One of our grandaughters - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday we went to Kent to see our son and family. They live east of Canterbury in a cottage dating from the 1700s.

Our granddaughter likes dancing and has a fine voice when she sings. The photo shows her in her front garden.

2m FT8

As I was away most of yesterday l stayed on 2m FT8 overnight. Currently 37 different stations spotted in the last 12 hours with a couple of stations  in northernmost Spain.

UPDATE 1044z: Well, I was copied with my 2.5W to an omni in NW Spain on 2m! So far today, 44 stations in 6 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX. EA1UR (1192km) is my best DX on RX and TX.  After replying to my CQ he was lost in QSB.

Note the station in NW Spain who copied my QRP 2m signal

UPDATE 1425z: Now 57 stations in 7 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX today so far.

UPDATE 1452z: A recent 2m FT8 CQ (2.5W to the omni) resulted in no QSOs, but I was spotted (again) by G7RAU (461km) and GI6ATZ (479km), as well as others. On FT8 it seems the impossible is possible.

2m FT8

We have just got back from seeing our son's family in Kent and I decided to try 2m FT8.

Best DX spot for my 2.5W CQ to my big-wheel was M0MST (162km). On 2m FT8 RX the best DX so far is DJ6AG (689km). So far, 6 stations in 3 countries spotted.

UPDATE 2016z:  Now 28 stations in 8 countries with best DX on 2m FT8 RX EA1UR (1195km) in north west Spain.

Sunspots - Saturday September 29th 2018

Solar flux is 66 (very low) and the sunspot number zero. A=8 and K=2.

QRT on all bands

At about 2015z I pulled the big switch and went QRT on all bands. I should be back on later tomorrow. 2m FT8 was great and there was even some activity on 10m FT8.

National Hamfest (Newark)

Friday and Saturday is the National Hamfest in Newark. This is the biggest rally in the UK.  The main dealers will be there with some bargains. Among them is MLS. If you are after a deal, now is probably a good time.

See https://www.hamradio.co.uk/

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

Although active for several hours, no spots as yet.

UPDATE 1624z: Six spots this morning by EA8BFK (2880km). I guess this is F2.

2m FT8

A CQ call (2.5W to the omni) just before breakfast was spotted by 5 stations in 2 countries. Yet again G7RAU (461km) in IN79 square copied me. This never seems to fail. Currently I am RX only.

UPDATE 1158z: At present 16 stations in 4 countries spotted so far on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1600z: 22 stations in 5 countries now on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1830z: 29 stations in 7 countries today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1915z: 32 stations in 7 countries today with best DX DJ6AG (689km).

Last swallow (bird)? - NOT amateur radio

Swallows migrate to us for the summer to breed and fly off deep into southern Africa for the winter. I guess food is easier to find but it is a very long way.

At breakfast I saw one solitary swallow and that may be the last here now until next April. There were 40000 seen at Slapton, Devon a few days ago presumably as they gathered to feed prior to migrating south.

Safe trip and hopefully see you next spring.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swallow/

Sunspots - Friday September 28th 2018

Solar flux is 67 today and the SSN still zero. A=7 and K=3.