Sun in the trees - NOT amateur radio

As the sun was shining, we visited Brandon Country Park this morning. As it is winter the trees are bare so you can see more. Not much life stirring yet.

10m FT8 RX

Since breakfast, I have been on 10m FT8 RX. As yet, no spots.

UPDATE 1347z: Just a single spot late this morning of EI7HDB (478km) which I reckon was aircraft reflection.

UPDATE 1616z: Apart from local G4AWP (19km) no other new 10m spots today. Dire!

UPDATE 1912z: Well, although not uploaded to PSK Reporter Maps I spotted PU4ISA (GG89) in Brazil.

630m last night

In the end I just remained on until the shack PC's battery went flat. This was just after 0300z. The batteries last a long time! 

On WSPR G3XIZ, G8HUH and 2E0ILY were copied and G3XDV copied on OPERA. If I am honest, I was disappointed.

Sunspots - Thursday February 1st 2018

Solar flux is 68 today and the sunspot number 13. A=6 and K=0.

LF RX

At the moment I am monitoring 136kHz WSPR RX and OPERA RX. As yet, nothing copied.

UPDATE 2006z: G3XIZ copied on 136kHz WSPR.

Backscatter

From Southgate News I see that back issues of Backscatter (the microwave newsletter) are available free online as pdfs.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/january/backscatter-available-as-free-pdf.htm#.WnHmYUx2vIU

OFCOM

I am really trying hard to contain my excitement following the earth shattering news from OFCOM today. If you have a weak heart, maybe you should not read it.

OFCOM today published the details of when forms to be used by applicants who wish to bid for 2.3 and 3.4GHz spectrum need to be returned and the deposits.

Now, get back on your chair and get a strong cup of tea. Gosh, this is so exciting! Contain yourselves, please.

See https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0021/110487/application-date-deposit-notice.pdf

LF disappointment

Yesterday evening and overnight I was on 136kHz WSPR RX with a preamp in circuit. Only 2 stations were spotted - G3XIZ (46km) and G8HUH (250km) and, if I am honest, the preamp made little difference, whereas I was hoping for much more.

With G3XIZ there may have been a slight improvement but with G8HUH he was no better. I am not quite sure what this is telling me. I think it means external noise is the limiting factor at this QTH. Unless I take further steps to reduce the external noise I am unlikely to spot many more stations. There was one station on OPERA (G3XDV?) who was quite strong, but I did not have any OPERA software running. I shall try again tonight. If possible, I'll run both WSPR and OPERA software at the same time.

10m FT8 RX

Well, I have been on since breakfast and have spotted 4 stations in 4 EU countries. Best DX was CT1LT (1436km). Not bad so far today.

UPDATE 1425z:  G4CJC (74km) spotted.

UPDATE 1538z:  ZS6BUN (9130km) spotted. Real DX.

UPDATE 1932z: No further spots today. I was expecting to spot South Americans. Soon be time to QSY to LF.

Sunspots - Tuesday January 31st 2018

Solar flux is 69 today and the sunspot number is 15. A=5 and K=0.