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.

160m FT8 RX

Stations spotted to 2120z this
evening on 160m FT8 RX

Using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, I have returned to 160m FT8 RX.  As yet, just Europe and Africa spotted. Nothing yet from other continents.

UPDATE 2132z:  So far this evening 203 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX. A promising start in just over 90 minutes.

UPDATE 2206z:  UN1L (4097km) in Kazaknstan is the first Asian station spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX.  Although I have an S9 noise level on SSB, with this "antenna" I seem to have no problems at all with FT8.

UPDATE  2224z:  Now 270 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX in just over 2 hours.

UPDATE 2233z:  A few moments ago the first North American was spotted. This was VE2FXL  (4996km). Now 4 continents spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX.

Return to 17m FT8

Although my recent CQ calls on 17m FT8  got no spots or QSOs, on RX 5 stations in 3 continents already spotted with the best being YV5DRN (7611km) in South America. Still using the tiny magnetic loop on the windowsill with 10W.

UPDATE 1518z: Just spotted by CU2GI (2575km) in the Azores on 17m FT8 TX.

UPDATE 1528z: 3 spots of my 10W 17m FT8 CQ to the tiny magnetic loop so far with quite decent reports too.

UPDATE 1648z:   10 USA spots of my 10W FT8 17m CQ calls with the tiny magnetic loop on the windowsill. 13 spots of me in total.

UPDATE 1857z:  Now QRT. In all, 14 stations spotted my 10W FT8 on 17m. I am amazed this tiny magnetic loop works so well.