Birthday - NOT amateur radio

A couple of days before Christmas I turned 70. To be honest, it only seems 5 minutes since I was 18. This photo shows some of my cards.

Winter Es?

As is my usual pattern, I am monitoring 10m FT8 RX this morning. So far 3 stations spotted in 3 countries, all European. I am wondering if this is winter Es (sporadic-E). It could be aircraft reflection. If it is Es, maybe there will be more southern Europeans later?

UPDATE 1458z:  Now 8 stations spotted in 7 countries so far on 10m FT8 RX today.

UPDATE 1510z: As 10m is just average today, I shall probably QSY to 160m FT8 RX shortly.

Miracle antennas

It is some years since I last used my Miracle Whip, but they have their place. If you are after a compact antenna that is easy to tune, these may fit the bill, especially with a counterpoise and on the higher HF bands, when they may be just a few S points down on a "real" antenna. They are no miracle and can only ever be as good as a small whip brought to resonance.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/mwhip .

Ba Humbug - NOT amateur radio

Christmas is meant to be a jolly and happy time.

At this moment my wife is playing a Christmas CD that is driving me insane!! Yes, I know it is a great time for children and getting together, but somehow things always seem more poignant at this time. Bad things always feel worse and I feel sorry for those in hidden pain (physical or mental) at this time.

To be honest, I am glad when it is all over and things get back to normal.

Overnight on 160m FT8 RX

Quite a decent night with 15 North American stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX, as well as loads of Europeans.

Sunspots - Wednesday December 26th 2018

Solar flux is 69 and the sunspot number 0. A=4 and K=0.

Return to 160m FT8 RX

It will soon get dark here, so a QSY to 160m FT8 RX is in order. This can be done in the background.  160m FT8 has been a real eye opener for me. DX is there to be had every day. My "antenna" seems to perform excellently and I cannot imagine doing any better with a dedicated topband antenna.

As you may recall, my "antenna" is just the earth-electrode in the ground. The baseline is about 10m, maybe less. I think this acts as a loop. On TX, I have received spots on 160m FT8 from Sweden over 1000km away when using 2.5W.

The QSY was done at 1540z.

UPDATE 1552z:  Just 2 spots so far - M0RTP (116km) and DL6ZBN (605km). Once it gets dark there will be plenty of DX .

UPDATE 1615z: DX from across Europe is appearing. Best DX is RV3F (2384km).

UPDATE 1830z: Somewhere over 50 stations spotted in 15 European countries so far on 160m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2145z: WU1ITU (4831km) was first spotted at 2128z this evening.

Stations received on 160m 

FT8 RX this evening so far.

Ripe for renovation? - NOT amateur radio

On our pre-Christmas lunch walk earlier, we saw this old Volkswagen. I think they enjoy restoring old Volkswagens at this place.

Overnight on 160m FT8 RX

Not the best of nights. 5 North Americans and 1 South American spotted as well as lots of Europeans.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX with the 

earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground overnight

2m FT8

Whilst doing other things, I am monitoring 2m FT8 RX (saddo). Already 4 stations in 3 countries spotted with best DX being DF6PW (633km).