Tonight is the 2m activity contest organised by the RSGB. I usually go on for a short while with my 10W pep to the big-wheel omni antenna. I usually give up soon as I find it very hard on my poor voice. I called a station in a rare square, but gave up.
5 Mar 2024
10 Feb 2024
2m activity contest (UKAC) - February 6th
7 Feb 2024
2m FT8 UKAC activity contest
At 1900z, the RSGB 2m FT8 activity contest is being held. Already, there is a contest on in Europe, so the 2m FT8 segment is already busy.
UPDATE 2042z: Over 50 stations in 6 countries spotted and several QSOs made.
UPDATE 2142z: 73 stations spotted as the map shows. I am pretty sure conditions were not "up" and this is normal with FT8. Remember, the antenna is just a big-wheel omni, with no beams!
2m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)
As my 10m beacon is sending 500uW, my 2m big-wheel, FT817ND and PC are free, so I am on 2m QRP FT8 with 2.5W. G0LRD has a very useful on line grabber so I can see if my signal is clean.
4 Jan 2024
2m FT8 UKAC last evening
Last night was the first 2m FT8 activity contest. I worked a couple of stations using 2.5W and my big-wheel omni antenna, but I was not seriously taking part. I was only on for about 15 minutes.
The map shows the stations spotted on 2m FT8 RX. It seems to me these distant stations are coming through by tropospheric scatter.
2 Jan 2024
2m activity contest UKAC (Tuesday)
In the end I gave up after working just one station at 105km with my 10W pep to the omni antenna. Usually I work 5-10 stations in about 40 minutes.
The low level of activity is probably for several reasons. Firstly many may just have forgotten thinking today was a Monday. Some may prefer FT8 these days. Also, the wind in the UK has been very strong, so there are probably fewer /P stations out this evening.
20 Dec 2023
2m activity contest (UKAC)
The results of this friendly contest have been published In the low power section I was 75th out of 172 using 10W PEP for less than an hour each time to the omni big-wheel antenna and the Cambridge Club was 37th (to which I give my points). This is one of the few occasions I use my voice.
22 Nov 2023
2m FT8 (Wednesday)
At the moment, I am on 2m FT8 with 2.5W to the big-wheel omni antenna. Already 4 spots. after 10 minutes or so.
UPDATE 1445z: So far today (as the map shows) my 2.5W 2m FT8 using the big-wheel omni has been spotted by 11 stations with the furthermost GI6ATZ (479km).
21 Nov 2023
2m 2.5W FT8
Using my big-wheel omni antenna, I have been on 2m FT8 since about 0830z. So far, 4 spots today.
UPDATE 0947z: Now GI6ATZ (479km) spotting me. Too easy, even with 2.5W and an omni antenna! I am still unsure if this is aircraft reflection or troposcatter. The reports (decent) suggest aircraft.
UPDATE 1754z: 12 stations have spotted me today on 2m QRP FT8.
20 Nov 2023
2m QRP FT8 (Monday)
My 2.5W to the big-wheel omni was turned on about 0930z. So far, spotted by 4 stations.
18 Nov 2023
2m 2.5W FT8
Stations spotting me at 1455z |
G0LRD's monitor |
UPDATE 1422z: 19 stations in 5 countries have spotted my QRP signal on 2m FT8 today with the furthermost GI6ATZ (479km). See map. This is too easy too!
UPDATE 1528z: Interesting that I am only spotting 5 UK stations. My RX is working properly, so this suggests low activity.
10 Nov 2023
2m activity contest (Nov 7th)
7 Nov 2023
2m activity contest (November)
Just taken part in the UKAC 2m activity contest organised by the RSGB. This evening my 10W pep to the omni was in 2 sessions as my son called. I also had to do a reset on the IC-705 as it locked up. With my poor voice and low ERP it is hard work nowadays!
3 Oct 2023
2m activity contest (UKAC)
Tonight is the 2m monthly activity contest (UKAC) organised by the RSGB. After 4 QSOs with my 10W and omni (and poor voice!) I gave up! Conditions seemed up, but with my QRP it was too hard.
5 Sept 2023
2m activity contest UKAC
With my 10W pep and big wheel omni antenna, I managed 9 QSOs in about 45 minutes before I had to go QRT. Best DX heard was an OZ in JO46 square.
4 Aug 2023
2m activity contest - August 1st
9 Jul 2023
2m Es (Sunday)
Stations spotted on 2m FT8 RX today |
My 2.5W FT8 to the big-wheel omni antenna was spotted by 2 stations in Italy, although no QSOs were managed. On RX, the furthermost was SV8PEX (2039km) on Corfu. A useful 2m Es opening. The station in Greece was very strong at +11dB S/N.
21 Jun 2023
Plans for today (Wednesday)
As long as there are no storms nearby, my plan is to go on 8m QRP FT8 and QRP 10m WSPR TX with my 500mW beacon that does not need the PC.
Actually, I have gone off 4m: there is almost no activity that I could find outside the Es season and what is possible when there is Es is now known. I was actually expecting the band to be quite good inter-G at all times, but activity is even lower than 2m. If you are considering 4m, prepare for disappointment.
7 Jun 2023
2m FT8 activity contest
2m activity contest last evening
Last evening was the June 2023 2m activity contest (UKAC).
Conditions were well up, but I found it very hard work with my 2.5W to the big-wheel omni. I guess this is a combination of several factors. Firstly, my low ERP is obviously a handicap with stronger signals being copied over me. Secondly, I have a very poor voice, not cut out to "outshout" others. Thirdly, I have no compressor, so my signal lacks punch.
In the end 6 stations were worked before I gave up. These days, I find FT8 easier as I do not need to "outshout" other stations. To be honest, I am no longer attracted to VHF/UHF voice contests.