8m DX

The better equipped 8m stations have been getting spots from a very long way away such as Argentina, Chile, South Africa and off Angola. With my low ERP I think this will be well beyond my expectations. 

My experiment is to find out what is possible with low ERP QRP and modest, low wire dipoles. So far, my conclusions on FT8 and WSPR is that locals and Es stations can spot me, but I have had no success, so far, with other G stations on 8m. 

By the way, FT8 or WSPR were used for these DX spots.

The favourite spot seems to be 40.680 MHz USB dial and the favourite mode FT8.

In my view, it seems a pity that all beacons don't have FT8 as part of their cycle and were all at 40.680 MHz USB dial so they all could be monitored 24/7. Of course they would all be on different audio spots so they were separated.

Imagine the excitement of seeing the spots after you'd been out of the shack for a while! I suspect if they were all on a single dial setting then more would be spotted at unusual times.

Birketts

Many will have bought components from John Birkett in Lincoln. Sadly he has died at aged 93. I have no news about the shop, but I saw it in Lincoln last September. I hope his family carries on the business. 

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2022/may/john-birkett-g8opp-sk.htm#.YoYAHo7MLrc .

Sunspots - Thursday May 19th 2022

Solar flux is 180 and the SSN 147.  A=7 and K=3.

Jay W5OLF

Although I have tried to email him on 3 occasions, I have not had any response. Does anyone have any news please? 

RF-zero

This is an Arduino based unit that can be used from well below 10 kHz to 300 MHz. As it stands, it can be used as a beacon with 20mW output. Before today, I had not heard of it. Sadly, it is out of stock due to the worldwide shortage of semiconductors. 

I guess a PA could be added to reach a higher power out for a beacon for example.

See https://www.rfzero.net/ .

Dayton reminder

Now in its 70th year Dayton Hamvention, Ohio is this weekend May 20-22nd. This is massive with trade stands and flea market.

See www.hamvention.org 

10m WSPR TX beacon

Later this morning I shall be on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW from the W5OLF TX WSPR beacon.

UPDATE 0640z: Turned on. 

UPDATE 1004z:  Spotted by 12 unique stations via Es.

UPDATE 2104z:  QRT now. 35 stations have spotted me, mostly by Es.

More Devon - NOT amateur radio

This is another view of where I come from in South Devon. As you can see, it is pretty good. The photo was taken in 2016.

8m experiment (Wednesday)

 Later today I expect to be on 8m FT8 TX on 40.680 MHz USB dial. Yesterday I was spotted again by EI9KP (649km).  If the Es is like yesterday I may be spotted by others.

UPDATE 0637z:   TX turned on. 

UPDATE 0820z :  Spotted by 3 EU stations by Es. 

UPDATE 1000z: As you can see by the comment below Ken G4APB has received his T&I 8m licence now and has been active. I am not sure how many UK 8m permits have been granted. The KST chat (50 and 70 MHz) seems useful for skeds etc..

Sunspots - Wednesday May 18th 2022

Solar flux is 171 and the SSN 153.  A=12 and K =3.