Sunspots - Saturday January 11th 2020

Solar flux is 73 and the SSN 11. A=7 and K=1.

On 160m FT8 this evening and overnight

This evening and overnight I am on 160m FT8. A recent FT8 CW (10W) was spotted by 41 stations.

On 160m FT8 RX WU1ITU (4831km) was the first stateside station spotted this evening. So far this evening, 317 stations spotted on 160m FT8.

Spring coming - NOT amateur radio

Although we are still in the depths of winter, spring is in the air. Everywhere you look you can sense new life springing up. Today we saw the first daffodils fully out (see photo).

Aconites - NOT amateur radio

As the sun was shining we went for a walk around Anglesey Abbey. These aconites were the first seen this season.

FT991A review on Youtube

This video is on YouTube.  Since the summer I have owned and used the Yaesu FT991A transceiver, although I have only used it QRP.  For my sort of operating it is fine , although I get virtually the same results on my FT817ND at 2.5W.

160m FT8 overnight

Not the best, but still plenty of stations spotted in North America and the Caribbean.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX overnight 

Sunspots - Friday January 10th 2020

Solar flux is 74 and the SSN 14. A=12 and K =2. Are we passing the minimum?

160m FT8 RX

A few moments ago I QSYed to 160m FT8 RX from 2m FT8. So far, 20 Europeans spotted.

2m FT8

Stations spotted on 2m FT8 until 1317z

In the end I decided to QSY to 2m FT8. An initial 2m FT8 CQ call (10W to the big-wheel omni antenna) was copied by 7 stations in 3 countries with best DX being EI3KD (583km). On 2m FT8 RX I have spotted  6 stations in 4 countries.

UPDATE 1355z: 11 stations in 6 countries spotted so far today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1810z:  Now 33 stations in 8 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

Overnight on 160m FT8 RX

As before, I gave 160m FT8 RX a go overnight with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

Quite a reasonable night with loads of North Americans, some Caribbeans and South America logged. In terms of numbers, I have seen better, but quite a good night overall. Best DX spotted was LU8DPM (11432km).

Stations spotted overnight on 160m FT8 RX

UPDATE 1200z: Although plenty of DX spotted just before breakfast, nothing copied since. Soon be time to QSY, although I am not sure where to!