70cm - times they are a changing

When I was first licenced here in the UK there was a class A licence and a class B licence.  Class B licencees were only allowed on 432MHz and above and did not need a morse test. My first call was without CW and 432MHz and above. Class B operators could operate a Class A station under supervision. I remember doing this at the QTH of the late G4PJ.

My first activity on 70cm was with the transverter shown. In those days nearly everyone was crystal controlled and we tuned the whole band listening for replies. Out /P with 100mW one could just about guarantee a QSO. Most people were on AM back then.

These days there is far less activity on 70cm sadly. Those that are active come on mainly in contests usually on FM or SSB. This is pity as often 70cm tropo can be better than 2m. I remember years later having loads of fun working FM DX on 70cm simplex with 4W from an FM321. Often lifts on 70cm were more localised.

Times they are a changing...

70cms (432MHz) band

In the past I have had a lot of fun on this band, which is shared with other services. It seems to experience more localised tropo openings than 2m. Antennas are small. They look like UHF TV antennas.

A reminder that there is a 70cm FT8 contest this evening from 1700z to 2100z on 432.174MHz. Many PAs use vertical polarisation, so I shall be using my V2000 vertical.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/70cm-operation .

70cm activity contest this evening

70cm 10W SSB QSOs
this evening

Being the second Tuesday in the month, this evening is the February leg of the RSGB organised activity contest on 70cm (UKAC). These start at 2000z and last for up to 2.5 hours. Usually I am on for far less than 1 hour with my 10W and 2m antenna (I use a 2m (144MHz) big-wheel omni that seems to match OK at 70cm).

Activity levels on 70cm SSB are better than most times, although with a lack of /P stations is a pity. Unlike many contests, these don't feel like contests and are very friendly. Despite my poor set-up on the band, I seem to be able to work over 100km most times. It is a good chance to work a few new squares.

UPDATE 2102z: 5 QSOs this evening.

70cm FT8

It is almost a year since I tried (successfully) 432MHz FT8. In many ways, 432MHz might be better for scatter modes than 144MHz. 

There are activity periods once a month (2nd Wednesdays) that I should try. 432.174MHz is where to look. The next is February 10th 1700-2100z.

See http://www.ft8activity.eu/index.php/en/ .

70cm activity contest

Unless I am mistaken, this evening, starting at 2000z, is the 70cm activity contest organised by the RSGB. I use 10W and the 2m big-wheel. As yet, I have not seen an email reminder. I usually stay on for less than 1 hour, although the contest lasts 2.5 hours.

UPDATE 1815z:  Guess what? The reminder email has just arrived.

70cm activity contest

Regular blog readers will know that I have no real antennas for 70cm horizontal SSB, so I just use my 2m big-wheel that seems to match OK on that band. I have no idea what the polar plot looks like!

Usually (if I remember!) I go on for the monthly activity contest (UKAC) organised by the RSGB. Using 10W I am rarely on for an hour because of my poor voice and antenna. Although I copy far fewer stations than in the 2m activity contests, I do my best.

Despite everything, I am 53rd out of 142 stations in the AL (low power) section.

70cm activity contest

Every month there is an activity contest on 70cms. As I was using the main rig on 6m FT8, I used the FT817ND at 2.5W to the 2m big-wheel omni antenna. I stayed on for about 35 minutes as my voice was poor. No speech processor was used. In all, just 2 QSOs were had, both on SSB. A few were "got aways" which would have been worked had I stayed on longer.

70cm activity contest tonight from 2000z

Although I am not really equipped for 70cm SSB, I shall have a go again using the 2m big-wheel and 10W SSB. Because of my poor voice I usually stop after about 40 minutes.

The band can be quite active, although with strong winds and rain, I expect some /P stations will stay at home! Often I manage over 100km on 70cm with this less than optimum set-up. If taking part, have fun. If you are really keen, the contest lasts 2.5 hours I think. My log is usually submitted by 2130z!

UPDATE 2100z: Well tonight with the high winds and rain, conditions were dreadful. After just 2 contacts I gave up and returned to 160m FT8 RX.

70cm activity contest

After about 30 minutes I (well my voice!) had had enough. With 10W pep SSB 4 stations were worked with G4CLA (105km) as my best DX.  Antenna is just the 2m big-wheel omni.

