For a change, I am on 10m (not 6m) FT8 with my 2.5W. The 10m antenna is a low Par end-fed. At 0816z 3 stations spotted on RX with the furthermost FR4OM (9763km) on Reunion in the Indian Ocean. Just 3 spots of me, all in Europe.
UPDATE 0842z: 7 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today (see photo).
As well as the usual crop of 6m FT8 European stations received via Es yesterday I spotted D2UY (6525km) . Call me suspicious, but I suspect this was a pirate in Europe. Does anyone know if this is genuine?
Someone posted on Facebook today that the FT-710 is about 10dB deaf on 8m. It can be persuaded to TX on 8m by putting it is engineering mode by pressing buttons. However use outside of offered amateur bands probably invalidates your warranty. I have no idea what power it puts out on 8m as I never tried it. I sold the FT-710 some time ago.
All my gear and much of my test gear was homemade and very inexpensive. It is real "back of the garage" stuff. All my gear was homemade in the back of the garage. The only special test gear was a very weakly lit LED. If you have a multi-meter and scope, you really don't need much else. In my view optical communications is easier than microwaves as the test equipment is easy.
I was quite surprised how easy it was to copy an optical signal "over the horizon".
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/optical-nanowaves/over-the-horizon .
So far today, my 500mW 10m WSPR has been spotted by 3 stations.
So far, 6 Gs have spotted me using 2.5W to the omni V2000 vertical antenna.
My beacon has been on for about 50 minutes. So far, at 0930z, 2 stations has spotted me, one probably Es.
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| Stations spotting me at 1643z |
My 2.5W to the omni V2000 vertical has been on for about 30 minutes. So far, spotted by 8 G stations with no Es.
UPDATE 1325z: 56 stations have spotted me today so far. |
| Stations on 6m FT8 RX until 1412z |
In the last few days we were up near Liverpool staying with a friend on the Wirral. Swifts were visible most days, but they were absent on the last day. I have not spotted any here in East Anglia since we got back yesterday. It is possible they have started their migration to Africa. Most soon leave. There are a few stragglers until September.
See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/ .
UPDATE 1655z: I did not realise that some swifts do not migrate from Africa.
UPDATE 0950z Sunday: Lots seen last evening so they have not gone yet!
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| Stations spotting me at 1700z |
Since mid-morning I have been on 10m WSPR TX. At 1417z, I have been spotted by 9 stations across Europe. These were spotted by 8 stations.
Later, I shall be on 10m QRP WSPR TX and 6m QRP FT8. I have not yet checked Es conditions in Europe.
I might have a go at mending my 8m dipole and coax.
Although today was quite a good Es day, I sense we are at the start of the decline. As we progress through August, we can expect fewer Es openings. Es will still occur, but we can expect fewer openings and less intense than in recent months.
See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .
We came back home by train from Liverpool. EMR run a direct train via Ely. After Nottingham they take 2 coaches off so it is just 2 carriages! As we got on in Liverpool we had good seats all the way.
These are my moans:
Since coming home about 30 minutes ago, I have been on 500mW 10m WSPR TX. 5 unique stations spotting me.
The following rallies are due to take place this weekend. Check first before travelling any distance.
Sunday July 30th - New Black Country Radio Rally, Bloxwich, Walsall, WS3 2DA.
Sunday July 30th - Wiltshire Radio and Car Boot Sale, Kington Langley, SN15 5NJ.
For neither do I have contact details.
As we are home later I hope to be on 10m QRP WSPR TX and 6m QRP FT8 this afternoon. We have enjoyed our few days with our friend near Liverpool.
The feeling I get is the season is drawing to a close. Openings will still occur, but less often.
