6m FT8

Today, I decided to go on 6m FT8 (0830z). Already 1 station has spotted me - G0DYW (77km). So far, he is the only station spotted on 6m FT8 .

UPDATE 1257z:  6 stations have spotted my 10W to the V2000 vertical omni today so far. 4 stations spotted so far with the furthermost being F6HGB (985km).

UPDATE 1430z:  Now spotted by 7 stations with the best being DJ8RZ (881km) on TX and I have spotted 5 stations on RX.

UPDATE 1925z: 12 stations have spotted me with the furthermost being SM7CAD (1140km). Gone are the days of big Es openings for this year, but even with my small system there is still some occasional DX.

Covid-19 Joke - NOT amateur radio

 This was on Facebook earlier. 

Sunspots - Wednesday September 22nd 2020

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 0. A=6 and K=2.

NanoVNA spectrum analyser?

For about $50 you can buy a NanoVNA. This is excellent value. I have never used one, but I believe it can be used as a spectrum analyser. If so, this brings spectrum analysers well into amateur budgets. I am half tempted. There are several YouTube videos on the NanoVNA, although I have not yet watched any.

If you have one, please tell us how you found it.

SPRAT on DVD

In what is probably the best value around, you can buy every issue of SPRAT on DVD from 1-174 for just £5 plus postage for members of GQRP club. It is more if you are not a member. It is worth joining just for the DVD. 

Many times I have said that SPRAT is brilliant. The latest version, 184, has just come out.

See http://www.gqrp.com/

Walk collage - NOT amateur radio

 

The photo is a collage of our walk early this morning.

Hepburn tropo forecast

A useful resource (although I rarely use it!) is the Hepburn tropo forecast. I think this is done for all areas on the planet, although the link is for western Europe. This could be useful if you are a keen VHF/UHF DXer. Click the main map to get forecasts for future dates.

See http://www.dxinfocentre.com/tropo_eur.html

2m FT8 (10W to the big-wheel omni antenna)

Since arriving home from our walk and doing some gardening, I have been on 2m FT8. So far (at 1050z)  40 spots of me in 3 countries and 1 QSO.

UPDATE 1947z:  Now 78 spots of me in 9 countries today on 2m. 5 QSOs. I am convinced that these sort of 2m results are possible with 10W and a big-wheel at any time.  It seems far too common to be due to aircraft. A more probable hypothesis is that this is some other scatter mode that FT8 allows simple stations to access. Somewhere I read that FT8 is about 18dB better than SSB. That is like changing a dipole to a huge beam! Nearly every time I go on 2m FT8 I get spotted in N.Ireland. This is far too random for aircraft surely!

Marsh harrier - NOT amateur radio

We went for a walk around the village of Reach earlier. On the way we picked blackberries and saw a marsh harrier and a few house martins. 

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/marsh-harrier/

Sunspots - Tuesday September 22nd 2020

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 0. A=3 and K=2.

East Cambs Net

Last night we had a record number of people on our East Cambs net on 2m FM. There were so many I forgot the order! When I left the net I returned to 2m FT8.

Chromebook update - NOT amateur radio

In all, I have owned a Chromebook for about 10 months. I wondered if this decision would be regretted, but the complete opposite is the case. The battery lasts all day (it was used several times yesterday and still has over 8 hours battery life left), it boots up in seconds and I have yet to find anything it cannot do. It is brilliant and far better than my Windows laptop. My wife needed a new laptop, so she too has a Chromebook.

Covid-19 in the UK - NOT amateur radio

There is no doubt that Covid-19 is on the rise, with more cases in western Europe than for several months. We are getting smarter at treating it, but it remains a real threat to the elderly especially. I just hope that the UK government can do enough to stop the exponential rise of this disease. They are trying to balance public health with economic damage. It is not easy.

2m FT8

Since 1219z I have QSYed to 2m FT8 (10W to the big-wheel omni). Within a few minutes I have been spotted by 41 stations in 4 countries.

UPDATE 1314z: Already 2 QSOs and spotted by 64 stations in 8 countries.

UPDATE 1837z: 106 stations in 8 countries have spotted me today on 2m FT8.

Stations spotting me
today on 2m FT8

UPDATE 2042z: 120 stations have spotted my 10W FT8 on 2m today with my 10W to the big-wheel omni. On 2m FT8 RX 109 stations spotted with the best DX a couple of Swedish stations including SF6F (1029km).

6m FT8 Monday

Continuing my "playing" with 6m FT8, I turned on the 6m gear (10W to the V2000 vertical) at about 0833z. Already spotted by 5 G stations plus OV3T (732km) in Denmark (Es?) and I have spotted G3PXT (80km).

