Hacking attempt? - NOT amateur radio

For quite a time now, the hackers seem to have left me alone. When I checked visitor numbers earlier, they had leapt to unheard of numbers. Now I can't believe that my modest comments suddenly captured the imagination of the amateur radio world. Either this is a mistake by Google or a deliberate hacking attempt. I shall have to check my other blogs.

UPDATE 1637z: All blogs are the same! I suspect a Google error.

Overnight on 160m FT8 RX

Last night 4 transatlantic stations were spotted on 160m FT8 RX including a Canadian quite early on. As on previous nights, absolutely loads of Europeans spotted.

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.