Sunspots - Saturday January 12th 2019

Solar flux is 68 (lowest for a while) and the SSN 0.  A=6 and K=1.

We definitely are experiencing sunspot minimum conditions. It is usually some time after the minimum that we can be sure the minimum has been gone through. This because the solar numbers are smoothed and it can be bumpy with short-term ups and downs.

Back on 160m FT8 RX

After the evening on 630m (472kHz) WSPR, I have now returned to 160m FT8 RX for the overnight period. It turns out that staying on 630m WSPR overnight adds very few new stations. Already the first North American has been spotted on 160m FT8: WW1WW (5239km) in New Hampshire, USA and all over Europe.

Stations spotted here on 160m FT8 RX within 30 minutes!

QSY to 472kHz WSPR RX

About 20 minutes ago, I QSYed to 472kHz WSPR. It is still just light here, but obviously dark now in mainland Europe. So far this evening spots of 3 stations spotted with best DX DL7NN (873km). As before, using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

UPDATE 2300z: I have now QSYed to 160m FT8, but 14 unique stations spotted mon 472kHz WSPR this evening with best DX spotted being LA8AV (1035km).

Stations spotted on 472kHz WSPR this evening.

China Moon probes - NOT amateur radio

Apparently a couple of probes on the far side of the Moon have taken photos of each other. Being on the Moon's far side, all images have to be relayed by lunar orbiting satellites.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46836047

David Lammy MP on BREXIT - NOT amateur radio

Often we do not realise when we are being manipulated.

On Channel 4 News (a TV news) last night David Lammy MP made a lot of sense. You may not agree with his politics, but he spoke a great deal of sense in my view. If you are in the UK, I urge you to take a look. We desperately need political leaders there for the common good, and not there to "feather their own nests". Sadly, there is a dearth.

10m FT8

After a brief CQ call (no spots), I am on 10m FT8 RX for the day. As yet, no spots.

UPDATE 1216z: No Spots.

UPDATE 1352z: Just a single spot so far today. G0KUC (87km) in London is the only station so far spotted today on 10m FT8 RX.  Pretty dire.  No DX at all.

UPDATE 1416z:  2E0MMY (124km) spotted.

UPDATE 1437z: OE6VHF (1217km) spotted. Maybe some winter Es?

UPDATE 1551z:  No further spots on 10m FT8 RX today. I shall probably QSY to 630m WSPR shortly for the evening and switch to 160m FT8 late this evening.

160m FT8 RX

Not a bad night on 160m FT8 RX with 16 North Americans and 1 Caribbean stations spotted. Best DX spotted was N7GP (8479km) in Arizona, USA. As before, using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, which works well on 160m.

Stations spotted overnight on 160m FT8 RX

70cm UKAC results for the year

The results of the 70cm activity contests for the whole year (2018) have been published.

According to the results I came 109th out of 180 in the AL section. Considering I use 5W to a 2m halo fed via very lossy RG58 coax, I am quite pleased. I usually stay on for about 30 minutes only as my voice is poor.

Sunspots - Friday January 11th 2019

Solar flux is 70 today and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=2.

160m FT8 RX

At about 1825z I switched from 10m to 160m FT8 RX. Immediately, lots of Europeans spotted.

Stations spotted in the first 15 minutes 

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

UPDATE 2205z:  No North Americans so far on 160m FT8 RX this evening.

UPDATE 2225z: First North American spotted on 160m FT8 RX this evening was VA2WA (5115km) in Quebec at 2208z.