UPDATE 0850z: Now my 10W is being spotted by 7 stations, mostly Gs.

UPDATE 1217z: Now 9 stations spotting me and G3PXT is calling "CQ SM" on 6m. Is he after 6m tropo QSOs? I may QSY to 2m FT8  later as apparently there is lots of tropo DX from Scandinavia on 2m FT8.

Pompey in better times - NOT amateur radio

A few years ago we went to Pompey. It rained! What struck me was just how similar life was really even all those years ago 

6m operation

In really good sunspot maximums the F2 MUF exceeds 50MHz at times and world wide DX is possible on 6m. Even with a low wire dipole I recall ZS (South African) stations chatting on SSB and Ws (USA) chatting as if they were locals. These days the F2 layer rarely gets that high. Luckily some impressive DX is possible via E layer, especially in the summer months.

I think it is fair to say I "play" at 6m using 10W and a V2000 omni antenna. Serious operators have big towers, big beams and maximum legal power. This extra "station gain" could be worth some 30-40dB. There is little doubt that this will make a difference.

Most Junes, Japan is worked from western Europe on 6m. With weak signal modes this is possible with more modest stations, although big stations are better equipped to work such long paths. Last year some even worked Australia from western Europe on 6m through a combination of propagation modes. It is not for nothing that some call it "the magic band".

Often people leave the band thinking it is just "white noise" outside of the summer months. Even at unusual times and months the band can open, which is why FT8 can be so useful: it works with weaker signals than SSB or CW, activity is concentrated in a few kilohertz, and there are lots of monitors. WSPR would be even better, but the longer TX slots could mean some fleeting openings are missed even though WSPR can detect even weaker signals.

Encouraging news (I think)

Southgate News has a piece on the report of the Examinations Standards Committee about recent amateur exams. It shows increases in those taking the exams in the UK, although most are men.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/september/uk-amateur-radio-exam-report-released.htm#.X2czhmjYq00

Sunspots - Monday September 21st 2020

 Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=1.

200 years old - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows the windmill next door which is 200 years old this year. The museum had a special day today in the warm sunshine. 

Thistle - NOT amateur radio

 

This was seen at Blicking Hall during our recent visit to north Norfolk. Even wild things can be very beautiful.

6m FT8

It is very late for Es, but my Facebook memories today reminded me that some Es can occur very late in the summer, certainly well outside of the traditional "Es season". For this reason I decided to try 6m FT8.  It is now 0921z and I have been active for about 10 minutes. Surprisingly, already a couple of Gs have spotted my 10W to the V2000 vertical omni antenna. No great DX (best 77km), but life. Nothing yet spotted on RX here and no QSOs.

UPDATE 0929z: Now also spotted by G7RAU (461km) in Cornwall. Not Es, but pleasing. His report of me at -15dB S/N is quite strong. Aircraft?

UPDATE 1525z: My 10W has been spotted by 7 stations so far today with best DX being DK8NE (702km). On RX 7 stations spotted. 

UPDATE 2015z:  Now QRT. 9 stations spotted me today.

Sunspots - Sunday September 20th 2020

 Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 0. A=3 and K=0.

Cromer pier - NOT amateur radio

We visited Cromer last Monday. It is an old fashioned holiday town on the north Norfolk coast. Much to our surprise, it was not "trippy", but had a charm of its own. We were expecting to pay to walk on the pier, but it was free.

2m FT8

Stations spotting my 10W at 1431z today

 A few minutes ago (about 1415z) I returned to 2m FT8 with 10W to the big-wheel omni antenna. Already 35 stations in 4 countries have spotted me! On 2m FT8 RX just 4 stations in 2 countries spotted here so far today (at 1431z). The map shows the stations spotting me at 1431z. 1 QSO so far.

UPDATE 1530z:  47 stations in 6 countries have spotted my 10W 2m FT8 so far this afternoon. Best is a spot by EI2FG (565km) near Cork.

 

UPDATE 2100z: Now QRT.  84 stations in 10 countries spotted with the furthermost being OZ1CCM (796km).  On TX 53 stations in 4 countries spotted my 10W today on 2m FT8.

E-field probe RX antennas

It is total myth that VLF Rx antennas have to be big. They do not!! Very effective VLF, LF and MF RX antennas can be very small indeed. Some years ago I tried an e-field probe antenna on 136 and 472kHz with excellent results.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/efp

Wireless charging of electric vehicles

Southgate News has a piece about the impact of wireless electric vehicle charging on the amateur and other services. The noise level close to these is way above ITU standards and is going to get worse over time. Wireless vehicle chargers operate between 79 and 90kHz.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/september/rf-pollution-from-electric-vehicle-wireless-chargers.htm#.X2XjVWjYq00

Dahlias NOT amateur radio

Our neighbours opposite love dahlias. They had a great show last year and have a good show this year too as the photo shows. 

