Granddaughter time - NOT amateur radio

I don't think this has been on before. If it has, apologies.

Our grandchildren are growing up fast and I know she will not want to do this for ever. Whilst I can, I am enjoying it.

Early Halloween - NOT amateur radio

As our "London" grandchildren came up to stay this week, we had an early Halloween party with silly games they just love! Here is our elder granddaughter playing the chocolate game.

More grumpy old man stuff - NOT amateur radio

If there is one thing that really irritates me it is Christmas starting in the shops months too early! Yes, I know retailers are having a hard time on the high streets, but this is all driven by profits.

For me, Dec 1st is quite early enough for Christmas fare. Grumpy old man! This photo was shared on social media earlier.

Ferrite rod TX antennas

My page on ferrite rod TX antennas has been updated and some files added. There is now reference to the work of Giorgio Grisoni I2GSI from Italy.

Ferrite rod antennas work on TX as long as the ferrite is well matched and the ferrite is not in saturation. They may well be inefficient but this may not matter in some cases.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/ferrite_tx

2m FT8

Today I am on 2m FT8 again, mainly RX with an occasional CQ (2.5W to the omni). Yet again my CQ earlier was spotted in Cornwall.

Best DX on 2m FT8 RX is currently F4TTR (477km). Currently 19 stations spotted in 4 countries on 2m FT8 RX today (at 1126z).

UPDATE 1227z: Currently 28 stations spotted in 7 countries on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1548z: Now 37 stations in 9 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

Sunspots - Sunday October 28th 2018

Solar flux is 69 again and the SSN still zero. A=4 and K=1.

A night off

Most nights I QSY from 10m FT8 to 630m (472kHz) WSPR. Tonight I have decided not to go on any band. My rig and PC have been on continuously for several days without a break.

Knowing my luck, 472kHz propagation tonight will be amazing!

10m FT8

Most of the day I have been on 10m FT8 RX with a few CQ calls.  So far, no spots of my CQs (2.5W) and just a couple of spots on RX. One was a G and the other, my best DX, 9A7JCY (1424km) in Croatia. Most day now (near sunspot minimum) 10m is quiet although it has opened to South America quite a few times this month in the early evenings.

UPDATE 1825z: Perhaps the quietest day for years? No further spots today.

472kHz WSPR overnight

Last night was average. In all 11 stations spotted on RX and my 10mW ERP was spotted by 7 stations with best DX G4ZFQ (203km).

472kHz WSPR RX overnight

472kHz WSPR TX overnight

Amateur Radio Weekly

Most weeks I read Amateur Radio Weekly to see what is happening in the world of amateur radio. There are usually news items of interest.