Earth-mode VLF

Yesterday, I mentioned amateur VLF experiments below 9kHz. A very accessible introduction is earth-mode communications, especially utilities assisted earth mode. Using the latter mode, 6km has been spanned,  with just 5W, although much further should be possible. With much higher power and larger baselines at the TX end, I expect the small radiated power will be detectable hundreds of km away, although this is not going to be earth-mode.

An example of a typical earth-mode VLF transmitter is shown at the link.

Last night on 160m FT8 RX

Last night on 160m FT8 RX just 6 North Americans were spotted.

160m FT8 RX

After having some fun earlier on 630m (472kHz) WSPR, I have QSYed again to 160m FT8 RX. As yet (2246z) no North Americans spotted, although lots of Europeans spotted again.

As no expert on 160m, I presume stations in North America come through later in the night as the days lengthen?

UPDATE 2250z: Best DX so far tonight on 160m FT8 RX using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground is UW6PA (3462km) in Chechnya.

472kHz WSPR RX

After about 30 minutes, just G1GKN (99km) spotted so far this evening.

UPDATE 1832z:  Now 9 different stations spotted including 2 Norwegians. As before, using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

Warm up time - NOT amateur radio

Half way around the winter walk at nearby Anglesey Abbey (just over 5 miles away by car) is a small stall selling coffee. I bet they do good business in January! There were some hellebores out, some snowdrops out and a very few daffodils out.

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