8m QRP FT8 with the QMX+

In many ways  I am lazy, putting off things that I could do right away.

As an example, my QMX+ should work fine on 8m FT8 TX using the 6m TX low pass filter using PuTTY to alter the TX band parameters on a band I don't use. This should take a few minutes.

As 6m has been in good shape, I have concentrated on 6m rather than 8m in recent weeks. 

Of late, 6m has been in poorer shape recently regarding F2 propagation, although Es sometimes shows a small peak in mid-winter for reasons I don't understand.

I think the RX requires hardware changes to a band pass filter, than I cannot manage any longer, so the best I can manage is to TX on 8m.

Sunday plans

Tomorrow I plan to try 10m QRP FT8 with the IC-705. 

If I have time, I shall try to use PuTTY to put my QMX+ on 8m FT8 TX. I think the RX would need HW changes to the RX BPF. I intend to convert the 20m TX settings to 8m. This should only need me to change the frequency  and low pass filter selected.  The 6m LPF should do.  As my fine motor skills are poor, I shall have to accept the (poor) RX sensitivity.

Exceptional E-W F2 MUF

In the last few weeks the F2 MUF has exceeded 50MHz "across the pond" on a few occasions. I would expect this at times at the height of a good(ish) solar cycle. It would reach 8m far more often. Indeed my 8m 2.5W FT8 to a dipole was regularly spotted in Canada, the USA and Caribbean in autumn 2023 as well as this autumn. 

In my view this is where 8m FT8 could score. Just occasionally for a short period, the MUF will be high enough. These openings are far less likely to be spotted on CW or SSB, whereas with 8m FT8 and PSKreporter it is far more likely these brief openings will be noticed.

As the sunspots decline the N-S MUF may support 8m FT8 to South Africa more often than we might think.

8m ISM band

This was posted earlier by N2OTO in Florida. 

It shows the activity 40.66 - 40.70 MHz in the ISM band. I expect if we looked in Europe we would see much the same. 

Clearly the ISM band has other users! Those that permit operation 40.66 - 40.70 MHz have to accept this.

8m FT8 RX (Tuesday)

 As I am out this morning, I am on 8m FT8 RX only at the moment.

UPDATE 1436z:   Now home I am on 8m QRP FT8 TX and looking for QSOs. Six stations have spotted me so far.  

UPDATE 1454z:  8 spots of my QRP 8m FT8.

Stations spotting me
today on QRP FT8 TX 

UPDATE 2032z:  11 stations spotted me today on 2.5W QRP 8m FT8 but no QSOs.

The future of the 8m band

At the moment the 8m band is in great shape. We are around the sunspot maximum and 8m behaves like 10m quite often. 

8m is a great research band and it is a great pity more PTTs are not granting amateur radio access. Instead, in many countries  people have to pay to do research.

In a few years, the conditions will be very different.  Now is the best time to do propagation research.

8m QRP FT8 (Monday)

My 2.5W to a low wire dipole in on. So far spotted by G4FKI (60km) only on TX. Just 9K2YM (4721km) spotted on RX.

UPDATE 1511z:  16 stations have spotted my 8m FT8 today. When the sunspots are good 8m behaves like 10m.

UPDATE  1756z: 18 stations have been spotted on 8m FT8 today. See map.

Danish stations on 8m

Bo OZ2M reports that a number of OZ stations are now active on 8m using a LMR licence that has to be paid for and applied for. There are some restrictions. 

I am totally surprised that so many PTTs seem dead against even a very narrow amateur radio 8m band, especially around solar maximum when much propagation research would be possible. 

Perhaps they will grant it ....too late, years after solar maximum! I can imagine many committees, quangos and much bureaucracy!

8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

My 40.680 MHz FT8 (2.5W to wire dipole) is active. G4FKI (60km) has spotted me. On RX I have spotted G9PUV(158km) and S57TW (1236km).

UPDATE 1401z:  16 stations have spotted me on 8m QRP FT8 (see map) and I have spotted 32. 1 QSO with a station in the Canary Is.. I have never before seen 8m so busy.

UPDATE 1500z: 34 stations spotted here today on 8m FT8.

8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

My 8m QRP FT8 was turned on about 1000z. G9PUV (158km), EI2IP (607km) and S57TW (1236km) spotted on RX and my signal has been spotted by 4X1TI (3633km).

You get the distinct impression that 8m has "come of age".

UPDATE 1048z:  3 stations have spotted me today on 8m QRP FT8 TX:  G4FKI (60km), S51WX (1296km) and 4X1TI (3633km).

UPDATE 1144z: A QSO with ZR1ADI (9777km) on 8m QRP FT8 earlier. The map shows where my 2.5W 8m FT8 has been spotted this morning.

UPDATE 1222z:  Spotted by WW1L (4976km). I am tempted to try 6m, but have decided to stick with 8m today.

