Still no luck with the FT-710 on FT8

My other Windows PC came back yesterday and works fine with my tiny QDX. It has already been spotted all over the place and works fine on RX too. 

Sadly I have still not got my Yaesu FT-710 to work on FT8. I cannot get the CAT to communicate with the rig. I have downloaded the drivers, adjusted the settings for the driver speed as they say, selected the correct port and all settings and still no joy.  This is so frustrating.

After lots of trying, I just cannot see what I am doing wrong. If this is "finger trouble" at my end I just do not understand. I shall give it another try or it will have to go back. It is a pity, as this is a good rig.

OFCOM updates

Just a reminder that OFCOM updates the details held on licences etc. every week. Check the OFCOM website for more information. 

Sunspots - Saturday March 11th 2023

Solar flux is 171 and the SSN 135. 

My favourite website for daily solar data is after funding. See www.solarham.net.

At the moment I cannot see the A and K index figures on the new site. 

Effective 10m antenna

At the moment 10m is in great shape. 

On this band, worldwide DX is possible most days by F2. We are also approaching the Es season in the northern hemisphere bringing good propagation out to about 1500km, occasionally much further.

You may be after a simple, but effective, 10m antenna so I would like to remind you of my Homebase-10 antenna that was in Practical Wireless many years ago. It is very low cost and most of the parts can be bought at your local hardware store. It might make a nice weekend project.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/antennas/homebase10-10m-halo .

2nd Windows PC returned - FT8 test later

My second Asus Windows PC has been returned from repair under warranty. This was very fast. Later I hope to try this on FT8 with my FT-710. At the moment I am too giddy.

UPDATE 1335z:  At first I tried to sync to internet time. Of course, I forgot that it did not recognise the connection! All sorted now and synchronised. Still to try with the FT-710. Need to install a driver first and WSJT-X.

Talk tonight

For the first time since before my stroke in 2013, I am giving a talk to the Cambridge Radio Club (CDARC). The talk is by Zoom only in view of the bad weather. I have prepared the slides and someone else is voicing my notes. 

It is a bit of an experiment. Zoom details are (I think) on the CDARC website.  All being well, I shall try to answer questions verbally, but I may have to resort to Zoom chat.

The talk is entitled" Fun With Amateur Radio". It is quite wide ranging. I am pretty sure visitors to the Zoom talk would be welcomed. Talks usually start at 2000z.

The usual style is people mute (apart from the speaker) and unmute if they have questions, or use the Zoom chat facility.

Most club talks are also via Zoom, so you could join CDARC even if you live in Australia! Annual subscriptions are very reasonable. In the past we have had speakers and viewers from many parts of the planet.

See https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86735471090 .

10m QRP WSPR (Friday)

 At about 1024z, I turned on my 500mW WSPR TX beacon. So far, no spots.

UPDATE 1100z:   4 spots of me from the Canary Is so far.

UPDATE 1240z:   Spots from the USA as well.

UPDATE  1440z: 23 unique stations spotting my QRP 10m WSPR today.

UPDATE 1731z:   29 stations have spotted me.

Real winter - NOT amateur radio

This winter we have had more frosts and snow on the ground than for a long time. Years ago, we had snow on the ground every winter, whereas now to get any snow is the exception. This winter has been more like the winters in the 1950s. As I write there is snow falling and snow on the ground, even though it is officially spring according to the UK Mat Office!

Although I quite like the look of snow, I prefer milder sunnier weather. Roll on spring.

8m QRP FT8 (Friday)

 Later today, I hope to go on 8m QRP FT8 again on 40.680 MHz. Although EI2IP and G4APB were both copied yesterday, I suspect my low ERP only gets spotted if conditions are exceptionally good via F2. Both these stations have probably got far greater ERP than I have. This is my choice to see what can be achieved on 8m with very simple gear.  I suspect for reliable F2, I need at least another 10dB.

Sunspots - Friday March 10th 2023

Solar flux is 179 and the SSN 155. A=16 and K=2.