Exhaustion - NOT amateur radio

This is probably an after-effect of my stroke 5 years ago. Every morning after breakfast I am totally exhausted. I need to rest and do very little. Then I feel a bit better. Compared with 6 years ago, I am much more clumsy and lacking in energy. A few nights ago I dreamt I could run. Sadly, it was just a dream.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/stroke

Sunspots - Monday October 29th 2018

Solar flux is 67 (low) and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=1.

2m FT8

After a night on MF WSPR I have returned to 2m FT8. A 2.5W CQ to the omni was spotted in 3 countries with the best DX being a spot by F4IAA (802km) south of Limoges.  Yet again I was spotted in Cornwall.

UPDATE 1020z:  Currently 7 stations in 3 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX today. Best DX spotted is DF3JR (439km). Interestingly, my own CQ calls were spotted further than I have so far spotted myself.

UPDATE 1153z:  Now 12 stations in 5 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1738z: Now 32 stations in 7 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

472kHz WSPR

As 28MHz FT8 was not very productive this evening I have now QSYed to MF. My first 2 minute transmission (10mW ERP) was spotted by 4 stations. No great DX, but an encouraging start.

Best DX so far on 472kHz WSPR RX is DF1VB (506km).

UPDATE 2204z: PA3ABK (306km) is the best DX on 472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP) this evening.

472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP) this evening

QSYed to 10m FT8

Hoping to see if there are any South Americans on 10m FT8 RX, I have just QSYed from 2m FT8. I put out a brief CQ (2.5W). Unsurprisingly, no spots! On RX , no spots either.

UPDATE 1954z:  Only a couple of spots on 10m FT8 RX: 2E1CIT (94km) and F5BQV (561km) in Brittany. No South Americans.

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.