More Solar and 10m Setup.

 I got the modified IC-703 connected to a RX signal splitter with 3 outputs. One is connected back to the '703, so I have 2 more outputs available. The signal level is high enough for sensitive receivers, and could be amplified for use with more receivers. The idea is to have monitoring receivers near the 10m band, e.g. on the following frequencies:

27.555 CB activity centre for early propagation detection (other CB frequencies?)

28.074 FT8 tuning frequency. This could become a simple Polyakov type DC receiver.

28.126 WSPR/QRSS monitoring (could also become a Polyakov type DCRX).

28.200 International Beacon Project audio listening (could become a very simple superhet).

28.322 secondary QRSS (could be simple DCRX)

29.600 (FM calling frequency) - I should probably use my AOR7030 for this, but it looks like it needs some repair.

Possibly other 10m frequencies

My old FRG-100 receiver was also connected to the solar power system, as a test. This radio is far too power consuming, up to 1.2A. I checked consumption. Right now that RX is set up for monitoring 10m FT8, with the antenna connected to the IC-703 signal splitter

The FRG-100 is *very* inefficient to use with solar. Stand-by current ("off") is about 130mA and with the RX running, 600mA. Not suited for the small solar system I have here. For alternatives, see above.

I decided to run the FRG-100 from a mains power supply for now. If I can find a "female" cigarette lighter 12V connector, I will try to connect the hand-held 10m multimode TRX (w/"mobile adapter") that I have, to see the power consumption. This could work as an intermediate solution for monitoring 10m FT8 using the solar power system.

10m FT8, just running for less than an hour, has yielded spots from as far away as VK and HS and South America, 5 continents already. More spots are expected in the afternoon and evening.

The International Beacon system has had audible signals from VK (Aus), RR9 (Siberia), ZS6 (South Africa), 5Z4 (Kenya), 4X6 Israel and CS3 (Azores), already before 1200 UTC, with the IC-703 RX. 10m is very lively.

Yes, 10m is may favourite HF band when it comes to propagation, and solar cycle 25 looks like it will be good.