160m FT8 RX

For about 15 minutes, I have been on 160m FT8 RX. As yet, no spots, but I expect this will change once it gets dark.

Before that I was on 630m WSPR RX and a bit surprised to see a DL this afternoon.

As usual, using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

UPDATE 1510z: EU2Q (1793km) in Belarus spotted on 160m FT8 RX. They have started!

UPDATE 1626z: Now 37 stations from all over Europe being spotted on 160m FT8 RX since it got dark.

UPDATE 2010z: As on previous evenings 160m FT8 RX is full of EU stations. I expect transatlantic stations to start coming through after 2100z.

Stations spotted so far this evening on 160m FT8 RX 

with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

UPDATE 2217z: Already 3 North American stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX this evening. Yet again, WU1ITU (4831km) was the first logged.

Sunspots - Wednesday January 2nd 2019

Solar flux is 73 (highest for a while) and the SSN 13. A=6 and K=1.

Past the minimum?

2m activity contest

The 2m leg of the UKAC activity contest was this evening. I nearly missed it, only seeing the email reminder at 2045z. In all, 4 stations worked - not many, but better than forgetting! Best DX was (again) G4CLA (105km). As usual I run 5W SSB to my big-wheel omni.

Stations worked with 5W and omni 

antenna on 2m SSB this evening

472kHz WSPR RX

For about an hour now I have been on 472kHz WSPR RX. So far, 3 stations received with best DX DL7NN (873km).

UPDATE 2045z: 9 unique stations spotted so far this evening on 472kHz WSPR RX.

Cycle 25 - starting?

The latest solar news has been published. Are we seeing the end of the solar minimum or is this a blip?

See https://www.solen.info/solar/

"As of December 2018 the strength of the polar fields hints at a cycle 25 with a magnitude similar to or slightly stronger than that of cycle 24." 
A quote from this site.

Fungi - NOT amateur radio

We saw this fungi on an old tree stump on a walk this afternoon.

Disappointment on 10m FT8 today

Although I have been on 10m FT8 since mid-morning only 2E0XXO (121kmn) spotted so far.

Sunspots - Tuesday January 1st 2019

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN 0. A=10 and K=2.

If you are like me, all the days are fuzzy at this time of year. Today is Tuesday isn't it?

Happy New Year! - NOT amateur radio

So, today is January 1st 2019 - a new year. One thing is certain: the next 12 months will not be quite as we expect. There will be good times and sad times.  I hope, on the whole, 2019 is a good year for you.

Looking back on 2018 we had some sad times, but also some good times.

Take each day as a gift and enjoy the good times. Oh, and keep reading this blog!

Snowflake - NOT amateur radio

This was in Rose Crescent, Cambridge today. It makes a good seasonal decoration. Sadly, Kings College was closed.