As many know, WRC-19 is taking place currently in Egypt to discuss spectrum issues, some of which have an impact on amateur radio. Discussions have just started and there are several weeks to go.
See https://rsgb.org/main/blog/news/gb2rs/2019/11/03/wrc-19-day-5-dont-count-your-chickens/
4 Nov 2019
FT8 (and other digital modes) frequencies
See https://www.qsl.net/sv1grb/psk31.htm
10m FT8 RX
Although I briefly called CQ with 2.5W, I am now on 10m FT8 RX. As yet, no spots.
UPDATE 1005z: Just one spot so far: G0OYQ (177km).
UPDATE 1105z: Now 2 10m FT8 RX spots with best DX being RA2FL (1343km).
UPDATE 1209z: So far 4 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today. 3 are Gs.
UPDATE 1430z: 5 stations in 3 countries spotted so far today on 10m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1848z: Now 7 stations in 3 countries spotted today on 10m FT8 RX. I noticed an EB8 earlier calling a W6 that did no make it to PSKreporter. In the "good old days" W6 would probably be California. These days it can be anywhere in the USA. Stupid FCC I assume.
UPDATE 1005z: Just one spot so far: G0OYQ (177km).
UPDATE 1105z: Now 2 10m FT8 RX spots with best DX being RA2FL (1343km).
UPDATE 1209z: So far 4 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today. 3 are Gs.
UPDATE 1430z: 5 stations in 3 countries spotted so far today on 10m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1848z: Now 7 stations in 3 countries spotted today on 10m FT8 RX. I noticed an EB8 earlier calling a W6 that did no make it to PSKreporter. In the "good old days" W6 would probably be California. These days it can be anywhere in the USA. Stupid FCC I assume.
472kHz WSPR overnight (10mW ERP)
Although I did not reach Norway last night, 14 stations spotted me as the table shows. Not a bad night, once I had my setting correct!
River Ouse, Ely - NOT amateur radio
3 Nov 2019
Julian G4ILO's blog
Julian died 5 years ago from a brain tumour. He was a great amateur who was well liked. Even now, I still get people coming here having read his blog! His blog is still there and it is a fitting tribute to a brave man.
472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP)
Although I have not got "split" working currently on the FT817ND, I am on TX again, with the antenna current back to what I expect on DIG. I am still awaiting spots to confirm TX is working correctly.
UPDATE 1807z: Although everything seems OK, I have got no spots so far. Antenna current looks normal, the transverter PA is running cool as normal. Time has just been resynced. Anything else wrong? Is the WSPRnet website not working properly?
UPDATE 1927z: At last some spots! When I did the reset I had to select DIG as USB-U. Before it was something else, so I was probably on the wrong frequency, which probably explains why I was getting no spots. Split still does not work on the FT817ND, so I am just on WSPR TX this evening and overnight. So far, 5 stations have spotted my 472kHz 10mW ERP WSPR. Best DX was a spot by 2E0ILY (209km). With brain fog it has been very hard getting to the bottom of why things were not working.
UPDATE 2015z: 7 stations have spotted me so far this evening with the best being in The Netherlands. I am really pleased I found out why I was getting no spots.
UPDATE 2207z: Now 11 stations have spotted me this evening with best DX being a spot by PA0LSB (326km).
UPDATE 1807z: Although everything seems OK, I have got no spots so far. Antenna current looks normal, the transverter PA is running cool as normal. Time has just been resynced. Anything else wrong? Is the WSPRnet website not working properly?
UPDATE 1927z: At last some spots! When I did the reset I had to select DIG as USB-U. Before it was something else, so I was probably on the wrong frequency, which probably explains why I was getting no spots. Split still does not work on the FT817ND, so I am just on WSPR TX this evening and overnight. So far, 5 stations have spotted my 472kHz 10mW ERP WSPR. Best DX was a spot by 2E0ILY (209km). With brain fog it has been very hard getting to the bottom of why things were not working.
UPDATE 2015z: 7 stations have spotted me so far this evening with the best being in The Netherlands. I am really pleased I found out why I was getting no spots.
2m FT8
On TX several spots again with best DX The Netherlands and the Isle of Man. On 2m FT8 RX 6 spots so far (to 1611z).
UPDATE 1636z: Now 7 stations spotted with best DX spotted PD3FRA (408km).
UPDATE 1636z: Now 7 stations spotted with best DX spotted PD3FRA (408km).
Repairs
I soldered several joints on my 472kHz ATU but still nothing in DIG mode from the FT817ND. On AM, it works. So, either I have some "finger trouble" with the FT817ND in digital mode or there is fault. I tried both front and rear connections and both seem the same (works on AM but not on DIG). I also tried "split" mode, making sure both RX and TX were on DIG. Still it insisted on 474.2kHz TX whereas TX should be on 80m. At the moment I still hope this is me rather than the rig. My brain is so fuzzy. For now I have left it.
UPDATE 1552z: Well I think one fault has been found. When I moved the lead from my SignaLink USB to different rig the plug would not go in. After bending the lead, it inserted fine. I suspect this is why the DIG was not working. I shall try on 472kHz WSPR TX tonight. It is quite hard when you have brain fog.
UPDATE 1552z: Well I think one fault has been found. When I moved the lead from my SignaLink USB to different rig the plug would not go in. After bending the lead, it inserted fine. I suspect this is why the DIG was not working. I shall try on 472kHz WSPR TX tonight. It is quite hard when you have brain fog.
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