160m FT8 RX

Not a bad night, although I have seen better. In all, 2 North Americans, 2 Caribbean and 1 South Americans spotted. Best 160m FT8 DX spotted was PY4AZ (9012km) in Brazil.

Stations spotted here overnight on 160m FT8 RX.

Sunspots - Friday January 25th 2019

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 19. A=19 and K=3.

Getting better? Maybe.

472kHz WSPR RX last evening

In the end, I decided to stop on 472kHz WSPR RX only until bedtime. Then I QSYed to 160m FT8 RX overnight. On 472kHz, 13 unique stations spotted including 3 in Norway using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. All the usual suspects!

Stations spotted on 472kHz WSPR last evening.

Yaesu FT818

Like many, I found the FT818 a real disappointment.

It looks like Yaesu "copped out" and simply upgraded the FT817ND to overcome parts obsolescence. No attempt whatsoever has been made to actually upgrade the radio such as adding a Lithium Polymer battery, speech processor or auto ATU. Basically it is still an FT817ND. What did the FT818 development cost? $10?

However, it is about half the price of the IC7300 which is 100W and a much better radio, so I am told. Maybe Yaesu will introduce an SDR QRP radio soon? That is, if they don't go bust first! Now, I love Yaesu products and have owned many over the years. But, it seems Yaesu has lost its way in recent years.

Had Yaesu wanted to, they could have developed a world beating radio with thousands selling their FT817s and upgrading to FT818s. It seems to me very unlikely anyone will sell their FT817s to buy an FT818. To me, this is a disaster and shows the market intelligence of a 5 year old. My views and others are free to disagree.

The best I can hope for is Yaesu is beavering away on a QRP SDR radio with everything we want. If they don't, I give them 5 years or less and they will be dead - gone forever.

Stones hidden - NOT amateur radio

Over a year on, the craze in our village for hiding painted stones or pebbles, which are found, then photographed and posted on social media, then rehidden, is still going on. Only today we found one which we photographed. We left it where it was so someone else can find it.

472kHz WSPR RX

About 5 minutes ago I QSYed to 472kHz WSPR RX. Already 3 stations spotted with best DX  LA8AV (1035km). It is still quite light here.

UPDATE 1608z: Now 4 different stations spotted on this band this afternoon.

UPDATE 2053z: 11 different stations spotted this evening on 472kHz WSPR RX.

10m FT8

As is usual, I am on 10m FT8 mainly RX. So far, no spots.

UPDATE 1535z: No spots yet. Soon be time to QSY, probably 472kHz WSPR RX at least until bedtime.

Rally

Sunday 27 JANUARY : HORNCASTLE AMATEUR RADIO & ELECTRONICS RALLY

Horncastle Youth Centre, Cagthorpe Buildings, Willow Row, Horncastle LN9 6DZ. 

Doors open 10am and entry is £2. Traders tables are £5 per 6ft table. There is free parking at the venue. The usual traders will be there. Catering is available onsite. Details from Tony, G3PZU, 01507 527 835, tony.nightingale@yahoo.co.uk.

A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

160m FT8 RX overnight

Quite a decent night on 160m FT8 RX with 8 North Americans, 3 Caribbean and 3 South American stations spotted with best DX PY4AZ (9012km) in Brazil. All received using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. This does work remarkably well at 160m and exceeds my expectations. At the moment 160m FT8 is brilliant, helped by the S0 noise floor with this "antenna".

FT8 is very impressive! In most 15 second periods there are about 10 stations in a 2kHz chunk of the 160m band.

Stations spotted here overnight on 160m FT8

Sunspots - Thursday January 24th 2019

Solar flux is 72 and the sunspot number 18. A=3 and K=3.