2m activity contest this evening

The monthly 2m UKAC was this evening. 12 contacts made in 45 minutes before my voice screamed stop! If I was able to stay on longer I am sure my 5W to my  big-wheel omni would have allowed me to work a lot more. In all, good fun.

ARRL 10m Contest - this weekend

Southgate News reminds us that the ARRL 10m contest is this weekend. With declining solar conditions, 10m is much harder than a few years ago. It's funny how dead bands come to life in a contest!

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/december/the-arrl-10-metre-contest.htm#.WiaB8kx2v4g .

Sunspots - Tuesday December 5th 2017

Solar flux is 68 today and the sunspot number still zero. A=11 and K=3.

136kHz noise

As an experiment I used my earth-electrode "antenna" on 136kHz RX last night. My attempts were hindered by very few active stations within range until 2E0ILY (209km) came on. There was a strong station on OPERA early, but I was unable to ID this station as I caught it way through the transmission. I suspect this was G3XDY.

One interesting thing was the noise floor and S/N of 2E0ILY through until now. If anything he was stronger on the earth-electrode "antenna". Noise seemed to peak around breakfast time, perhaps as locals turned on their appliances before setting off to work?

Nothing was IDed on OPERA on 136kHz last night.

I suppose tonight I shall try 472kHz WSPR with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

Seaside Winter - NOT amateur radio

This picture was taken a few years ago and shows where I came from in Devon. We have proof that our ancestors lived hereabouts in the 1400s.

Overnight on 630m WSPR

My 10mW ERP was spotted by 12 unique stations with GM0UDL (659km) my best DX. I spotted  15 uniques with best DX EA5DOM (1525km).

10m FT8 RX

Since breakfast, I have been monitoring 10m FT8 RX, but only one station copied today M0XRD (91km).  I have the feeling this is going to be a very quiet day.

Sunspots - Monday December 4th 2017

Solar flux is 68 and the sunspot number zero. A=2 and K=2.

Advent Candles - NOT amateur radio

This afternoon, after a break of several years, we attended a candlelit Advent Carol Service in the next village. The village has 2 churches in the same churchyard.

The service was spread over both churches. One was warm. The second was freezing!

10m FT8 RX

A few minutes ago, I switched to 10m FT8 RX for the day. Nothing spotted as yet.

UPDATE 1905z: No 10m FT8 RX spots all day.