OFCOM and microwave 5G frequencies

OFCOM is proposing to make available 26 GHz and 40 GHz frequencies for 5G and other mobile services. It is consulting on this before auctioning frequencies. See the OFCOM website for details.

8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

So far today, at 1205z, just local G4WSZ (12km) spottting me. 

UPDATE 1406z: 3 stations spotting my 2.5W 8m FT8 today, including 2 in the Caribbean.

10m 500mW WSPR (Wednesday)

My 500mW 10m WSPR TX beacon has been on since about 0948z.  So far today, spots by 2 stations.

UPDATE 1432z:  So far today, 24 stations have spotted me. See map.

Sunspots - Wednesday November 8th 2023

 Solar flux is 145 and the SSN 74. A=18 and K=4.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

In all, 14 stations spotted me overnight.

2m activity contest (November)

Just taken part in the UKAC 2m activity contest organised by the RSGB. This evening my 10W pep to the omni was in 2 sessions as my son called. I also had to do a reset on the IC-705 as it locked up. With my poor voice and low ERP it is hard work nowadays!

630m QRP WSPR (Tuesday)

 About 1900z, I went on 630m WSPR with 10mW ERP. So far, spots by G stations.

UPDATE 2137z:   10 stations have spotted me so far this evening including OH1LSQ (1733km).

UPDATE 2222z:  11 stations have spotted me (see map).

DMR access with an Android phone

Some months ago, I found a way of accessing the worldwide DMR network from an Android phone. This needed no dongles, DMR phone, or hotspots. The RX was left on monitoring and stations from across the planet were heard. I joined in a local net.

In the end, DMR left me cold and I have not used it for some time. It was too easy! I think the app was called Droidstar. 

UPDATE 1202z:  I could not see a similar app for an Apple iPhone.

Echolink

As I have a new phone, the Echolink app was installed. The last time tried was about a year ago. The repeaters were very quiet and I gave up. If anything, they are even quieter!   

It is worth trying again later, but this tells me something.

8m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

 My 2.5W 40.680 MHz FT8 was turned on at about 0919z. No spots yet.

UPDATE 1008z: Spotted by SR4BBX (1217km).

UPDATE 1129z: 4 spots of me on 8m FT8 by Europeans. Es?

UPDATE 1209z:  One 8m FT8 exchange with 9A.

UPDATE 1444z:  Now spotted by 5 European stations and I have spotted 3.

UPDATE 1524z: Now spotted by 6 stations with G4WSZ (12km) spotting me.