So far, 11 stations have spotted me at 1648z with the furthermost G7RAU (461km) in Cornwall.
Still using 2.5W FT8 to the omni antenna.
UPDATE 1914z: 14 stations have spotted my 2.5W with the furthermost F5EGD (472km). 17 stations spotted on RX so far.
This was sent to the RSGB's General Manager yesterday, with a request to forward it to the VHF manager. I am awaiting a reply. Any reply will be posted here.
I thought just 5 kHz was the minimum. I hope OFCOM sees fit to allocate far more. Mind you, exactly what is our hobby about? Discussing gardens with commercial gear on 80m? 😁😩
As someone who really wants to see self-training and radio science progress, I feel deeply that the RSGB and OFCOM are miles off target on this!!
Please contact the RSGB with your views.
"Dear Sir/Madam
Please would you clarify the position of the RSGB on a possible amateur band at 8m?It would appear both the RSGB and OFCOM are against this. Instead, true experimenters (like me) keen on self training have had to apply for, and pay £50 annually, to be able to do this.As a retired senior manager in the communications industry, I am only too aware of the shortage in the UK of decent RF engineers, so I would have expected both the RSGB and OFCOM to support this.The oft used phrase is "not more of the same".These are my proposals:
If the RSGB actively supported this, it would certainly advance radio science and self training, in a way that discussing allotments on 80m with commercial gear cannot. Not only that, OFCOM has released 2000 kHz of VHF spectrum for amateur DATV experiments, which is great. This 8m band would be just 5 kHz wide for serious research and self training, which is what our hobby is surely about.With no commercial gear available except by modification and with no speech, only true experimenters are likely to apply for 8m NoVs.With 2.5W and a low wire dipole I have reached 3 continents and 16 countries on 8m FT8 with my 8m T&I permit. It would be good to have a tiny amateur band at 8m to advance self training and radio science.Your response is eagerly awaited. This would most definitely NOT be "more of the same". 8m is at the very boundary where HF meets VHF and is therefore ripe for research.73sRoger Lapthorn G3XBM"
At the start of the month Solan updates its data on solar conditions. The latest update was this morning. It still shows the latest solar cycle peaking late next year. This is very early.
Personally, I find this data very interesting.
Since breakfast, I have been on 8m QRP FT8 on 40.680 MHz, but with no spots.
UPDATE 1405z: No spots. Soon to go QRT on 8m.
Since breakfast time I have been on 10m QRP WSPR TX with the W5OLF beacon. So far, just the usual spots from the Canary Isles.
UPDATE 1220z: 3 unique stations spotting me so far today: EA8 and LZ.
Recently a Buckingham Palace official repeatedly asked someone who had black skin where she was originally from. Apparently she (stupidly) asked her many times. This was totally wrong and she should have known better.
What is at the heart of this is, "is the royal family institutionally racist?". From this incident it is hard to know. One thing is certain. This official was very wrong and did the royal family no favours at all.
What I question is whether or not we overreact generally.
In my view, racism has no place. Whether you are black, white, grey or green, or gay, lesbian, transgender absolutely matters not at all. What matters is are the people happy?
Years ago, a friend at work went on holiday as a man. Several weeks later she came back as a women. What was the reaction? Nothing! People were more concerned about her happiness and was she able to do her work OK. In my view this is the only thing that matters - is the person happy?
There is a danger that we take things too seriously, but we have to treat everyone with respect. If the royal family does not get this, they are in real danger.
It is now 1015z. A few minutes ago I turned on my W5OLF 500mW beacon. No spots yet.
