Just tried loading up the coax to my 2m big-wheel antenna via my z-match on 40m (7.074MHz). 18 spots of me already after about 10 minutes.
UPDATE 1612z: 24 stations have spotted my 40m QRP FT8 so far.
Simple QRP projects, 10m, 8m, 6m, 4m, FT8, 160m, WSPR, LF/MF, sub-9kHz, nanowaves and other random stuff, some not related to amateur radio.
Just tried loading up the coax to my 2m big-wheel antenna via my z-match on 40m (7.074MHz). 18 spots of me already after about 10 minutes.
It is intriguing to see how low I can RX on my tiny 20-10m QDX transceiver. At the moment I am on 40m FT8 RX with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, which seems to work better at 40m than my end-fed 10m antenna. It would probably work on TX too but the low pass filter is probably ineffective.
Nothing has appeared on PSKreporter, although I can see many stations locally on my screen. Perhaps there is a delay or a reset is needed?
UPDATE 1310z: WSJT-X reset. Still no PSKreporter spots on 40m FT8 RX. Just looked on the "all bands" view and I can see my 40m RX spots - odd.
After 50 minutes, 104 stations spotted (see map).
Steve G1KQH just pointed me to this inspiring video. Thinking about simple, low cost SSB rigs for 10m, there must be some great ideas here!
578 stations spotted in the last day on 40m FT8 RX as the map shows using the untuned 10m antenna.
At about 1900z I QSYed to 40m FT8 RX using the 10m endfed antenna untuned. So far (at 1957z) 221 stations spotted. At the moment 40m seems to be the best all round band day and night. I shall probably leave it on overnight.
UPDATE 2020z: 264 stations spotted.
Since yesterday afternoon, 1018 stations have been spotted on 40m FT8 RX. I am still on 40m FT8 RX today.
It is now 1648z. About an hour ago I QSYed to 40m FT8 RX using the untuned 10m antenna. I guess the untuned 10m antenna is just like sticking an attenuator in, which is no bad thing on 40m. So far, 206 stations already spotted on 40m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 2202z: 684 stations spotted on 40m FT8 RX with the furthermost WP3R (6851km).
In all, 792 stations were spotted including 3 in the USA, all with the indoor active loop antenna on the shack window. All day (Friday) I have remained on 40m FT8 RX.
As 10m was so poor, I have QSYed to 40m FT8 RX using the indoor active loop. I switched about 1630z. So far today, 35 stations spotted at 1637z.
UPDATE 1813z: 83 stations spotted.
UPDATE 2026z: 126 stations spotted with the furthermost 9K2HN (4567km).
UPDATE 2204z: 250 stations with the furthermost W6IBU (8605km).
As it is dark, I have QSYed to 40m FT8 RX using the indoor Wellgood active loop antenna. It is now 1730z and I have been on for about 10 minutes and already 69 stations spotted.
UPDATE 2002z: 344 stations spotted. Soon to QSY to 2m FT8.
Since last evening I have been on 40m FT8 RX with the indoor Wellgood active loop. 186 stations spotted including 3 in the USA.
I may remain on 40m FT8 RX this morning. At 1104z, 64 stations had been spotted this morning.
This evening (and hopefully overnight) I am on 40m FT8 RX with the Wellgood active loop. 104 stations spotted by 2300z.
In all, 389 stations spotted on 40m FT8 RX with the furthermost YC9FZ (12452km) on Java.
Since 1844z, I have been on 40m FT8 RX using the Wellgood active loop. At 1931z, 12 stations had been spotted.
UPDATE 2158z: 62 stations spotted on 40m FT8 RX this evening.
As 15m is getting pretty quiet here, I have QSYed to 40m FT8 RX using the Wellgood active loop antenna. I QSYed at 1933z. At 1945z, 26 stations spotted. Furthermost is CU3AK (2586km) in the Azores.
At about 1915z I turned on my FT817ND on 40m FT8 RX using the coax up to my 2m big-wheel via the ferrite rod ATU. It is now 1925z and 67 stations spotted.
UPDATE 2214z: 362 stations spotted so far with the furthermost VK7AC (17235km).
Jay W5OLF kindly sent me the link to this video for a QRP transceiver based on my rig linked yesterday.
At the moment, I am on 40m FT8 RX using the Wellgood active loop stuck to the shack window. Noise level on the FT817ND is about S4. So far, 8 unique stations spotted (at 0800z) with the furthermost TF5B (1813km) in northern Iceland.
Although it will probably work at higher frequencies, I doubt it will seriously be used at HF.
See https://www.george-smart.co.uk/projects/wellgood_loop/ .
UPDATE 0858z: 32 stations spotted. The map shows the stations spotted.
Every few weeks I take a peek at the narrowband activity on Oscar 100, the geosynchronous satellite. My own view is activity is patheticall...