10m FT8

I have just switched my 4W 10m FT8 to the indoor loop on. We had thunder and my son and family staying, hence the late start today. Within a few minutes my 4W was spotted by 20 stations (mainly in eastern Europe) via Es. 3 stations spotted on RX so far. It is now 1445z.

UPDATE 1544z:  Even though I have not been on long, 28 stations have already spotted my 4W 10m FT8 signal today so far.

UPDATE 1745z: 30 stations have spotted me today so far.

Gifts - NOT amateur radio

We had some gifts brought back from Brittany by our son's family. See the photo.

10m FT8 on Sunday

Until we had thunder and heavy rain yesterday, I was on 10m FT8 with 4W and the tiny indoor loop antenna. There was plenty of Es about.

In all, I was spotted by 65 stations and I spotted 247 stations on RX. I was only on for a few hours too!

Sunspots - Monday August 17th 2020

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 0.  A=4 and K=1.

Rain stops play

About 15 minutes ago all leads to the rig, PC and PSU were disconnected as we have heavy rain and thunder. It is the first decent rain for weeks. Luckily I cut the front hedge and lawn earlier!

Yesterday on 10m FT8 (4W and the indoor loop)

Yesterday, I went on 10m FT8 with the tiny indoor loop antenna. It was a successful day with my 4W spotted by no less than 67 stations across Europe. On RX I spotted 62 stations.

What is not clear is how far down the loop is on an external antenna like a dipole. At a guess I reckon this must be less than 6dB based on results.

This difference could be important with weak signals, but is probably less important with Es. As mentioned before, I'd like to get an external 10m antenna up soon.

No spots from South America.

Predicting the size of the next solar maximum

We know that predicting the size of solar cycle 25 maximum can be extremely difficult: a bit like weather forecasting in that the best predictions are made after the event!  Many try and we are getting better.

A summary of recent predictions is available at the site below made by K9LA. I expect there will be revisions as cycle 25 really starts to motor.

See http://k9la.us/Aug20_Cycle_25_Predictions.pdf

Open Thursdays - NOT amateur radio

After several months of remaining closed, our local museum is open again on Thursdays.

As all sections cannot guarantee social distancing, they have decided to open parts only and ask for donations.

It really is a splendid place and most visitors are surprised how good, and how big, it is.

Sunspots - Sunday August 16th 2020

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 0. A=3 and K=1.

Walk - NOT amateur radio

Fruit seen on the ground
on our walk today

Today, the weather is much duller than last week. We decided to do our "Muntjac walk" which is 3.5-4 miles long and when we often see Muntjac deer.

It was drizzling slightly on our way back.

Although still August, there are signs of autumn with these sloes and plums on the ground (see photo).