Today I shall probably stick with 8m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 0500z: Just G8VER spotted so far.
UPDATE 0830z: 2 stations have been spotted with the best S57TW (1237km).
As Es seemed good on 10m and 6m, I thought I'd try 8m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1442z: So far, EA3GCV (1231km) spotted using the well off tune V2000 vertical.
UPDATE 1513z: 3 stations in Spain and 1 in Sardinia spotted.
UPDATE 2130z: 18 stations spotted in 4 countries.
For fun, I might go on 8m FT8 RX later in the hope of spotting some EAs by Es. If things are dire I may try 6m later.
UPDATE 1225z: Monitoring 8m FT8 RX. Nobody spotted. I may try 6m FT8 later. For now, I shall continue on 8m FT8.
Once again, I am monitoring 8m FT8.
UPDATE 1206z: No spots. This will probably be my last day concentrating on 8m FT8. I am disappointed in 8m activity.
UPDATE 1822z: Just EA3ERE (1153km) spotted. QRT soon.
Although I no longer hold a UK TX permit for 8m, I still monitor 8m FT8 from time to time.
I am monitoring today.
UPDATE 1308z: Just G8VER (64km) spotted.
As many know, I held a UK TX permit for the band getting all over the world with just a few watts and a low wire dipole. I was considering getting a new permit, despite the £50 price tag for the pleasure. In the end I decided not to bother, but to concentrate on 10m and 6m instead.
As the sunspot numbers decline, I reasoned that radio science, and me, would learn nothing new.
Also, I was extremely disappointed by the very negative attitude of many PTTs, when even temporary access to the band around sunspot maximum could have taught us so much. It is, arguably, too late now.
Today, I am trying 8m FT8 RX again.
UPDATE 1450z: No spots. I think my antenna must be poor on 8m. I might try the coax to my 2m antenna via an ATU if it works at 40.680.
At 1106z, I QSYed to 8m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1830z: No spots all day. QRT now. I suspect this will be my last test on 8m until the Es season.
This is not amateur radio so QSOs certainly with radio amateurs in the USA and, probably overseas too, are not permitted. Probably FT8 and WSPR reports are fine.
Remember this is not amateur radio.
I hope the FCC sees fit to issue more.
In the last few years I have (not now) had an 8m TX permit in the UK.
I ran 2.5W to a low dipole using my FT817ND modified by the dealer MLS. Most DX paths were worked on FT8 like South Africa, USA, Canada and the Caribbean.
Both OFCOM and the dealer were helpful, although I am sorry to say I did NOT find the RSGB supportive or helpful in the least. To be honest the RSGB appeared dead set against me and even a temporary NoV. Instead I had to pay £50 to do propagation research when many other CEPT nations gave either temporary or permanent access to the band.
In the RSGB's defence, they are often dependent on volunteers and saw defending 6m as a higher priority.
In my view, the most important propagation research was around sunspot maximum. We are now on the downward slope. Yes, there may well be more very long paths opening especially N-S and there will be other modes such as Es and MS.
What of the future? I cling to the (weak) hope that the RSGB will change to a more supportive role and encourage OFCOM to join other enlightened CEPT nations that have allowed radio amateurs access to the band. Unless we gain free access to the band I am unlikely to apply for a TX permit.
I have QSYed to 8m FT8 RX on 40.680 MHz using my end-fed long wire. We'll see if I spot anyone today.
UPDATE 1626z: No spots. At the moment 8m is disappointing.
Today, I am on 8m FT8 RX, more in hope than expectation, using my end-fed long wire antenna. I have no idea of the polar plot on 8m, but it has been used to copy CT, EA and G on 8m FT8.
UPDATE 1455z: No spots.
At the moment, I am undecided about submitting a new application for an 8m TX permit. I am unlikely ever to need modes except FT8, WSPR and CW and unlikely to need much power. I really just need 40.680-40.683MHz.
The best time would be to get active around February to catch any F2 and then the Es in the spring and summer. Also I might catch some F2 in autumn 2026.
I enjoy experimenting, but don't like the idea of paying. Maybe just one year? Thinking!
Yet again, I am trying 8m FT8 RX on 40.680 MHz.
UPDATE 1158z: G8VER (66km) and CT7BIZ (1422km) spotted on 8m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 2016z: QRT.
My gear was turned on before breakfast.
UPDATE 1654z: Just G8VER (66km) spotted again. This is the Verulam Club in St.Albans.
If I get no more spots today, I may return to another band tomorrow.
UPDATE 1908z: No further stations spotting me. QRT.
These were very popular QRP CW transceivers some years ago. I owned a built one and had lots of fun with it. As I recall, I mostly used it o...
