10m FT8

Since before breakfast I have been on 10m FT8. A brief CQ (2.5W) was spotted by no-one. So far, just M0LHS (212km) spotted here so far (0820z).

UPDATE 1038z:  Several Europeans spotted. Currently 14 stations in 8 countries spotted with best DX spotted here being RX3DHR (2532km).

UPDATE 1621z: Someone tell people 10m is not dead! And remember this is with lots of people deserting the band! So far today 24 stations in 11 countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX.

10m FT8 RX so far today

UPDATE 2002z: In the end, 25 stations in 11 countries, all European, on 10m FT8 RX today. Now time to go QRT.

Sunspots - Saturday September 8th 2018

Solar flux is 67 and the SSN 0. A=5 and K=1.

10m FT8

Since just before breakfast I have been on 10m FT8. A CQ call earlier (2.5W) was spotted by M0NPT (125km) in Nottingham. Best DX on RX is 9A7JCY (1424km) in Croatia.

UPDATE 1022z: Just called CQ again (2.5W), but no spots this time on 10m FT8.

UPDATE 1256z: So far today on 10m FT8 RX just 3 stations in 2 countries.

UPDATE 1706z: As well as more Europeans, ZS6AN (9122km) is now coming through. Now 12 stations in 8 countries.

UPDATE 1917z: A few more Europeans spotted on 10m FT8 RX, but no more real DX today.

UPDATE 2122z: QRT.

Anglesey Abbey yesterday - NOT amateur radio

This was in the rose garden yesterday at Anglesey Abbey, which is about 4 miles away from us.

Southgate News 10m Report

I have criticised this before.

The writer says this is one of the worst weeks he can remember. Whilst we are approaching sunspot minimum, I find these reports unhelpful as often the stations reporting are quite close to the DX. It says very little about how good the 10m band is for working DX.

In my view FT8 seems to cut through and find DX. If I can spot South America multiple times on 10m FT8 with my poor 10m antenna I am certain that better equipped stations can do much better.

See  http://southgatearc.org/bands/10metres/2018/september/september-05.htm#.W5GctPZFzIU

Sunspots - Friday September 7th 2018

Solar flux is 67 today and the sunspot number 0. A=6 and K=2.

That New York Times article - NOT amateur radio

Recently there was a New York Times article about what goes on in President Trump's administration. The BBC has analysed the patterns of speech in the article and possibly identified the anonymous author. Time will tell if these clues are correct.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-45435813 .

On 2m FT8 again

As 10m FT8 has "closed" for the day, I QSYed to 2m FT8 and put out a CQ call (2.5W and omni antenna).

Yet again I was spotted in Cornwall at well over 400km. This never seems to fail. Every time I call CQ on 2m FT8 I seem to get spotted a very long way away.

What a remarkable mode! I was spotted by 2 Cornish stations as well as 4 others.

Rally

Whatever happened last weekend seems to have corrected itself with this rally announcement arriving in good time.

8 SEPTEMBER 2018 : CAISTER LIFEBOAT RADIO RALLY

Tan Lane, Caister on Sea NR30 5DJ. Talk-in on S22. Doors open 9am (sellers 8am; tables indoor £10, outside £5). Raffle, onsite cafe, disabled access. Zane, 0771 121 4790, m1bfidx@ntlworld.com www.m1bfidx.wixsite.com/cl-radio-rally.

A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

Dahlias - NOT amateur radio

We live a short drive from Anglesey Abbey. At this time of the year the dahlias there are usually at their best. The colours in this one are stunning.