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Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog

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Yesterday on 10m WSPR TX

Posted: 09 Aug 2021 10:45 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/08/yesterday-on-10m-wspr-tx.html


Here was me thinking that 10m WSPR had been taken over by FT8!! Yesterday I
was spotted by 17 unique stations (mostly Es) plus FY5KE (7110km) in South America. You will recall I am using my W5OLF 500mW WSPR TX beacon which is
tiny and totally self contained.

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Sunspots - Tuesday August 10th 2021

Posted: 09 Aug 2021 10:11 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/08/sunspots-tuesday-august-10th-2021.html


Solar flux is 73 and the SSN 0. A=5 and K=2.

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Low cost Oscar 100 transverter?

Posted: 09 Aug 2021 09:21 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/08/low-cost-oscar-100-transverter.html


Steve G1KQH has brought my attention to an article in an Indian newspaper. According to the article, a group of amateurs in India is working on a low
cost transverter for this geosynchronous satellite. I have no idea about
cost or availability.
Oscar 100 provides wide DX coverage at any time, needs a small fixed dish,
no QSB, no noise, no tower, no rotator, no linear and very neighbour
friendly. Just think you could be chatting on SSB to stations in Thailand, Europe or Brazil without the neighbours even being aware!
Oscar 100 has suffered from a lack of activity and I am quite surprised
that one of the big manufacturers has not offered a simple solution by now.
For £1k they could do a "black box" solution that could be widely sold.
Many are put off as it is "too hard".

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The Es (sporadic-E) season is NOT over!

Posted: 09 Aug 2021 05:10 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/08/the-es-sporadic-e-is-not-over.html


With 17 stations already spotted on 6m FT8 and 2 stations already spotting
my 10m WSPR this morning, I can only conclude that the Es season is not
over!
Yes, things may be more sporadic, but for those sticking with it, there is still Es activity around. Often lack of activity is mistaken for "dead"
bands when actually there is propagation. Look how often 11m CB is busy
when 10m seems quiet.
UPDATE 1208z: 30 stations spotted so far on 6m FT8 RX. 4 stations have
spotted me on 10m WSPR TX.

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10m WSPR TX at 500mW (Monday)

Posted: 09 Aug 2021 02:54 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/08/10m-wspr-tx-at-500mw-monday.html


As usual, I am on 10m WSPR TX again at 100%. Nobody has yet spotted me, although I have not been on long and this is not too surprising.
UPDATE 0853z: 1 spot so far today by DJ9PC (825km).

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6m FT8 QRP (Monday)

Posted: 09 Aug 2021 08:49 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/08/6m-ft8-qrp-monday.html


Stations spotted
by 1033zAfter a very brief TX period with 2.5W to the V2000 vertical (3 UK spots), I am RX only on 6m FT8. No spots yet.

You get the feeling that, apart from a few dedicated stations, many are deserting 6m again now the main Es season is drawing to a close. Maybe
there will be some Es spots later?
UPDATE 0857z: With 16 stations so far spotted this morning, there is
clearly plenty of Es activity.
UPDATE 1549z: 40 stations spotted on RX today.

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Sunspots - Monday August 9th 2021

Posted: 09 Aug 2021 01:39 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/08/sunspots-monday-august-9th-2021.html


Solar flux is 74 and the SSN 11. A=5 and K=1.

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