160m FT8 RX overnight

317 stations spotted overnight on 160m FT8 RX with the indoor Wellgood loop. Furthermost was UA9MA (4598km) in Omsk. No USA stations last night.

160m FT8 RX (Wednesday)

 A few moments ago I QSYed to 160m FT8 RX. So far, 48 stations spotted with the indoor Wellgood active antenna.

160m FT8 RX overnight

Apart from a short while on 2m (I gave up as there was an activity contest on) I was on 160m FT8 RX with the active loop antenna. In all 177 stations spotted.  One USA station spotted - KA2HTV (4839km). 

160m FT8 RX overnight

Overnight I was on 160m FT8 RX using the tiny Wellgood active loop on the shack window. In all, 306 stations spotted in the last day .

160m FT8 RX (Sunday)

 Since about 1930z, I have been on 160m FT8 RX using the Wellgood active loop on the shack window. So far this evening 85 stations spotted with the furthermost R9CS (3779km).

UPDATE 2216z: 168 stations spotted with the furthermost RK9UN (5430km). 

160m FT8 RX (Friday)

It is now 1958z and I recently QSYed to 160m FT8 RX using the indoor Wellgood active loop antenna. So far,  45 stations spotted. with the furthermost RA3GDV (2654km).

160m FT8 RX overnight

Using the tiny Wellgood active loop stuck to the shack window, 216 stations spotted on RX with the furthermost WA1NGH (5427km) in Connecticut, USA.

160m FT8 RX (Sunday)

Since about 1840z, I QSYed from 15m to 160m FT8 using the Wellgood active loop on the shack window. It is now 1852z and so far 25 stations have been spotted with the furthermost ES5MG (1786km).

UPDATE 1915z:  So far this evening 46 stations spotted with the furthermost EA7HY (1829km).

UPDATE 2008z:  68 stations spotted so far with the best DX UT1FT (2204km).

UPDATE 2217z:  130 stations spotted.

160m FT8 RX (Friday)

Since about 1935z, I have been on 160m FT8 RX with the Wellgood active loop on the shack window.  Furthermost is UX0KR (1795km). So far, 37 stations have been spotted. It is now 1944z.

160m FT8 overnight with the Wellgood active loop

Last evening and overnight I was on 160m FT8 RX using the Wellgood active loop antenna, with the loop just stuck on the inside of the shack window. In all, 316 stations spotted including 2 transatlantic. It works.

160m FT8 RX with the active Wellgood loop

This evening and overnight I am monitoring 160m FT8 RX using the Wellgood loop. It was turned on at about 1930z. Early indications suggest it is every bit as good as the coax up to my 2m big-wheel, possibly better. I wonder if it will copy stateside stations later?

The Wellgood loop was a swap for my X80 antenna, that I had not used for many years and was lingering in the garage. I think we both got a good deal. Jason is pleased with the X80 and I am pleased with the Wellgood loop.

After about 25 minutes I have spotted 35 stations with the furthermost RW4PU (3416km).

My loop is just attached to the shack window with Blutak.

160m FT8 RX overnight

349 stations were spotted on 160m FT8 RX in the last day. Although better stations were working the USA, nothing was spotted from North America or South America overnight. I think the Iraqi spot was a DL with an incorrect QTH locator.

160m FT8 RX (Sunday)

This evening and overnight I hope to be on 160m FT8 RX. After a very brief TX period, I am RX only. On TX I was spotted by 1 station in Scotland and I have spotted 5 stations with the furthermost SP7MOC (1400km).

UPDATE 1925z:   79 stations spotted with the furthermost RM9X (3186km).

UPDATE 2100z:  159 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX so far today. Furthermost is 7P8RU (9486km) in Lesotho.

160m FT8 overnight

A decent quantity of stations spotted on topband FT8 RX in the last day with 300 stations spotted including 6 in the USA, 1 in Caanda and 1 in Greenland. Still using the coax to my 2m big-wheel (10m long?) loaded with a ferrite-rod and a mains ground (see map).

160m FT8 RX

As my son managed to sever my earth-electrode "antenna" whilst doing some gardening for us, I am again using the coax to my 2m big-wheel loaded with a ferrite rod "ATU". 

The antenna is under 5m at its highest and the coax only 50cm above ground at it lowest just outside the shack. I am just using the mains ground. The coax is under 10m long.  

So far this evening on 160m FT8 RX 19 stations spotted with the furthermost UA1OLM (2653km).

UPDATE 2002z: 83 stations spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX with the furthermost RW4PU (3416km).

UPDATE 2115z:  140 stations spotted so far this evening on 160m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2300z:  Staying on overnight.

160m FT8 RX in the last day

In the last 24 hours, 247 stations spotted on top band FT8 RX.  Just 2 in the USA spotted overnight.

160m FT8 RX

Just before 1900z, I turned on my 160m FT8 RX.  So far, 23 stations spotted. Still using the outer of my 2m big-wheel and ferrite rod "ATU".

UPDATE 1950z:  76 stations spotted with the furthermost RV0AR (5548km) in Asiatic Russia.

160m FT8 RX yesterday

324 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX in the last day (see map) including the USA and Mexico. This is with just the short coax to my 2m big-wheel loaded via a ferrite rod with a mains plug ground!

The coax is about 10m long and the big-wheel about 5m above ground. The coax is about 50cm off the ground at its lowest. The ferrite rod "ATU" is shown. Absolutely nothing special! 

If I can do this I am sure you can too.

160m FT8 QRP (Friday)

For a change, I decided to go on 160m FT8 with 2.5W to the coax of the 2m big-wheel via a ferrite rod loading coil. I had 1 QSO with G3VAO (229km) and 24 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX with furthermost R2AL (2417km). 3 Gs spotted me on TX although I am now RX only.

UPDATE 1936z:  82 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX this evening.

UPDATE 2130z: 183 stations spotted with furthermost UN9L (4119km).

160m FT8

As an experiment I tried my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground on 160m FT8. The match is very good and with QRP I have been spotted all over Europe and I've spotted plenty of stations in South America and North America. If anyone tells you that they have no 160m antenna don't believe them! My 160m antenna is invisible to the neighbours and XYL. 

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/160m-ft8 .