29 Jan 2019
Sunspot minimum - when?
One forecast says we are just past the minimum. Another one says it will be 2022 before we start the climb! The indications are that we have already passed the minimum, but this could just be a blip. The truth is it is usually some time after the minimum that we can be sure.
See https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/solar-cycle-progression
See http://www.solen.info/solar/
See https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/solar-cycle-progression
See http://www.solen.info/solar/
28 Jan 2019
QSYed to 160m FT8
About 10 minutes ago I QSYed to 160m FT8. Initially I called CQ (2.5W) to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. No QSOs, but spots from 3 UK stations with G8BCG (394km) in IO70 being the best. On RX just a couple of Norwegians spotted so far. I expect this will change dramatically after dark.
UPDATE 1640z: It is still bright here, but already 8 stations in 5 countries spotted on 160m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 2045z: As on previous evenings, loads (271 so far this evening!) of EU stations spotted. It will be interesting to see if there are any North Americans spotted on 160m FT8 RX. It sounds like just before breakfast is the best time at this time of year. Best DX so far this evening on 160m FT8 RX is RU8W (3643km).
UPDATE 2046z: If you are lucky enough to have a very low noise floor on 160m (mine is S0 with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, there is no doubt that FT8 on 160m is very effective at the moment.
UPDATE 2242z: Now 360 stations spotted so far this evening on 160m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1640z: It is still bright here, but already 8 stations in 5 countries spotted on 160m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 2045z: As on previous evenings, loads (271 so far this evening!) of EU stations spotted. It will be interesting to see if there are any North Americans spotted on 160m FT8 RX. It sounds like just before breakfast is the best time at this time of year. Best DX so far this evening on 160m FT8 RX is RU8W (3643km).
UPDATE 2046z: If you are lucky enough to have a very low noise floor on 160m (mine is S0 with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, there is no doubt that FT8 on 160m is very effective at the moment.
UPDATE 2242z: Now 360 stations spotted so far this evening on 160m FT8 RX.
BREXIT plan B - NOT amateur radio
It is by no means certain that Theresa May (UK Prime Minister) will get her "plan B" or any of the amendments approved in the UK parliament tomorrow night when these are voted upon. With regard to BREXIT, it is a case of "who blinks first" I think. The EU seems in no hurry, but risks lots of business and £39 billion.
I cannot for the life of me understand why agreeing a deal beneficial to both sides should be so hard. Surely it is in the best interests of the EU and the UK to forge a good deal. We are leaving, so let us go with good feelings on both sides.
The main issues are, as always, politicians with vested self interests.
I cannot for the life of me understand why agreeing a deal beneficial to both sides should be so hard. Surely it is in the best interests of the EU and the UK to forge a good deal. We are leaving, so let us go with good feelings on both sides.
The main issues are, as always, politicians with vested self interests.
Where's my lunch? - NOT amateur radio
10m FT8
As of a few minutes ago, I have QSYed to 10m FT8. Initially, I was calling CQ (2.5W). Now I am RX only.
UPDATE 1551z: No spots yet. Soon be time to QSY to 160m FT8.
UPDATE 1551z: No spots yet. Soon be time to QSY to 160m FT8.
472kHz WSPR TX - daytime
As a way of testing my new install of WSJT-X V2.0. I went on 472kHz WSPR TX with my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Although I have yet to spot anyone, I have now received several spots of my QRP with best DX being spots from G0MRF (139km).
I see that DK7FC has being having success with an indoor loop on that band using 10mW ERP, proving again that a big antenna is not a prerequisite for 472kHz TX.
UPDATE 1114z: Doh! Guess who forgot to tick the "upload spots" button. G1GKN was spotted loads of times, but nothing appeared on WSPRnet, so I was getting suspicious. He is now being spotted on WSPRnet.
I see that DK7FC has being having success with an indoor loop on that band using 10mW ERP, proving again that a big antenna is not a prerequisite for 472kHz TX.
UPDATE 1114z: Doh! Guess who forgot to tick the "upload spots" button. G1GKN was spotted loads of times, but nothing appeared on WSPRnet, so I was getting suspicious. He is now being spotted on WSPRnet.
 |
| Daytime 472kHz WSPR |
WSPR-X 2.0 issue?
By accident, I found out that WSPR-X 2.0 was saving 8GB of wav files (even though I had ticked the box to save nothing!). I deleted all these from the "save" directory, but now all my 160m spots overnight failed to upload. The internet connection to PSKreporter seems fine. I shall de-install and re-install later to see if this fixes things. I am pretty sure that only those wav files were removed.
Later it said I experienced a sub-process error code 2, whatever that is. I deleted WSJT-X V2.0 and re-installed. I went on 40m and still no uploads!
Panic over! With the new install I have to tick the box saying "enable PSKreporter spots" or whatever it says. I had forgotten to do this! I seem to be getting plenty of 40m FT8 spots now and they all appear on PSKreporter.
Later it said I experienced a sub-process error code 2, whatever that is. I deleted WSJT-X V2.0 and re-installed. I went on 40m and still no uploads!
Panic over! With the new install I have to tick the box saying "enable PSKreporter spots" or whatever it says. I had forgotten to do this! I seem to be getting plenty of 40m FT8 spots now and they all appear on PSKreporter.
27 Jan 2019
160m conditions are changing?
As I have said before, I am no 160m expert. Last night was the first time this winter when not a single North American was spotted on 160m FT8 RX. Just one South American spotted: HK3W (8507km). The impression I am getting is 160m conditions are changing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
