Sunspots - Monday January 27th 2020

Solar flux is 75 and the SSN 18. A=4 and K=0.

Back on 160m FT8

As 6m was useless, I decided to swap to 160m FT8. There is still a contest that explains the general scarcity of FT8 signals on the band.  So far, just signals. from Denmark and Germany, although I suspect this will change after dark. On TX just 1 spot by a G station.

As usual, I am running 10W into the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. When the contest ends (presumably at 2400z) it will be interesting to see if FT8 activity picks up. Quite possibly those in the contest will want a break!

UPDATE 1625z:  Now it is getting dark, more Europeans are being spotted on 160m FT8. Currently, 11 stations spotted so far. My own 10W CQs have been copied by 5 stations in 4 countries so far.

QO-100 (Es'hail-2) Satellite

Every few weeks I check activity in the narrow-band transponder section of this geosynchronous  satellite. The last time I looked (just now) was at 1525z on a Sunday afternoon in Europe. The impression is that activity is increasing. This is just an impression based on a quick look at the webSDR at Goonhilly in Cornwall, UK

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/

That new coronavirus - NOT amateur radio

It is still too early to tell how dangerous this is. Certainly with air travel all over the world, it can spread very quickly. With long incubation periods when people are healthy, but capable of spreading the disease, it could spread very widely, very quickly. There is always the danger of mutation.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-51254523

Brain overload? - NOT amateur radio

This may just be old age or another effect of my 2013 stroke. Driving has become much harder in the last year. When going 45mph it feels like 65mph. Also, I find I am always looking out for things that could happen, like drivers pulling out and not seeing me.

It is almost as if my brain is now more like someone with autism that has too much to process. My wife thinks this is all in the mind. She may be right. Certainly driving is tiring and stressful. Even with someone else driving I am still in brain overload.

6m FT8

A little while ago I QSYed from 160m FT8 to 6m FT8, calling CQ initially. It is now 1145z. Just 1 spot by G3XDV (45km) of my CQ (10W to the vertical omni V2000) and no QSOs.

On 6m FT8 RX just G0PQO (50km) spotted so far today.

UPDATE 1445z: So far today 3 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX with best DX IK8DYD (1638km). On 6m FT8 TX just 2 spots by G stations,

How do they do it?

An old friend of mine, Andy G4FZE, sent me a link to this video on YouTube. Originally it came from EEVblog.  This is an Australian UHF CB set.  The estimated BOM cost is $5 US. How do they do it?

Daphne - NOT amateur radio

These plants can have a wonderful scent. The Daphne Mezerium was one of my day's favourites.

See https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/popular/daphne/growing-guide

Sunspots - Sunday January 26th 2020

Solar flux is 73 and the SSN 14. A=3 and K=0.

Poor night on 160m FT8 RX

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX overnight 

Last night was poor on 160m FT8 with fewer stations than ever. In all, just 228 stations spotted in the last 12 hours with 6 North American stations and 1 Caribbean. Nothing from South America.

UPDATE 1136z: No spots at all in the last 3 hours on 160m FT8 RX!