20m FT8 again with the magnetic loop

As of a short while ago, I am on 20m FT8 with the small, indoor, magnetic loop and 10W. Already 3 spots of me, but no 2-way QSOs yet. I am still amazed how well this tiny loop works!

UPDATE 1340z: So far today, 16 spots of my 10W to the tiny, indoor, magnetic loop with best DX SM2UHF (2016km). A reminder that the loop is about 40cm across using 1mm copper wire and is just sat on the shack windowsill.

UPDATE 1456z: 19 people have spotted my 20m 10W FT8 to the tiny magnetic loop antenna so far today. On 20m FT8 RX, 143 stations spotted so far with best DX KF0RQ (7489km) in Colorado, USA.

2m FT8 using the big-wheel omni

At about 0900z I QSYed to 2m. Although no stations yet spotted and no QSOs resulted from my recent FT8 CQs, I was spotted by 8 stations in 2 countries with G7RAU (461km) in Cornwall. As stated in an earlier post, I think I see DX by a mixture of "flat band tropo" and aircraft reflection. In the past I have received very similar numbers of stations with the vertical omni as with the horizontal.

UPDATE 0938z: Just 2 stations in 2 countries so far spotted on 2m FT8 RX. Best DX on2m FT8 RX is GD6ICR (397km).

UPDATE 0957z: 8 stations in 3 countries have spotted my CQs (10W to the big-wheel) so far on 2m FT8 today. Best DX is EI3KD (583km).

2m FT8 (10W) spots 

of me so far today

UPDATE 1224z: 19 stations in 4 countries have spotted me so far this morning. An M station called me shortly after I went back to RX only, so we missed a QSO. On 2m FT8 RX 16 spots in 4 countries so far.

Local landmark - NOT amateur radio

Our local church dates from Saxon times over 1000 years ago. It can be seen from miles around.

160m FT8 overnight

Not a bad night but not the best either.  728 stations spotted with North and South America in the log.

160m FT8 RX overnight 

Sunspots - Sunday February 9th 2020

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 0. A=6 and K=1.

Ely cathedral - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday we visited Ely Cathedral. It is very, very old. The photo shows the light inside.

160m FT8

Results with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground are very similar to previous evenings. So far, 40 stations spotted here and 6 spots of my 10W.

UPDATE 1808z:  So far this evening 22 stations have spotted me. On 160m FT8 RX, 149 spots so far this evening.
 2110

Spots on 160m FT8 RX this evening

UPDATE 2018z: 26 spots of my 10W FT8 CQ calls on 160m this evening. 362 spots on RX spots far this evening. Quite a few stations are working Japanese stations that I think TX higher up the band. I must find out where and monitor.

UPDATE 2028z:  Looks like the Japanese TX on 1907kHz which is where I am looking now. Maybe I am too late this evening? I shall monitor 1907kHz for a while before going back to 1840kHz.

UPDATE 2100z: Both JA5EXW and JH4UYB spotted on 1907kHz USB FT8, but neither appeared on PSKreporter. I am obviously looking in the right place. Tomorrow I must try earlier. A couple of EU stations are transmitting up there hoping to work Japanese without split.

UPDATE 2118z:  VO1HP (3744km) spotted at 2110z, which is quite early. 4S7AB (8678km) is currently the best DX spotted this evening.

Stations spotted so far this
evening on 160m FT8 RX

UPDATE 2140z: 418 stations spotted so far this evening on 160m FT8 RX. This excludes the Japanese stations.

20m FT8 with the magnetic loop

Just before 1130z I QSYed to 20m FT8 using the tiny magnetic loop antenna on the shack windowsill. Already 5 spots of my 10W FT8 CQ with best DX RO1M (2030km). On 20m FT8 RX 15 stations spotted, mostly in Eastern Europe.

UPDATE 1348z:   Just measured the loop diameter - just 0.4m!! The wire is about 1mm diameter.  So far, 15 stations have spotted me with the magnetic loop (10W) with the best DX being a spot by K1GUY (3288 miles). Quite amazing.

UPDATE 1700z:  I have just QSYed to 160m FT8, but managed 31 spots of my 10W 20m FT8 CQs (no 2-way QSOs sadly) with the tiny magnetic loop.

Building

The photo shows me building in the back of the garage at the old QTH many years ago. These days building is hard.

Another good session on 160m FT8 RX overnight

Yet another good session on 160m FT8 RX overnight with 756 stations spotted including many in North America and 1 in South America.

UPDATE 1000z: Nothing in the last 2 hours! Definitely a nighttime DX band.

Spots on 160m FT8 RX overnight here