Brother - NOT amateur radio

For the last few days my brother has been staying with us. He came up from Devon on the train and has just gone back. He always makes himself at home, which we like.

160m FT8 overnight

As well as countless Europeans, 2 transatlantic stations were spotted overnight on 160m FT8 with the best DX being NS9I (6106km) in Wisconsin.

I still use the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. It seems to work pretty well on 160m - much better than I expected. You cannot see it!

10m FT8

Quite late in the day, I have QSYed to 10m FT8. So far, no spots on TX or RX. Later, I shall go back on 160m FT8.

UPDATE 1532z: Just PD1DL (328km) spotted so far. I suspect this is aircraft reflection.

Darwin's beetles - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday, we visited the newly refurbished Zoology Museum in Cambridge. It is excellent. In the exhibits were this collection of beetles by Charles Darwin.

Sunspots - Thursday November 15th 2018

Solar flux is 69 today and the SSN 11. A=2 and K=0.

Hacking attempt? - NOT amateur radio

For quite a time now, the hackers seem to have left me alone. When I checked visitor numbers earlier, they had leapt to unheard of numbers. Now I can't believe that my modest comments suddenly captured the imagination of the amateur radio world. Either this is a mistake by Google or a deliberate hacking attempt. I shall have to check my other blogs.

UPDATE 1637z: All blogs are the same! I suspect a Google error.

Overnight on 160m FT8 RX

Last night 4 transatlantic stations were spotted on 160m FT8 RX including a Canadian quite early on. As on previous nights, absolutely loads of Europeans spotted.

70cm UKAC activity contest last night

Once a month the RSGB holds a 70cm activity contest. I made no contacts! Not even one!  I had my brother staying, so was on for even less time than normal, but it was very quiet here with very few stations heard. In the end I gave up and went back to 160m FT8 RX.

Sunspots - Wednesday November 14th 2018

The pits!

Solar flux is 66 and the sunspot number 11. A=4 and K=1.

Own goal? - NOT amateur radio

Sorry, but President Trump seems to like own goals.

His latest swipe is against the French president Macron, allegedly. Sometimes he would increase his ratings by just shutting up. I want to swear, but I had better not! To many outside of the USA he does himself no favours.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-46198297