160m FT8 RX overnight

In all, 9 North Americans spotted in topband FT8 overnight, as well as loads and loads of Europeans. Best DX was W5XZ (7555km) in Texas, USA. As before, using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

432MHz UKAC Activity Contest

Every month, the RSGB organises an activity contest. On the second Tuesday it is the 432MHz contest. As I have no suitable antennas, I use either my 2m halo or 2m big wheel antenna and 5W from my FT817ND. Before my voice shouted "stop!" I worked 4 stations as shown on the map.

Top band FT8

G8BCG (394km) was worked when I was running 2.5W from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. On topband FT8 RX so far, loads of Europeans with best DX on RX RV6ADY (2980km).

UPDATE 2242z: No stations in North America spotted yet on 160m FT8 RX, but plenty of Europeans.

10m FT8

Since late morning, I have been on 10m FT8 RX. So far today, just one G spot on 10m FT8 RX G4SWR (149km).

UPDATE 1715z: Just a couple of G spots. Time to QSY to 160m.

Hacked - NOT amateur radio

One of my friends had his PayPal account hacked out of the blue. Luckily, he got his money back. He has no idea how this happened.

It is a good idea to:

• check accounts regularly and often
• use strong passwords
• change passwords often.

He also suggested https://passwordsgenerator.net/ to generate strong passwords

Homely kitchen - NOT amateur radio

Our kitchen can certainly not be classed as "clinical". Yes, we clean sides and floor regularly, but we have postcards and posters on the walls and enjoy breakfast at the table overlooking the windmill. When people stay they enjoy breakfasts relaxing.

Norway again on 472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP)

Yet again LA3EQ (769km) in Norway spotted me last night on 472kHz WSPR. I have now lost count of how many times he has spotted my signal this season. I very much appreciate these spots.

Sunspots - Tuesday December 11th 2018

Solar flux is 70 and the sunspot number back to zero. A=11 and K=2.

Angry sky - NOT amateur radio

At the moment, it gets dark early. From later this week the evenings get lighter, although mornings get darker until early January. With "our" windmill in the foreground the angry sky late today was great. Roll on warm summer evenings! It only seems 5 minutes since it got dark at 10pm!

See https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/

472kHz WSPR overnight

Not the best of nights for me with just 7 spots of my 10mW ERP, with the best DX spot being by PD0OHW (459km). On RX, 18 stations spotted including 3 LAs.