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Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog

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70cm activity contest (UKAC)

Posted: 11 May 2022 04:13 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/70cm-activity-contest-ukac.html


Last evening I took part (briefly) in the 70cm activity contest organised
by the RSGB. As I have no antennas for 70cm horizontal I went on for about
50 minutes with 10W to my 2m big-wheel omni.
3 QSOs were made before I stopped because of my poor voice with the best
being G4CLA (105km).


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10m WSPR QRP TX (Wednesday)

Posted: 11 May 2022 01:23 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/10m-wspr-qrp-tx-wednesday.html


At the moment, I am on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW. No spots yet.

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8m experiment (Wednesday)

Posted: 11 May 2022 04:20 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/8m-experiment-wednesday_11.html


The last few days have been poor here with no Es evident here and no spots
on RX or TX. Let us hope today is better!
UPDATE 0803z: On 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8 first TX at 0757z. Ever hopeful! UPDATE 1120z: EI9KP (649km) in the west of Eire has again spotted me.

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Sunspots - Wednesday May 11th 2022

Posted: 10 May 2022 10:54 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/sunspots-wednesday-may-11th-2022.html


Solar flux is 116 and the SSN 62 A=3 and K=1.

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The joy of QRP

Posted: 10 May 2022 02:01 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/the-joy-of-qrp.html


In our hobby we all have different interests, and that is only right: it
would be a sad world if we were all the same. Some like ATV, others chasing
DX, others just talking with old friends on 80m. I cannot say how you get
fun. Neither would it be correct.
My own "thing" is QRP (low power). Now, I freely admit that at times more
ERP helps. However, especially on bands like 10m in the better solar years,
the world can be worked with low power and simple antennas. This is even
more true with modern modes like FT8.
Perhaps my G3XBM website may give you some ideas. Whatever, the next few
years could be the time to give QRP a go. You might be surprised.

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10m WSPR QRP TX

Posted: 10 May 2022 11:46 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/10m-wspr-qrp-tx_10.html


Yet again (at 0850z) I am on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW from my W5OLF beacon.
No spots yet.
UPDATE 1115z: Still no spots of me today.
UPDATE 1845z: Just local G4WSZ and the 2 Canary Is stations today. These latter 2 look like F2. Again, no Es here today.

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8m experiment (Tuesday)

Posted: 10 May 2022 11:56 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2022/05/8m-experiment-tuesday_10.html


Yesterday was dire with no stations spotted on RX and nobody spotting me on
FT8 TX on 8m. Even 10m had no Es here. Hopefully today will be better. Well
it can't be worse!!
Currently on 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8 TX.
UPDATE 0951z: No spots yet on 8m TX or RX.
UPDATE 1025z: Still no spots on 8m FT8 TX or RX today. Apart from the
remote chance of contacting some of the USA experimenters by chordal hop Es this summer, I think I have exchanged reports (won't say QSO!!) with all
the stations I am likely to. The ZS stations are unlikely to spot me with
my low ERP, even though I have spotted ZS6WAB on 8m FT8. I suspect the
latter was TEP and Es together, as we are a bit too far north for pure TEP. UPDATE 1855z: No Es today, in fact no spots again on TX or RX.

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