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Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog

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8m TX permit - a reminder to self!

Posted: 29 Sep 2021 02:45 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/09/8m-tx-permit-reminder-to-self.html


Well before the next Es season, I intend to apply for an NoV to allow me to
TX experimentally on 8m. I have no idea whether or not this will be successful.
At the moment, I want to be able to TX FT8, WSPR or CW between the months
of March 2022 and the end of October 2022. All these are narrowband
modes, which helps. The most I can run is 10W, so I shall apply for this.
With Es I am sure 2.5W would be enough to be copied all over Europe. All
this depends on my FT817ND being able to TX on 8m! I have not tried this
yet.
Draft C (not yet submitted) is linked. I propose to send the final version
to OFCOM and the RSGB. If you can think of ways to improve it, please let
me know as soon as possible.
Anyone care to join me? You may want to amend it as identical submissions
might look odd! Hopefully some of us will be successful.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/8m-band .

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10m propagation improving

Posted: 29 Sep 2021 04:17 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/09/10m-propagation-improving.html


John, EI7GL's blog notes some good E-W F2 openings on 10m in recent days.
10m is getting good again.
As John says, if we get good propagation in September, it should be even
better in October and November. I am predicting that we will see good 10m openings to the USA in late October. It has already been possible, but
when 10m is really open, you will know! Expect S9 SSB signals from the
eastern USA.
With luck, we will also see AM signals just above 29MHz. In the past I have worked USA stations on AM when I was using QRP AM.
When good, 10m really is good. May the good days ahead be enjoyed. With
luck, 10m could be good for many years.
See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/ .

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Geosynchronous Oscar 100

Posted: 29 Sep 2021 02:55 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/09/geosynchronous-oscar-100.html



As many will know, I take a peek at activity on the narrowband transponder
of this geosynchronous satellite that has been going for about 18 months. I
do this by looking at the Goonhilly based web SDR.

My conclusion is still that this satellite is very underused.
In a way this is surprising as, once set up, you can work half the world
with ease with no QSB at any time. No beams, no towers, no linears are
needed. Once aimed, the small dish is fixed for ever. There is no local
noise to fight. All very neighbour friendly! I guess the lack of
commercial offerings puts off "black box" operators. To get active requires
a brain, not a purse. I am sure that if one of the Japanese manufacturers
made a "black box" solution, things would rapidly change. I guess the risk
of it failing and the lack of volumes puts them off.
As mentioned before, it seems keen people enjoy the challenge of getting active, then lose interest. Most activity seems to be from Europe although
I have spotted Thailand, South Africa and Brazil. It is odd spotting all of these just like a local!
See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/.

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10m FT8 RX (Wednesday)

Posted: 29 Sep 2021 02:41 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/09/10m-ft8-rx-wednesday_29.html


Since about 0825z, I have been on 10m FT8 RX. So far, 4 stations spotted
with the furthermost OD5SK (3433km). The rest are Gs.
UPDATE 1020z: 10 stations spotted so far on 10m FT8 RX with the
furthermost 4X5DF (3582km). I suspect the OD5 and 4X are single hop F2 propagation. See logbook.
UPDATE 1311z: 18 stations spotted so far on 10m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1550z: 23 stations spotted so far on 10m FT8 RX today.
UPDATE 2135z: Now QRT. 50 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX with the furthermost VP8LP (12773km) in the Falkland Is..

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365project

Posted: 29 Sep 2021 01:31 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/09/365project.html



The photo shows Corfu some years ago. It was a Facebook memory from several years ago. We do 365project every day and have done since 2013. Great fun looking back.


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Sunspots - Wednesday September 29th 2021

Posted: 28 Sep 2021 11:55 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/09/sunspots-wednesday-september-29th-2021.html


Solar flux is 89 and the SSN is 57. A=10 and K=1 .

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