200 Countries Confirmed on FT8
Last night I received LOTW confirmation from 5N7Q (Nigeria) for our 30M FT8 contact. This is my 200th country confirmed on FT8. My first FT8 contact was July 2017!! My current country total is 242 worked!
VP6R – Pitcairn Island
While VP6R was not a new one, it was enjoyable filling in bands and modes. This was a first VP6 on FT8. Currently I have VP6 confirmed on all bands 80 – 10M and at least one contact on CW, SSB and digital.
PIRATE!!!! – Another New One
Last night I was able to work VK9CZ (Cocos Keeling Island) on 40M FT8 for ATNO #311. This was grayline over the pole path. This was sunset for me and sunrise for Cocos Keeling. Just 1 hour opening! UNFORTUNATELY VK9CZ ANNOUNCED ON THEIR WEB SITE THAT THIS WAS A PIRATE!!!
ET3AA Worked -UPDATE
Worked ET3AA, Ethiopian Amateur Radio Society at Addis Ababa University, Institute of Technology. Ken, K4ZW, was in Addis Ababa this weekend and got some operating time. I was able to snag Ken on 20M CW and confirmed in the log via Clublog. Looks like ATNO #310. Received both LOTW and QSL card.
VK0AI, Macquarie Island
Received LOTW confirmation today for VK0AI, Macquarie Island for ATNO #308 (current, mixed). Norbert, VK5MQ has been operating from Macquarie Island for the past year but will be leaving this month. It is unlikely that he will be replaced with another ham. So I’m happy to put this one in the log.
ATNO #309 – A5A (Bhutan) -UPDATE
Yesterday evening was a pleasant surprise. A5A (Bhutan) was decoding on 40M FT8 F&H mode. This is an over-the-pole path (SP), with no current sunspots and a solar flux at 68! Timing was perfect grayline to Bhutan. Received LOTW confirmation for A5A