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  • [G3XBM] 2m FT8 QRP (Thursday)

    From G3XBM via rec.radio.amateur.moderat@21:1/5 to All on Fri Aug 13 01:19:54 2021
    XPost: rec.radio.amateur.moderated, rec.radio.amateur.space, uk.radio.amateur XPost: free.uk.amateur-radio

    Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog

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    2m FT8 QRP (Thursday)

    Posted: 12 Aug 2021 10:51 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/08/2m-ft8-qrp-thursday.html


    After a very brief session on 2.5W TX (2 spots of me), I am RX only. It is
    now 1506z and 2 stations spotted.
    UPDATE 1752z: 17 stations spotted with the furthermost DL1KDA (456km).

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    Perseid meteor shower

    Posted: 12 Aug 2021 07:55 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/08/perseid-meteor-shower.html


    This meteor shower peaks about now. Often this is accompanied by some
    long "pings" with VHF signals propagated a long way via the ionised trails.
    I shall be monitoring 2m FT8 overnight, but there may be better modes.

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    10m WSPR TX 500mW (Thursday)

    Posted: 12 Aug 2021 02:01 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/08/10m-wspr-tx-500mw-thursday.html


    Since about 0930z, I have been on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW.
    UPDATE 1000z: Already a couple of spots from Germany.
    UPDATE 1414z: 17 unique stations have spotted me so far today. Furthermost
    is a spot by EA8BFK (2880km) in the Canary Isles.
    Spots at 1738zUPDATE 2052z: 23 stations s.potted including the furthermost FY5KE (7110km). QRT soon.
    UPDATE 2100z: QRT



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    6m FT8 QRP (Thursday)

    Posted: 12 Aug 2021 06:12 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/08/6m-ft8-qrp-thursday.html


    At about 0930z I decided to try 6m with 2.5W FT8. 3 stations spotted me including 1 in Italy. Since then, I have been RX only.
    UPDATE 0955z: 7 stations spotted on RX across Europe.
    UPDATE 1312z: 67 stations spotted with the furthermost 5T5PA (3791km) in
    West Africa.

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    Mini-whip RX active antennas

    Posted: 12 Aug 2021 06:08 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/08/mini-whip-rx-active-antennas.html



    These antennas can be very effective on VLF, LF and MF. They are extremely small but work every bit as well as big antennas. They are the best way to listen on these lower bands.

    They are sometimes known as E-field probes (EFP). They work because
    external noise dominates. This noise decreases as the wanted signal
    decreases so actual S/N is just as good with a small antenna. This is not
    the case when the RX noise figure dominates. Often they are optimised for
    lower frequencies. With active antennas it is important to have good
    dynamic ranges.

    See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/antennas/e-field-probe-efp . UPDATE 1253z: Now 137kHz EFP on new site - see https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/antennas/137khz-efp-rx-antenna .

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    10m FT8 (Thursday)

    Posted: 12 Aug 2021 01:15 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/08/10m-ft8-thursday.html


    In a few moments I hope to go on 10m FT8 again. My usual pattern is a few
    times on 2.5W FT8 TX followed by RX for most of the time.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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