North America (and more) on 10m FT8

A few minutes ago VO1NE (3898km) was spotted on 10m FT8. This is my first North American spotted on 10m this autumn. WSJT-X V1.8.0 rc2 was loaded this morning.

UPDATE 1238z: Not sure if WSJT-X V1.8.0 rc2 made a difference, but lots of 10m FT8 spots from Europe. It is supposed to be more sensitive.

UPDATE 1305z: I notice a spot from an FR5 that was not uploaded to PSK Reporter Maps.

UPDAT.E 1358z: First South American on 10m FT8 today was PY5JAP (9903km) a few minutes ago.

UPDATE 1532z: 14 South Americans spotted on 10m FT8 so far.

UPDATE 1712z: Now over 30 unique 10m FT8 spots of South Americans.

UPDATE 1830z: 41 unique 10m FT8 spots of South Americans today when I went QRT on 10m.

630m WSPR overnight

In all 3 unique stations copied my QRPP WSPR signal (about 10mW ERP) overnight.

I managed to spot 10 unique stations including a couple of LAs. Best DX spotted overnight on 630m WSPR was IW4DXW (1190km).

Sunspots - Sunday October 15th 2017

Solar flux is 68 today and the sunspot number remains zero. A= 31 and K=5.

Back on 630m WSPR

Even though 10m FT8 was still in great shape, I decided to QSY to 60m WSPR transceive for the evening and overnight (20%TX. 10mW ERP).

UPDATE 2044z: So far this evening, 6 unique stations spotted on 630m WSPR, but no spots of my signal yet.

UPDATE 2112z: Still 6 unique stations spotted on 630m WSPR, but no spots of my signal yet. Best DX on 630m WSPR RX remains LA8AV (1035km). I am wondering if the rising noise floor is becoming a real issue copying weaker signals in the UK and rest of Europe for many stations? Perhaps those that manage to spot my QRRP signal only do so when the noise floor drops or if they are fortunate to live in a very quiet area?

UPDATE 2156z: Now spotted 8 unique stations so far this evening on 630m WSPR, but still no spots of my signal. I shall be on overnight.

Mending my 630m earth-electrode "antenna"

630m transverter

Back in the spring, my brother managed to cut my 630m earth-electrode "antenna" whilst staking a tree for me. I have not got around to repairing it. If the weather is good tomorrow, I might get the extension lead and soldering iron out in the garden and try to mend it. I could use it as an "antenna" or as a ground for my current vertical Marconi (very poor!) to see if it raises the ERP a bit.

I noticed that the coax to my 2m big-wheel (used as a Marconi via an ATU on 630m) is barely 0.5m above the ground for half its length, so I am surprised it radiates anything, especially with just a mains plug earth.

630m ATU

If you want to see 630m on a shoestring, look at this setup! There should be 2 pictures attached showing (1) my transverter and (2) ferrite rod ATU.

South America (again) on 10m FT8

10m FT8 is still good, despite the sunspot number again being zero. A few minutes ago, the first South American today was spotted in the form of LU5DF (11508km) in Argentina. I expect there will soon be others. Today, I have spotted stations in Europe, Africa and South America on 10m FT8. Some say the band is "dead". Dig! FT8 seems to be showing openings that in the past would have been missed.

UPDATE 1541z: Now 6 South Americans spotted on 10m FT8 this afternoon.

UPDATE 1630z: Now 12 South Americans spotted on 10m FT8 today.

UPDATE 1717z: Now 18 different South Americans spotted today on 10m FT8. Great band, great mode.

UPDATE 1910z: With 30 unique South American stations spotted today on 10m FT8, this feels like the best day on 10m this autumn.

Squirrel at Ickworth - NOT amateur radio

We are due to get the remnants of a hurricane early next week, but at the moment it is dragging up very warm air from the Azores and Spain. This squirrel was making the most of the mild, warm air.

630m WSPR overnight

Last night was disappointing with just 1 station spotting me. Thank you to M0DSZ (232km) for spotting me. In all, 9 unique stations were spotted here on 630m WSPR.

Trying to get you to buy new? - NOT amateur radio

For some years I have owned an Apple iPod Touch 4g. It runs iOS V6.1.6 and this software is fully up to date for this particular device. I checked only a few hours ago.

Recently, FaceBook is even slower to connect than normal, even though it is almost instant on the PC. It is almost as if Apple is forcing an upgrade. Now, I am not saying this is the case, although that is how it makes me feel.  If software only works properly with a newer OS, which I can only get for newer devices, I think this is wrong.

It seems bizarre that I can no longer get reliable connection (if at all) on my device that has given me good service for years. And, yes, I have tried the old trick of turning the device fully off, then on.

10m FT8 RX

It is very early, but nothing spotted here on 10m FT8, even though I have been on for over an hour.

UPDATE 1308z: Lots of spots of stations on 10m FT8 RX.  Best DX currently is XT2AW (4446km) in Burkina Faso.

UPDATE 1422z: Now V51B (9125km) in Namibia is the best DX copied today.