8 Apr 2020

Early start on 20m FT8 today

At 0620z I was on 20m FT8 with the tiny indoor loop and 10W. No spots of me yet but one CT copied (0630z) .

UPDATE 0810z:  Although 20 stations so far spotted on 20m FT8 RX, (best spotted here is JT1CO (6662km) in Mongolia), no spots yet received on TX. It appears I was only using about 5-6W, so this has been increased and the frequency moved in case I am being clobbered by a big station I cannot see.

UPDATE 0836z: Just 1 spot of me so far today by UT4EX (2464km). 25 stations so far spotted on RX.

UPDATE 0903z: With 32 stations spotted so far today on 20m FT8 RX, the tiny loop is performing well. On TX I am sure the main problem I have is being obliterated by stations co-channel with me that are much stronger. When the frequency is clear, my 10W tends to get spotted by loads of stations. The trouble is I do not know when this happens as often these signals are not visible here. I always choose, what I think are, free frequencies.

UPDATE 1450z: 27 spots of my 10W so far today.

UPDATE 1747z: The map shows where I was spotted today on 20m FT8 TX with 10W and the tiny indoor loop antenna.

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