FT8 with my QMX and an Android phone

A few months back I build a mid-band QMX. I've not had the opportunity to play with it much, but that changed a few days ago. By brother, who is also an Amateur Radio operator, and about as active on the bands as me, was operating FT8 portable. I was 880km from home and had some time on my hands. So, I put up a long wire tuned in 20m, connected my phone to the QMX and opened the FT8CN app. After some minor configuration changes we were up and running. There were a few contact into VK2, (so I knew we were getting out) and then I could see VK6BI/P (my brother) in the RX window. after several attempts we managed a two way contact. This was a first on the HF bands using FT8.  4 or 5 watts was all that was needed.  

This was a bit of fun, so I must do it again sometime soon.

DXCC now up to 85

I've been a little busy with other things of late, but today it was time for a little AR play. Whilst looking around on the bands (running FT-8), I just managed to snag ALASKA! This, along with SAMOA, PUERTO RICO, SERBIA and CYPRUS, brings my DXCC total to 85 countries.

 

DXCC up to 80!

In the last month I've managed to add MACAO, LATVIA, QATAR, PORTUGAL and LUXEMBOURG  to the list of DXCC locations.  This brings the total to 80. All via FT-8, using the Mag-Loop from the balcony.

DXCC up to 75!

It's taken a while but we have managed to add another 5 DXCC countries to the list, Kaliningrad, Fiji Islands, Ireland, Bulgaria and Northern Ireland. The contact with Northern Island was on 17m this evening (and confirmed almost instantly).

DXCC up to 70!

It has been a long time coming but I have now received confirmation of my 70th DXCC contact, with VK9NK from Norfolk Island being confirmed on three bands.

DXCC up to 65

Over the last week or two I managed FT-8 contacts into Ogasawara,  East Malaysia, Kaliningrad, USA and Sri Lanka (all confirmed).  This brings my DXCC total up to 65. 

Solomon Islands & USA a first!

Today, working FT-8, I managed to get a couple of new countries in the log, Solomon Islands and the USA.  Both will need to be confirmed, but I trust QSLs will come through, in time.

60 DXCC countries and counting!

The following ten countries have been confirmed since the 23 January 2020: -
Turkey, Israel, Mauritania, Greece Papua New Guinea, Austria, Belarus, French Polynesia, Croatia and Sardinia.  This  brings my DXCC total to 60.  All FT-8 and mostly on 17m.

 So far on LoTW I have 319 QSOs recorded and 183 QSLs recorded.

Awards

After being licensed for decades I have finally started to  explore DXing.  And today received my first two awards.  Not much I know, but it's a start!  These contact were mainly on FT-8, all under 10w, and from the balcony on the mag-loop.

Grid Squared Award#29025

Granted: 2020-01-22 04:54:02   (VK8MT)

World Radio Friendship Award#25882
Granted: 2020-01-22 04:54:02   (VK8MT)
Endorsements: 17 Meters Mixed

I now also have 48 DXCC countries confirmed with LoTW.

DXCC and WAZ

A few more confirmations have come through, on the DXCC (37) and WAZ (17).  All on 10w or less and on the Mag-Loop.

I've been a licensed operator for 30 years and I've only just started with this DX side of the hobby.  So much leaning to do!

DXCC now at 28

Since my venture into FT-8 and DXing, I have (to date) accumulated a total of 28 confirmed countries.

Not bad for a few nights work!

FT-8 and 10w on the Mag-Loop

I’ve not been all that active on the HF bands (nor any other bands for that matter), however I thought it was time to give it a go.  Being in a first-floor flat with only a balcony as real estate for an antenna farm, does reduce the options.  My Mag-Loop works reasonably well, but with the advent of digital modes like FT-8, all things have become possible.

In a couple of evening sessions we managed to work the following countries: -

Indonesia, West Malaysia, Switzerland, Belgium, Israel, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, European Russia, Asiatic Russia, France, Ukraine, Japan, Italy, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Sweden and a Maritime Mobile F5MYK/MM

All in all, very enjoyable and even a little addictive.