XPost: rec.radio.amateur.moderated, rec.radio.amateur.space, uk.radio.amateur XPost: free.uk.amateur-radio
Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog
///////////////////////////////////////////
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
///////////////////////////////////////////
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
///////////////////////////////////////////
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
///////////////////////////////////////////
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.
///////////////////////////////////////////
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.
///////////////////////////////////////////
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
///////////////////////////////////////////
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!
///////////////////////////////////////////
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.
--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)