472kHz WSPR

Disappointing.

472kHz WSPR overnight

In all, I copied 7 stations with my best spot (again) being LA2XPA (1310km). My best distance on TX (10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground was just G4ZFQ (203km). In all just 5 stations spotted me. As I said, disappointing.

XBS Telecom discounts IC7300

Every month, I get an email from XBS Telecom in France (I think). At the moment they have discounted the ICOM IC7300 to 1079 Euros until the end of March. This is with VAT and warranty.

See https://www.xbstelecom.eu/shop/en/

Sunspots - Tuesday March 12th 2019

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN 11. A=3 and K=2.

472kHz WSPR

Apart from about 20 minutes on the East Cambs 2m FM net at 2000z on 144.575MHz, I have been on 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP, 20% TX, 80% RX) most of the evening. My best spot this evening (10mW ERP from here) is G4ZFQ (203km). As usual, I am on the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

Underwhelmed - NOT amateur radio

For a few weeks my wife has wanted to see the daffodils at Hare Park, Chippenham, Cambs. Today we went.

A few weeks ago there was a splendid carpet of snowdrops. The daffodils were disappointing; several clumps had no buds. Although there were daffodils in flower, there were far fewer than we expected.

2m FT8

Somehow, I suspect I lost internet connection to PSKreporter maps as there were quite a few 2m FT8 stations spotted in the last few hours that did not get uploaded.

10m FT8 RX

As of about 0930z, I QSYed to 10m FT8. With solar conditions not looking too great, this is more in hope than anything. I expect to be monitoring 10m FT8 RX until dark.

Comparing my results with John in southern Eire, I think my 10m results could be significantly improved with a change of antenna. Another job!

UPDATE 1121z: Just one station spotted so far on 10m FT8 RX. This was G4HZW (212km).

UPDATE 1200z: 2E0YSO (33km) also spotted.

UPDATE 1155z: G3ZSE (71km) also spotted. No DX here currently.

UPDATE 1711z: No further 10m FT8 RX spots here. I'll stay on a bit longer, then QSY to 630m WSPR (10mW ERP).

Sunspots - Monday March 11th 2019

Solar flux is 70 and the sunspot number 11. A=5 and K=1.

What hope?

Earlier I was in Bury St Edmunds so I popped in to W.H.Smith which is one of the bigger UK stationers. They carry a selection of hundreds of different magazines in this store. I looked and looked, but failed to see even 1 radio related magazine. If you want magazines on PCs, tattoos, trains, etc, no problem. Casually find a radio mag? No way! Without the casual interest caused by someone browsing a radio magazine, there is little hope for the future of our hobby.

There is little hope for RF engineering too. Over 11 years ago I recall interviewing someone for an radio design job. This person had a good honours degree in a communications related subject, but I knew more at 14 than this person. Needless to say this person did not get offered a job. Frankly, I was appalled. Hundreds of CVs were read, but a tiny handful had any idea.

No, RF engineering is in crisis. In general the magic is no longer there for young people today. People who had good RF design skills are retiring or have already retired. People can no longer chance upon radio magazines or amateur AM QSOs as we once did as youngsters. Yes, times change. However, the future of RF design is in deep trouble, in my view.

Still on 2m FT8

So I stayed on 2m FT8 RX overnight and am still using 2m FT8 RX. Since turning 2m FT8 RX on late yesterday afternoon a total of 36 stations spotted. In just the last few hours 11 stations in 4 countries already spotted. At the moment, the best DX spotted on 2m FT8 RX is GI6ATZ (479km).

UPDATE 1700z: Now 46 stations in 7 countries in the last 12 hours on 2m FT8 RX with best DX DL2AKT (761km).

Stations so far spotted today on 

2m FT8 RX with the omni antenna

UPDATE 1906z:  Now 54 stations in 7 countries spotted in last 12 hours on 2m FT8 RX.