Some days ago I asked the RSGB's VHF manager what frequency I should use on 4m for FT8 .
Several days later (after I had already found out) I was given the wrong frequency. It was obvious he didn't know!!
You would have expected the VHF manager of our national radio society to have known.
Basically, I was not very impressed.
The following rally should be on this weekend. As always, it is best to confirm details before travelling a long way.
Sunday September 4th - Andover Radio Club Spring (!!) Boot Sale. Contact arac@arac.org.uk .
This is being held this weekend at Telford. This is along with the Telford Hamfest. For those unable to attend, the talks are being streamed by Zoom. See www.gqrp.com/convention.htm . Contact Martyn on 01952 255416.
UPDATE 1105z: Nobody has spotted me yet today on 8m FT8.
UPDATE 1300z: Spotted in Portugal and Spain on 8m FT8 QRP. Es not quite done yet!!
On our 2m FM net last night, an ex-doctor gave some sound advice. Rather than worry about the future, enjoy being alive today.
Not that it bothers me, but OFCOM has not sent me any emails about recent updates. Perhaps the person responsible has been on leave.
Today we took him to Dullingham, UK. The bells here are not ringable in the conventional way. Instead they pull ropes at the back of the church in a way that one person can ring all the bells.
Usually in the first few days of the month, my favourite site for solar data does an update. Watch out for this. Last month, the maximum for solar cycle 25 was expected November 2023.
At one point I was going to take down my 8m wire dipole over the winter and put up a 4m dipole in its place. I gather 4m activity is quite low outside of the Es season, so I may not bother. I suppose I could give the UKAC activity sessions a go.
Yesterday, I spotted 2 stations on an unresonant 8m wire dipole antenna, so I know the RX in the transverter works. It seems pointless erecting an antenna just for the 4m UKAC sessions.
UPDATE 0752z: It occurs to me that I can test my 4m transverter TX by adding a 10dB attenuator in line with my 8m antenna. I have yet to calculate how much the SWR will be improved, but it will be a lot. Even with 10dB attenuation I am sure I can be picked up 3km away! Once this is done (assuming the TX is working!) I can decide what to do about a 4m antenna. Maybe I should erect a 4m halo below the V2000? For this, I would need help as it involves ladder work. Luckily it is above the flat garage roof, so very little ladder work would be needed. I must look for a source of 4m halos. At one time Moonraker sold them.
UPDATE 0808z: Several sources of 4m halos. The going price seems to be a bit under £45.
UPDATE 1658z: 5 stations spotted today on 4m FT8 with the low wire dipole cut for 8m (totally unsuitable) with the furthermost being GM4CXM (507km). Amazing.
