New version of WSPR-X released (V1.9)

According to the Princeton site, a new improved version of WSPR-X has been made available. Better LF and MF WSPR decodes are supposed to be possible.

See https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html .

When I looked this was this was a release candidate, so there might still be some bugs?

Beast from the East - NOT amateur radio

Today, we had a few snow showers. During the week it is likely to get worse. I like the look of snow for the first day or so. After that it normally turns brown and slushy.

10m WSPR TX beacon

My 10m WSPR TX beacon (500mW) has been active all day, but as yet no spots.

UPDATE 1556z: Still no spots. I suspect this is going to be another day without WSPR spots.

UPDATE 2210z: The beacon went QRT at 2000z.

365project - NOT amateur radio

As many will know, both my wife and I do the 365project and take a photo each day. Most of these photos would not win prizes, but it is fun to look back on several years day by day. There is no connection with Microsoft Word365.

Battery technology

Although hard to admit, I am behind in battery technology. When I left commercial industry some 10 years ago, lithium polymer batteries were new.

What I do know is that electric cars still have insufficient range to allow "normal" people to be interested. Electric cars are still expensive and the ranges generally insufficient for a long journey, although probably fine for most domestic journeys such as shopping and local travel.  I note the "new" FT818 portable from Yaesu still talks about a NiMH battery pack.

There is no doubt that a breakthrough is needed still, especially for electric cars. Until the price of batteries comes down a long way, charging times are slashed and capacity dramatically increased, we are going to struggle.

Batteries need to improve on many fronts. I am sure technology has moved on, there is lots of research, but what is needed is a real breakthrough. I am pretty sure I have not missed this.

See https://www.ft.com/content/46adb98c-d8ef-11e7-9504-59efdb70e12f .

2m FT8 RX

Overnight I remained on 2m FT8 RX. Just this morning in the last few hours, I have spotted 7 unique stations in 4 countries. Best DX currently is F8COD (424km) east of Paris. Sync to internet time was checked about 50 minutes ago.

UPDATE 1215z: Currently 18 uniques in 5 countries spotted here in last 3 hours on 2m FT8 RX. Best DX is currently DF8JO (535km).

UPDATE 2152z: Earlier this evening I was briefly on 2m FT8 TX. I was copied in Devon by G4RRA (334km) as my best DX. Not bad for 2.5W and an omni antenna

Sunspots - Monday February 26th 2018

Solar flux is 69 and the sunspot number zero. A=4 and K=2.

Painted Pebbles

This was the painted pebble my granddaughter found this morning. It will be re-hidden. Finding these painted pebbles has become a craze, especially with youngsters.

Getting colder - NOT amateur radio

It is a bright and sunny day, but it is cold. This was the ice from the bird bath at noon.

2m FT8 RX

It is still good this morning. I am amazed by the stations I am spotting. It is loads and loads. Already today 20 unique stations spotted in 4 countries. Best DX is currently PD0HCV (420km).

UPDATE 1235z:  33 uniques in 6 countries so far today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1517z: 40 uniques in 6 countries in the last 12 hours. 12 uniques in 3 countries spotted in the last hour. 144.174MHz USB dial is the spot.

UPDATE 1830z: DF7DX (564km) is the  best DX currently on 2m FT8 RX.