pleased to use these.
When I was much younger, we seemed to have lots of radio magazines. This was before the age of video games and the internet when radio still seemed like magic. Sadly, there are far fewer magazines on sale. In the future we could expect even fewer.
Radio Constructor ceased publications a long time ago, but is still available as PDFs online.
See https://worldradiohistory.com/Radio_Constructor_Magazine.htm .
Sorry to post about this yet again, but it is a matter close to my heart.
A good proportion of disabled people have "hidden" disabilities. At first sight, many would say "they are faking it" and there is nothing wrong. They look perfectly normal.
Speaking from personal experience. I get exhausted very easily and my voice is very poor. In shops, and even to my own wife, I have to repeat myself several times to be understood. When others around me are chatting, I want to join in, but know I shall have to repeat myself, so I remain silent. Life is very frustrating at times. Compared with many, I am lucky. Others have it far worse than me.
All I am advocating is do not judge others. They may have a hidden disability either physical or mental. Also, it is very easy to patronise. Whatever our state is, we want to do what we can. There is nothing worse than being treated as an idiot when not. Many with hidden disabilities have very high IQs.
