If you are playing around with HF you need to know when to be on the air and what band to use if you are chasing a particular location.
The RSGB have released a new propagation tool which really fits the bill.
Go to https://soundbytes.asia/proppy/radcom and put your grid square in the TX location hit the Run Prediction button. and see what comes back.
Hope to see you on FT8 or FT4.
73
Jim
ZL1LC
Friday, May 24, 2019
Thursday, April 25, 2019
FT4 is on its way
The next significant version of WSJT-X is expected to contain variation which will allow digital mode users to better use that mode for contests. It's been named FT4.
The ARRL says "FT4 is an experimental digital mode designed specifically for radio contesting that -- like FT8 -- uses fixed-length transmissions, structured messages with formats optimized for minimal contacts, and strong forward-error correction. Transmit-receive sequences are 6 seconds long, making it 2.5 times faster than FT8 and about the same speed as conventional RTTY for radio contesting. FT4 can work with signals 10 dB weaker what would be required to decode RTTY while using much less bandwidth."
Read the paper on FT4 at Preliminary FT4 Information
Something to look forward to in July 2019, by the sound of it.
The ARRL says "FT4 is an experimental digital mode designed specifically for radio contesting that -- like FT8 -- uses fixed-length transmissions, structured messages with formats optimized for minimal contacts, and strong forward-error correction. Transmit-receive sequences are 6 seconds long, making it 2.5 times faster than FT8 and about the same speed as conventional RTTY for radio contesting. FT4 can work with signals 10 dB weaker what would be required to decode RTTY while using much less bandwidth."
Read the paper on FT4 at Preliminary FT4 Information
Something to look forward to in July 2019, by the sound of it.
Monday, April 22, 2019
Thursday, April 11, 2019
European FT8 Club Contest
Just found out in the ARRL letter for 11 April 2019 that there is a FT8 contest between 1200U on 13 April and 1200U on 14 April 2019.
Full information can be found at the FT8 Club
Note that the maximum power is 100 watts and that the WARC bands are NOT being used for this contest.
On your WSJT-X program, find Preferences, then the ADVANCED tab, check the box marked ARRL RTTY Roundup and finally set the RTTY RU Exch to DX if you are outside of the USA or Canada. That will sort out all the necessary requirements for the contest.
Don't forget to uncheck the ARRL RTTY Roundup box once the contest is over.
Good luck.
Full information can be found at the FT8 Club
Note that the maximum power is 100 watts and that the WARC bands are NOT being used for this contest.
On your WSJT-X program, find Preferences, then the ADVANCED tab, check the box marked ARRL RTTY Roundup and finally set the RTTY RU Exch to DX if you are outside of the USA or Canada. That will sort out all the necessary requirements for the contest.
Don't forget to uncheck the ARRL RTTY Roundup box once the contest is over.
Good luck.
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
A Must Read Club Newsletter
Recently I came across the Surrey Amateur Radio Club. They are based in Canada. Their monthly news letter is called The Communicator.
The April 2019 issue, which is devoted to antennas, may be found at April 2019 The Communicator
Their blog page is SARC Blog and they have back issues of this magazine going back years.
It's certain well worth spending some time reading these.
Well Done SARC and keep up the good work.
73
Jim
ZL1LC
The April 2019 issue, which is devoted to antennas, may be found at April 2019 The Communicator
Their blog page is SARC Blog and they have back issues of this magazine going back years.
It's certain well worth spending some time reading these.
Well Done SARC and keep up the good work.
73
Jim
ZL1LC
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Cleaning up after a leaky battery
Here's a handy link to a site that shows you have to rescue a battery compartment where a battery has leaked.
Battery Cleaning
Just roll through the 15 pictures and explanations and you will have it looking like new.
Battery Cleaning
Just roll through the 15 pictures and explanations and you will have it looking like new.
Monday, March 11, 2019
FT8 Without the Nag
I've just downloaded the latest WSJT-X from Source Forge
It's version 2.0.1 and the annoying startup nag has finally disappear.
Well done!
It's version 2.0.1 and the annoying startup nag has finally disappear.
Well done!
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