African migrant birds - NOT amateur radio

The African migrant birds seem to have gone. Swifts went several weeks ago and house martins and swallows seem to have largely gone. There may be the odd straggler. It is just possible that one or two might try to stay over the winter near the coast. 

It is some weeks now since I last saw a swallow. Come next April, they will be back. In the meantime, safe journeys! 

Soon we might see migrants from the north, who think it is mild here!

Village Walk - NOT amateur radio

At the weekend, we did a walk in the village and my wife made this collage. Despite the size, it still feels like a village.

Overnight on 472kHz WSPR

Not a bad night.

Best DX on RX was EA7HPM (1726km) who was one of 11 different stations spotted. On TX (10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground) I was spotted by 9 different stations.

10m FT8

This morning, I decided to go on 10m FT8. An earlier CQ was spotted by no-one, but on RX I have spotted 3 stations in 2 countries. Although these could be tropo, I suspect some are aircraft reflections.

UPDATE 0936z: Looks like I caught some 10m Es! A CQ (2.5W) on 10m FT8 was spotted in 3 southern European nations and EA1UY (1306km) was worked. In all 11 different stations spotted so far on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1152z:  52 stations in 13 countries already spotted on 10m FT8 RX. Best DX is ZS6WB (9094km). Dead band?

UPDATE 1455z: CE5AUC (12196km) in Chile, South America now being spotted on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1720z: VP8LP (12773km) in the Falkland Islands now being spotted on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1930z: Pinch me! This really is sunspot minimum? So many DX stations on 10m FT8 RX today that I can hardly believe it.

Sunspots - Monday October 8th 2018

Solar flux is 69 today and the sunspot number back to zero. A=26 and K=5.

MF WSPR

10m WSPR as been given up today as a lost cause and I am now on 472kHz (630m) WSPR with 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. G3KEV (232km) spotted, of course as he has huge antennas, and 3 spots of me.

UPDATE 2112z: So far this evening 9 spots of others with best DX LA8AV (1035km) and 3 spots of my 10mW ERP.

What a difference - 2m and 6m FT8

Outside of the Es season there is a huge difference between 2m FT8 and 6m FT8.  2m seems to be very busy indeed, whereas 6m FT8 is almost devoid of activity.

Any of my QRP CQs is spotted by loads of stations on 2m FT8 whereas I'd be very lucky to be spotted at all on 6m FT8. Although I have been on 6m FT8 all day, I have spotted just one station here. On 2m FT8 yesterday I had already spotted loads of stations in 7 countries in the same period.

During the Es season 6m FT8 is much busier. I guess 2m FT8 is a safe bet with tropo and aircraft reflection. It is a pity more don't stay on 6m outside the Es season to see how it behaves.

10m WSPR

As the HF antenna is available, I am on 10m WSPR TX (500mW). If I get any spots during the day it will be a bonus!

The beacon does not need a PC and is totally stand-alone. It is 100% TX but randomly changes frequency within the 200Hz window every 2 minutes. It has been on for about 20 minutes so far. No spots!

UPDATE 1830z: Still no spots. QRT soon.

St Ives (Cambridgeshire) - NOT amateur radio

My wife made this collage of our trip last week to St Ives (Cambs).

It makes a good summary of our trip, which is why it is included here.

At the top is the famous bridge and at the bottom is the market.

Sunspots - Sunday October 7th 2018

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN has returned to zero. A=6 and K=0.