Different challenges

Next year, assuming I am still around (!), I should have some new QRP challenges. I hope to be active on 23cm and on 4m. Both are quite different, but should be fun.

4m next Es season?

Before the next Es season, I hope to convert my FT817ND so that 5V TX appears at the antenna socket and erect a 4m halo under the V2000 vertical omni antenna. 

I know 4m is unlikely to be "open" as much as 10m, 8m or 6m, but there should be several Es openings into Europe. Using my transverter, this should allow me some 4m Es QSOs, especially with FT8.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/homebrew/4m-transverter .

23cm antenna

The transverter manufacturer has confirmed it will supply a small test antenna. This means I am probably OK for very local contacts initially.

Many thanks for the offers to build me a 23cm antenna. People in our community are very kind and I am really touched by the kindness. As I have said before, there are far more kind people around than bad ones, but these unsung heros are not newsworthy!

OFCOM updates this week

 Their email said:

"Weekly publications update 23 October 2022"

Of course, they meant September!!!  See the OFCOM website for details of what they hold about us.

10m QRP FT8 (Friday)

This morning, I am on 10m FT8.  Initially I was on TX and spotted in the Canary Is, but I am now RX only. No QSOs.

UPDATE 0935z:   So far, I have spotted 25 stations on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1422z: 463 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX from all over the world.

UPDATE 1725z:  783 stations spotted.

UPDATE 2029z: 10m FT8 still very busy, but I have to go QRT. In all today, on 10m FT8, 940 unique stations spotted (see map). 6 stations spotted my QRP with the furthermost WO4O in Florida.

Sunspots - Friday September 23rd 2022

 Solar flux is 137 and the SSN 99. A=6 and K=3.

23cm antennas?

As regular readers will know, I am buying a 23cm 2W transverter from SG-Labs in Bulgaria. I think at one time they supplied a small 23cm PCB antenna with it. I have to check if this is still the case.

Looking around, 23cm commercial antennas look very expensive. As the majority of QSOs would be local(ish), I am wondering what you would recommend? As my fine motor skills are not good these days, I don't think I could make one. In the past, I would have made one! Is there one that would be ideal for me?

Rally on Sunday

The following rally is due to take place, but as always check with the organisers first!

Sept 25th - Weston Super Mare RS. See https://e-voice.org.uk/weston-super-mare-radio-society .

10m QRP WSPR TX (Thursday)

As the antenna is free, I am on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW from the W5OLF beacon. No spots of me yet today at 1450z.

UPDATE 1521z:  As well as spots of me by local G4KPX (14km) I am also getting spotted by KD5DE (7464km). Pretty sure this is by F2.

UPDATE 1655z:  I am again getting spotted by 2 stations in the Canary Is. If these RX are on, it is unusual not to be spotted by them these days on 10m QRP WSPR.

UPDATE 1840z:  4 stations have spotted me, all multiple times today.

8m QRP FT8 TX and RX (Thursday)

Again, I am on 40.680 MHz QRP FT8 looking for North America.

UPDATE 1516z:  No spots.

UPDATE 1843z:  QRT on 8m now. No spots all day. Well, that was a waste!