More European Es

Following on from my post yesterday and Jan's comment, I am finding plenty of 6m Es today.

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

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Sunday)

 My 10m WSPR beacon was turned on at about 0830z. So far today, no spots of me. It is now 0851z.

UPDATE 0932z:   My signal has been received in Finland by OH6BG (1718km). This could be Es or F2 I guess.

UPDATE 1913z:  8 unique stations have spotted my QRP 10m WSPR today. QRT soon.

6m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

My 2.5W to the V2000 vertical omni antenna was turned on at about 0830z.  So far, spotted just by Gs. 1 G spotted on RX.

UPDATE 0955z: My signal has been received in Portugal. Es? 10 stations have been spotted here as far away as the Canary Is..

UPDATE 1104z: 13 stations have spotted me as far as Portugal and Spain and 23 stations have been spotted here so far.

UPDATE 1740z:  30 stations have spotted me (see photo).

UPDATE  1925z: 88 stations spotted. Furthermost ZS6WN (8931km). I really hope this is genuine. Does anyone know? QRT soon.

UPDATE 2107z:   ZS6WN had lots of spots in Europe and none in South Africa. He looks like a pirate in Europe? I may be wrong, but am naturally suspicious.

G3USB Richard

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.

Sunspots - Sunday August 6th 2023

Solar flux is 176 and the SSN 100. A=36 and K=1.

European Es - is FT8 making the season longer?

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.

Pixies and Micro80 transceivers

At one time you could buy Pixies kits for 40m CW very cheaply from China with free airfare. It may still 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.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Saturday)

So far (at 0926z) just spots from G4KPX (14km).

UPDATE 1027z: 3 unique stations spotting me. There is some Es.

UPDATE 1307z: 23 stations have spotted me today. Mostly Es in Europe.

Free G3XBM book reminder

A reminder that my free PDF G3XBM Project Scrapbook is at issue 5. 

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

6m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

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.

UPDATE 1310z:  67 stations across Europe have spotted my 6m QRP FT8 today.

Politics - NOT amateur radio

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.

Oscar 100 narrowband activity

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.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

Sunspots - Saturday August 5th 2023

Solar flux is 171 and the SSN 122.  A=13 and K=6.

2m activity contest - August 1st

As I was out last Tuesday, I only managed a few minutes at the end. Furthermost was a QSO with a portable station on the Isle of Wight. I was running 10W to the big-wheel omni antenna.

Front garden - NOT amateur radio

Every spring and summer we plant bedding plants in the border under our lounge window. The photo shows how they look at the moment.  Come October they get replaced by winter flowering plants.

OFCOM publications

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.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Friday)

Since I am on 6m FT8, I am on 10m WSPR TX with the 500mW TX beacon. So far, 3 unique spots from Germany.

UPDATE 1248z:  20 unique stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR TX.

UPDATE 2013z:  21 stations have spotted me today. QRT shortly.

6m QRP FT8 (Friday)

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

UPDATE 1608z:  72 unique stations have spotted my 6m QRP FT8.  On RX, 46 stations have been spotted. 

UPDATE 2015z:  QRT soon. 77 unique stations have spotted my QRP today. 

Virtual ham radio

Although I own a "network radio", I am not a great fan.   Using an app called Droidstar, I can access to the DMR network across the planet. Effectively, all you need is an Android phone. Mine has a PTT and looks just like a VHF handheld

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.

See https://qsonet.com/programs.html .

Sunspots - Friday August 4th 2023

 Solar flux flux is 163 and the SSN 124. A=6 and K=0.