472kHz WSPR

After, yet another, great day on 10m FT8 RX, I have QSYed to 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP). So far, average.

The spots on 472kHz WSPR with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground up to 2032z this evening are shown below.

Grandchildren - NOT amateur radio

We have had two of our grandchildren here this weekend.

This is one of my granddaughters having a cuddle on the settee in the lounge. It is wet outside.

They are growing up all too fast. In a few years she will not want to do this.

10m FT8

Although I am on 10m FT8 for the day, so far only 1 G spotted, although it is early.

UPDATE  1400z: Several Europeans now plus South America and Newfoundland amazingly!

UPDATE 1458z: No further South Americans spotted yet on 10m FT8 RX. I suppose the reception of VO1HP (3744km) earlier only proves the band was "open" in that direction briefly, perhaps just 15 seconds, but at least this proves there was propagation. Without FT8 this would probably not have been possible. FT8 works with weak signals, is widely monitored and all activity is concentrated in a few kilohertz of the band.

UPDATE 1502z: 4 continents spotted today already on 10m FT8 RX at close to the sunspot minimum. Imagine the next maximum on 10m FT8!

UPDATE 1845z: Lots and lots of South Americans now coming through with LU8XAF (13414km) as the best DX on 10m FT8 RX.

472kHz WSPR overnight

Not a bad night. I was spotted by 8 stations (10mW ERP) and I spotted 10 stations.

Sunspots - Sunday October 14th 2018

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 22. A=14 and K=2.

Abandoned boat? - NOT amateur radio

This boat was seen at Lakenheath Fen last week. It looks abandoned.  A lot of the lakes there were dried up as we have had little rain this summer.

Khashoggi disappearance - NOT amateur radio

It bothers me that the UK government wants to do business with Saudi Arabia and get them to fight wars on our behalf. In many ways this Middle East state appears out of step with values we hold dear.

The disappearance in Turkey of a critic of the regime makes us all the more suspicious. There may be an innocent explanation, but at the moment it looks murky.

In my view the current government is afraid of losing military contracts, so turns a blind eye on the kingdom's dirt. Moral high ground? We have none. The UK seems as bad as the rest.

472kHz WSPR last night

In the end, 5 stations spotted me and 10 stations were spotted here with best DX EA4GHB (1300km). An average night with my 10mW ERP and earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground on MF.

Unique stations spotted on 630m WSPR in last day

10m FT8 (mostly RX)

There is more activity on 10m FT8 than 10m WSPR. I think the shorter time periods help. So I am trying 10m FT8 today. So far, 3 stations spotted in 3 countries with best DX on 10m FT8 RX F1RAD 867km).

UPDATE 1228z: 6 stations in 4 countries spotted so far today on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1423z: Plenty of South Americans and the Falkland Isles coming through on 10m FT8 RX. It seems every day I try 10m FT8 I get real DX and this is near sunspot minimum! Best DX on 10m FT8 RX is VP8LP (12773km).

UPDATE  1452z: Even more South Americans and Falkland Is stations being spotted here now on 10m FT8. Sadly my 2.5W QRP CQ on 10m FT8 was spotted by no-one just now!

UPDATE 1529z: Currently 13 stations in South America spotted today on 10m FT8 RX.

Cambridge Bikes - NOT amateur radio

Yes, there are lots of bikes in Cambridge.

It is flat and the traffic can be bad, so people often use bikes to get around the city.