472kHz WSPR last night

EA5DOM (1525km) was spotted 18 times last night using the earth-electrode antenna, even though the direction was not optimised. On TX, with less than 10mW ERP WSPR. I was spotted by 9 unique stations (all G). Overall, I think the compromise vertical is slightly better than the earth-electrode "antenna" on 472kHz, although the earth-electrode "antenna" is surprisingly effective.

On 472kHz it was hard to see a noise peak around breakfast time with the earth-electrode "antenna". I guess it is back to the compromise vertical on 472kHz tonight to see if this is the same. My theory is this is an E-field antenna, whereas the earth-electrode "antenna" is more like an H-field antenna.

A few years ago the external noise on 472kHz was very low (less than S2). Nowadays it is S7.

Car Tax - NOT amateur radio

Through the post today I received a car-tax reminder. I went online and completed the form. It was very easy. As my car is a recent clean diesel, 12 months cost me nothing! They even send you an email to confirm you've paid - in my case nothing at all!

The fuel averages 60 miles per gallon, even motoring locally. Diesels get a bad press, but recent ones are pretty good. These days I guess we do less than 8000 miles a year- probably 5000 miles a year?

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.