It has been quite sometime since I’ve worked a new DX station. The bottom of sunspot cycle 24 has created havoc with DX. With solar flux almost constantly locked between 68 and 72, propagation on many HF bands has been very poor. Fortunately, Joe Taylor’s invention of the FT8 mode has come at the right […]
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!
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.
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!!!
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.
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.
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
Ducie Island DXpedition is now history. This was a VERY successful professional effort. Received LOTW QSLs for QSOs on 80M, 30M, 20M, 17M, 15M & 10M CW, 40M & 20M SSB; 80M, 40M, 20M & 12M FT8 and 20M RTTY. As an early contributor I received these QSL immediately!!! Instant gratification for ATNO #307
Received an LOTW QSL for my Oct 12 FT8 QSO with Bruce. This was a very rare over-the-pole grayline path on 20M. These kinds of QSOs are hard to come by at solar minimum. Laos is my #306 (current) country. Tnx Bruce & 73.
Received a QSL card from Abubaker, 5A1AL for my FT8 QSO. This is my ATNO #306. Abubaker is one of only 2 hams active from Libya. The other is 5A0YL, Elham. Abubaker has been her Elmer. It takes a great deal of dedication to be active from the turbulent city of Tripoli. Abubaker and Elham […]