432MHz UKAC Activity Contest

Every month, the RSGB organises an activity contest. On the second Tuesday it is the 432MHz contest. As I have no suitable antennas, I use either my 2m halo or 2m big wheel antenna and 5W from my FT817ND. Before my voice shouted "stop!" I worked 4 stations as shown on the map.

70cm activity contest (UKAC)

Tonight is the 70cm leg of the RSGB's activity contest starting at 1900z. It lasts for 2.5 hours. As usual, I shall be on briefly using 5W SSB to my 2m halo. Despite this being a poor 70cm antenna, it matches well and I usually make a few contacts. My voice usually asks me to stop after about 30-45 minutes, HI.

UPDATE 2002z: Just a single QSO with G4CLA (105km). Heard a few others but I could not hang around.

70cm activity contest

Every month the RSGB organises a 70cm activity contest (UKAC) on the second Tuesday each month. I can only run 5W and 2m halo antenna. This evening I was much later getting on than usual. G4CLA (105km) was the best DX worked.

70cm - a much under-used band

70cm can be very quiet with little activity outside of contests and I am as guilty as anyone! This is a pity as tropo lifts can be more frequent than on 2m and ranges almost as good. In monthly activity contests I usually work over 100km with 5W SSB and a 2m halo! Maybe I should install a 70cm big-wheel above my 2m one?

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/70cm_op .

432MHz (70cm) UKAC results published

At the moment I have climbed to 119th out of 168 in the AL section of this contest. As I am just using 5W to a  2m halo fed with lossy coax, and I am only active for 30-60 minutes (the contest runs for 150 minutes) because of my poor voice, I am quite pleased.

See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/vhfresults.pl?Contest=432MHz%20UKAC&year=2016 .

432MHz UKAC tonight

Stations worked with 5W/5el tonight

I was late starting this evening and my stroke affected voice means I stay on for quite a short time. Best DX with 5W/5el (hand rotated) from home was 199km and I managed to work 4 QTH locator squares.

50MHz, 432MHz and 481THz this evening

Well, this was an interesting evening. Just after teatime I noticed 50MHz was open with some strong Es signals from Europe. A few stations were worked on QRP SSB using the newly erected halo antenna (S52NR, S53OQ and OE5FIN). Heard, but not worked, on 50MHz were CT8/K0RUI in HM68 (Azores Is) and 4X4DK in KM72. Both DX stations were good solid signals on the halo.

Stations worked on 432MHz this evening (5W/4el)

Later I went out portable with my FT817 (5W) and my small "coat hanger" 4 element yagi for the RSGB 432MHz activity contest and worked 14 stations in just over an hour before closing as it was dark and I could not see the logbook very well. Best DX 155km although I did hear, but not work, F8BRK in IN99.

Finally, for the very first time, I have detected GB3CAM on 481THz (red light beacon) at a distance of 32km from the Nine Mile Hill site where I was active in the UHF contest. Signal was weak with lots of scintillation, no doubt caused by the rain that started up just as I began listening with my 100mm optical receiver (KA7OEI/K3PGP hybrid). If I can find another 6dB sensitivity I think the signal will be solid in low haze/clear conditions over this LOS path. GB3CAM is a very low power light source, so copying it is a big challenge.

70cm activity contest - a brilliant /P evening

Stations worked 70cms UKAC 14/6/11

My tiny 4el 70cm yagi made from wood and a couple of coat hangers worked very well this evening netting me 17 QSOs in just over 1 hour of operating with 5W RF from the FT817. Best DX worked was 191km although I heard both GD8EXI and GI6ATZ at much greater distances.

Moonbounce from Aricibo

The Arecibo Observatory Amateur Radio Club KP4AOwill be putting the 1000-foot radio telescope on the air for 432 MHz EME from April 16-18. It can be heard with a small hand-held yagi pointed at the moon. A 15 dBi antenna and 100 W will be enough to work us on CW.

Times of operation are:

April 16: 1645 - 1930 UTC,
April 17: 1740 - 2020 UTC,
April 18: 1840 - 2125 UTC

Tx Frequency: 432.045 MHz,
Rx Frequency: 432.050 to 432.060+
Tx power: 400 W,
Antenna gain: 60 dBi