2m UKAC tonight

Just a reminder than the next 2m leg of the RSGB's monthly activity contest is this evening 2000-2230z. Activity levels are usually high and it is a good chance to work a few new squares. It is preceded by an hour long FM activity contest.

UPDATE 2125z: 8 QSOs tonight in 5 squares with 5W and a big-wheel omni antenna in 47 minutes. Then I had to stop because of my poor voice!

2m UKAC - stations worked with 5W tonight in 47 minutes

See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?contest=2mukac .

70cm UKAC and FMAC

As this is the second Tuesday, it is the 70cm leg of the RSGB's UKAC this evening starting at 2000z. As I have no 70cm horizontal antennas I shall use my 2m halo omni and the FT817ND. Because my voice is poor, I usually do not go on for very long, with 30 minutes being usual on 70cm. UKAC runs from 2000-2230z.

In the hour before the UKAC is the first 70cm FM contest of the year - the 70cm FMAC. I shall try my V2000 vertical for this. Again, this will be a brief outing for me. FMAC runs 1900-2000z.

See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?year=2017&contest=70cmsfmac&seq=
and http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?year=2017&contest=70cmsukac&seq=

UPDATE 2100z:  70cm UHF UKAC contest this evening. 7 contacts in 20 minutes (before I had to stop) with 5W and a 2m VHF halo fed with lossy coax. Fun. Best DX was G4CLA (105km). Nothing at all heard or worked in the FM contest.

2m FMAC and UKAC sessions this evening

As reminded by Dave G0LRD yesterday, the RSGB's new FM activity session is in the hour preceding the 2m UKAC this evening. The FMAC is designed to encourage FM 2m activity and runs for the hour before the UKAC session. I hope to try both if my voice holds out!

In the UKAC sessions it is horizontal polarisation and mostly SSB with a little CW. For the FM sessions I am unsure which polarisation, so will start with vertical, but have the horizontal big-wheel if needed. Certainly the UKAC activity levels are high. I hope the FMAC brings plenty on the air.

See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?year=2017&contest=2mfmac&seq= .
See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?year=2017&contest=2mukac&seq=

UPDATE 2142z: Well the FMAC was a dead loss for me! I was unclear of where to look on the band and unclear about polarisation. Only one station heard calling CQ contest and no QSOs made! UKAC was better with 11 QSOs in just under an hour with 5W and an omni antenna. Best DX 123km.