160m FT8 RX with the earth-electrode "antenna"

Someone suggested I try 160m FT8. Tonight I did (it is still on) and it is amazing. It is far better than I expected with lots and lots of stations spotted. Noise floor is very low and already 4 continents spotted. A very brief CQ (2.5W) was spotted by 7 stations with best DX OZ2TF (726km). It is a good match to the FT81ND without an ATU.

Buy online? - NOT amateur radio

A few weeks ago, my wife tried to buy some nail scissors locally to be told "no stock" and unlikely to be getting more in. Today, I went to a local shop specialising in photo frames and the like to buy a cardboard surround for a photo - nil stock "but we can order one". In both cases we ordered on-line instead. The scissors came in a few days and I expect the photo surround will come soon. Also, I expect both are far less expensive than buying locally!

We tried and failed to buy local. Is it any wonder high street shops are failing?

Solar cycle 25

It is a while since I saw the very latest news of the forecasts for the next peak and when the climb to it is likely to begin. We are very clearly at solar minimum.

Some forecasts were suggesting the end of the minimum as late as February 2019. It may already have passed or it could last all next year.

If you are aware of very recent forecasts, please share them with us.

Sunspots - Friday November 9th 2018

Solar flux is 69 and the sunspot number still zero. A=10 and K=1.

10m FT8

Maybe I am a sucker for punishment!  Back on 10m FT8 today, but no spots yet on TX or RX. At the moment I am just RX.

UPDATE 1406z: Lots of Europeans (24) spotted and 2 South Africans on 10m FT8 RX today.

A night off, 160m FT8 RX tonight?

Overnight I am usually on 472kHz WSPR. Last night (as I was out in the evening) I was QRT on all bands.

Someone suggested 160m FT8 with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. I might try this tonight. I suspect 160m is probably as high as I can go with this "antenna" as the effective loop size will shrink as I move ever HF. I'll stick to RX.

It is some time since I tried 160m and I cannot recall trying 160m from this QTH. Many years ago at the old QTH I built an indoor antenna for 160m which worked well.

More OFCOM news

Now, don't get too excited, but OFCOM has released "more airwaves" (sic) to industry in the 57-71GHz band without the need for a licence.

Gosh! Now go dry yourself and take a cold shower. Too much excitement is not good for your heart.

See https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-3/implementing-decisions-57-71-ghz-band

Very quiet on 10m

Although I am on 10m FT8 RX, just one UK spot so far. Very quiet here.

UPDATE 1510z: Guess who spoke too soon? DL4RCE (902km) spotted.

Ice Rink - NOT amateur radio

Every year around this time there is a fair and ice rink on Parker's Piece in Cambridge. Here they are setting up. As you can see, the weather for November here is good. In the car coming home it was 15 deg C.

472kHz WSPR overnight

Probably the best night so far this autumn. Yet again, I was spotted in Norway as well as in Scotland and several places in England.

472kHz WSPR RX last night

472kHz WSPR TX last night