Sunspots - Wednesday March 27th 2019

Solar flux is 69 and the sunspot number 0 again. A=6 and K=2.

Sorry for the "senior moment " when I thought today was Thursday - now corrected!

2m FT8

Since just before teatime I have been on 2m FT8. So far 17 stations in 3 countries have been spotted on 2m FT8 RX with best DX DK1VC (503km).

On TX (2.5W FT8 to the big-wheel omni) DK1VC (503km) was among the 19 stations that spotted my QRP 2m FT8 signal in 5 countries.

Stations that spotted my 2.5W 2m FT8 

to the omni antenna this evening so far.

2m FT8 never fails to amaze me.

Microwave Round Table

Many years ago I went along to the microwave round table at Martlesham, Suffolk. It must have been a very long time ago. I see that on the programme for this year are talks about gear for Oscar 100 and how to make a GNUradio based transceiver. My health prevents me going these days. It is too far to drive.

See http://mmrt.homedns.org/

Shed cleaning - NOT amateur radio

As it is spring, our son gave our garden shed a bit of a spring clean. He also trimmed a few overhanging branches. As you can see, he took everything out and washed the floor. It looks much better now. An added bonus is you can now see the floor! 😏

70cm activity contest results

Every month the RSGB organises an activity contest on 70cm on the second Tuesday of the month. Although not a great contester (my scores are always way down!) I usually operate with 5W SSB and my 2m omni antenna of about 30-60 minutes. Surprisingly, my position has improved, although unsurprisingly I am still in the bottom half of the AL (low power) section. As I said before, these contests are good in that activity is usually high. These are friendly contests and operators appreciate the QSOs. There is no compulsion to send in a score. Just enjoy the activity.

10m FT8

Well, no surprises so far here.

Although I have been on 10m FT8 since about 0955z, calling CQ (2.5W) initially, no spots at all so far given or received. If things are like yesterday, I may get a few G spots and not much, if anything, else.

At least I am on 10m FT8 RX, so if there are any decent openings, I have a chance. I know my antenna could be better. 10m often surprises me and others. We live in hope! 😊

UPDATE 1110z: No 10m FT8 spots as yet.

UPDATE 1545z: Just 2 10m FT8 spots today with best DX DO8WA (499km) at lunchtime. Pretty poor here.

Constitutional crisis - NOT amateur radio

One thing the whole of the UK can agree on is we are in a right mess. The UK Government seems to have made a right mess of negotiating BREXIT and the UK parliament has wrestled control of the process. The UK Prime Minister seems powerless now.  I think she will resign this week.

Although another referendum seems unlikely, it would no longer surprise me if a majority would now vote to stay in the EU.  The EU has many faults though.

As someone once said, if you were a turkey would you vote for Christmas?

160m FT8 RX overnight

Another good night with 19 North Americans and 1 Caribbean station spotted among the 448 stations spotted on 160m FT8 using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground in the last day. Best DX was K4MM (7029km) in Florida, USA.

Stations spotted here on 160m FT8 RX with the 

earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground in the last 24 hours

Sunspots - Tuesday March 26th 2019

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 14. A=2 and K=2.

160m FT8

As 10m was not doing much, on my set-up at least, I have now QSYed to 160m FT8. At first I briefly called CQ (2.5W to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground), although I am now RX only. The CQ was spotted by M0RTP (116km).

UPDATE 1706z: No spots yet on 160m FT8 RX, although the sun is still well up.

UPDATE 1722z: Just a couple of Europeans spotted so far on 160m FT8 RX.