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Ryan - G8RKE

@G8RKE@mastodon.radio

mastodon 4.6.6

Licensed radio amateur for (as of 2025) 13 years.
Active on HF, VHF and UHF
Digital Voice enthusiast (C4FM and DMR)

(very) Amateur homelabber
Butler for two cats, Charlie and Robert.
I know where my towel is, do you?
Purveyor of Internet Spaceships

www.g8rke.co.uk

152 Followers

218 Following

29 Posts

Joined July 18, 2025

Grid:

IO90HX

Posts

Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · Jul 28, 2026

My full licence allows me to operate around the world and in International Waters. I can also operate Aeronautical Mobile. Does this mean I could operate from low Earth orbit as G8RKE/AM? Just a random Tuesday afternoon thought

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Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · May 19, 2026

For the first time in a while, it's slowed down at work. Thought I'd do some remote operating only for my ISP at home to keel over 😂

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Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · May 19, 2026

This week my get up and go and got up and buggered off.

Zero motivation at work, ready for bed already 😅

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Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · May 17, 2026

The EFHW has finally been retrieved. I took a guesstimate on length as was pressed for time and put it back up.

Going forward I think I need to build a 40m EFHW with an 80m loading coil. It will be easier to erect and manage.

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Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · May 13, 2026

Replying to @tk@f.kawa-kun.com

@tk The main issue is I don't any outside space of my own. it's a miracle I've got away with what I have over the years ;)

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Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · May 13, 2026

Replying to @M0KHR@mastodon.radio

@M0KHR@mastodon.radio It's acceptable on 80m. But it will have to come down one way or another

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Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · May 13, 2026

The antenna situation is disappointing. For the first time in years I had a half decent station and was enjoying HF again.

Plan B will be the works once I've managed to get the old antenna down. The element is fine, it's wire with a kevlar sleeve type jobby, it's just the support rope. Arse.

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Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · May 13, 2026

One of residents of the flats opposite is looking to swap (social housing). It's got 30m of contiguous balcony/terrace around it, and is on the top floor!

They aren't looking for ours but if we could manage a multi swap, we'd have our own outside space and I'd finally have a decent VHF takeoff 😅

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Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · May 13, 2026

Replying to @G8RKE@mastodon.radio

The antenna is going to have to come down in some form this evening. Thankfully it's not very dark where I live but I cant leave it drooping as it is

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Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · May 13, 2026

Replying to @G8RKE@mastodon.radio

Support cord has gone at the far end and as a result antenna is droopy. I suspect it's still usable and low power levels as I can hear OK still. Just getting it back up is going to be a challenge!

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Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · May 13, 2026

Ah, it seems my EFHW far end has given out. Until I get out there there later this evening to inspect it, I don't know what has given out.

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Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · May 13, 2026

Replying to @M0KHR@mastodon.radio

@M0KHR@mastodon.radio I love data modes, don't get me wrong. But sometimes I want something a bit different. I've called CQ on 15m previously using JS8 and not even had a sniff so tried voice for something different. At this rate I'll have to pull my finger out and learn CW!

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Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · May 12, 2026

Replying to @G8RKE@mastodon.radio

I guess instead of moaning about it I might as well do something about it! Tomorrow now but when I get in I'll start putting calls out on SSB. Will probably start with 15m when I get home from work.

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Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · May 12, 2026

Replying to @M0KHR@mastodon.radio

@M0KHR@mastodon.radio Likewise (Albeit 10 for me). I was hoping to be able to make more SSB contacts with the better antenna. Sure, it's not idea and I still struggle hearing the DX but even Europe seems....quiet.

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Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · May 12, 2026

Is it me or are bands like 20m quiet outside of contests? The FT8 segments will be really busy but not much on voice!

Even the CW portions seem quiet. I remember when I first licenced having choice of CQ sigs to listen to.

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Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · May 11, 2026

I was hoping to be able to work NA stations on SSB with the new EFHW but I seldom hear them or any real DX on SSB.

Suppose it's probably conditions, but I think if I erect ANOTHER HF antenna the neighbours might not be so tolerant anymore 😅

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Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · May 09, 2026

Robert seems to think it's dinner time. It isn't, he's just being dramatic

#catsofmastodon #cats #caturday

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Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · May 07, 2026

Replying to @G8RKE@mastodon.radio

Feel like I've been clobbered over the head with a saucepan but I do feel a little better. As soon as I got into bed Robert joined me. The attached picture shows the sort of thing he was doing ❤️

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Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · May 06, 2026

I appear to have contracted something. Shivering, aching but no temperature. Considering grabbing a cat and going to bed 😅

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Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · May 06, 2026

Replying to @M0KHR@mastodon.radio

@M0KHR@mastodon.radio The problem is the activity is spread out, particularly on DMR. DMR+, BM, TGIF, System X, FreeDMR etc all spread out the traffic. IMO we'd do well to cut those down to two networks at most

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Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · May 06, 2026

Replying to @treknor@mastodon.radio

@treknor@mastodon.radio I was listening to a couple of stations on the Yorkshire TG/Reflector and the audio was grim. Something to do with transcoding I suspect

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Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · May 06, 2026

OK so I think I have decided, loosely, on what to use my hotspots for.

Duplex 1 -> DMR Brandmeister & YSF OARC
Duplex 2 -> FreeDMR, maybe TGIF, and YSF WPSD
Simplex 1 -> YSF Southern England

It's also got me thinking about running an XLX reflector for the local club and perhaps mastodon.radio if there is any interest?

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Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · Apr 12, 2026

Replying to @g7kse@mastodon.radio

@g7kse @dj3ei Currently working DL2DM on 40m. Has seemed a bit busier than usual. I do like JS8 G7KSE, would you be up for trying FT8 on 60m if you have the capability?

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Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · Apr 12, 2026

Replying to @dj3ei@mastodon.radio

@dj3ei Apoplogies it couldn't be longer. next time :)

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Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · Apr 11, 2026

Replying to @dj3ei@mastodon.radio

@dj3ei I'm QRV on 40m currently. May QSY to 80m in a bit as so far no replies and FT8 signals are everywhere.

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Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · Apr 10, 2026

Replying to @mattgrayyes@chaos.social

@mattgrayyes@chaos.social *IF* I'm interpreting that correctly, is this regarding the apparent quietness of the audio from the live stream?

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Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · Apr 09, 2026

Replying to @dj3ei@mastodon.radio

@dj3ei This weekend huh? Excellent! I shall enadavour to be QRV as much as possible. I do like a rag cheww - especially on data modes!

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Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · Apr 01, 2026

I have everything crossed right now #Artemis

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Ryan - G8RKE @G8RKE@mastodon.radio · Mar 18, 2026

Replying to @tsherrygeo@m.ai6yr.org

@tsherrygeo same here. We have a couple of smart speakers at home and they're hopeless beyond basic stuff

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