Flaky internet and 10m FT8

Much of the morning I have been on 10m FT8. Although 2E0XXO has been spotted many times, these spots have not been reported to PSKreporter, presumably as the internet here has been off and on. Usually it is fast and reliable, so I guess they are trying to do maintenance at a quiet time.

UPDATE 1625z: 3 stations (best DX DL) spotted today, but not one reported on PSKreporter.

Overnight on 160m FT8 RX

An average night here. In all, 7 North Americans and 1 Caribbean station spotted on 160m FT8 RX with best DX being KV4FZ (6765km) in the US Virgin Islands.

Sunspots - Saturday January 5th 2019

Solar flux is 72 today and the SSN 13. A=9 and K=2.

Amateur VLF website

Quite a bit of activity is happening below 9kHz for amateurs. Although I sometimes fail, I try to report what is happening on the Sub-9kHz Amateur Radio website. If you are interested, take a look. For RX and earth-mode you do not need complicated equipment or big antennas. This is one of the real frontiers and great fun.

160m FT8 RX

As on previous recent evenings, 160m FT8 RX is buzzing with European stations. Lots have been spotted already. Based on this, I am sure there will be quite a few North Americans spotted later.

Stations spotted on 160m 

FT8 RX so far this evening

UPDATE 2155z: WU1ITU (4831km) first spotted at 2055z.

Stations spotted on 160m 

FT8 RX to 2230z this evening

Our house - NOT amateur radio

This panoramic photo shows our house in front of "our" windmill. As you can see, the windmill is right next to our house - a great view at breakfast!

That wall - NOT amateur radio

OK, no-one in the USA (I think) wants illegal migrants crossing from Mexico. But a wall? In this case, I think the American president is playing politics.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-46755084

10m FT8 RX again

Although monitoring since before breakfast, no spots as yet on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1213z: Now 11 spots with best DX OK8DCC (1060km).

UPDATE 1722z: 16 stations in 9 countries when I QSYed to 160m.

Sunspots - Thursday January 4th 2019

Solar flux is 72 today and the SSN 16. A=2 and K=1.

Average night on 160m FT8 RX

Last night was average on 160m FT8 RX with 12 North Americans and 1 Caribbean stations spotted.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 overnight 

with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground