4 Nov 2018
Sunspots - Sunday November 4th 2018
Solar flux is 67 and the sunspot number still zero. A=4 and K=1.
Spotted in Norway again on 472kHz WSPR
Last night was probably the best yet on 472kHz WSPR with 18 unique stations spotted on RX and my 10mW ERP spotted by 9 different stations. I think this was the 3rd time I have been spotted in Norway on 472kHz this autumn.
 |
| 472kHz WSPR RX last night |
 |
| 472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP) last night |
3 Nov 2018
Transformative effect of FT8
There is an ongoing debate about FT8, some saying it is great and some hating it. In this country (the UK) some liken it to Marmite, the yeast extract in a jar that some love and others hate.
Yes, there is a danger that real chats will become a thing of the past and casual listeners will not chance upon amateur radio as many of us did years ago. On the other hand all FT8 operation is concentrated with a few kilohertz on each band and it is widely monitored, so the chances of receiving a station are far greater than on SSB and CW. Also, FT8 works with weaker signals than those on SSB or CW. I like it. It is hard to believe I was copying VK on 10m FT8 earlier at sunspot minimum with a very much compromised antenna. In the past most would have given up the band as "dead" and moved more LF.
See https://www.flexradio.com/ft8-tipping-point-for-ham-radio/?utm_source=amateur-radio-weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter
Yes, there is a danger that real chats will become a thing of the past and casual listeners will not chance upon amateur radio as many of us did years ago. On the other hand all FT8 operation is concentrated with a few kilohertz on each band and it is widely monitored, so the chances of receiving a station are far greater than on SSB and CW. Also, FT8 works with weaker signals than those on SSB or CW. I like it. It is hard to believe I was copying VK on 10m FT8 earlier at sunspot minimum with a very much compromised antenna. In the past most would have given up the band as "dead" and moved more LF.
See https://www.flexradio.com/ft8-tipping-point-for-ham-radio/?utm_source=amateur-radio-weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter
Walkthrough video
Someone suggested I did this, so I have put it on my G3XBM YouTube channel. I apologise in advance for my appalling voice! You may have to view a few times to get all the words. It is a video walkthrough of the shack and antennas as of November 3rd 2018.
A free Android package called YouCut was used to make this video. It is free if you avoid the adverts and I can recommend it.
A free Android package called YouCut was used to make this video. It is free if you avoid the adverts and I can recommend it.
Walk - NOT amateur radio
10m FT8
After a night off, I returned to 10m FT8 this morning. No stations have been spotted here and my 2.5W CQ was copied by no-one at all.
Ploughing a lonely furrow comes to mind! At least if anyone pops up I should spot them.
UPDATE 1102z: Lots of Europeans (8 so far) spotted on 10m FT8 plus VK8AW (13786km) in Australia. Assuming the latter is not a pirate, this remarkable for sunspot minimum on 10m FT8. Propagation does look promising on 10m FT8 today though.
UPDATE 1236z: Lots more Europeans spotted. Looking at who spotted VK8AW it would appear this is genuine. He has been spotted widely in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Europe.
UPDATE 1650z: No further "real DX" on 10m FT8 RX here, although quite a lot of Europeans.
Ploughing a lonely furrow comes to mind! At least if anyone pops up I should spot them.
UPDATE 1102z: Lots of Europeans (8 so far) spotted on 10m FT8 plus VK8AW (13786km) in Australia. Assuming the latter is not a pirate, this remarkable for sunspot minimum on 10m FT8. Propagation does look promising on 10m FT8 today though.
UPDATE 1236z: Lots more Europeans spotted. Looking at who spotted VK8AW it would appear this is genuine. He has been spotted widely in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Europe.
UPDATE 1650z: No further "real DX" on 10m FT8 RX here, although quite a lot of Europeans.
2 Nov 2018
Another video being prepared
Later this weekend, I hope to have another video on my G3XBM YouTube channel. Someone suggested a walkthrough of the shack and antennas with me commentating. This I have done, although I need to put these clips together with MovieMaker, which I think is on an old PC.
My voice is bad these days, so I apologise in advance. Maybe you will have to watch a few times if you miss the odd word. If I can, I'll explain things in words on the screen if I can remember how to do this! As I said, should be ready later this weekend.
Like buses, you wait for ages, then several come along.
UPDATE 2225z: For reasons I don't understand, MovieMaker would not allow me to save the video. Over the weekend I may try a different package if I can find one.
My voice is bad these days, so I apologise in advance. Maybe you will have to watch a few times if you miss the odd word. If I can, I'll explain things in words on the screen if I can remember how to do this! As I said, should be ready later this weekend.
Like buses, you wait for ages, then several come along.
UPDATE 2225z: For reasons I don't understand, MovieMaker would not allow me to save the video. Over the weekend I may try a different package if I can find one.
"He who casts the first stone..." - NOT amateur radio
Oh to be always right!
Mind you, he is a genius and women really love him. Well, these must be true as he said so, allegedly. Iran, I am sure is not perfect. Are the USA and the UK perfect?
See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-46071747
Mind you, he is a genius and women really love him. Well, these must be true as he said so, allegedly. Iran, I am sure is not perfect. Are the USA and the UK perfect?
See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-46071747
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
