2m FT8

So far 7 unique stations in 2 countries spotted so far on 2m FT8 RX.

Yet again my 2.5W QRP to my big-wheel omni CQ was widely spotted including by G7RAU (461km) on the Lizard in Cornwall. Just a QSO with G8ALS again.

UPDATE 1045z: Now 16 different stations in 4 countries on 2m FT8 RX with best DX DF7IW (612km). Omni antenna still.

UPDATE 1245z: 19 different stations in 4 countries today so far on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1509z: Now 28 different stations in 4 countries spotted here today so far on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1920z: EA1UR (1195km) in  the north of Spain is currently the best DX on 2m FT8 RX. Pretty sure he is genuine as he is getting strong reports from relatively near Spanish stations. He is being widely received. Not sure if this is tropo, aircraft reflection, or a combination of both. Anyway, I am pretty sure this is among the best DX on 2m ever, excluding Es.

Today's stations spotted on 2m FT8 RX

472kHz WSPR last night

Using my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground I was spotted by 8 different stations with the furthermost being PA0EHG (296km).

Sunspots - Tuesday September 25th 2018

Solar flux is 67 today and the sunspot number remains 0. A=7 and K=3.

472kHz WSPR

As a test, I am trying 472kHz WSPR using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground with WSJT-X V2.0 rc1 and 10mW ERP. On TX it seems to work with a spot from G8LCO (58km), although I have yet to spot anyone on RX.

UPDATE 2100z: F1AFJ (607km) now spotted on RX. G4ZFQ (203km) also spotting me on TX.

UPDATE 2124z: Several spots now.

WSJT-X V2.0 rc1

This is new software which I downloaded this evening. A brief CQ on 2m FT8 (2.5W to my omni antenna) resulted in no QSOs but was spotted in Devon and Cornwall, yet again, amongst other places. It seems to work, although nothing seen, as yet, on RX.

So far, no issues here with Windows 10.

UPDATE 2010z: First station spotted on RX with the new software - M0CDL (168km) NW Birmingham.

OFCOM - new board (bored?) members

Gosh! I get so excited reading this!

OFCOM has 2 new board members. Such thrilling news that I just had to share.

As far as I can tell, neither knows anything about radio technology. If I am wrong I'll happily eat humble pie. As I have said many times before, these days OFCOM seems only interested in money. Look at the attributes and career history of these two ladies.

See https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/latest/media/media-releases/2018/two-board-members-appointed

Bring back real enforcement and stop messing around!

Country house window - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows a window at nearby Anglesey Abbey, near Cambridge, UK.

It is a very English scene, complete with creepers, roses and leaded windows. We are lucky to have this National Trust property and extensive grounds just a few miles away.

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

As the antenna is available, I am again on 10m WSPR TX (500mW,) although no-one has spotted me yet. I have been on for about 2 hours. This time last year I was widely spotted around Europe.

UPDATE 1652z: No spots of my 500mW WSPR beacon yet today.

Sunspots - Monday September 24th 2018

Solar flux is 67 and the SSN zero. A=12 and K=2.

2m FT8

A CQ call a few minutes ago was spotted by 5 stations in 2 countries again including 2 Cornish stations when I was again running just 2.5W to the omni. It seems that with FT8 anything is possible at any time with flat conditions. BTW I had a QSO with G8ALS again.

UPDATE 0900z:  Best DX on RX is F4TTR (477km).

UPDATE 1142z: 10 stations in 2 countries spotted so far on 2m FT8 RX today.

UPDATE 1653z: Now 16 stations in 3 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2135z: When I went QRT about an hour ago I was up to 19 stations in 4 countries spotted today.