Sunspots - Sunday March 15th 2020

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN 0.  A=3 and K=1.

Solar flux

For the last few days we have seen solar flux numbers in the sixties. In February, unless I am mistaken, numbers were in the low 70s. Perhaps we have not quite reached the solar minimum yet? We may just be bumbling along the bottom.

More on loops

At our old house, I did some tests with a loop antenna using central heating pipe.

More recently I have been using a Wonder Wand loop that was a gift many years ago. As described yesterday, this loop uses a different way to match the loop and much thinner wire for the loop. Thicker wire results in better efficiency and sharper tuning. As I recall, my loop of some years ago was surprisingly effective.

For 10m FT8 the loop could be brought to resonance with a small length of coax. This needs to be carefully cut to tune to frequency, but once cut, it should not need further adjustment. A short length of coax acts as a capacitor and should be able to cope with the high voltages at the top of a resonant loop.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/magloop

Pre-theatre meal - NOT amateur radio

Some months ago we went to the theatre in Wembley. The photo shows me eating a pizza before the theatre.

Please watch this - NOT amateur radio

I was told of these videos from Dr John Campbell by Chris M0PZC. The "delay" phase is trying to reduce the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, so that health services are better able to cope. This is to help the community.

Children, in general, are not badly affected, but they can spread the disease. Older people with pre-existing health conditions can become seriously ill and die.

Your help is imperative. Do what you can to slow the spread of the virus. Thank you. Your actions could save lives!

With a vaccine readily available being some way off despite great effort, our best hope is some antiviral treatment that may improve outcomes. From what I have read, the best hope is remdesivir, although I am no expert.

20m FT8

In a short while, I shall go on 20m FT8 with the tiny indoor loop antenna. Results previously have exceeded expectations.

UPDATE 1118z: I have turned on the 20m FT8 (10W). Already 39 stations spotted, but no-one has spotted my yet. I maybe am (unknowingly) co-channel with a strong signal inaudible here. I checked the frequency before TXing.

UPDATE 1230z: Since moving about 200Hz HF I have been spotted by 18 stations! Best DX is a spot of my 10W by N4PSK (4374 miles). On 20m FT8 RX 145 stations have been spotted so far.

UPDATE 1920z:  Still being spotted! 111 spots of me today and 7 in the USA.

UPDATE 2129z: 121 spots of me today on 20m FT8 with the tiny indoor loop and 10W as the map shows. Several 2-way QSOs too. Now QRT.

Meal out - NOT amateur radio

As our son was 44 earlier this week we took him out for a nice meal as he was here overnight.

Sunspots - Saturday March 14th 2020

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN 0. A=7 and K=0.

Amazon and amateur radio

Amazon is a bit like the UK yeast spread Marmite: you either love it or hate it!

My wife and I really try to support local, village businesses. As our son tells us, without our trade they will just go. The local butcher does amazing bacon and the local bakers great soft rolls and pasties.

I digress. What I was going to say was that Amazon does a great range of amateur radio products and books. With Amazon Prime you can order these for next day delivery.

Our shopping habits are changing and many choose to order from the armchair and get them delivered to the door the next day. OK, we cannot browse as we can in a real shop, but returns are easy and painless.

I was saddened by our local chemist: last year my wife just wanted some nail scissors. Nothing fancy, just simple nail scissors. She was told they had no stock and were not getting any! She went on Amazon, ordered them and they were delivered promptly, for less money! If local businesses are to survive they have to stock common items at sensible prices. Many people will pay a little more to shop locally.

See https://www.amazon.co.uk/

Indoor loop matching

Normally, loops are matched with a primary winding about 1/5th the size of the main loop. In my case the matching is done using a tapped toroid tuned circuit. This matches the loop on 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, 10m and 6m.

The wire used in the loop is about 1mm diameter and the loop diameter about 45cm across. It just sits on my shack windowsill. It works far better than I ever expected.

As I mentioned before, if you cannot use an outside antenna and you enjoy modes that don't require lots of retuning, consider a loop!