Alex KR1ST/PA1STFeb 7

Whoa Nelly! Just worked six New Zealand stations on #6m #FT8!

Speaking of being in the right place at the right time...WOW!

#hamradio #amateurradio

Show threadStu KZ4LN

@kr1st QSOs are a two way thing. That's six stations in NZ that are absolutely zonkered saying "I just worked the northern east seaboard of the USA!! 🤯🥳"

Congrats man!

Feb 8 at 12:00amWeb
Show threadAlex KR1ST/PA1STFeb 8

@KZ4LN Yeah, this is bonkers, especially in February!

I was doing something else and then I looked over my shoulder to the sceen and see the ZL stations. I figured I was on HF still as I was poking around on HF listening to some SSB, but didn't know how fast to hit the TX button once I realized I was on 6m. 😂 Indeed 🤯

Show threadStu KZ4LNFeb 8
@kr1st sometimes the magic band works magic it's not supposed to. 😆
Show threadAlex KR1ST/PA1STFeb 8

@KZ4LN No kidding!

I should've known something was up ever since I worked MN on 6m this morning. 😁

Show threadGiovanni - ZL2GXFeb 8
@kr1st @KZ4LN Just fired up WSJTX - not hearing much on 6m - just a ZL3 and J88, but antenna is my 80m dipole so will have lots of gain in some directions and big nulls in others. What power/antenna at your end?
Show threadAlex KR1ST/PA1STFeb 8

@gmoretti @KZ4LN It's closed for me right now, but I just saw VE3EJ working ZL3RC and ZL3OY still.

I dropped a note on the email lists of the local VHF+ clubs to alert them.

My antenna is a 3 element yagi at 9m, and was running 750W. 100W would have been plenty, but my amp is always on when I'm on 6m and didn't even think to turn it off.

I don't know what the ham population spread is in New Zealand, but this opening was laser sharp for me. All stations were from the Christchurch area.

Show threadGiovanni - ZL2GXFeb 8

@kr1st @KZ4LN I'm in the bottom of the north island and no gain and 50W so overall lack of success isn't surprising but nice to know it's possible!

10m is burbling away with lots of stations. Pity JS8Call isn't more popular - FT8 performance along with being a chat mode. On saying that, I'm putting out a call on 10m (JS8) just in case :-)

Show threadAlex KR1ST/PA1STFeb 8
@gmoretti @KZ4LN I sure hope to work you some time! I don't think I have JS8Call installed, but will check into it. 10m was open here before too, but mostly to the Caribbean and South America.