8m FT8 at 2.5W TX (Sunday)

Since learning yesterday that I was running 2.5W and not 5W with 3 bars on my FT8, I can report good results this morning on 40.680 MHz FT8. 

Results suggest there is some Es. See map.

RF attenuators

Luckily, there are several online calculators to work out what values of resistor are needed for a given degree of RF attenuation. In the past, I have added attenuators right on the output of my FT817 to get really low power with WSPR on HF bands. 

Starting tomorrow, I hope to do some very low ERP tests on 8m locally. Initially, I shall be sending 8m WSPR with my normal power, to make sure locals are looking in the correct place. Later, I am proposing to send 10mW ERP 8m WSPR with a different callsign to see who can still copy me.  This should give some idea of what would be possible on the 8m ISM band with very low powered beacons.  

Recent OFCOM statements have indicated to me that such operation would be legal without a licence as long as the technical requirements and IR 2030 are met i.e. 10mW ERP at 8m. 

If successful, I think many more UK people could legally experiment at 8m on the ISM band albeit with very low power. I know that Jason M0NYW is proposing such tests in his local area. In my view, this is exactly what research is all about. This is not amateur radio, but it is very much radio by amateurs.

Now, I am no legal expert, so you have to decide what the rules indicate.

See https://leleivre.com/rf_pipad.html .

Sunspots - Sunday November 20th 2022

Solar flux is 115 and the SSN 59. A=5 and K=0.

630m WSPR RX

 This evening I am on 630m (472kHz) WSPR RX. So far, at 2125z, 2 unique stations spotted.

8m QRP WSPR TX

 At the moment I am on 8m 1W WSPR TX. This is in preparation for my 10mW ERP tests next week. No local spots. 

That FT817ND power

Since several people confirmed that 3 bars o the FT817ND means 2.5W and not 5W even with a 13.8V PSU, it means all my 10m and 8m FT8 QRP spots were with 2.5W and NOT 5W. This is even more pleasing. 

From our garden - NOT amateur radio

The fully restored windmill next door is about 200 years old. This is the view from our garden. 

Sunspots - Saturday November 19th 2022

Solar flux is 116 and the SSN 55. A=7 and K=1

FT817ND power levels?

You would think after owning FT817s for about 20 years I would know the answer! The Operating Manual is ambiguous, so I would appreciate a definitive answer from someone who definitely knows!

With an external 13.8V PSU and with three bars showing, what is the power on SSB? 

The implication is this is 2.5W (not 5W), but I am not 100% sure. Please clarify! To get 5W I think you have to have no bars, but I may be wrong.

If it is 2.5W (not 5W), I may have been using 2.5W pep when I thought I was using 5W!

Trinity College, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows the entrance to Trinity College on a sunny day. Most years this street is filled with visitors who come from all parts of the world. 

It is not uncommon to hear more people speaking foreign languages than English on some streets in Cambridge.