10m FT8 RX

Although I have been active since breakfast, nothing yet spotted on 10m FT8.

UPDATE 1410z: 4 stations in 3 EU countries spotted so far on 10m FT8 today. Best DX is 9A7JCY (1426km).

UPDATE 1615z: No further 10m spots, so time to QSY to 630m WSPR.

Sunspots - Wednesday December 6th 2017

Solar flux is 67 and the sunspot number remains zero. A=29 and K=4.

472kHz WSPR

This evening and overnight I am on 472kHz WSPR using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground to see how it compares with the compromise Marconi. The latter is very poor being just the coax outer to my 2m big-wheel. It is only 4m at the highest point and much if the run is just 0.5m above ground.

OFCOM monthly report

Every month, OFCOM do a monthly report. This is December's.

See http://ofcom.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/i/BAC33FFB2B8DFF022540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

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).