There is a good choice of rigs these days. I would definitely recommend using a counterpoise as this can make a lot of difference. If there is a chance of people walking nearby, watch the trip hazard! Often the rig and antenna can be oriented to get the best signal.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/pedestrian-portable .
This afternoon, I hope to re-erect the 10m antenna, when the 8m dipole is erected. At the moment, it remains mostly on the ground! I hope to be on 10m FT8 RX shortly.
So far today, I have received loads of stations on 10m FT8 RX despite most of the antenna being on the ground awaiting the erection of the 8m dipole.
I notice these were not being uploaded to PSKreporter for some reason, so I shall restart WSJT-X in case this is at fault.
UPDATE 1521z: I did a resync to internet time and restarted WSJT-X: still no spots on PSKreporter.
UPDATE 1530z: All now seems well, with 10 stations recently uploaded. This will remain a puzzle. All uploads relate to stations spotted in the last 20 minutes.
This statement by OFCOM about UK 8m operation has appeared in many places and the RSGB has made a statement. I have re-read the OFCOM statement many times as I have my licence.
Now, I am no legal expert and what follows is my interpretation, but....
I think the RSGB is wrong.
My reading and re-reading of the OFCOM statement and my amateur radio licence leads me to these conclusions:
1. OFCOM does not want to release any 8m spectrum for radio amateurs. Personally I think this is stupid when they could have released just 5 kHz, digital modes only, at 5W, no contests, by NoV, on a strictly non interference basis. Surely self training is what our hobby is all about?
2. As long as those operating on 8m hold an amateur radio licence and callsign and are receiving crossband reports from other radio amateurs using the frequencies only allowed in their licence schedule, I cannot see this is illegal. Yes, those working crossband to 8m non radio amateurs licenced under T and I conditions would be illegal.
3. Inter-working other stations duly authorised to operate on 8m is legal in the UK. Working those in other administrations is a matter for those administrations.
These are my personal views, not legally binding views. You need to seek your own legal position.
UPDATE 1512z: I think OFCOM really wanted a "light touch" on this. As the RSGB sought clarification, they had to answer. The RSGB interprets this differently to me.
My wife has her hair cut about every 5-6 weeks. The person she goes to is very kind and seems to know all the gossip - isn't that one of the reasons women get their hair done?
BTW, both people had given their permission for the photo to be taken.
It looks like they are having a good chat (along with the dog!) over their pints.
In the next 48 hours, I hope to erect a wire dipole for 8m. Years ago this would have been trivial, but I am not good on ladders since my stroke in 2013.
Putting this up requires a minimum of 2 ladder climbs. Luckily, both are not very high, so I hope to manage these.
I am really looking forward to experimenting on 8m TX.
My floored loft has not been visited by me in 8 years!! There is quite a bit of amateur gear in one of the boxes.
UPDATE 1352z: Small steps! As I get very tired these days I am doing this is small steps with rest in between. So far I have (1) cut the 8m dipole to length, (2) drilled the hole from the outside into the shack for the coax, (3) lowered the 10m antenna so I can attach the 8m dipole to it and (4) shortened the length of the nylon insulator that holds the 10m antenna in place. Now I need a rest!
All being well, I hope to be on 10m FT8 RX after breakfast. Yesterday was a good day on 10m.
UPDATE 0825z: My 10m FT8 was turned on 0811z. Initially I was on QRP TX with 2.5W for a few minutes (just one spot from Israel, but no QSOs). So far, 20 stations spotted at 0829z. AH7C in Hawaii was spotted. I guess this is via the long path. This is the first time I have seen Hawaii on 10m for many years.
UPDATE 1000z: 81 stations spotted so far today.
The receiver was exceptionally quiet. It had no memories, no synthesiser and did not cover the WARC bands and 6m as none of these existed back then.
It was not small. In fact, it was considerably larger than the FT817/8 that covers more modes and bands.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/commercial-rigs/yaesu-ft7
It looks like at least 4 UK stations will be on 8m TX this summer. OFCOM has issued permits (or is about to) to the first bunch of applicants. Others may follow.
In the coming Es season, it is highly likely that some, or all, will be spotted in Europe. Especially with FT8, there is a good chance of stations being copied by other modes too.
I hope others across Europe apply for special access as well. 8m, being between 10m and 6m, is at a very interesting part of the radio spectrum for experiments. It is mid-way between HF and VHF.
The ZS6WAB 8m beacon has been copied in Europe (including in the UK) on several occasions.
All being well, my first 8m transmission will be April 2nd.
We have 2 Amazon Dot devices. We love these and are very impressed that they seem to be good at voice recognition, even managing to understand my poor voice.
Some get very worried about it spying and harvesting all sorts of private data. The answer is simple: turn it off when not in use!
We like the idea of news, weather and any kind of music on tap and the timers, which are really useful when cooking.
I bought mine really cheaply when they were on offer. My wife thought I was mad, but she uses Alexa far more than me!
