Sunspots - Saturday February 8th 2020

Solar flux is 71 and the sunspot number 0. A=15 and K=2.

160m FT8

The sun is still shining here. It will be dark in about 30 minutes' time.

I am now on 160m FT8 with 10W to the earth electrode "antenna" in the ground.  Already my CQ call has got spots from 13 stations across Europe and on 160m FT8 RX the best DX is RU8W (3643km) after about 30 minutes on the band.

UPDATE 1930z: After a CQ call session on 160m FT8 (10W) I got not a single spot! Investigation revealed that the connection to the earth-electrode "antenna" had fallen off!! Since reconnecting I am being widely spotted again. At the moment 23 spots received with the best spot being by OH2BUA (1833km).

Stations spotting me
on 160m FT8 (10W)

UPDATE 1957z: Already 33 stations have spotted my 10W FT8 on 160m. The earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground certainly works for me!

That magnetic loop on other bands

The magnetic loop
antenna

As you may remember, I have been experimenting with my tiny magnetic loop antenna on the shack windowsill. It is at most about 50cm diameter and the wire is not very thick. To my amazement, I am getting spots with about 10W on 20m FT8. It seems to match on most bands above 20m. If stuck for a "proper" antenna, I can always try this!

20m FT8 TX spots in 30
minutes on the tiny loop

Winter sun - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows Ely Cathedral in the bright winter sunshine.

We went to the cathedral today to see the "Crowns and Gowns" exhibition. Needless to say, I chose not to go to the exhibition.

Like many high streets there plenty of coffee shops and charity shops and few independent shops left.

Green fingers? NOT amateur radio

My wife seems to have a way with orchids! The photo shows just one.

Best night ever on 472kHz WSPR

Overnight 32 stations spotted my 10mW ERP on 472kHz WSPR. Best DX was again a spot from Norway.

Stations spotting my 10mW ERP on 472kHz WSPR TX overnight 

Sunspots - Friday February 7th 2020

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 0. A=15 and K=3.

New IC-705 video

Southgate News has a link to the IC-705 video in which Ray N9JA gives a detailed walk-through of this QRP radio which we hope will be on sale in the UK and EU later this year. It looks very much like the IC-7300 on the screen.

This is the most detailed video of this transceiver I have seen.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/february/icom-ic-705.htm#.Xjxk5I6TLnE

Coronavirus - NOT amateur radio

It is understandable that governments are being very cautious: at the moment there are no vaccines and it is not totally clear how it is spread. It could yet become a global pandemic. At the moment the death rate seems pretty low.

Several things are certain:

• As many things are now made in China, supplies will be disrupted. 
• Demand for oil is falling in China. 
• Cruises will become less popular. 
• The impact on the global economy could be massive.

A lot will depend on the next few weeks.

Another rally

Sunday 9 FEBRUARY : HARWELL RADIO AND ELECTRONICS RALLY

Didcot Leisure Centre, Mereland Road, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 8AY (3 miles from A34 Milton Interchange). Doors open 10am to 3pm, admittance £3 (under 12s free). Free car parking. Disabled parking and facilities. Talk in on 145.550MHz, using G3PIA. Local and national traders, Special Interest Groups and RSGB Bookstand. Home-made refreshments available all day. Details from  www.g3pia.net.