New Mexico on Topband!

Overnight, I was on 160m FT8 RX. Lots of Europeans again and 8 North Americans spotted with the best DX being AA7A (8369km) in New Mexico,USA. Still using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, which has far exceeded expectations.

Worth Sharing - NOT amateur radio

This was shared on Facebook by Michael Rainey. I hope he doesn't mind me sharing this here.

Return to 160m FT8

As 10m was dire, I QSYed to 160m FT8 about 30 minutes ago. My brief CQ call (2.5W to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground) was spotted by 5 stations with best DX being DO1HJK (602km).

UPDATE 1852z: Loads of Europeans again on 160m FT8 RX with best DX RN9N (4605km).

UPDATE 2215z: Already 3 North Americans spotted on 160m FT8 this evening with the best DX being W8LRL (5919km).

Stations so far spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX

Es'hail-2 satellite launched

The latest Qatari satellite, which carries a geosynchronous amateur transponder has been launched. I expect it will be some weeks before we are fully aware of the mission's success. If it is successful, it could be transformative.

See https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/16/11/2018/Qatar-launches-Es’hail-2-satellite

Spotting pirates

This is an age-old issue. In my youth, even I was guilty, running an illegal MW TX! Mind you, with a range of maybe 20m, I doubt I caused any QRM.

On FT8, a useful trick is to see where the station is being spotted. If there are few spots close to the station's location, be suspicious. If the station is being spotted locally and across the world, it is more likely to be genuine. I know this is not a 100% sure-fire check, but if you have doubts it is worth checking.

Best night yet on 160m FT8

Overnight I was again on 160m FT8 RX. In all, 8 stations in North America spotted with the best DX being W7AL (7331km) in Idaho. This station was widely spotted in the USA and Europe, so I am pretty sure he is genuine. As before, loads of Europeans spotted.

10m FT8

Although I have been on 10m FT8 since before breakfast, no spots yet.

UPDATE 1216z: Just G0OYQ (177km) and PD1DL (328km) spotted so far on 10m FT8 RX today.

UPDATE 1735z: A poor day on 10m FT8. Just 5 UK stations and 1 in The Netherlands. Time to try 160m WSPR.

Sunspots - Friday November 16th 2018

Solar flux is 71 and the sunspot number 11. A=2 and K=0.

Now on 160m FT8

A recent 2.5W 160m FT8 CQ using the earth-electrode "antenna" was spotted by R3BB (2446km) quite strongly. I am amazed. At the moment, I am RX only on 160m FT8.

UPDATE 2158z: Lots of Europeans spotted as well as WU1ITU (4831km) in Maine, USA. I am also supposed to have spotted a station in Argentina at +7dB S/N. Most of his spots are from Europe, so I think this is a pirate.

Rallies this weekend

Saturday 17 NOVEMBER : RADARS TRADITIONAL RADIO RALLY

St Vincent de Paul's, Caldershaw Road, off Edenfield Road (A680), Norden, Rochdale, OL12 7QR. Doors open to the public at 10.30am with disabled visitors gaining access 15 minutes earlier. Admission is £2.50 with those under 12 years free. £5 per pitch (for traders with own tables) or £10 for a pitch with table provided. Bring & Buy as well as commercial traders and amateur radio sellers. Refreshments available including bacon and sausage butties. Robert, M0NVQ, m0nvq@outlook.com, 0777 811 3333.


Sunday 18 NOVEMBER : NEVADA RADIO & WATERS & STANTON OPEN DAY

Nevada Radio, 1 Fitzherbert Spur, Portsmouth PO6 1TT. First ever joint open day running from 10am to 4.30pm. Major manufacturers will be in attendance to demonstrate their latest radios. There's a free burger and coffee for every attendee (available 11am to 2pm). The main warehouse will be opened to customers to wander around and pick up many one-off deals of the day, or pick through a large selection of vintage and used radio equipment. www.nevadaradio.co.uk.


Sunday 18 NOVEMBER : 41st CATS RADIO & ELECTRONICS BAZAAR

Oasis Academy, Homefield Rd, Coulsdon CR5 1ES. Free car parking, doors open 10am, admission £1.50. Trade stands, special interest groups, refreshments. Andy Briers, G0KZT, 0772 986 6600. [https://www.facebook.com/events/437043790050777/].


Sunday 18 NOVEMBER : PLYMOUTH RADIO RALLY

Harewood House, Church Rd, Plympton PL7 1NH. Doors open at 10.30am, £2 entrance fee. David Beck, d.beck123@outlook.com www.plymouthamateurradioclub.btck.co.uk.


A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/