Sunspots - Monday April 8th 2019

Solar flux is 76 today and the sunspot number 11. A=5and K=3.

160m FT8 RX

For the last few hours, I have been on 160m FT8 RX. At the moment it looks like recent evenings with lots of Europeans coming through. It will be interesting to see how many North Americans are spotted. At 2118z 154 stations have been spotted this evening.

Stations spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX 

using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground

.

That hum - NOT amateur radio

A fair proportion of people say they can hear a very low frequency audio hum. I can hear it. I have heard it from very early morning (about 5.30am UK time) until now. At first I thought it was someone's washing machine, or perhaps a plane.

Could it be the distant noise of traffic? Low audio frequencies may propagate through rocks. It is a very low level, but definitely there. It is worse today than I recall. Weather conditions are a little misty and we can sometimes hear traffic on the A14 road (about 2 miles away) clearly on misty days, which must allow audio signals to propagate further. Normally we do not hear A14 traffic.

I expect someone could "see it" with suitable audio transducers and software.

Building gear

Somewhere, in a drawer, I have an unbuilt Rockmite transceiver kit for 20m CW. It is some years since I built anything (it is much harder since my 2013 stroke), but maybe I should have a go and see how I get on.

My 20m antenna is not too great. The test is building it. Having a few QSOs would be a bonus. I must have bought the kit in 2012. Obviously I was in no hurry!

Placemats - NOT amateur radio

Christmas 2017 I bought my wife some drinks mats showing the children and grandchildren. Last Christmas I bought some plate mats. She loves them. It proves that you don't have to spend a lot to make someone happy. 😊

10m FT8

Although I have been on 10m FT8 most of the daylight hours, it has been disappointing with just 3 stations spotted in 2 countries here so far. A CQ call (2.5W) earlier was spotted by no-one. After dark I think I'll QSY to 160m FT8.

UPDATE 1540z: EA7DT (1781km) now spotted.

Shack - April 2019

This is a view of the operating position in the G3XBM shack. As you can probably tell, I quite like QRP. Actually I like small things generally - small PCs, small houses, etc. Maybe I should operate with my hands tied behind my back!

Garden Room - NOT amateur radio

We are lucky to have 2 reception rooms. This room is very calming and a great place in which to just sit and read. We also use it as a dining room sometimes. The settee on the left also pulls out to make a double bed.

Amateur radio 71 years ago

Southgate News reports on an RSGB post on YouTube of a 1947 DF Hunt.

See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_LHb3wPAfE

Good night on 472kHz WSPR

For some unknown reason, last night was probably my best all season with 10 stations spotting my 10mW ERP including 2 Norwegians. I spotted 6 stations. I was quite surprised to see so many spotted me last night. The motto seems to be "don't give up too soon".

472kHz WSPR here overnight