Sunspots - Sunday February 10th 2019

Solar flux is 72 and the sunspot number 0.  A=10 and K=2.

160m FT8 RX

About 30 minutes ago I QSYed to 160m FT8 RX. Already lots and lots of Europeans, but nothing yet from "across the pond" (2250z). I shall check again at breakfast time. Best DX on 160m FT8 RX is RG4D (3085km).

2m FT8 RX

This morning, I am sticking with 2m FT8 RX rather than 10m FT8. Already, in the last 6 hours alone 11 stations in 3 countries. spotted. Best DX spotted is DF6PW (673km). Once again using the big-wheel omni antenna.

UPDATE 1155z: Now 22 stations in 5 countries spotted today in last 6 hours on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1342z: Again, quite a decent number of stations spotted on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1546z: Now 37 stations in 5 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1610z: A brief 2m FT8 CQ (2.5W) resulted in a QSO with M0MVB (33km) and spots by 4 stations of which the best was GI6ATZ (479km). If I worked N.Ireland by any mode on 2m in the past, this would have been a cause for celebration!

UPDATE 2155z: 54 stations in 6 countries today on 2m FT8 RX and now it is time to QSY to 160m FT8 for the overnight period.

Stations spotted today on 2m FT8 RX 

with the big-wheel omni antenna

Love is in the air? - NOT amateur radio

As I put food on the birdtable this morning, I saw these collared doves together on the tree in the orchard next door. Until 1955, these were rare in the UK. Their range spread west and now they are very common here.

Sunspots - Saturday February 9th 2019

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN still zero. A=8 and K=2.

Vegan lunch - NOT amateur radio

Our elder son is a real carnivore, but he decided to "go vegan" for January. Much to our surprise, he is still vegan. He is a good cook and enjoys making tasty meals, so I guess this is a new challenge.

Joining the dots - NOT amateur radio

I am not sure if this is just old age or yet another after effect of my 2013 stroke. A few moments ago my wife said "carnations last for a long time". I thought she said "car engines last a long time". Clearly I misheard!

Return to 2m FT8

Yet again, I have returned to 2m FT8. G7RAU (461km) in Cornwall once more copied my 2.5W call to my big-wheel omni antenna. This happens nearly every time I go on, so must be tropo. Yes, he has a good site, but this is a very long way!

UPDATE 1301z: 6 stations in 4 countries so far spotted today on 2m FT8 RX with best DX DO7JVK (421km).

UPDATE 1440z: Now 18 stations in 4 countries with best DX DK1FG (815km) in Bavaria.

UPDATE 1545z: Now 23 stations in 4 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2208z:  Now 32 stations spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

160m FT8 RX

Quite a disappointing period with only 8 North Americans spotted on 160m FT8 RX (am I really saying this? In the past the thought of just one USA station on 160m would have been amazing!) and nothing from the Caribbean. 2 South Americans were spotted. Best DX spotted last night was PY2IU (9573km) in Brazil.

Also of interest on 160m was S01WS (3043km) in Western Sahara, Africa.

Sunspots - Friday February 8th 2019

Solar flux is 70 and the sunspot number still 0. A=4 and K=2.