17m FT8

At about 0715z I switched to 17m FT8. I am again using the magnetic loop antenna on the windowsill. No spots yet.

UPDATE 0900z: 12 RX spots so far and a 2-way QSO with RD4D (3089km).

UPDATE 0930z: 28 spots so far with RZ9U (5270km) as the best DX so far on 17m FT8 RX with the little magnetic loop.

UPDATE 1020z:  So far today, 49 stations spotted on 17m FT8 RX. On TX I see I was spotted in Eastern Ukraine by D1DX (2676km). Is this a prefix for the Russian occupied areas?

UPDATE 1024z: According to PSKreporter, 9 stations have spotted my 17m FT8 TX so far today.

Stations spotting my 10W
FT8 to 1122z today

UPDATE 1135z: So far today, 22 stations have spotted my 17m FT8 10W to the tiny magnetic loop antenna (thin copper wire and about 50cm across on the windowsill!). Best DX is a spot by OD5YA (3466km). Magnetic loops definitely work! In the garage I have a thicker loop which I have not used for about 7 years. This is probably at least 3dB better than the loop I am currently using.

UPDATE 1146z: 23 stations have, so far, spotted my 10W FT8 on 17m (see log).

UPDATE 1301z: 101 stations spotted so far on 17m FT8 RX today, with best DX spotted being BG9NJY (7657km) in China. 34 spots on TX.

USA spots of my 10W FT8 to the tiny
magnetic loop so far today (16 spots so far)

UPDATE 1526z: 58 stations have spotted my 10W 17m FT8 to the tiny magnetic loop today including 16 from North America.

UPDATE 1655z: 19 stateside stations have spotted me today with my 10W 17m FT8 to the indoor magnetic loop. 145 stations have been spotted today.

160m FT8 overnight

Quite a decent session on 160m FT8 RX overnight with over 500 stations spotted. Plenty of US, Caribbean and European stations.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 overnight 

Sunspots - Wednesday February 5th 2020

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=5 and K=2.

2m activity contest tonight

Starting at 2000z is the activity contest held every month on the first Tuesday on 2m. I usually give it a go for about 1 hour with my big-wheel omni and 10W SSB. My voice is poor. In all, 9 contacts made before I had to go QRT.

House plants - NOT amateur radio

My wife loves having lots of house plants and flowers around. As there are plenty of daffodils around, we have some of these in a vase. They certainly help to brighten up dull winter days!

160m FT8

As 17m is closing or closed, I have QSYed to 160m FT8.

Lots of EU stations that have been spotted. On 160m FT8 TX, 15 stations have spotted my 10W to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground so far.

UPDATE 1925z: So far this evening 167 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX with best DX UA9YE (5277km). On 160m FT8 TX 26 spots of my 10W FT8 so far.

17m FT8 with the magnetic loop

As I have no external 17m antennas, I am using the tiny magnetic loop on the shack windowsill. Plenty of RX spots, 1 QSO, and 10 spots of my 10W signal so far. Amazing.

UPDATE 1246z: Now 103 stations spotted.

UPDATE 1632z: Now 194 stations spotted today on 17m FT8 RX with the tiny magnetic loop. These include VU and A45, but best DX is 9Y4DG (7209km). On TX (10W) a couple of recent spots from EA8 and CU2. 11 stations have spotted me today on 17m FT8 TX, although I have not been on much.

Stations spotted today on 17m FT8 RX with
the magnetic loop antenna on the windowsill

Good overnight on 160m FT8 RX

With over 500 stations spotted on the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, last night was quite a good session on 160m FT8 RX. 

The stations spotted are shown on the map below.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX overnight

Sunspots - Tuesday February 4th 2020

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=5 and K=2.

Violets - NOT amateur radio

Poking out of the ivy were these violets. They are facing the sun and seem early, although probably not.

With a mild February, we can expect to see more spring flowers.