472kHz (630m) WSPR RX

Until reminded by Facebook yesterday, I had forgotten that N1BUG was spotted here on this band last year on the earth-electrode "antenna". I may give 472kHz WSPR RX a go this evening and overnight.

Overnight on 160m FT8 with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground

Overnight, I was on 160m FT8 RX. Quite a reasonable night with best DX HK3PJ (8482km) in South America. In all, 7 North Americans, 1 Caribbean and 1 South American spotted.

Stations spotted here on 160m FT8 RX last night

Sunspots - Tuesday January 15th 2019

Solar flux is 69 today and the sunspot number 0. A=6 and K=2.

On 10m FT8 RX

About 10 minutes ago I QSYed from 160m to 10m FT8 RX. As yet, no spots.

UPDATE 1015z: One station spotted so far: G4HZW (212km).

UPDATE 1430z: Just UK stations spotted so far today on 10m with best DX MM0ULL (714km). This may have been aircraft reflection?

Gave 10m FT8 a miss today

For a change, I decided NOT to venture on to 10m today. No doubt I will have missed the best day for months! My normal pattern is 10m FT8 in the day and 630m or 160m in the evening and overnight. Usually 10m yields a few spots and a few countries. As the sunspot cycle gathers pace we can expect some juicy DX. Even now, better equipped stations are spotting some great stuff. Clearly at sunspot minimum it is now much harder, but 10m is a band of surprises. Expect the unexpected on 10m!

Amaryllis - NOT amateur radio

Every winter we enjoy seeing amaryllis plants growing. You pop the bulb in some soil and compost and watch it grow at a phenomenal rate. Each morning it seems to have grown even bigger! Once it starts you can practically see it grow. The flowers are very large.

Usually they are over in about 6 weeks. Sometimes they flower again later in the year. This year, most of ours are white, a colour we have not had before.

Return to 160m FT8

A few moments ago I returned to 160m FT8. My 2.5W CQ was spotted by M0BEW (194km). As before, I am using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. No doubt the EU DX will appear after dark.

UPDATE 1530z:  Best DX so far is RW3LL (2049km).

UPDATE 2212z: WU1ITU (4831km) is currently the best DX. This station was first copied at 2124z.

Club 72

Just got this from Oleg:

"Dear Club 72 members and friends,
today Club 72 is 9'th Birthday! Club was born in January 14, 2010.
Thanks ALL for gathering and friendship! The best wishes for ALL you!"

Overnight on 160m FT8 RX

Quite a good night with lots of North Americans spotted with best DX KY7M (8369km) in New Mexico. Again, this was using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 overnight.

Sunspots - Monday January 14th 2019

Solar flux is 69 today and the SSN is 0. A=3 and K=2.