Return to 10m JT65

After a reasonable evening and night on 472kHz WSPR, I have now returned to 10m JT65. On472kHz WSPR the best DX least evening on RX was DJ0ABR (983km) and the best DX on TX (5mW ERP) was DL-SWL (701km). As yet no spots on 10m JT65.

UPDATE 1340z: EA8GF (2973km) has spotted me on 10m JT65.

New version of WSJT-X software (v1.7)

If you are like me, you will enjoy weak signal modes like WSPR and JT65. There is a new beta version out, WSJT V1.7-rc3, which includes some new modes. This is still beta so there could still be a few buglets. I shall probably download it later and give it a try.

My thanks to Bob G3WKW for bringing this to my attention. For the last year I have used WSJT-X V1.6 on JT65 and WSPR. It has worked well.

2m UKAC this evening

I could only manage about 30 minutes this evening as my voice was poor and we had a guest staying. Best DX 151km, although I could have worked more had I stayed on. Activity was high. As usual I was using 5W and a big-wheel omni antenna.

OFCOM Updates

OFCOM has produced a Dec 2016 update. Merry Christmas.

See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/96987FB7F93EAA95/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

Late switch to 10m JT65

Rather later than usual, I have gone QRT on MF and am now on 10m JT65 (2W).

Although I have copied South America on most days recently on 10m JT65, my own signal has not been spotted for a few days. Better luck today? Ever hopeful!  I think there are fewer people on 10m JT65, which is a pity.

We should get some Es in the northern hemisphere as there is a small peak around December and January, although I do not know why.

UPDATE 1150z: No spots as yet on 10m JT65. I shall be on until this evening.

UPDATE 1700z: KK1D (3361 miles) Spotted me on 10m JT65 an hour ago. This is the first USA station to spot me this winter on 10m. I was quite surprised.

Sunspots and 10m - Tuesday December 6th 2016

The solar data has been updated.  Solar flux is 81 today. Sunspot number is 37.  A=4 and K=1.

Solar data - delayed

My solar data comes from http://www.hamqsl.com/solar.html but this is still showing yesterday's date, so I am unable to update this as yet.

Overnight on 472kHz

Last evening and overnight I was again on 472kHz (630m) WSPR with 5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. No new reporters, but I was copied by DL-SWL (701km) again, this time in the late evening.

More ULF tests in Germany

Stefan DK7FC has been busy winding a loading coil so he can carry out radiated tests at 2.97kHz at a distance of 65km. He has already tested successfully at 30km. Up to now his loading coil has not quite reached resonance. At these frequencies very slow data rates are needed, but he is hopeful of success.

Moulton, Suffolk, UK - NOT amateur radio

My brother came up for a few days from Devon, so we went out for a lunchtime meal in the nearby village of Moulton. Here is my wife and my brother on our walk around the village before our meal. There are lots of thatched cottages in this village a few miles from Newmarket. As always, the food at the Packhorse Inn was excellent.