• [G3XBM] Lyrids MS on 6m

    From G3XBM via rec.radio.amateur.moderat@21:1/5 to All on Thu Apr 22 02:02:06 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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    Lyrids MS on 6m

    Posted: 21 Apr 2021 01:09 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/04/lyrids-ms-on-6m.html


    The next few days sees the peak of the Lyrids MS shower. I am not sure
    which mode is the best for MS on 6m.
    FT8 was chosen and I shall remain on 6m FT8 RX overnight using the FT817ND
    and V2000 vertical omni. Within a few minutes several stations were spotted with the furthermost EI4DA (578km), although I am not sure of the
    propagation mechanism.
    See https://www.independent.co.uk/space/lyrid-meteor-shower-2021-tonight-b1835168.html

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    2m RSGB activity contest results published

    Posted: 21 Apr 2021 03:19 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/04/2m-rsgb-activity-contest-results.html


    Once a month the RSGB organises a 2m activity contest (UKAC) on Tuesday evenings lasting up to 2.5 hours. I usually manage an hour with my QRP,
    omni antenna and poor voice. Results have just been published for the year including the April session.
    See https://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/vhfresults.pl?Contest=144MHz%20UKAC&year=2021

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    Inter G on 10m

    Posted: 21 Apr 2021 02:35 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/04/inter-g-on-10m.html


    Many years ago, the RSGB ran a competition in the quiet years on 10m in the evenings. Even with 10W SSB and a low dipole, I was regularly able to work stations nearly 200km away. With more power, better antennas and modes like
    FT8 these sort of distances should be easy.
    With 4W of FM and a CB vertical 30km was possible to other locals.
    What I am saying is do not neglect 10m when there is no DX around. We have plenty of space and much of the time it is under-used.
    See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/10m_op

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    10m FT8 QRP (Wednesday)

    Posted: 21 Apr 2021 06:07 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/04/10m-ft8-qrp-wednesday.html


    At about 0914z, I turned on my 10m QRP FT8 with 2.5W and the tiny indoor
    loop antenna. G0FWX (160km) copied immediately.
    I have gone back to the thinner loop wire as I was a bit concerned that the higher RF voltages with the copper pipe inductor, although higher Q and
    more efficient, could have damaged the matching parts on TX.
    UPDATE 1308z: 3 stations spotted with the furthermost OH6EJD (1874km).
    Nobody has spotted me. I think this is Es.

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    10FT8R 10m FT8 RX

    Posted: 21 Apr 2021 02:05 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/04/10ft8r-10m-ft8-rx_21.html


    With a bit of luck, I may have this working by the weekend. It is a DSB RX
    for 10m FT8. It means the "big rig" can be used for other things and 10m
    FT8 can be continuously monitored.

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    South African 8m beacon copied in Greece

    Posted: 21 Apr 2021 01:26 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/04/south-african-8m-beacon-copied-in-greece.html


    Southgate News relays some information on the EI7GL blog that the South
    African 8m beacon has been copied in Greece. There is even a recording on John's blog. There was a earlier report of it being copied in Portugal.
    Both these look like TEP.
    See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2021/april/south-african-40-mhz-beacon-heard-in-greece.htm#.YH_f8ijYrrc

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    160m FT8

    Posted: 21 Apr 2021 01:17 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/04/160m-ft8.html


    Last evening and overnight I was on 160m FT8. Last evening I was on both RX
    and TX and was spotted by 16 European stations with 1 QSO with a station in Germany.

    Overnight I was on 160m FT8 RX only and spotted 144 stations. Unlike
    previous occasions, nothing was copied from the USA.
    I am running 2.5W to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. The
    return wire is hardly off the ground and buried in shrubs most of the way.
    Even I can hardly see it and have to check it is still intact!

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    Sunspots - Wednesday April 21st 2021

    Posted: 21 Apr 2021 02:32 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/04/sunspots-wednesday-april-21st-2021.html


    Solar flux is 78 and the SSN 54. A=7 and K=1.
    We have not seen sunspot numbers this high for some years.

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