• [G3XBM] Oscar 100 (geosynchronous) activity

    From G3XBM via rec.radio.amateur.moderat@21:1/5 to All on Mon May 10 01:54:06 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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    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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