UPDATE 1455z: Spotted by 9 stations today. I think that is it, although I shall leave the gear on until teatime.

UPDATE 1506z: I totally fail to understand the really backward stand by the FCC, OFCOM and the RSGB towards amateur access to 8m. Just 5kHz at low power, narrow digital only,  would open the radio community to free propagation research. A few enlightened administrations have seen sense, whereas the UK and USA seem so backward (and frankly stupid).

UPDATE 1706z:  11 stations spotted my 8m QRP FT8 today. QRT.

8m QRP FT8 (Saturday) - 6m instead

One of my intentions was to try QRP 8m FT8 today. Instead, I am sticking with 6m in the hope of some transatlantic 6m F2 propagation.

8m QSO success (Monday)

After trying for a long time without success, I have had an 8m QRP FT8 QSO with G4FKI (60km). I am not sure if he has changed polarisation. 

UPDATE 1025z: EI3KF (574km) has spotted my QRP 8m FT8.

UPDATE 1222z:  Quite a good day with three 8m QRP FT8 QSOs and Southern Africa and the Middle East spotted on 8m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1243z:  Spotted across the Atlantic again on 8m QRP FT8 this time by VO1SIX (3933km).

UPDATE 1625z: My 8m QRP FT8 was spotted by 15 stations today, with many "across the pond". See map. Now QRT on 8m.  Pretty sure this is my best day on 8m. Remember this is just 2.5W FT8 to a low wire dipole.

Monday plans

Later, I think I shall go on 10m QRP WSPR and either 8m or 6m QRP FT8. 

8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

 On the "old" PC I seem to be getting less out on 8m FT8 from the FT817ND despite a low SWR and the power slider on WSJT-X being at maximum. So the output is probably 2W or less to the dipole. 

Despite this, it is being spotted by EA8DJR (2994km) in the Canary Is. I called him, but he failed to hear me. I suspect this is F2 rather than Es propagation. With me he is very strong. I was quite surprised to spot him on 40.680 MHz FT8 this morning.

UPDATE 1002z:  He called and we worked. EA8JF (2832km) has also spotted me on 8m FT8.

UPDATE 1013z:  Now also spotted strongly by EA8RH (3029km). F2 (I guess) is good on 8m this morning.

UPDATE 1038z:  With stations in Italy and Spain being granted amateur radio access to the 8m band activity seems to have increased. I just wish more PTTs would see the value.

UPDATE 1206z:   G4KFI (60km) spotted. I think my QRP is too weak for him to spot me. I think we are cross polarised, so on inter-G this is probably very important.

UPDATE 1243z:  UW8SM (1751km) spotted. I think this station is genuine.

UPDATE 1255z:  4 stations have spotted me today. See map.

UPDATE 1424z:   Spotted in Denmark on QRP 8m FT8 earlier. As conditions seem quite good, I wonder if I shall be spotted "across the pond" on 8m QRP FT8 today? UPDATE MONDAY:  No.

UPDATE 1800z:  CX3DMP (11112km) spotted as well as stations in the Canary Is, Italy Ukraine, UK and Slovenia.

8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

 My 2.5W 8m FT8 is on again. No spots, although I see far more stations are now monitoring the band.

UPDATE 1513z:  G4FKI (60km) and IZ1DYE (973km) spotted on 8m FT8 RX although nobody has spotted my 2.5W yet. The map shows the stations monitoring 8m FT8.

UPDATE 1609z: PJ4MM (7483km) spotted on 8m FT8 RX.

8m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

My 2.5W FT8 to a low dipole has been on since about 0910z. Surprised to see a very strong spot of me from ON5SE (473km). I guess this was aircraft reflection.

UPDATE 1114z:   Right on time, stations in South Africa are coming through (via TEP?) on 8m FT8.

UPDATE 1304z:  Spotted by 2 stations in Europe. No luck calling the South Africans earlier.

8m 2.5W FT8 (Friday)

My 2.5W 8m FT8 has been on since just before lunch.

UPDATE 1615z: No spots.

8m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

So far, just spots by WESSEXSDR (267km) of my 2.5W to a dipole.

UPDATE 1040z: ZR1ADI (9777km) again coming through, but no QSO.

UPDATE 1356z:  2 spots from Poland and somebody signing "PA test" on 8m FT8 RX.  Not sure if this is somebody trying their power amp or someone testing in the Netherlands.

Thursday plans

 Later, I hope to go on QRP 8m FT8 (2.5W) and 500mW WSPR beaconing on 10m.

8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

Since getting in at about 1130z, my 8m FT8 has been on. I called G4FKI (60km) who was calling CQ, but I think my 2.5W and horizontal dipole were not enough. Spotted by 2 stations in Spain though.

UPDATE 1332z: Spotted by 5 stations with the furthermost ZR1ADI (9777km) in South Africa.

UPDATE 1407z: I see ZR1ADI called me.