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Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog
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160m FT8
Posted: 09 May 2021 02:34 PM PDT
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/05/160m-ft8.html
This evening, I am on 160m FT8 with QRP and the earth-electrode "antenna"
in the ground. 12 stations have spotted me with the furthermost IZ2QPP (956km). On RX 11 stations spotted with the furthermost UA3GT (2630km).
UPDATE 2130z: 13 stations have spotted me on 160m FT8 this evening with the IC-705 and the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground as the map shows.
Now QRT.
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Oscar 100 (geosynchronous) activity
Posted: 09 May 2021 08:58 AM PDT
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/05/oscar-100-geosynchronouas-activity.html
Every few weeks I take an unscientific look at the narrowband transponder
on this satellite. There is still plenty of space!
My last look was on a Sunday afternoon in Europe, when you might expect activity to be probably quite high, not that it was!
My impression is you could easily double the number of stations at
least.Quite low activity really
See
https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .
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Propagation predictions
Posted: 09 May 2021 07:02 AM PDT
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/05/propagation-predictions.html
When I operate I tend to take pot luck. Others make use of propagation predictions, in which case this site may be of use. There are others.
See
https://www.propquest.co.uk/map.php.
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10m FT8 RX with the IC-705 and the tiny indoor loop
Posted: 09 May 2021 06:50 AM PDT
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/05/10m-ft8-rx-with-ic-705-and-tiny-indoor.html
At 0900z, I went on 10m FT8 RX with the IC-705 and the tiny indoor loop.
Even with ferrite chokes on the USB lead I was still getting RF feedback
from the loop to the rig on 10m, so I am RX only on that band until I get
the outside antenna up. 2 French stations spotted after 10 minutes.
UPDATE 1104z: 14 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today so far. All Es.
UPDATE 1350z : 21 stations spotted on RX with the tiny indoor loop antenna
and the IC-705.
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2m FT8 QRP
Posted: 09 May 2021 01:33 AM PDT
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/05/2m-ft8-qrp.html
Just before 0700z I turned on my 2m FT8 gear with 5W from the IC-705 and
the big-wheel omni antenna. No QSOs yet, but spots by 5 G stations so far.
It is now 0710z.
UPDATE 0832z: One QSO with G4IVV (18km) who offered plenty of help when I
had problems with the IC-705 yesterday (many thanks - true ham spirit) and
I have been spotted by 9 Gs so far. At the moment I am RX only. Probably
going on 10m FT8 RX shortly with the tiny indoor loop. Once again the
grabber at G0LRD has been useful. See
http://82.71.9.63:8080/cap/ . David
also offered me some suggestions - thank you too.
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Sunspots - Sunday May 9th 2021
Posted: 08 May 2021 11:10 PM PDT
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/05/sunspots-sunday-may-9th-2021.html
Solar flux is 76 and the SSN 17. A=3 and K=1.
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