IC-705 in Europe?

MLS were expecting their first batch of these mid September, but I am not sure if they got these. Does anyone know if it has got CE approval? What I am wondering is is the blockage at the ICOM factory or approval? 

20m FT8 Saturday (4W to indoor loop)

As an experiment I left 20m FT8 RX on overnight. Best DX was 5Z4VJ (6858km) in Nairobi. As usual, I am using the indoor loop. 

UPDATE 0825z: On RX 150 stations spotted in the last 3 hours with best DX ZD7MY (7606km) on St Helena.  4W TX switched on at 0747z. No spots of me yet.

UPDATE 1040z: 248 stations in 4 continents spotted here this morning and 11 stations spotting me.

Sunspots - Saturday September 19th 2020

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=5 and K =0. 

Keeping an eye on the neighbours - NOT amateur radio

Our neighbours were asked to keep an eye on their neighbour's house and garden when they were away on holiday. My neighbour decided to rebuild the fence. I think his neighbours have some leaks! 

20m FT8 (4W to indoor loop)

Since just before breakfast I have been on 20m FT8 with the tiny indoor loop antenna. It is now 1140z. So far, my 4W has been spotted by 14 stations in 2 continents and I have spotted 198 stations.

UPDATE 1545z: 13 Europeans plus 1 on the Canary Is have spotted my 4W 20m FT8 today so far. On RX, 424 stations spotted with best DX YB2HAF (11989km).

Stations spotted in
the last 12 hours

UPDATE 2057z: 708 stations spotted in the last 12 hours and 23 stations spotted my 4W to the tiny indoor loop.

Cambridge Radio Club (CDARC)

In the last few months I rejoined the Cambridge club as a country member. Meetings are currently held as Zoom meetings online and these have been very good. I do not like driving far, if at all, at night these days. Zoom meetings suit me well. This week, we had a joint quiz and social by Zoom with a club in Northern Ireland. This worked out really well.

See http://www.cdarc.org.uk/ 

Coastal erosion - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows the coastal erosion that occurs in some parts of north Norfolk. This photo was taken at West Runton. 

Sunspots - Friday September 18th 2020

 Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=0.

Return to 20m FT8

At about 1345z, I returned to 20m FT8 using 4W and the indoor loop. So far, in about 12 minutes, 47 stations have been spotted, although no-one yet has spotted me and no QSOs.

UPDATE 1425z: Plenty of DX being spotted with the best being LU4EFC (11336km). 4 continents spotted so far in this session. 88 stations so far spotted this afternoon. 179 stations spotted on 20m FT8 today.

Stations spotted

Stations spotting me

UPDATE 2020z:  437 stations spotted here in the last day in 5 continents on 20m FT8 RX.  20 stations including 3 in the USA have spotted my 4W 20m FT8 TX to the tiny indoor loop. I remain amazed that this tiny antenna works so well.

2m big-wheel omni antenna

As mentioned in the last post, I use a Wimo big-wheel omni antenna for 2m SSB and FT8. This is horizontally polarised and has a slight gain (2-3dB?) in all directions. It works very well. It was erected some years ago by David G0LRD. 

It is also used on 70cms for SSB and FT8. 

It suits my operating perfectly as no rotator or beams are needed.  It is ideal for FT8 and monthly activity contests on 2m and 70cm SSB. For FM I use a vertical V2000.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/bigwheel

2m FT8 (10W to big-wheel omni antenna)

At about 0940z I QSYed to 2m FT8. Already 41 stations have spotted my 10W in 6 countries (see map). 22 stations in 4 countries spotted on RX (at 1018z). 1 QSO so far on 2m FT8.

UPDATE 1113z: Now spotted by 45 stations and 2 QSOs. It could be aircraft scatter, but this seems too random. I personally think some other scatter mechanism is responsible for the spotting of some of these. Just now, again, I was spotted in 5 countries. A very useful resource is the grabber at G0LRD. David monitors WSJT-X on 144.174MHz. See http://82.71.9.63:8080/cap/. It was G0LRD who erected my 2m Wimo big-wheel some years ago. I see he has one now!

UPDATE 1235z:  63 stations in 8 countries have spotted my 2m 10W FT8. 3 QSOs today on 2m FT8 TX with 10W. 46 stations in 7 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX. As I mentioned earlier in the week, 2m seems far from dead. I guess there is now far more FT8 and far less SSB and FM.

Cromer church - NOT amateur radio

A few days ago we visited Cromer in north Norfolk. It has a fine church (see photo) that was sadly locked. You can see the church from miles away.