Old age worries - NOT amateur radio

In a few weeks I am 70. It is hard to see where the years have flown! As we get older, there seem more things to worry us, although few younger people seem to care, which is understandable.

• Failing health (partner and yourself)
• Children and grandchildren
• Money
• Declining sexual appetite
• Mobility
• Death (partner and yourself)
• etc.

Perhaps these are sometimes best ignored.

Another 472kHz user

Jason, M1PRO has just got on 472kHz TX. He built a very neat version of the G3XBM Transverter and has been active on WSPR. I hope to spot Jason soon.

10m FT8

Since just before breakfast, I have been monitoring 10m FT8. As yet no spots at all. I'll keep trying all day, then switch to 472kHz (630m) WSPR late this afternoon probably.

UPDATE 1230z: Still no spots.

UPDATE 1500z: Just a couple of G spots today on 10m FT8.  Best 10m DX on FT8 RX is G4HZW (212km). I suspect I'll QSY to 630m sooner than planned!

Overnight on 160m FT8

Since "rolling back" to WSJT-X V1.9 I have spotted loads of stations. Last night there were 6 North American and 1 Caribbean stations spotted on 160m. Best DX spotted was K6ME (8251km) in California, USA.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 last night 
with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground

Sunspots - Monday December 3rd 2018

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN zero. A=12 and K=2.

There is little doubt we are at sunspot minimum, but the question is when will we be on the upward slope towards the peak of cycle 25?

Manhattan style

In the past, when I was fitter, a favourite method of mine for small "one off" projects was Manhattan style. This allows neat layouts without the hassle of a PCB. The copper ground-plane makes a great RF earth. I used Me pads but as Steve VE7SL's note says, you can make your own. I have used this method from VLF to VHF to optical frequencies.

Return to 160m FT8

In the last few minutes I have returned to 160m FT8, going back, for now, to WSJT-X V1.9.

A CQ call (2.5W to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground) was spotted by 3 stations in 2 countries with best DX a spot by G3TXL (360km) in west Devon.

On RX best DX is 9A3TR (1330km) with 6 stations in 3 countries spotted on 160m FT8 so far today.

UPDATE 1642z: So far today on 160m FT8 RX, 35 stations in 9 countries spotted with best DX RC9F (3504km).

UPDATE 2222z:  Lots of Europeans including Russians spotted on 160m FT8, but nothing transatlantic yet. Usually WU1ITU is the first spotted, but not tonight. Maybe this station has already moved to WSJT-X V2.0 rc5? Best DX on 160m FT8 RX is UN1L (4102km) in Kazakhstan.

Yet more houses - NOT amateur radio

It seems every available plot in our village is a great opportunity for a builder to make a quick profit. The houses in the photo were built in the last year. The problem is recalling what was there before!

2m FT8 - 77 bit (latest) version

For about 10 minutes, I have been on 2m FT8 using WSJT-X V2.0 rc5. I have been calling CQ during this period at 2.5W to the big wheel. No spots. At the moment I am RX only.

UPDATE 1140z: Well, I tried an uninstall and reinstall of WSJT-X V2.0 rc5 and still no spots! In desperation I have gone back, for now, to V1.9. Immediate spots with best DX PA3FMP (298km)!

UPDATE 1207z: Since rolling back to WSJT-X V1.9, for now,  5 stations now spotted.

UPDATE 1328z: Now 9 stations in 2 countries spotted so far today on 2m FT8..

UPDATE 1415z: Now 14 stations in 4 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX. I shall probably QSY to 160m FT8 at about 1500z.

160m FT8

As many will know, I upgraded to WSJT-X V2.0 rc5 yesterday. Despite being on all night, just the 2 spots from last evening on PSKreporter. A check on the lab PC showed quite a few stations actually received.

There can be several explanations. Firstly, my internet connection may have been non-functional at the time these signals were received. Secondly, maybe the PSKreporter site was unable to accept my reports. Thirdly, perhaps my PC failed to upload the spots, maybe due to a bug? I use Windows 10 with WSJT 2.0 and have not had any issues in the past.

If you have any explanations, I'd be interested.

There may be other reasons. By the way, I always sync to internet time before each session and use a program to always keep in sync to internet time. Timing is definitely correct.

I have done a total reboot of the PC and will see what happens on 2m FT8 today.