As my earth-electrode "antenna" is not connected and my Tigertronics SignaLink USB interface is faulty, I am RX only using the IC-705 and the coax up to my 2m big-wheel via a ferrite rod ATU.
So far this evening, 2 stations spotted on WSPR with the furthermost DC0DX (467km).
In the UK we have some unusual rules. I think you may legally listen to commercial broadcasts (like aircraft bands) but it is illegal to make use of the information received. This was probably done with the best of intention. I guess this was to prevent industrial espionage or terrorism, but it leaves a "black hole" when you just listen or report for fun.
I wonder if anyone has actually been prosecuted here in the UK for infringing this law?
At about 1340z, I decided to go on 6m FT8 with the IC-705.
My QMX+ has been on 8m FT8 TX (about 2W to the low dipole) since about 0920z. No spots at 1222z.
I think I'll QSY to 10m FT8 with the IC-705.
This was organised by the RSPB over this weekend. Lots of UK individuals and schools took part. The idea is to record the maximum number of each species in an hour. Over the years some patterns emerge.
It was quite noticeable how bigger birds now dominate. In my hour I saw not one small bird!! The smallest was a blackbird.
See Big Garden Birdwatch.
My stand-alone 500mW 10m WSPR beacon was turned on at about 1058z. Just EA8BFK (2880km) spotting me.
My QMX+ with about 2W to the low dipole was turned on at about 1058z this morning.
UPDATE 1857z: Just one spot of me by EA7KBX (1661km). Now QRT.
As mentioned in the earlier post, I am on 10m QRP FT8 at the moment. At the peak of the solar cycle it is all too easy!
At solar minimum it will be very different as many will desert the band. In my view 10m would be good for DX at solar minimum far more often than we would have thought.
I really hope more stick with 10m, even 8m, FT8 for much longer so we can see.
One useful experiment would be to TX FT8 on 15m, 12m, 10m, 8m and 6m sequentially and see how many stations spot on each band over time. Ideally this should be carried out over several years around solar minimum. An antenna that covers all these bands would be needed.
It is a watery world. In mid-winter it can be a bit bleak but lovely on a cold winter's day with a blue sky.
Being fenland, it is very flat so we can see our village church in the distance.
On Friday night our local radio club had its AGM. Some were there in person and many were on Zoom. One of the questions was why membership had dipped 33% in the last 12 months.
To me the answer is clear, although it is not one we want to hear. Amateur radio is mainly a hobby of old men. As we age fewer people want to venture out at night. Some die, go into care homes, become ill, or for some other reason amateur radio is no longer important.
At some point I took a screen shot. Most were grey haired old men! This is not a problem confined to amateur radio. My wife was in a choir for over 30 years that had to fold as most were too old. At the same meeting was a leader of sailing club. He said that there were too few young people joining. Many church congregations consist of old ladies. When they die or go into homes many churches will close as they will be unable to afford the upkeep costs.
With regards to our local radio club I suggested some time ago to hold all talks by Zoom and have a regular social meeting in a cafe or pub. This would mean no room hire costs at all saving several hundred pounds a year.
If amateur radio is to thrive we need to understand what "turns on" younger people. What attracted us to the hobby (the magic of radio) rarely works these days.
As 8m was quiet, I put my QMX+ on 10m FT8.
UPDATE 2230z: So far, 236 spots of me. QRT now.
My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon was turned on after our walk this morning.
In the latest SPRAT (205) Chris Page (page 38) reported my QRPP FT8 experiments as using the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) whereas for FT8 I ...