It is now 0823z and I have been on 10m FT8 RX for about 10 minutes. So far, 21 stations have been spotted.
UPDATE 0834z: 25 stations spotted with the furthermost YC3ERZ (12282km).
UPDATE 1148z: 148 stations spotted with the furthermost VK6BAS (14442km).
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| Stations spotted at 1637z |
Solar flux is 156 and the SSN 125. A=10 and K=2. These are good numbers.
Recently I have been on 17m and 15m FT8 RX with the tiny indoor loop antenna. Whilst plenty of stations have been spotted across the world, it is noticeable that I'm seeing very few from South America.
Now, I am no expert on propagation and this may just be when I am on. I am pretty sure it is not antenna directivity as I get plenty on 10m FT8.
Last October, I submitted 3 articles to RadCom. One was published, but the other 2 seem to have disappeared down a black hole. Today, I chased them.
It is fine to not publish them, but it is also good to know why. As I recall, they were short fill-in articles, but it was so long ago I cannot recall what was in them!
With Giles Read dying suddenly they must be in a pickle in the short-term.
UPDATE 1500z: The articles have been found.
It seems 5 minutes since I was a young teenager!
Old age has descended on me suddenly. These days I feel older and frailer, as much as I do not seek this. Some say you get wiser as you get older, but I seem as stupid as ever!
My advice to those far younger is "you will be old yourself one day". Milk life whilst you can.
I think one of the things I have to do is accept the "me" I am now and not the "me" I used to be. As we age, it is natural that some of the things we could do we can do no longer. There is still so much I can do. As long as I am able, I intend to enjoy doing the things I can do. 😄
This week promises to be colder and duller. 😞
At 0855z, I turned on my 15m FT8 RX. No spots yet. I think conditions are disturbed.
UPDATE 1000z: No spots on 15m FT8 RX on PSKreporter. As I lost the internet connection for a while I may have not uploaded some of the recent spots (there are a few).
UPDATE 1224z: I have restarted WSJT-X as I am seeing plenty of spots locally, but none were appearing on PSKreporter. Since restarting, plenty of spots appearing!
UPDATE 1402z: 81 stations spotted so far on 15m FT8 RX.
At 0752z, I turned on my W5OLF 10m WSPR beacon which runs 500mW as the 10m antenna was not being used. No spots yet today.
UPDATE 0957z: Just G spots from locals G2XV (18km) and G4KPX (14km).
UPDATE 1540z: Still no DX today on 10m FT8 RX.
It is now 1520z. I have just QSYed to 17m FT8 RX from 2m. The antenna is the tiny loop on the shack windowsill. So far (after a few minutes) 22 stations spotted. This antenna really is remarkable. I guess it must be a few dBs down on a "big" antenna.
UPDATE 1628z: 93 stations spotted on 17m FT8 RX this afternoon. Furthermost is YB1HR (11790km).
As I now have the coax for my 40MHz dipole, things are on target. Assuming I build and erect the antenna this week, I should start on April 2nd as per my permit.
My aim is to run mostly FT8 near 40.675MHz (audio will be perhaps 1kHz higher) with some CW for some local crossband reports. I intend to use my amateur callsign.
When I am using 2m FT8, the 10m antenna is available. I keep forgetting that I can still go on 10m WSPR TX using my 500mW W5OLF WSPR beacon. This morning, I shall go on 10m WSPR TX. I must remember this when I get active on 8m.
UPDATE 0830z: WSPR TX turned on at 0825z. Just G4KPX (14km) spotting me.
There have now been a couple of reports of swallows (to some they are known as barn swallows) in South Devon. The earliest I have seen them in East Anglia is April 7th. Last year there were very few.
Already returning chiffchaffs can be heard and sand martins seen in Devon.
See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swallow/.
In the next few days, I have to make a dipole for the 8m band on which I have special permission to TX for 12 months. At my QTH, the most suitable antenna is a simple wire dipole. You may be interested in this calculator.
As I understand it, 3 people in the UK have already got 8m TX permits. Others could follow.
The coming Es season could be interesting. Certainly at least 2 will be on FT8 and a single USB dial setting will be needed, so just monitoring this should help with reports and QSOs.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/8m-band .
Tapas, as far as I know, is a Spanish invention. Instead of a large meal, you are served several small dishes of your choosing, all of which you can share. We had a lovely tapas lunch in Norwich yesterday and the price was extremely reasonable. I was just about to pay a tip when I was told the bill included the tip!
It is now 0930z. After a brief TX period with 2.5W to the big wheel (4 Gs spotted me), I am now RX only, but nobody spotted yet.
UPDATE 0948z: 6 stations spotted on RX with the furthermost DJ0PY (453km).
UPDATE 1505z: 46 stations in 6 countries spotted so far on 2m FT8 RX today.
This evening I have been on 2m FT8 with 2.5W to the big-wheel omni. 15 stations have spotted me on TX and I have spotted 8 stations on RX.
