Return to 472kHz WSPR

After quite a break, I am back on 472kHz WSPR TX (very low ERP) and RX.

I wound a new matching transformer (shown in photo) in the hope of squeezing a tiny bit more ERP from my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. I will calculate the ERP tomorrow, but I don't think it is greater. The coil has more turns on the secondary, but I think the tapping point was not far off before.

My own signal has been copied by a couple of stations and G1GKN (99km) has been copied here a few times. I shall leave it on this evening and possibly overnight.

472kHz WSPR so far this evening

It would be good to try FT8 on 472kHz (about 10dB worse than WSPR), but I am not sure if people use FT8 on MF. Years ago I had some JT9 QSOs on MF.

UPDATE 1852z: Best DX so far on 472kHz WSPR RX is LA3EQ (769km) running 20mW ERP.

UPDATE 2108z: A few new stations spotted this evening, that I did not see last season: LA4NJ (800km) and DL1HWK (816km). I don't think these stations were active last season,

Cavenham Heath - NOT amateur radio

This morning we went for a walk at Cavenham Heath. The heather was well past its best, but we saw several stone curlews. These birds migrate shortly. None were that close sadly.

On the way we saw this fungus, but we saw fewer than the last time when we went in August.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/stone-curlew/

High Street shops - NOT amateur radio

There is little doubt that shopping is changing. Many High Street stores have closed and they are replaced by charity shops, coffee shops or empty shops. More and more people prefer the convenience of shopping online. One finds what one wants and it is delivered next day to your home.

Yes, rents may be too high and the online retailers usually have a price advantage.

It is anyone's guess how the High Street will look in 20 years. It seems that retailers who adapt may survive. Those that don't adapt face a bleak future. It is not just shops: many other things will change in the coming years.

2m FT8

Since just before breakfast I have been on 2m FT8 RX. So far today, 21 stations in 5 countries spotted.

UPDATE 1447z: After a break when we went out for a walk I went back on 2m FT8 calling CQ (10W). 24 stations spotted me and a couple of QSOs resulted. 34 stations in 7 countries spotted here today on 2m FT8.

UPDATE 1648z: Now 46 stations in 7 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX.

Sunspots - Saturday October 5th 2019

Solar flux is 68 and and the SSN 0. A=7 and K=2

Es'hail Oscar 100

Every few days I check activity on this geosynchronous amateur satellite. Whenever I look at the web SDR at Goonhilly, I usually see 4-8 SSB stations active. There are usually a few on CW too. Overall, activity remains quite low. By now, I was expecting far more activity.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/

Gourds - NOT amateur radio

These were spotted earlier at a local garden centre. Sadly, they are already stocking Christmas gifts and trees! The gourds are a nice sign of autumn. The Christmas stuff is pure commercialism, out to make an early buck - it sickens me. Personally, I would back a law making it illegal to sell Christmas stuff until December.

2m FT8

As 6m was an uphill struggle, I have QSYed to 2m FT8. My 10W FT8 2m CQ was spotted by 11 stations with best DX being a spot by GI6ATZ (479km).

It is interesting that I have only spotted 4 stations on 2m FT8 RX today. From this, I can conclude that fewer people are on FT8 TX during the day. Things get better in the evening when people are home from work.

UPDATE 1426z: Now 14 stations in 6 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1527z: A recent 2m FT8 CQ (10W to the big-wheel) was spotted by 24 stations and resulted in 2 QSOs. I get the feeling most of these are "flat band" tropo with the occasional enhancement by aircraft scatter. As an example, a station in N. Ireland is almost always spotted, but just occasionally he is 20dB stronger.

UPDATE 1918z: A recent 2m FT8 CQ (10W) was spotted by 24 stations and 2 QSOs. DL6YBF (471km) seems to be workable in any conditions on FT8.

UPDATE 2100z:  In the last day, 50 stations in 8 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX.

6m FT8

Although I have been on much of the morning and called FT8 CQ a few times, no spots at all on RX or TX.

UPDATE 1100z: Just a single G spot from my recent 6m FT8 (10W) CQ call. This was G3SYP (222km). Really 6m is hardly worth the effort at this time of year in sunspot minimum with my vertical omni.

Sunspots - Friday October 4th 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the sunspot number 0. A=13 and K=3.