10m FT8 RX

Since just before breakfast, I have been monitoring 10m FT8 again. No spots at all so far this morning. Mind you, this is hardly surprising looking at the solar numbers. It is also quite early. This was posted at 0940z.

UPDATE 1348z: Still no 10m FT8 spots here. Not even a G.

UPDATE 1417z: Just G4CJC (74km) so far today on 10m FT8.

Sunspots - Monday February 19th 2018

Solar flux is 69 and the sunspot number back at zero. A=14 and K=5. Yes, we are back to deteriorating solar conditions.

472kHz WSPR RX last night

17 uniques spotted last night. All EU stations and none from the USA again.

It seems I am destined not to spot USA stations with my earth-electrode "antenna" on 472kHz. This is odd, as I am hearing plenty of EU stations well off the best directions. I would have thought I'd have spotted USA stations as they are off the end of the "loop", so in the best direction.

Perhaps I should revert to my compromise Marconi, which is less good than the earth-electrode "antenna" with most stations. Mind you, the only time this season I have copied the USA on 472kHz was with the Marconi. Honestly, this is a very bad antenna!

Back on 472kHz WSPR RX

At the moment, I am back on 472kHz WSPR RX. So far, 4 unique stations spotted.

UPDATE 1908z:  Best DX is currently LA8AV (1035km).

UPDATE 2051z: Now 5 uniques. Slow start.

UPDATE 2126z:  EA7HPM (1726km) now the best DX with 9 uniques spotted.

UPDATE 2207z: Now 11 uniques. Soon be time to go QRT temporarily whilst the shack PC battery charges.

UPDATE 2220z: Now charging the shack PC battery, so temporarily OFF. It says it will be fully charged in 47 minutes, so I'll probably go back on battery power around 2300z. My intention is to go back on battery power overnight.

Sunspot Cycle 25

Sunspots with the correct polarity for cycle 25 (the next cycle) are already starting to appear. The next minimum is likely to be 2018-2020 and the forecasts for the next maximum are not great.

See http://www.solen.info/solar/cycles1_to_present.html

Painted pebbles - NOT amateur radio

Certainly in our village, this craze has really taken off. The idea is you hide a painted stone which others search for and find. They take a photo and post it on social media (we have our own village Facebook group) and hide the stone in a different place. This is great fun for the children. We found one yesterday outside a local church.

10m FT8 RX

Since breakfast, I have been on 10m FT8 RX. So far 1 G and 2 LAs spotted.

UPDATE 1320z: 9 stations in 4 EU countries so far today. Aircraft reflections? Best DX still LA1KUA (1182km).

UPDATE 1815z:  Now 11 stations spotted on 10m FT8 today. No new spots for ages, so soon be time to QSY to 472kHz WSPR RX.

Churches blog updated - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday I updated the churches blog at https://eachurches.blogspot.co.uk/ .  Snailwell church dates from the 11th century. There are only 2 churches with round towers in Cambridgeshire , but lots in Norfolk.

Sunspots - Sunday February 18th 2018

Solar flux is 72 today and the sunspot number 12. A=12 and K=2.

472kHz WSPR RX

Last night, I was on 472kHz WSPR RX again. In all, 14 unique stations spotted, which was the same as the night before, so rather disappointing. All EU only.