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  • [G3XBM] 2m QRP FT8

    From G3XBM via rec.radio.amateur.moderat@21:1/5 to All on Sat Dec 18 18:50:29 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 QRP FT8

    Posted: 18 Dec 2021 03:11 PM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/2m-qrp-ft8.html


    At about 1815z, I QSYed to 2m FT8. I was on TX (2.5W) for about 2 minutes
    and was spotted by 6 stations. On RX 13 stations spotted, but no "real DX"
    seen yet. At the moment, I am not seeing any stations at exceptional range. Still using the big-wheel omni antenna. No beams!
    UPDATE 1945z: 52 stations spotted.
    UPDATE 2002z: 58 stations spotted with the furthermost F6APE (553km).
    UPDATE 2310z: 81 stations spotted at bedtime. RX on overnight (I hope).
    Several German stations spotted.

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    Simple regen RX

    Posted: 18 Dec 2021 05:58 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/simple-regen-rx.html


    Many people like simple, but effective, receivers. This design is probably
    one of the simplest you could make. It works very well. There are several examples of this, and others, on YouTube.


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    10m WSPR QRP TX

    Posted: 18 Dec 2021 07:28 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/10m-wspr-qrp-tx_18.html


    As FT8 does not appear to work with PSKreporter, I have gone instead on 10m WSPR TX with my W5OLF 500mW beacon. It is now 1315z and, so far, just spots
    by local G4KPX (14km).

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    10m FT8 RX (Saturday)

    Posted: 18 Dec 2021 03:51 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/10m-ft8-nrx-saturday.html


    It is now 1113z and I have been on for about 65 minutes. So far, no spots
    have been reported to PSKreporter, which is rubbish as my screen is filled
    with stations. I shall have to try a total reset.
    UPDATE 1150z: It seems to coincide with Windows wanting to do an upgrade. Don't you just love Windows? Complete reset done. Still no spots. I guess
    this could be a problem at their end? Anyone else had issues?

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    Sunspots - Saturday December 18th 2021

    Posted: 18 Dec 2021 02:08 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/sunspots-saturday-december-18th-2021.html


    Solar flux is 121 and the SSN 119. A=3 and K=0.

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    2m FT8 RX (Friday)

    Posted: 17 Dec 2021 01:14 PM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/2m-ft8-rx-friday.html



    As last night, I am on 2m FT8 RX using the omni-directional big-wheel
    antenna. After about 2 hours, 74 stations were spotted with the furthermost EA1SA (1034km) in northern Spain. In the last day 188 stations in 10
    countries were spotted. As they say, "a bit of a lift on".

    See map.

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    10m FT8 RX (Friday)

    Posted: 17 Dec 2021 09:24 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/10m-ft8-rx-friday_17.html


    At the moment I am on 10m FT8 RX. It is now 0952z and already 66 stations
    have been spotted with the furthermost 4Z4WD (3595km).
    UPDATE 1722z: 231 stations spotted. The furthermost was CX8DSK (11116km).

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    Solar conditions

    Posted: 17 Dec 2021 01:34 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/solar-conditions.html


    Both the solar flux and sunspot number are good today. I know that solar conditions can vary widely, but today the numbers are good.
    I have not seen the latest predictions, but this cycle is definitely not
    a "non event".

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    2m FT8 DX

    Posted: 17 Dec 2021 01:22 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/2m-ft8-dx.html


    2m FT8 was good last night with 138 stations spotted including several in northern Spain.
    Only using a big-wheel omni antenna!!


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    Sunspots - Friday December 17th 2021

    Posted: 16 Dec 2021 11:51 PM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/sunspots-friday-december-17th-2021.html


    Solar flux is 118 and the SSN 127. A=8 and K=1.

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    40m FT8 RX

    Posted: 16 Dec 2021 12:17 PM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/40m-ft8-rx.html


    As it is dark, I have QSYed to 40m FT8 RX using the indoor Wellgood active loop antenna. It is now 1730z and I have been on for about 10 minutes and already 69 stations spotted.
    UPDATE 2002z: 344 stations spotted. Soon to QSY to 2m FT8.

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    6m MSK144 RX overnight

    Posted: 16 Dec 2021 08:57 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/6m-msk144-rx-overnight.html


    Overnight I went on 6m MSK144 RX, hoping to catch the tail end if the
    Geminids meteor shower. I think I was too late or was monitoring on the
    wrong frequency for Europe as nothing, at all, was copied. I was on
    50.260MHz RX. Disappointing.

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    15m FT8 RX with the tiny indoor active loop

    Posted: 16 Dec 2021 09:18 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/15m-ft8-rx-with-tiny-indoor-active-loop.html


    Most of the day I have been on 15m FT8 RX with the Wellgood active loop
    indoors on the shack window. So far, 547 stations spotted at 1651z. Furthermost was VK2QV (16898km).

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    10m QRP WSPR TX

    Posted: 16 Dec 2021 08:24 AM PST http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/12/10m-qrp-wspr-tx_16.html


    Since this morning I have been on 10m WSPR TX using 500mW. It is now 1625z
    and, so far, 4 unique stations have spotted me.

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