2m FT8

After giving up on the 70cm UKAC contest, I QSYed to 2m FT8.

So far this evening 14 stations in 4 countries have spotted my 10W to the big-wheel omni antenna on 2m FT8.

On 2m FT8 RX nothing yet spotted this evening. I am definitely getting the impression FT8 is less popular than it was. What I think is happening is stations have receivers monitoring 2m FT8, but fewer people are transmitting now.

UPDATE 2130z: Still absolutely nothing spotted on 2m FT8 RX this evening.

UPDATE 2304z: For the first time I can ever remember I spotted not a single station on 2m FT8 RX. There was a kind of pulse noise and I am wondering if this was partly to blame? Now QRT.

70cm activity contest

At 2000z for up to 2.5 hours is the 70cm UKAC activity contest. I usually stop on for 30-60 mins using my 2m big-wheel omni antenna and 5-10W SSB. Sadly my voice cannot take more than an hour these days. Unlike many contests, this is a very friendly affair. People are patient and kind.

UPDATE 2042z: After about 30 minutes I gave up. 2 fairly local stations worked and a couple of PA0 stations spotted.

20m FT8

At the moment I am on 20m FT8 using the tiny indoor loop on the windowsill indoors. So far, 3 TX spots (10W) and 4 RX spots. Later, when out, I may go RX only until I get back in.

UPDATE 1630z: After returning home at 1550z I went on 20m FT8 TX again (10W). So far today, 22 spots of me with the best DX report being by WW1WW (3255 miles). On 20m FT8 RX 287 stations spotted so far with best spotted being JF8QNF (8819km).

UPDATE 1903z: Still being spotted in the USA on 20m FT8 TX (10W).

High sensitivity crystal set

The ARRL website still has a public link to an old QST article on using a MOSFET as a high sensitivity crystal set. I have not duplicated this design, but should try it on HF. There is lots about crystal sets on my website.

See http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Technology/tis/info/pdf/culter.pdf
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/crystalset

Black humour? - NOT amateur radio

This was posted on Facebook earlier. It made me smile although for those stuck on cruise ships it is anything but funny: it must be a nightmare.

We all hope that this virus will run its course, burn out and that a vaccine is made available as soon as possible.

South Orkney DXpedition

Southgate News reports that the DXpedition VP8PJ to Signy Island has set off.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/march/south-orkney-dxpedition.htm#.XmdY4Y6TK00

Returning sunspots

Over the last few days we have seen some new sunspots. These may indicate cycle 25 gathering momentum. We are seeing the more active regions swinging into view, but let us all hope we see more over the months to come. When the far side swings into view, it will be interesting to see if we get new sunspots.

More signs of spring - NOT amateur radio

Gradually the soil is warming and there are signs of new life.

Spring springing - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows the spring flowers at the weekend at nearby Anglesey Abbey.

In April the fields will be yellow with rape seed oil. Some hate this, but I actually like it. Until recent years it was far less common in the UK.

Sunspots - Tuesday March 10th 2020

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 12. A=5 and K=1.