Sunspots - Sunday February 24th 2019

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN still 0. A=2 and K=0.

160m FT8 RX

About an hour ago I QSYed to160m FT8 RX after the daylight hours on 10m FT8. So far this evening 87 stations spotted on 160m with best DX 5B4VL (3188km).

UPDATE 2051z: Now 167 stations spotted today on 160m FT8 with best DX R0SR (6425km) in Asiatic Russia.

UPDATE 2302z: Now 263 stations spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX, but nothing yet from North America. Most interesting DX is 5T5PA (3791km) in Mauritania.

Quiet again - NOT amateur radio

After a few days with 2 of our young grandchildren, the house is now quiet again. We love having them, but I get tired more easily than I did. The photo shows them with my wife and a neighbour outside earlier in the sunshine.

Overnight on 472kHz WSPR

Overnight, I was on 472kHz WSPR (20% TX 10mW ERP). It was not a great session with the best spot of me being by PA3ABK (306km). On RX my best DX was LA2XPA (1310km) among the 9 stations spotted.

10m FT8

Yet again, I am monitoring 10m FT8 RX today in the daylight hours. So far just a G spot with no DX here.

UPDATE 1256z:   Now 5 stations in 2 countries spotted so far today on 10m FT8 RX. Best DX is DJ5JD (489km).

UPDATE 1353z:  Now 7 stations in 3 countries spotted today on 10m FT8 RX. No great distances.

UPDATE 1647z: Now 11 stations in 4 countries spotted today on 10m FT8 RX with best DX OZ1LXJ (802km).

Sunspots - Saturday February 23rd 2019

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

472kHz WSPR

Tonight, and overnight, I hope to be on 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP) using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, On RX the best DX so far is LA2XPA (1310km) and on TX G4ZFQ (203km).

UPDATE 2112z: Average start on 472kHz WSPR this evening.

MLS Kenwood offers

Every weekend, MLS has "something for the weekend" offers. This weekend, they have some Kenwood deals.

See https://www.hamradio.co.uk/

Guided bus to St Ives - NOT amateur radio

We have 2 of our 4 grandchildren staying with us. Today we went by guided bus to St. Ives, Cambs. The children really enjoyed it. It was a good day out, helped by the glorious, warm, February weather. I expect they will want to go again!

As old age pensioner it is a free trip for us with our bus passes, although we had to pay for the children. We ate lunch out at the "Oliver Cromwell" pub not far from the river. Food and service were excellent. It had a nice "buzz" and I'd happily eat there again.

160m FT8 RX overnight

Despite spotting no Japanese stations last evening on 1908kHz FT8, it was another great night for North Americans on 160m FT8 RX, perhaps the best yet. So many North Americans were spotted I lost count! Best DX on 160m FT8 RX was KY7M (8369km).