BATC Forum

I keep reading on Twitter that the Sporadic E season is in full swing and some amazing DX is being heard on 50MHz and the FM bands at high signal strengths.

For example: https://twitter.com/FMDXIreland

Yet there seems to be nothing happening on 50MHz DATV which is a shame as this is what the Knucker project is all about!

I'm not sure if this because people are not aware it's happening, lack of coordination and "calling channel" or can't be bothered....

I suggest we need to start having regular skeds set up and we can use DXspot for co-ordination or maybe even QO100 chat

https://dxspot.batc.org.uk/

For predictions on what paths are open:

https://www.propquest.co.uk/map.php

Realtime display on what is being worked:

https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/?page_id=10

73
Noel - G8GTZ

OK Noel, I have a Knucker and 50MHz aerial (horizontal squarial! ).
I can leave it monitoring and possibly a feed on a web site.
What frequency shall I pick and what setup?
You choose...

Martin G8LCE
IO70LD

PS The GB3NQ repeater will have a Knucker receiver soon (when the Ryde can be set to work with it ) No frequency or band selected yet.

Likewise I can monitor 50MHz either on a vertical colinear or my HF Marconi T. Be nice to 'see' something other than lots of computers working each other (to each their own....)
Gareth G4XAT

Hi Noel,

it would be a good idea to have a common 6 Meter DATV Monitoring / call frequency made public, is there one already, I'm not sure?
I also have a Knucker and a 50MHz homebrew Halo antenna, but will be getting a beam soon.

73 Wolfgang

Hi Wolfgang,

51.7MHz 333 DVB-T is the suggested centre of activity.

73 Dave

Hi Dave,

many thanks for the Info.

In DL we have a temporary approval by our BNetzA (OFCOM) to use the 51 to 52MHz segment of the 6 Meter band until the 31.12.2021.
51.7MHz = All modes, so that looks good.

73 Wolfgang

51.7MHz is the center of the IARU region 1 wide band allocation.

viewtopic.php?f=91&t=7166

Noel

The ideal DX Partner for a qso will be around 1500km away most of the time, this seems to be about the optimal distance for best signals.
Draw a circle on a map around you at 1500km and you will have an idea what to look out for.
https://www.mapdevelopers.com/draw-circle-tool.php
6m short hops could be possible...but will be short lived and probably mid season??

I have been monitoring websdr's but only one has been in the right place so far to detect my signal using a CB antenna apparently!
It is called Sporadic for a reason!
Propquest helps but FT8 helps more, monitor 50.313 for the band firing up, just leave it monitoring, decode if you want but it gets VERY noisy when the band opens up.

I have DVB-T/S/S2 capability for dx on 51.7 or 35Ks S2 on 50.6, we need more interest from other EU stations...
Italy/Spain/Portugal/South France/South east Europe/Poland/Scandinavia are good distances.
Germany/France is a bit close most of the time for good signals, especially for south UK.

I know F4VSG is active in JN37 but a bit close for most of us and a few PA stations also too close...

Hope this is useful info.

Rob

The Bundesnetzagentur (BNetzA), DL eqivilent of OFCOM has released the following regulations for usage of the 6 Meter Band in Germany.

A brief overview:
- temporary apporval for the use of the 6 Meter band (50-52MHz) until 31.12.2021,
- a maximum bandwidth of 12KHz for all transmissions,
- horizontal polarization only,
- all modes according to DL band plan but ATV / DATV not included, (bandwidth restriction)
- operation from the home QTH only (portable / Mobile not allowed),
- logbook keeping with operator signature is compulsory.

So it looks as though there will be no ATV / DATV 6 Meter band activity from Germany this year.

73 Wolfgang

Nice example of the typical ~1500km hop distance, always some outliers though

Plotted with GridTracker, it displays FT8 decodes visually on a map.

Rob