Sunspots - Saturday January 19th 2019

Solar flux today is 69 and the sunspot number 0.  A=6 and K=1.

Return to 472kHz WSPR RX

At teatime I QSYed back to 472kHz WSPR RX. So far, DC0DX is the best DX.WSPRnet is showing the wrong QTH locator; I think the actual distance is 467km.   In all, 8 different stations spotted this evening so far.

Stations spotted this evening on the earth-electrode 

"antenna" in the ground on 472kHz WSPR

UPDATE 2155z:  Now 12 different stations spotted so far on 472kHz WSPR this evening.

Shop in Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

My wife took this photo a few days ago in Cambridge. I think it is in the Grand Arcade, which is in the middle of the city.

ICOM IC9700

Out of my budget is the IC9700 from ICOM. This is a 2m,70cm and 23cm multi-mode SDR VHF/UHF rig.  If you are a keen VHF/UHF person, this rig may appeal to you. According to Southgate News, ICOM UK has an engineering sample.

I wanted to link the photo of the rig on the Southgate News site, but was unable to so. So this is a reduced size copy. For a better view, check out the link below.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/january/ic-9700-uk-launch-update.htm#.XEGf7PZ2u00

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

Quite a decent night, with 10 North Americans and 1 Caribbean station spotted. Best DX spotted overnight was KI5BLU (7636km) in Texas.

Stations spotted here on 160m FT8 overnight.

10m FT8 RX

For about 20 minutes, I have been on 10m FT8 RX, but no spots yet.

UPDATE 1611z: Just 3 10m FT8 spots today with best DX HB9GXK (802km). Not a great 10m day here.

Sunspots - Friday January 18th 2019

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN 0.  A=7 and K=2.

160m FT8 RX

Things are encouraging this evening with 3 North Americans spotted already along with loads of Europeans. I shall be staying on 160m FT8 RX overnight.

Amaryllis - NOT amateur radio

This year all our amaryllis flowers are white. Two were bought by our sons.

They all give us great pleasure.

Overnight on 472kHz WSPR RX

Again, not a bad night with 16 different stations spotted in the 12 hours of the evening and overnight period.

Stations spotted here overnight on 472kHz WSPR 

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