10m FT8

At this time of the year and at this part of the solar cycle, 10m is likely to be erratic. A few days ago, it was wide open to Europe and DX parts, whereas today here nothing as yet.

I called CQ on FT8 but got no spots at all. As yet - been on 10m FT8 for about 30 minutes - nothing spotted. Things may change or this may be another day without spots.

At least with FT8 we are all in the same spot of the band (within a 2kHz or so window) and FT8 will winkle out anything if it is there.

UPDATE 1128z:  Just a couple of Gs spotted so far on 10m FT8. A CQ (2.5W) a few moments ago was not spotted by anyone.

UPDATE 1800z: Now plenty of South Americans (and others) coming through on 10m FT8 RX. A recent CQ (2.5W) was spotted in Uruguay although no QSOs resulted. CX3DDO (11122km) was my best DX on 10m FT8 TX, and we are close to sunspot minimum!

10m FT8 TX (2.5W CQ)

10m FT8 RX (to 1810z)

UPDATE 1840z: The band seems to have closed now.

UPDATE 1912z: PY and VP8 still being copied at 1852/3z.

Fewer young people drinking in the UK - NOT amateur radio

Official figures out today suggest fewer young people are now drinking in the UK. This is a good thing.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-45807152

Sunspots - Wednesday October 10th 2018

Solar flux is 69 today and the sunspot number zero. A=21 and K=4.

RSGB Convention

12-14 OCTOBER : RSGB CONVENTION

Kent's Hill Park Training and Conference Centre, Swallow House, Timbold Drive, Kent's Hill Park, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK7 6BZ. The Convention programme of lectures for all interests will be available on the website. Principal sponsor Martin Lynch & Sons. www.rsgbevents.org.

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

Night off

After the excitement today on 2m FT8 and the 70cm activity contest this evening, I am now QRT on all bands. At this moment I am unsure what I'll try tomorrow.

70cm activity contest (UKAC)

Tonight is the 70cm leg of the RSGB's activity contest starting at 1900z. It lasts for 2.5 hours. As usual, I shall be on briefly using 5W SSB to my 2m halo. Despite this being a poor 70cm antenna, it matches well and I usually make a few contacts. My voice usually asks me to stop after about 30-45 minutes, HI.

UPDATE 2002z: Just a single QSO with G4CLA (105km). Heard a few others but I could not hang around.

472kHz WSPR overnight

Last night was very average for me. In all, I spotted 7 unique stations and my 10mW ERP was spotted by 4 unique stations. I have seen much better!

Conkers - NOT amateur radio

Do kids collect fewer conkers these days? There were loads on the ground in our churchyard at the weekend.

Debuginnovations - NOT amateur radio (mostly)

My rally information comes via a member of the Cambridge Radio Club. I am not a member these days as I detest night driving.  I post on (and read) their Facebook page most weeks. At one time I was on the CDARC committee.

I think the member must work at  http://www.debuginnovations.com/company_info.htm 
which is in Swavesey, near Cambridge, UK. I think this must be a start-up company, but I have no connections.

USA Microwave Meeting

11-14 OCTOBER : MICROWAVE UPDATE 2018

Holiday Inn Dayton, Fairborn, Ohio (near Dayton), USA. 

An international conference dedicated to microwave equipment design, construction, and operation. Hosted by The Midwest VHF/UHF Society, go to www.microwaveupdate.org/ for more information.

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