Sunspots - Sunday February 11th 2018

Solar flux is 78 today and the sunspot number a respectable 35. A=6 and K=0.

472kHz WSPR RX

After a really disappointing day on 10m FT8 RX, I have returned to 630m WSPR RX. Already 8 unique stations spotted with best DX EA5DOM (1525km). I am still using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

UPDATE 2010z: Now 12 unique stations so far spotted this evening.

UPDATE 2306z: Now 18 uniques this evening.

The "real" FT818 FCC type approval

It appears the FT817nd replacement (the FT818) has been granted FCC approval. Details are sketchy and all my information so far is second-hand. It would be good to see information on the Yaesu site. Expect heavy discounting of the FT817nd to clear shelves in readiness for the FT818.

See http://radioaficion.com/news/yaesu-ft-818/

No mention of it on the Yaesu (Japan) site http://www.yaesu.com/jp/en/products/index.html#

10m FT8 RX

Have been on 10m FT8 RX for about an hour. DO1MBV (721km) is the only station spotted so far.

UPDATE 1750z: No further 10m FT8 spots here today. Soon be time to QSY to 630m WSPR RX. I'll wait until after tea time.

Freesias - NOT amateur radio

Freesias, with their fantastic scent, brighten up dull winter days. Even with the remnants of my cold, I can still smell these.

472kHz WSPR RX overnight

With 20 unique stations spotted overnight (all EU) on the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, this was a pretty decent evening and overnight session. I shall probably try again tonight.

Despite the wide spread of EU stations, I have yet to spot any USA stations on the earth-electrode "antenna" on this band. This surprises me as the earth-electrode "antenna" seems to out-perform my compromise Marconi.

Next season, I shall definitely be trying an E-field probe on MF and LF receive.

Micro sized UHF transceiver

If you are after a truly miniature transceiver maybe this will fit the bill? It is also sold via Amazon, but when I looked it said "currently unavailable".

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/2017-New-Mini-Transceiver-ANYSECU-KBL-A8-Two-way-radio-Walkie-talkie-Red-Color-UHF-400/1759260_32837238033.html

See also
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/2Pcs-LEIXEN-VV-109-UHF-400-480MHz-USB-MINI-Radio-Transceiver-Small-Sized-Useful/282834195560?_trkparms=ao%3D1%26asc%3D20170803111724%26meid%3Dba290b48893244f89e6d4044f1ab657b%26pid%3D100508%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26%26itm%3D282834195560&_trksid=p2045573.c100508.m3226

Sunspots - Saturday February 10th 2018

Solar flux is 77. Sunspot number is 23. A=5 and K=2. This is the highest flux and sunspot numbers for some time and bucks the trend towards the next minimum.

Return to 472kHz WSPR RX

After a break, I returned to 472kHz WSPR RX at about 1950z. Quite a few spots already including some stations I have not seen before this season. As before, I am still using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. There would seem to be far more stations on MF WSPR than on LF WSPR.

UPDATE 2020z: So far, 11 unique stations spotted.

UPDATE 2310z:  For a while I have the shack PC on charge, so I can go on 472kHz WSPR RX overnight with a low noise floor. I'll put the shack PC back on battery power for the overnight period.

Fewer rallies?

On Southgate News I read about there being just one Kempton rally this year rather than two.

The organisers mention several reasons, but our hobby is going to change as people die and fewer young people enter the hobby. At one time, it was a chance to see, maybe buy, a glossy new radio. These days many do this online, checking reviews and downloading brochures.

I have cautioned before, but I think we'll see fewer new radios, fewer magazines and less activity in the next 10-20 years. As I have said before, I hope I am proved very wrong.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/february/kempton-rally.htm#.Wn3I70x2vIU