29 Nov 2020

QSY to 2m FT8 QRP (Sunday)

As 10m is quiet, I QSYed to 2m FT8 at 1834z. As usual, I am running 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. Although I have copied some stations, for some reason these did not appear on PSKreporter. On TX, 3 stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 1935z:  So far this evening 19 stations in 5 countries have been spotted with the furthermost being F6DBI (501km) in Brittany. On TX, I have been spotted by 8 stations in 2 countries with the furthermost being F6EGD (461km) also in Brittany.

Spitting Image - NOT amateur radio

Quite a few years ago this show was on UK terrestrial TV. It has just come back (on Britbox I think). It takes off people in the news as puppets.



House plants - NOT amateur radio

My wife always has house plants to brighten up the place. This November is no exception. 

These plants (see photo) brighten up the dullest of days!

Parks on the air (POTA)

Not sure if this is popular in Europe, but I know some in the USA enjoy this. I know Summits on the Air (SOTA) has its followers. There are some YouTube videos on POTA activations.



Labels: are they used? - NOT amateur radio

Most times, when I remember, I add labels to posts so people can search previous posts for the same subject. I have no idea if these are used. 

Please would you tell me if these are helpful. If I do not hear, I shall stop, although I am happy to carry on adding these.


10m FT8 QRP (Sunday)

At about 1030z, I turned on 10m FT8 with the indoor loop and 2.5W. The band feels lively. 1 station spotted on RX: RD4D (3180km).

UPDATE 1212z: 25 stations spotted on RX. Nobody has spotted my 2.5W yet today.

UPDATE 1355z: 28 stations spotted with best DX spotted WP3PZ (6898km) in Puerto Rico. Still no-one has spotted me and no 10m FT8 QSOs.

UPDATE 1515z:  Much to my surprise, no more stations spotted on 10m FT8 this afternoon. I was expecting to spot a few North and South Americans, but spotted none. I shall give it a few more hours then QSY to 2m.

Yet more IC-705 videos

It is hard to keep up with all the videos on YouTube on the IC-705. This one may be of interest. The best thing to do is go to YouTube and search "IC-705".  

Many are Japanese where this product was first launched. At the moment MLS is offering a 5 year warranty at extra cost. I suspect they will soon be offering this in the selling price. A 5 year warranty is probably a good idea.



Sunspots - Sunday November 29th 2020

Solar flux is 110 and the SSN 67. A=10 and K=3.  For so close to the sunspot minimum, these are very high figures.

28 Nov 2020

Trump and recounts - NOT amateur radio

Assuming this is true and not "fake news",  apparently President Trump has paid $3M to have the recheck done in Wisconsin. The result? More Trump votes, but even more for Biden. 😆

2m FT8 QRP (Saturday)

At 1640z, I QSYed from 10m to 2m FT8 using 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antennna. 

Already 5 spots of me on TX including G7RAU (461km). If he is active I get spotted every time, irrespective of the time of day. Also, 1 station spotted on RX.

UPDATE 1947z:  15 stations spotted this evening on 2m FT8 with the furthermost being DD7DAC (520km). On TX 12 stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 2025z: On TX 13 stations have spotted me. On RX 18 stations spotted in 4 countries.