2m FT8 (2.5W to the big-wheel)

About 12 minutes ago I QSYed to 2m FT8, using the FT817ND and the big-wheel omni antenna. 3 stations spotted my FT8 CQ with best DX being G4RRA (334km) in Devon. On 2m FT8 RX best DX is DL6YBF (471km) with 4 stations in 3 countries spotted so far this morning.

UPDATE 1238z: Now 15 stations in 4 countries so far spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1625z: 27 stations in 6 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

10m antenna

Since my Par antenna started giving a very high VSWR, I have been looking for a 10m antenna for the next cycle and for Es. Being considered are CB verticals of various types, wire dipoles and my Homebase-10, which is basically a wire halo. I used the latter at my old QTH very successfully, although I cannot get it as high at this location. Verticals tend to pick up more local noise but are good omnidirectional antennas. Dipoles are not so good off their ends. In all cases I need help with erection, sadly.

There is a video showing the Homebase-10 erected at the old QTH. The video is actually about a 500kHz antenna, but shows the 10m antenna pretty well. There are other videos on the G3XBM channel.

472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP) - more success

Overnight I was on 472kHz WSPR TX using my usual 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. It is still on now. In all, spots from 19 stations including 30 from Norway. Best DX was a single spot by LA8AV (1035km). 29 spots by Jan!

Stations spotting me in the last 

12 hours on 472kHz WSPR TX

Sunspots - Wednesday January 8th 2020

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 0. A=5 and K=2.

2m activity contest (UKAC)

This evening was the 2m activity contest organised by the RSGB. Although the contest runs for 2.5 hours, I managed 48 minutes before my voice shouted "stop!!" In all 10 QSOs were had with best DX G4RUL/P on the south coast. I was running 10W to the big-wheel omni.

Stations worked on 2m SSB this evening

Back on 472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP)

This evening I went on 472kHz WSPR again using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Already a couple of stations spotting me.

UPDATE 2200z: 12 stations spotting me and already 3 spots by Jan LA3EQ (769km).

Granddaughter and swans - NOT amateur radio

At the weekend we went to Mildenhall in the hope of going to the museum. Sadly it was closed so we went by the river to see the swans and Canada geese.

160m FT8 RX overnight

Again, a decent night on 160m FT8 with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. I lost count of North Americans spotted - over 50, plus 1 South American in Ecuador, 4 Caribbean, plus Africans, Asians and Europeans. In all, 486 stations spotted.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX in the last 24 hours

Lenticular clouds? - NOT amateur radio

Returning home a few hours ago I spotted what seemed to be lenticular clouds below the normal rain clouds. Lenticular clouds are usually associated with mountains.

In the past I have seen them (Yorkshire Dales and Portugal), but never around here where even small hills are rare!

The photo I took hardly did justice to what I saw. If not lenticular clouds, they looked very similar. I am no cloud expert, so am happy to be told what they were. Weather was about 7 degrees C and dry.

OFCOM priorities

OFCOM has published its priorities for the year ahead. Well I guess it beats playing marbles or colouring in!!

You can tell, I am not impressed with OFCOM ever since I had personal dealings with them some years ago. At the time they were totally hopeless.  From what I can tell, they have not improved. These are my personal views and others are free to hold different views.

See their website for more details.