Landwade Church - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday, on our walk, we went past Landwade Church. This is a very isolated church which, at this time of year, is surrounded by snowdrops. There were only a very few daffodils in flower.

Return to 10m FT8

A few minutes ago, I returned to 10m FT8. After a few CQs (2.5W) I am now RX only. As yet, no spots.

UPDATE 1550z:  Just G4CJC (74km) spotted. He was very strong (+6dB S/N), so probably aircraft reflection.

Geese - NOT amateur radio

Back in the late spring, I recall seeing young Barnacle geese in Finland. These birds usually come here in the winter to avoid the cold.

Yesterday, we did a local walk and saw these Greylag geese in a field with some Canada geese. The latter were introduced in the UK (1800s I think) and are well established now. If you see a goose in the UK it is most likely to be a Canada goose. Most farmyard geese originated from Greylags.

No Japanese here on 160m FT8

So, the evening passed and not a single Japanese station spotted on 1.908MHz FT8. Seeing how every time I go on 160m FT8 I spot North Americans this surprised me, as I expected to see at least one. What surprised me was the high number of Europeans on FT8 in that part of the band.

Later, more in hope than expectation, I shall probably revert to 10m FT8 RX on 28.074MHz.

Sunspots - Wednesday February 20th 2019

Solar flux is 68 today and the SSN zero again. A=3 and K=0.  Not good.

160m FT8 - Japan hunting

This evening, I am monitoring 1.908MHz FT8 in the hope of spotting some Japanese stations who do not have full access to the 160m band. According to Bas, the best chances are 2000-2200z. Later in the evening, I'll probably  revert to 1.84MHz FT8 in the hope of spotting some North Americans.

UPDATE 2308z: Although quite a few Europeans spotted up on 1.908MHz, sadly no Japanese.  It is now light there  so I think that is it for tonight.

XBS Telecom

Apart from the hassle of buying from overseas, XBS telecom seem to have the best prices inclusive of VAT and a 2 year warranty in Europe. As an example, the Yaesu FT991A retails at 1136.70 Euros. Additionally you can get a 100 Euros cash back from Yaesu.

See https://www.xbstelecom.eu/shop/en/fusion-digital-c4fm/148-yaesu-ft-991a-base-hf50144430mhz-analogiquec4fm.html

Oh, by the way the Yaesu FT991A is packed with a Yaesu 3 year warranty card!

Still not too busy on Oscar100

Today at about 1520z I took a listen on the geosynchronous satellite Oscar100. At the moment, activity still seems low, at least on the narrowband transponder, When I listened there were just 2 QSOs going on using USB. There has been some SSTV, but I have heard, so far, just one station on CW. I am not sure what is happening on the TV transponder. I shall have to see if there is anyone doing a TV webSDR.

UPDATE 1538z: Anyone know of a webSDR that relays TV from Oscar100? I haven't found one. So far I have only seen a power density view which shows how active the TV transponder is but not actual TV signals.

Distant windmill - NOT amateur radio

This morning, we did a walk at nearby Landwade and saw no-one at all! My wife took this picture of "our" windmill at a distance of about 3.5km. It is right next to our home.

10m FT8

Most of the day I have been on 10m FT8 RX. So far, only 3 spots with best DX LA3WJA (1155km).

UPDATE 1500z: Now 5 spots. No great DX.