2m FT8 RX

At the moment I am still on 2m FT8 RX, although I may try 6m FT8 later. So far today, just 6 stations spotted with best DX G0RQL (353km) in Devon.

UPDATE 1220z: So far today 15 stations spotted in 3 countries.

Sunspots - Tuesday May 21st 2019

Solar flux is just 67 today (poor) and the sunspot number 0. A=6 and K=1.

2m FT8

At about 1930z I QSYed to 2m FT8 calling CQ (2.5W to big-wheel omni) initially. Now I am RX only. Although no QSOs resulted from the CQ calls I was spotted by 10 stations with best DX GW0KAX (279km). On RX best DX spotted is PD0PVL (378km).

UPDATE 2122z: Now 11 stations in 3 countries spotted this evening on 2m FT8 RX.

Going backwards? - NOT amateur radio

Many things seem to get worse over time, not better.

We once had a bus every 30 minutes into Cambridge. It has been every hour now for several years. The store M&S in the UK used to be the place to buy underwear: quality was good. These days they are clearly made to a price and quality is poorer. My wife bought a coat and bag several years ago, but the replacements have fewer pockets.  We used to get vouchers from Tesco, but these have stopped. Every few months we used to get vouchers for a free coffee and cake from John Lewis, a well respected UK retailer. I just noticed the voucher is for a free cake when you buy a drink. I am sure many will not have noticed this change.

Now I know retailers are having a hard time, but this John Lewis change was sneaked in, hoping many would not notice. The coffee at John Lewis is expensive, so the voucher will not get used.

I can think of plenty of examples of things getting worse.

6m FT8

This morning I am again on 6m FT8. Initially I called CQ (2.5W to the omni vertical) with no QSOs resulting, although my best spot was by M0BEW (194km). On 6m FT8 RX my best DX is LA3DV (1022km).

UPDATE 1006z: Now 16 stations spotted in 2 countries so far today on 6m FT8 RX. Mostly Gs.

UPDATE 1250z: Now 27 stations in 7 countries spotted on 6m FT8 RX today.

160m FT8 RX

Overnight I was again on 160m FT8 RX using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.  Plenty of Europeans spotted, but nothing from "across the pond". I spotted one station that was supposed to be in Iran, but I think this was a German station with the wrong QTH locator!

160m FT8 RX here overnight

Sunspots - Monday May 20th 2019

Solar flux is 68 and the sunspot number 0. It looks like the less active side of the sun has rotated to face us again. I guess we are unlikely to see more spots for a few weeks.  A=3 and K=3.

160m FT8

A few minutes ago I switched to 160m FT8 using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Initially I called CQ (2.5W) whereas now I am RX only. So far, no spots given or received.

UPDATE 2000z: So far just 2 stations spotted. Best DX is SP2MEF (1297km).  End of season?

UPDATE 2027z: 14 stations spotted so far this evening. Now it is getting dark all Europe is coming through.

Still not much new at Dayton

Although I have not seen the final day summary, there would appear to be little new announced by the "big boys". Yes Elecraft announced the K4, but I have heard nothing from the traditional Japanese manufacturers.

Next year? Actually it would not entirely surprise me if at least one of these "pulls the plug" on amateur radio before May 2020.

See http://www.arrl.org/news/hamvention-2019-saturday-roundup

6m FT8

Because of my laziness, I remained on 6m FT8 RX overnight. If I remember I may try 160m FT8 RX tonight.

So far this morning, 22 stations in 5 countries spotted on 6m FT8 RX in the last 6 hours with the best DX being OZ4ACK (881km).

UPDATE 1604z: 55 stations so far spotted in the last 12 hours on 6m FT8 with the best DX being YO8SSB (1874km).

UPDATE 1920z: Now 66 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX with best DX EA8TR (2989km).

UPDATE 1954z: A brief 2.5W CQ to the vertical omni antenna on 6m FT8 was spotted by 5 stations with best being EA7DL (1643km)