160m FT8 RX

Following my usual routine, I have now moved to 160m FT8 RX. Despite decoding loads of stations with the first few minutes, none of these have appeared on PSKreporter maps. This is odd as I re-synced the PC to internet time at the same time. It is either due to a lack of internet connectivity at my end or at the PSKreporter end.

UPDATE 1715z: All seems to be working again!

UPDATE 2110z: As well as loads of Europeans,WU1ITU (4831km) was first spotted here on 160m FT8 RX at 2104z.

Now on 10m FT8

At 0916z, I QSYed to 10m FT8 RX from topband. As I left 160m, there was an EI calling CQ. As yet, not unexpectedly, no spots on 10m FT8.

UPDATE 1201z: No 10m spots yet.

UPDATE 1302z: Just 1 spot so far on 10m FT8 RX: G0BNR (37km) - such great DX!

UPDATE 1500z: 4 stations in 2 countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX today. Best DX is DG1RUG (554km).

Overnight on 160m FT8 RX

In all, 19 North Americans spotted on 160m FT8 last night, with a couple still being spotted not long before breakfast. Best DX spotted was KY7M (8369km) in New Mexico.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 last night

Sunspots - Friday December 21st 2018

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=12 and K=2.

Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio

We are quite near to the National Trust place Anglesey Abbey. We go pretty often to check what is coming up in the way of flowers. January is usually a good month for snowdrops and daffodils and at the moment there are irises out.

VLF upconverter

Amateur VLF transmissions demand very narrow bandwidths, high stability, long integration times and special (free) software. By contrast, commercial or government VLF signals are often strong. These stations usually have high power and very big antennas.

To receive commercial or government broadcasters a simple upconverter is fine. An example of one is my design.

For amateur VLF signals this is almost certainly not suitable. Most amateur VLF signals are seen on a PC screen rather than heard.

160m FT8 RX

 Since 1744z, I have been on 160m FT8. As on previous evenings, lots of Europeans spotted.

UPDATE 2222z: No North Americans coming through yet.

Nearly - NOT amateur radio

This morning we went to Anglesey Abbey hoping to see some early snowdrops and daffodils.

There were a few snowdrops out (not many) and one daffodil about to come out: it had dropped and needs a few more days.

Grand Arcade, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

It seems everywhere is getting ready for Christmas, although the big stores and garden centres have been selling Christmas things since September!

I guess Dec 26th we'll have holiday adverts and Easter eggs on sale - all in the name of that god "profit".

The photo shows the Grand Arcade in Cambridge last week.

10m FT8

LA7DFA (1311km) was worked with 2.5W FT8 on 10m early this morning. Judging by the signal strengths, this was probably winter Es. This was a total surprise. In all, 5 stations in 4 countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX already.

UPDATE 1710z: 12 stations, all European, so far spotted on 10m FT8 RX today.