Sunspots - Friday December 13th 2019

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=2.

4m website

Although I have not been on 4m for some years there are more and more rigs with 4m coverage and more countries than ever with 4m access. 

One place with lots of data is the 4m website. Assuming the price is sensible I expect to buy an IC-705.  In Europe, this rig covers 4m.  4m should be a useful band for inter-G contacts and Es in to Europe. On FT8 I would expect most of the UK to be within range at any time irrespective of conditions.

Solar doldrums

It is now some while since we saw sunspots, with none even with the more active region of the Sun swinging in to view. The solar flux has been in the low 70s, as far as I remember, for some weeks and it has not dipped in to the 60s for some time. This, at least, is slightly encouraging.

It very much looks to me as if we are right at the bottom of the solar minimum. Only time will tell. If we are at the bottom, we can expect improving conditions for the next few years. Let's hope so!

2m FT8

A few moments ago I QSYed to 2m FT8 calling CQ (2.5W) initially. Nothing yet copied on RX, but 3 spots on TX with the best being M0NPT (125km) in Nottingham. I am using the big-wheel omni antenna. It is a truly miserable day with rain.

UPDATE 1243z: 6 stations in 3 countries so far this morning on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2142z: In the last day 69 stations in 7 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX.

160m FT8 RX last night

160m FT8 spots overnight with the
earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground

Another amazing evening and overnight on 160m FT8 RX with the FT817ND and the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground with 496 stations in 5 continents spotted with best DX ZS1LS (9738km).

UPDATE 1102z: KV4FZ (6764km) spotted at 0922z. This looks classic greyline with the Caribbean in darkness. A VY2 was also copied on 160m FT8 RX this morning, but this did not reach PSKreporter for some reason.

Quakers - NOT amateur radio

Although I cannot confess to having a faith these days, I admit to being an agnostic, I have a great deal of time for the Quakers in the UK. They seem to be the one group working for equality and peace. Unlike some religious groups they believe in faith in action and think there is "something of God in everyone". Most (all?) believe in simple living. Their business ethics are based on honesty and justice, something we are lacking in the UK and many countries currently.

See https://www.quaker.org.uk/

OFCOM

OFCOM is consulting on some short range wireless devices operating in the 800 and 900MHz regions. See their website for further details.

UK election day, Dec 12th - NOT amateur radio

If you live in the UK, today is the day we vote in a General Election. For the first time in nearly 100 years this is being held in December with dark evenings. Many in the UK are bored with BREXIT and leaving the EU.

The election outcome is very unpredictable. If the ruling Conservatives win an outright majority, they will press ahead with their BREXIT deal. As likely is a hung parliament with minor parties holding the balance of power.

UPDATE 1104z: I have voted. Deciding where to put my cross was not easy.

Sunspots - Thursday December 12th 2019

Solar flux is 71 and the sunspot number still 0.  A=6 and K=1.

160m FT8 today

This evening and overnight, I think I'll stick with 160m QRP FT8 using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. In the last 30 minutes already 23 stations have been spotted with best DX being RW0AR (5585km) in Asiatic Russia.
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UPDATE 1900z: On 160m FT8 RX 144 stations spotted so far this afternoon. With 2.5W TX just 1 G spot so far. In the last day 773 different stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX. Quite staggering.

UPDATE 2017z: A 2.5W FT8 CQ just now was spotted by 4 stations in 3 countries (no QSOs) with best DX being a spot by DK1BN (540km). On 160m FT8 RX now 200n stations spotted in the last 6 hours.

UPDATE 2045z: WU1ITU (4831km) in Maine,USA, is already coming though! 244 stations spotted here on 160m FT8 RX in the last 6 hours.