GW4VXE's Station Diary

Checked 2m around 0625z as it had been good yesterday and sure enough CT9ACF was there, working G4KWQ. He seemed to go off pretty promptly after that QSO, so I didn't get a chance to call. Fortunately, by the time I'd showered and fed the chickens (and Duke the neighbour's horse), signals on 2m had improved and I was pleased to work Stevo. I wondered whether I might hear anything on 70cm and to my surprise, he was coming through there as well - so called him and was very pleased to work him - on the vertical of course.

Not my best DX on 70cm (EA8 is about 500km further) but a welcome new country and one I was hoping to work.

Got back from the tip at around 1030z and saw EA8CSB calling CQ on 2m FT8. Not too strong, but I have a recollection that like me he uses a vertical. Gave him a call and he responded, but unfortunately signals faded and we couldn't complete the QSO.

Got back from tip run number 2 around 1200z and could see I'd received one or two loud decodes from EA8CSB on 2m while I'd been out. Tried a CQ down that way which he heard well, but probably wasn't in the shack. Popped over to 70cm for a CQ or two (no replies) but when I went back to 2m, EA8CSB was calling me at a steady -10, so this time we were able to complete the QSO without any problems.

According to the Hepburn forecast, the propagation will move away from me this afternoon - but it was a good morning.

By the afternoon, the VHF/UHF propagation was moving off to the East. Had a little play with the automatic FT8 app on 17m, but fairly unsuccessful (conditions not software!). Bands seemed poor in the evening - did work W1AW/4 from NC on 17m, but little else doing.