2m FT8

At about 1600z, I decided to QSY to 2m FT8. On 10m FT8,  I was again widely spotted across Europe despite running just 4W to the indoor loop.

On 2m I am running the usual 10W (high power eh?) and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far, 12 spots of me already in the first 5 minutes!

Stations spotting me at 1610z

UPDATE 1610z: Already spotted on the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland after just a few minutes.

UPDATE 2050z:  QRT.  In all today, my 10W was spotted 40 stations in 7 countries.

International Lighthouse Weekend 2020

For this year, the ILLW event when lighthouses around the world are activated has been moved to this weekend Aug 22nd/23rd. This is NOT a contest. Google for more details.

Flash floods - NOT amateur radio

After the floods 

A few days ago, the heavens opened and it rained so heavily that the drains could not cope. One of our old neighbours really suffered badly. I feel sorry for people who have their homes ruined by floods.

Cambridge shopping - NOT amateur radio

For the first time since March we ventured into Cambridge. We went shopping. It was busier than I expected, but still easy to social distance.

10m FT8

It is now 0836z. My 4W to the tiny indoor loop antenna has been on for about 15 minutes. So far no spots on RX and on TX 2 spots.

Sunspots - Thursday August 20th 2020

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 15. A=6 and K=1.

Swifts - NOT amateur radio

Most swifts have now left on their long migrations south. Imagine my surprise when I saw one earlier. There are a few stragglers still around, but most have now left until next spring.

10m FT8

Es about today.  Although I have only been on for about 10 minutes with my 4W FT8 and the indoor loop already 10 stations have been spotted and I have been spotted by 7. So far, just EU.

UPDATE 2110z: 27 stations spotted me today. On RX the best DX was a station in Chile, South America.

WSJT-X V2.2.2 or PC bug?

For several days now I have been using WSJT-X V2.2.2 on FT8. Several times when I first use it the RX signals are "smeared" and I get no decodes. Restarting the PC clears this and I get plenty of decodes. I am using a SignaLink USB interface that has given me perfect service for years.

I wonder if any others have experiences this?

Simple pleasures - NOT amateur radio

As we awoke early we decided to go on an early walk.

We picked some apples and blackberries as the photo shows.