15m FT8

At about 1515z, I switched to 15m FT8 using 2.5W and the poorer indoor loop. Several USA stations already spotted, although they did not appear on PSKreporter for some reason.

UPDATE 1548z: 1 station has spotted me and I have spotted 4 so far with the furthermost being KB8BIP (6266km) in West Virginia.

WSJT-X bug?

Several times I have noticed a bug with WSJT-X with FT8. 

When I use my Windows 10 machine, it seems not to recognise my SignaLink USB interface until a few minutes after I have switched on. After a while it recognises it and starts to decode OK. Before then, signals on the waterfall look smeared and there are no decodes.  

At first I thought it was RF feedback, but it seems to be any band and any antenna. I have still to try the new release candidate version 2.3  to see if this has been corrected.

East Cambs net

Not all locals are interested or can make it. 8pm Mondays 144.575 vertical FM - East Cambs net.

Old logbooks

When I was working, I managed to scan some of my early logbooks. These are available as files on my main website.

One of my winter projects is to join Logbook of the World (LOTW). Another is to update my eQSL entries.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/logs

10m FT8 QRP

Since 0922z I have been on 10m FT8 with 2.5W and the poorer indoor loop.  I must mend the better loop!  No spots yet.

UPDATE 1023z:  Just a single spot on RX of G0PQO (50km).

UPDATE 1508z:  Several stations in southern Spain spotted. Nobody has yet spotted me today.

Getting ready for winter? - NOT amateur radio

We saw this boat on our walk yesterday. Looks like they are getting ready for winter. 

Most blackberries have gone or have shrivelled up. I ate one last one.

Me as a child - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday my wife found this photo of me as a child.  I am holding my pet hen. I am about 8 or 9. This hen ate off the the same plate as our Cairn terrier.

As a very young child we kept hens for eggs.

Sunspots - Sunday November 8th 2020

Solar flux is 90 and the SSN 37. A=5 and K=1 We are definitely climbing out of the solar minimum.

Earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground

At VLF, LF and MF I have used this at 2 QTHs with great success. My own theory is this acts as a loop in the ground which gets bigger with rising skin depth i.e. as frequency is reduced. I am sure a full sized antenna would be better, but this works way beyond expectations.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/earth-electrode-antennas

Thank you! - NOT amateur radio

One blog reader very kindly sent me a great gift in the post. This was a total surprise and very much appreciated. To avoid embarrassing him, I won't name him, but the parcel arrived safely - thank you so much. 

There are some very kind people in this world, certainly far more good people than bad.