WSJT-X version 2.0 coming

Amateur Radio Weekly points out that there will be some significant changes to FT8 and MSK144 when v2.0 is released, probably around the end of the year. Beta testing has still to be done. This news first appeared on the ARRL site.

UPDATE 1302z July 31st: Title changed. I had it wrong!

See http://www.arrl.org/news/view/significant-changes-in-store-for-ft8-and-msk144-with-wsjt-x-version-2-0?utm_source=amateur-radio-weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter

Bob G3WKW has pointed me to the original source http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjt-x_v2.0.txt

80m WSPR using HAARP antennas and 80kW

Southgate News has a piece about 80m WSPR tests using the massive HAARP antennas and huge powers up in Alaska. This may well be worth looking for.

At one time this was a US government facility, I believe, and the centre of all sorts of conspiracy theories!

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/july/listen-out-for-haarp-wspr-80m-transmissions.htm#.W1xyh_ZFzIU

10m WSPR TX

Yet again, I am on 10m WSPR TX (500mW) as the antenna is free. No spots yet.

UPDATE 1340z: 23 spots so far today, all Denmark and Germany.

UPDATE 1834z: FY5KE (7110km) spotted my 10m WSPR beacon at teatime. This is my best DX today.

UPDATE 2010z: 14 different stations have spotted me today. Time to go QRT.

Granddaughter and strawberries - NOT amateur radio

We spent a week in north Norfolk last week on holiday. The picture shows our granddaughter enjoying strawberries with her mum and French grandma. We ate outside most days.

Sunspots -- Saturday July 28th 2018

Solar flux is 67 today and the SSN remains zero.  A=4 and K=2.

6m FT8

As there are no storms expected today I shall probably give 6m FT8 a go shortly.

UPDATE 0845z: Best DX on 6m FT8 RX is UT4XU (1963km).

UPDATE 0958z: Best DX on 6m FT8 RX is now A45XR (5794km) in Oman in the Middle East. As this station is being very widely reported in Europe and Japan, I think this is genuine.

UPDATE 1350z: Plenty of 6m FT8 Es with stations all over Europe, Israel, the Gulf States and the Canaries spotted on 6m FT8 RX. Nothing from the Americas spotted here yet today.

UPDATE 2004z: Even now there is Es on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2024z: I was going to turn the rig off, but there are still USA stations being called by "real" stations with beams, so I decided to stay on, at least for now.  I am hopeful that even my very modest station might detect some of these DX stations on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2107z: I was right. KB4MRX (7072km) in Florida, USA spotted. Now WP4G (6803km) in Puerto Rico in the Caribbean.

Rain at last - NOT amateur radio

The last time I saw rain here in Burwell was in May. Already the storm has arrived and we have rain.

A Toast - NOT amateur radio

Whilst in north Norfolk this week we celebrated our 47th wedding anniversary with one of our sons, his children and his French in-laws. The latter bought us champagne and a surprise hamper. It was a good week with excellent weather.

Storms

Whilst in north Norfolk, we had a very violent thunderstorm in the early hours. Apparently there was one here in Burwell too this morning, along with a brief power cut. More storms are due overnight.

A good place to look is https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortung/europe/index.php?lang=en. This map can be placed anywhere in the world and zoomed in. Very useful to see how close the risk is. At the moment, I look OK to remain on until at least 1600z.

10m WSPR TX

Since getting home just before lunch, I have been on 10m WSPR TX (500mW) although up to now no spots at all received. It is now 1433z.

UPDATE 1523z:  EA1FBU (1297km) spotted me several times this afternoon on 10m WSPR before thunder forced me to go QRT.