[G3XBM] 136kHz experiments

[G3XBM via rec.radio.amateur.moderated Admin]

Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog

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136kHz experiments

Posted: 22 Feb 2021 02:51 PM PST
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/02/136khz-experiments.html


Before moving to the current QTH about 7.5 years ago, I did some tests on
136kHz QRSS. I used the E-field probe for 136kHz on a mag-mount on the car
and drove around to see where the beacon could be copied. The beacon
produced 8W into 50 ohms, but the beacon ERP was only low milliwatts or
even less. The antenna was the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.
After successfully receiving the beacon on the far side of Cambridge (20+
km?), I just stopped as it was obviously working well both on TX and RX.
The E-field probe is shown in the photo.
Other than a brief test with the earth-electrode "antenna" on RX, I have
never yet tried 136kHz at this QTH.
My old site (links may not work as this old site is not maintained) has a
description of the E-field probe RX antenna and other tests at 136/7kHz.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp/Home/136k .
See also
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2013/01/137khz-e-field-probe-mag-mount.html
for more on the LF EFP.

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160m QRP (Monday)

Posted: 22 Feb 2021 02:18 PM PST
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/02/160m-qrp-monday.html


At 1103z, I decided to try 160m FT8 QRP with 2.5w and the
earth-electrode "antenna". It is now 1109z and so far no spots, although
it is daylight.
(UPDATE 1434z: 3 G spots of my 2.5W QRP 160m FT8 TX. No spots yet on RX.
UPDATE 1532z: The first DX has started to appear with DK3UA (869km) on the
Baltic coast of Germany about 70 miles north of Berlin. Still just 3 G
spots of my 2.5W FT8 160m QRP.
UPDATE 1818z: 12 spots of my 160m FT8 QRP on TX and all over Europe spotted
on RX as shown in the map.
UPDATE 1945z: Already 31 spots of my 160m FT8 QRP TX has been spotted in 9
countries with the furthermost OE9GNV (869km). Amazing, with just the
FT817ND and the small earth-electrode "antenna" which the XYL and
neighbours don't even realise is there! This "antenna" system really works
for me.
UPDATE 2120z: 37 spots this evening of my 2.5W 160m FT8 QRP on TX as shown
on the second map. Quite astounding how something this poor works with such
low power! It seems obvious to me that this setup is working remarkably
well. I shall probably go RX only overnight.
UPDATE 2220z: 41 stations spotted this evening.

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HF conditions

Posted: 22 Feb 2021 01:39 AM PST
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/02/hf-conditions.html


We are now over a year since the end of solar cycle 24 and the start of
cycle 25.
So far, we have got off to a slow start. HF conditions are a little better,
but it will be some while before we really notice a difference.
I suspect this autumn we will see widespread openings from Europe to the
USA on 10m again.
With modes like FT8 we are finding openings more often. FT8 is not a mode
for chatting. SSB and even 10m FM and AM are better for this. As much as I
like FT8 because of my poor voice, I do hope people still stick with speech
modes.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/hfcondx .

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80m FT8 RX with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground

Posted: 22 Feb 2021 01:41 AM PST
http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/02/80m-ft8-rx-with-earth-electrode-antenna.html



Since connecting up the 80m FT8 RX yesterday, 1122 stations in 5 continents
have been spotted on RX using the earth-electrode "antenna" as the map
shows.
Yesterday, 16 stations spotted my QRP TX too. It certainly works!!