70cm UKAC activity contest last night

Once a month the RSGB holds a 70cm activity contest. I made no contacts! Not even one!  I had my brother staying, so was on for even less time than normal, but it was very quiet here with very few stations heard. In the end I gave up and went back to 160m FT8 RX.

Sunspots - Wednesday November 14th 2018

The pits!

Solar flux is 66 and the sunspot number 11. A=4 and K=1.

Own goal? - NOT amateur radio

Sorry, but President Trump seems to like own goals.

His latest swipe is against the French president Macron, allegedly. Sometimes he would increase his ratings by just shutting up. I want to swear, but I had better not! To many outside of the USA he does himself no favours.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-46198297

Local pub - NOT amateur radio

Although I am not a great drinker, my brother, who is up for a few days from Devon by train, enjoys his pint at the local.

Again on 160m FT8

For the last few hours I have again been on 160m FT8. Yet again, I am amazed by the sheer number of stations spotted. It must be approaching, if not exceeding, 200 unique stations with the best DX on 160m FT8 RX being UN1L (4102km). Once again, I am using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. A very brief CQ (2.5W) was spotted by G3RLE (225km),

10m FT8 RX

Although I have been monitoring 10m FT8 RX most of the day, just 33 EU stations spotted and no "real DX". Actually. considering this is sunspot minimum and well outside of the Es season, perhaps I should be grateful. I am sure better equipped stations with better 10m antennas will have done better.

Sunspots return! - Tuesday November 13th 2018

Solar flux is 67 and the sunspot number 15. Yes, real sunspots! A=9 and K=1.

Overnight on 160m FT8

In total, 4 transatlantic stations spotted on 160m FT8 with the best DX being AJ4A (6446km) in Kentucky.

QSY to 160m FT8

As there seemed no more "real DX" coming through on 10m, I have QSYed to 160m FT8. Best DX on 160m FT8 RX with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground is RK4F (2969km). As yet, no spots of my earlier 160m FT8 2.5W CQ.

UPDATE 2110z: The first transatlantic station on 160m FT8 RX was spotted at 2054z tonight.

Damn Black Friday - NOT amateur radio

In the UK we DO NOT WANT it!!! This is a USA thing with the motive of making us spend more sooner. In my view, this is just about money making.

Keep it!