First FT8 QSO!!!

I finally moved my operating position from the hall downstairs where I didn't receive any FT8 signals better than -15 or so. Now I am upstairs and signals are coming in 0 to -10. So I clicked on the huge signal coming in at 0 to -8, and low and behold he received me and I got my first FT8 QSO!

Here it is



I am using the fixed frequency QRPver transceiver with their 6W PA amplifier into a WonderWand loop on the window sill, I have it in line with my home designed and made VSWR meter (see previous postings) and I get an SWR of 1:1.50. Anyway this is very encouraging.

Note

When I received my transceiver from QRPver it was tuned to JT65 7076kHz, I delved inside and tuned it down to 7074kHz and it has settled about +50Hz high right now but quite functional. Nice little unit. Audio I/O is via a very cheap Amazon USB sound dongle to my MacBook.

The other thing I have done is to use a 40dB attenuator in the audio output line as otherwise it overloads the USB Dongle microphone input. The QRPver audio works at line levels, which is OK for the headphone output to the TX input, but too much for RX output to the microphone input.

Very pleased with myself.