630m WSPR last night

After a promising start yesterday evening, the overnight period was disappointing with no new stations spotting my 10mW ERP and no new stations spotted here. In all, I was spotted by 10 uniques with best DX Norway again - LA3EQ (769km), and I spotted just 6 uniques. 630m was disappointing.

Sunspots - Thursday December 21st 2017

Solar flux is 73 today. Sunspot number is still zero. A=5 and K=0.

UPDATE 1626z: The sunspot number has climbed to 16.

6m MSK144 RX

Since breakfast, I have been on 6m MSK RX (50.280MHz) hoping to catch either random MS or aircraft reflections. So far, just GW4MBN (347km) spotted this morning.

On 630m WSPR again

As 6m MSK144 RX was not producing lots today, I have returned to 630m WSPR (10mW ERP, 20%). Overnight my best DX (on TX) was just OR7T (337km).

I am intrigued to see how I get on with just a ferrite rod antenna only. I may try this this evening if I can match it. The coax up to my 2m big-wheel is very non-resonant! You may remember many years ago I had some success on TX WSPR with a ferrite rod only on 30m and 40m.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/ferrite_tx .

UPDATE 1536z: My transmission at 1530z was just the ferrite rod antenna as an E-field antenna on the bench. I am now on the ferrite rod as a RX only antenna..

UPDATE 1850z: Well for once I am happy that the test with just a ferrite rod antenna failed. Not a single spot given or received with just the ferrite rod, but spots both given and received as soon as the "big"antenna (relative term!) was reconnected. Now back on 630m WSPR using the ferrite rod as the ATU to load up the coax to my 2m big-wheel, which is far from ideal!

UPDATE 1925z:  My QRPP 630m WSPR signal has already been copied in Norway and Belgium this evening. Are conditions up?

UPDATE 2012z: Already 9 unique stations spotting my 10mW ERP this evening. Best DX spot is by LA3EQ (769km). Conditions seem promising.

Bury St Edmunds market - NOT amateur radio

We love shopping in this old Suffolk market town, especially the market that has some real bargains. At the moment it has a bit of a Christmas theme!

6m MSK144 RX

All morning, I have been on 6m MSK144 RX (50.280MHz). So far, 6 unique stations in 4 countries, all in the British Isles.

Sunspots - Wednesday December 20th 2017

Solar flux is 71 today. Sunspot number is zero. A=6 and K=1.

Hamnet

Before reading about this via Southgate News today, I had no idea about this high speed pan-European network. It is widespread in Germany. Novice licencees in Germany are to be allowed the bands to access this.

630m WSPR

As usual, I was on 630m WSPR overnight (10mW ERP, 20%). An uneventful night. I copied just 6 uniques with best DX LA8AV (1035km) and I was spotted by just 6 unique stations with just G8HUH (250km) as my best report. Unimpressive!

First snowdrops - NOT amateur radio

As mentioned yesterday, we saw our first snowdrops this winter at nearby Anglesey Abbey yesterday. Another month and there will be carpets of them.