Sunspots - Thursday February 6th 2020

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=2.

160m FT8

After a successful 17m FT8 outing with the tiny magnetic loop antenna, I have QSYed to 160m FT8 using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. An initial CQ (10W) resulted in no QSOs but 24 spots across Western Europe on 160m FT8 TX. So far, 59 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX with the best DX being RX9WN (3591km).

UPDATE 1945z:  Now 237 stations spotted this evening so far on 160m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2210z:  407 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX today so far.

Electric cars - NOT amateur radio

Most times when out these days I spot at least 1 electric car. As time goes by I expect these will become more commonplace.

For me, they are still too expensive and the range is too limited for long distances. Even a trip from here to the coast and back would need a charge. They would be fine for short trips.

If people are to be persuaded to adopt these, they need good subsidies and better ranges. With research, I expect the latter will come. The former depends on government policies.

OFCOM updates

Every month OFCOM updates its Communications Monthly giving the latest statistics on comms in the UK. See their website.

10m

Southgate News often has lots of amateur news, but I get frustrated with Tony's 10m News.

To me, this would be far more useful if it showed the 10m DX being worked just from the UK. As it is, it usually shows DX being worked from other places. This can lead to a false impression that 10m is open to exotic places, when it is not!

10m should get better as the sunspot numbers and solar activity start to rise. With modes like FT8, we will find out the band is open much more often than we thought.

HF weak signal modes

There are some people who just enjoy chatting. On HF that usually means using SSB although there is some FM on 10m and some AM on less busy or crowded bands.

If, like me, you are more interested in seeing if bands are open, you may want to try weak signal modes. A few years ago WSPR was very popular. These days FT8 is more common.

WSPR signals are usually found in a 200Hz wide chunk. Individual WSPR signals are about 6Hz wide.  FT8 signals occupy usually a 2.5kHz window and are each about 50Hz wide.  FT8 is about 10dB less sensitive than WSPR.

Both concentrate activity in a narrow part of each band. Most monitors can pick up and report to the internet all signals they spot. Both work with signals weaker than SSB or CW. If a band is open, a weak signal mode will usually show it. As spots depend on monitors and internet uploads, I find FT8 more productive.

All software for these modes is free and available on the internet.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/hf-ft8

Cyclamen - NOT amateur radio

Other house plants we enjoy are cyclamen.  This one, an indiaka cyclamen, is a very attractive sort.

The one in the photo has been good for 4 months and is one of a pair bought cheaply from a local store. Normally, they go shortly after Christmas.

Amaryllis - NOT amateur radio

Every winter, we have amaryllis plants around. These are magical plants: it is hard to believe that from such a small bulb such enormous flowers can grow. We usually have a few and enjoy them shooting up. With luck, they can flower again too.

If you have never tried these, you are in for a treat! We take great pleasure watching ours grow. Next winter get some, water and watch!

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