Early start on 10m FT8

As I was up early, the 10m FT8 gear has already been turned on at about 0715z. This is far earlier than normal. So far, just G4KPX (13km) spotting my 2.5W to the tiny loop in the shack. Unsurprisingly, no RX spots yet.

UPDATE 0742z:  Now M1BXF (13km) also spotting me. No Es seen yet!

UPDATE 0958z:   Now 4 Spanish , 1 UK and 1 Danish station spotted this morning on 10m FT8 RX with the indoor loop antenna. No more spots of me.

UPDATE 1200z:  Much more extensive Es. I have now been spotted by 10 stations with most being in southern Europe.  On 10m FT8 RX, 23 stations in 5 countries spotted so far today.

UPDATE 1335z: Now 24 stations spotted with 11 stations spotting my 2.5W to the indoor loop. The map shows where I have been on spotted so far today on 10m FT8.

UPDATE 1808z: 3 South Americans spotted so far today. This could be pure F2 or Es plus F2.

UPDATE 2119z :  QRT.

Sunspots - Tuesday April 28th

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN 12. A=7 and K=3.

Lilac - NOT amateur radio

Several years ago, one of our neighbours lilac trees blew down onto our path. We all thought that was it, so they gota new lilac and planted it a few metres from the old tree. What happened? The old tree sprouted again! We can now enjoy 3 lilac trees as the photo shows.

Disaster - NOT amateur radio

We had pasta for lunch, prepared by me. All was fine until the last minute when I accidentally tipped a whole jar of mixed herbs on it! It tasted, well, "herby".  I scraped a lot off, but it rather spoilt things. After the event we can laugh.

10m FT8

Yet again I am on 10m FT8 with 2.5W and the tiny indoor loop. So far today just being spotted by locals and just 1 G spotted on RX.

UPDATE 1300z:  4 spots so far with a couple of spots from Spain. 1 QSO (in the village!) and 11 spots on RX.

UPDATE 1840z: Just 5 spots of me today and 13 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX. 1 QSO and he was in the village!

UPDATE 1935z: QRT.

Sunspots - Monday April 27th 2020

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN 14.  A=6 and K=2.  Better sunspot numbers.

Zoom - NOT amateur radio

In these strange times we cannot see our grandchildren in person.

Once a week we have a family Zoom session so we can all see each other. It works well.

Yellow tipped - NOT amateur radio

My brother went for a bike ride earlier in Devon. He saw a yellow tipped butterfly (see photo).

Sporadic-E

About now it is almost like a switch being turned on. For the next few months bands like 10m, 6m, 4m and occasionally 2m will spring into life with plenty of short skip contacts. Occasionally these bands may support far more distant contacts via E layer propagation. Last year 6m opened up to Australia!! Anything is possible.

Spring - NOT amateur radio

Pretty sure this photo was on some weeks ago, but I hope you don't mind seeing it again. It shows the path up to our church some weeks ago. Most of the daffodils are now dead until next year.