New Antenna up, FT8 fun

[Bow]

So my 80M Dipole started acting weird after our last windstorm... so I had a reason to put the new Palomar End Fed Bullet 71" I had.

Set it up as an Inverted L: 17' vert up the tree, the rest heading across the back lawn about 25' AGL in a South direction...

Threw down the 2 15' counterpoise wires, a 45',a 10 ' and drove a 8' ground rod into the earth right below where the antenna hangs... connected the Bullet to the Ground rod with some 00 gauge wire I had...

40 watts on FT8 was pretty fun:



This is the most Amateur radio contacts I've made... in a VERY long time...
First time I've made it into Russia
hit a operator in China, but couldn't seal the deal

Raspberry Pi 4
HamPi Image

Icom IC-718
LDG AT-200Pro tuner
Palomar Bullet 71' antenna Inverted L

I'm pretty happy, pskreporter showed I was getting out.

 

[sp5it]

Computer talk with computer, not much amateur contact there...

 

[Bow]

A Contact is a contact....

besides, running FT8 allows you to see how well the antenna is working...and by your statement, every other digital mode (PSK, RTTY, FAX, etc) is a "Computer Talking to a Computer", so in your book, that doesn't count either..

oh well

 

[CDX8412]

Hey, at least it’s not being done through the internet like the VOIP modes. You are using a real radio, an antenna, and actually sending a signal out. The VOIPers are actually asking for QSLs via QRZ for VOIP contacts ??? “CQ all ip addresses...CQ all ip addresses”

And with the RF weak signal nodes, it is interesting to see how much propagation there actually is on the bands, even though you don’t hear those DX stations calling CQ on the phone portion of the bands.

Yeah it’s not my favorite mode of operation, but it is radio. Besides, how many hams out there are actually that interesting to talk to ? All I hear these days is “did you get your shot? did you get your shot?” Oy Vey !

 

[Bow]

Hey, at least it’s not being done through the internet like the VOIP modes. You are using a real radio, an antenna, and actually sending a signal out. The VOIPers are actually asking for QSLs via QRZ for VOIP contacts ??? “CQ all ip addresses...CQ all ip addresses”

Couldn't agree more. I have ZERO interest in that VOIP mode of operation... might as well use SKYPE

And with the RF weak signal nodes, it is interesting to see how much propagation there actually is on the bands, even though you don’t hear those DX stations calling CQ on the phone portion of the bands.

It sure beats picking a freq, and calling CQ, and hoping someone hears you to try a new antenna... or trying to break into a conversation between a couple guys running QRO, about 10 miles apart to see if you are getting out...

Yeah it’s not my favorite mode of operation, but it is radio. Besides, how many hams out there are actually that interesting to talk to ? All I hear these days is “did you get your shot? did you get your shot?” Oy Vey !

I am starting to like FT8/JS8 as my amateur radio mode of operation... gives me some radio to play until then next Solar Cycle and my favorite band comes back . I only run the radio, no HF Amps, so weak signal modes are more entertaining to me.

 

[Riverman]

Bow,
If it’s over the airways from radio to radio (even if a computer is used), then it’s a contact in my view. So congratulations! Looking at your log, it appears you knocked it out of the park!

I know FT8 isn’t everyone’s cup of tea (that’s evident) but don’t get discouraged. Clearly, a lot of people enjoy it. WWDX’s owner (Moleculo) often operates FT8 and other digital modes. Have fun!

 

[Bow]

Thanks Riverman.

I do enjoy SSB contacts for sure, Hell, I'd run AM if I could afford to play with the big boys, but I can't so I' m going to "run what I brung" and enjoy it.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

I hear that FT8 is popular on 11m in other parts of the world.

 

[Bow]

I hear that FT8 is popular on 11m in other parts of the world.

Freq?

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Check this out:
http://www.delta-alfa.com/nets-4-digi-dudes/

 

[Bow]

Check this out:
http://www.delta-alfa.com/nets-4-digi-dudes/

interesting... I was search for info on this and never came across that site. thanks!

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

interesting... I was search for info on this and never came across that site. thanks!

I think Brazil has channels above our 40 where they can do data modes. I am still trying to find that website. It would be interesting if anyone in the us does data on 11m, what would it look like on my usb sdr?

 

[Rwb]

how is this fun? your not talking. to me its simply grabbing names n addresses no actual human contac. i suppose its ok but its not radioing in my opinion n i despise recording of same words over n over

 

[Bow]

It is about as fun as RTTY, CW, PSK... whatever...

If you don't want to do it, fine... but for me, it is the most interest I have had in Ham radio in years...

I have never hit some of the countries on SSB that I can hit with FT8... and it does remove the language barrier.

You think you can make a SSB contact with another station that is -20db down?

 

[Bow]

On another note...

On Saturday I added 31' or wire to the antenna, got the vertical portion up to 30' (UNUN is about 5' off the ground) and it runs North/South in an Inverted L.

Running 40W on my end seems to be getting out pretty well.




I can hit Japan like yelling out the window