BREXIT - DUP no

Whatever your views on BREXIT, the latest statement by the DUP is a bodyblow for those seeking a deal.

Sunspots - Thursday October 17th 2019

Solar flux is 66 and the SSN 0. A=6 and K=2.

Yahoo Groups closing

It has been on the cards for ages, but Yahoo is closing its groups. Some have migrated to .io although this is not free ($110 for Premier Membership in first year?). I created several amateur radio related Yahoo groups and I propose to close these. Some groups have migrated, although none that I host.

BREXIT deal slipping away? - NOT amateur radio

Frantic last minute BREXIT discussions are continuing, but meanwhile the clock ticks. Is a deal for the UK to leave the EU about to happen? I think both sides want a deal, but they are finding the precise words of a legal agreement hard to find.

Good night on 472kHz WSPR

Last night was, I think, the best ever at this QTH with spots of my 10mW ERP 472kHz QRPP WSPR by 2 different Norwegians. One was the best DX ever from this QTH on 472kHz WSPR - LA9IY (1374km).

Stations that spotted my 10mW ERP

 472kHz WSPR overnight

Sunspots - Wednesday October 16th 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the SSN 0. A=5 and K=1.

2m UKAC results

The results of the October 2m activity contest (UKAC) have been published. In the low power section I have moved up to 76th out of 190, despite being active for less than an hour and just using the big-wheel. In my view, this is a fun contest.

Grass cut - NOT amateur radio

Although still dull, it was dryish, so I cut the lawns.

The garden is starting to look quite autumnal with several trees losing leaves.

The photo shows the back lawn earlier.

Poor night on 472kHz WSPR

Last night was a poor one on 472kHz WSPR. Both on RX and TX (10mW ERP to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground) there were far fewer spots. I am wondering if after several days of rain, the soil conductivity is higher so the effective loop size in the ground is much smaller? Or were conditions just poorer?

Overnight on 472kHz WSPR here

Martin G8JNJ modelled my ground loop at 475kHz and got the "gain" as -33dBi. This seems about right and it maybe even worse!

UPDATE 1338z: I have been on 472kHz WSPR all day. Spots received up to 203km in daylight and I have spotted some new stations on 472kHz WSPR RX.

Earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground

For some years now I have used this antenna system successfully on the VLF, LF and MF bands. It certainly works and has worked as high as 60m, although this high I am unsure how much is the "loop in the ground" and how much is from the wire just above the ground. If you don't have space for a big antenna and earth on 160m, 630m or 2200m, you might want to give this a try.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/earth-electrode-antennas