You would not exactly say I am a contest nerd. One thing is certain: guess who will never win! If I come half way up the table I'd be very pleased!
I like to submit an entry into the activity contest even though I stay on very little time, use 10W SSB and a 2m big-wheel omni antenna. In the low power section I am 43rd out of 70, which is not bad.
My entry (never a winning score with just 2 QSOs, 10W, short period on air and a 2m omni antenna!) was submitted this morning.
It is my view that this 70cm UKAC is on the wane with fewer people active. The 70cm FT8 activity contest on the other hand is "humming". It looks like many people prefer FT8 to SSB these days. FT8 works with far weaker signals, but like so much these days, it has less human interaction.
We seem to becoming a society with far less human contact sadly.
Am I alone in thinking impersonal AI call centres are a pain? "Say in your own words what you are calling about". "You want to talk about xxx. Is that correct?". Say "yes" or "no". Actually I would rather speak with a human being!
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| Stations spotting my 2.5W FT8 on 70cm earlier this evening |
Years ago, there was plenty of activity on 70cm FM simplex. I had one of the first synthesised amateur rigs in the country. It was an FM321 based on the Australian UHF CB rig, the FM320. With an indoor UHF TV yagi and 4W much DX was worked on FM. It was very good.
These days, there is little activity apart from in contests. The map shows the contacts made with 10W SSB and my 2m omni antenna in a recent activity contest.
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| 70cm FT8 RX |
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| 70cm QRP FT8 TX |
Yesterday was the 70cm leg of the RSGB organised activity contest (UKAC). I was on for only about 45 minutes with my 10W and 2m omni big-wheel antenna. 5 stations were worked.
As far as I know, conditions are normal. It amazes me how well 70cm FT8 works.
As 8m (2.5W FT8) and 10m (500uW WSPR) resulted in no spots today, I am trying my luck with 2.5W 70cm FT8 to the vertical omni V2000 antenna. After about 10 minutes, no spots.
Outside of contests, I have no idea of activity levels. I might be better the 2m horizontal omni antenna.I shall swap antennas at 1700z.
When I was first licenced here in the UK there was a class A licence and a class B licence. Class B licencees were only allowed on 432MHz and above and did not need a morse test. My first call was without CW and 432MHz and above. Class B operators could operate a Class A station under supervision. I remember doing this at the QTH of the late G4PJ.
These days there is far less activity on 70cm sadly. Those that are active come on mainly in contests usually on FM or SSB. This is pity as often 70cm tropo can be better than 2m. I remember years later having loads of fun working FM DX on 70cm simplex with 4W from an FM321. Often lifts on 70cm were more localised.
Times they are a changing...
At 2000z the FT8 activity contest takes place organised by the RSGB. I think there is an activity contest in Europe earlier. My 2.5W to the 2m omni antenna has already been spotted near Paris. On RX, stations in Germany have been spotted.
Last night, I went on the 70cm activity contest organised by the RSGB. As usual, I ran 10W pep and my 2m big-wheel omni antenna. A couple of contacts were had in the short time I was on.
It is my view that SSB activity in this contest is declining. I usually work a few stations but there seemed fewer people on.
At about 1610z I QSYed to 70cm FT8 with my 2.5W and the 2m big-wheel omni antenna. No spots.
UPDATE 1914z: No spots, so have QSYed to 630m QRP WSPR.
Usually I send my (pathetic) entry in the next day, but I forgot. I use 10W to my 144MHz omni antenna and only stay on for a short while because of my poor voice. 4 contacts were had.
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| Stations spotted on 70cm FT8 tonight |
Usually the 70cm FT8 activity session is this evening.
Starting at 1900z, this evening is the RSGB organised 70cm activity contest. I usually go on for a short time with 10W and my 2m big-wheel omni antenna. Sometimes I work over 100km whereas other times I work nobody.
As far as I know, conditions last night were normal on 70cm.
No, FT8, has transformed VHF/UHF, making DX possible at any time with very modest stations. If activity was higher people would be making DX QSOs at any time, irrespective of conditions.
The map shows the activity on 70cm FT8 well before the UK contest starts!
My antenna is just a 2m big-wheel omni too!
