Sunspots - Sunday November 15th 2020

Solar flux is 80 and the SSN 11.  A=3 and K=0.

Solar flux seems to be in the high 70s or 80s most days now.

Covid-19 locally - NOT amateur radio

Compared with many areas in England we are not bad. The table shows the state of play in our county. We live in East Cambridgeshire. 

New normal? - NOT amateur radio

For the last week we have been in a second lockdown in England. Luckily our nearest National Trust gardens are still open. As part of this new lockdown, they have again closed their cafe and have set up a couple of outdoor kiosks serving take-aways.

For those not in the UK, the National Trust owns some gardens, homes and wild places for the nation. Members can visit free and non-members can visit for a fee.

6m FT8

At 1417z, I QSYed to 6m FT8 using 2.5W to the V2000 vertical. If I spot anyone today, or if anyone spots me, I shall be pleasantly surprised.

UPDATE 1426z: Well, pleasantly surprised!  M0MVB (31km) has spotted my 6m FT8 QRP already. As I recall he has a very good 6m antenna and station. We are probably cross polarised.

UPDATE 1807z:  Just the single spot of me today on TX. 2 stations spotted on RX with the furthermost GW0GEI (308km) in west Wales.

UPDATE 2300z: QRT. 

2m FT8 QRP

Since 0855z, I have been on 2m FT8 with the usual 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. It is now 0930z. So far, I have been spotted by a couple of stations with the furthermost being G4MSA (222km).

UPDATE 1400z:  6 stations in 3 countries have spotted me today with the furthermost being GI6ATZ (479km).

Antenna video

A friend, Chris, passed on the link to this old talk and demonstration about antennas. You might find it helpful. 

For some reason, the video did not work, so I hope this link works!

See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEigIMS6bo4

Sunspots - Saturday November 14th 2020

Solar flux is 82 and the SSN 24. A=3 and K=1.

8m (40MHz) band

As far as I know, the blog of EI7GL has the best data on the 40MHz (8m) band. This was allocated in Eire some years ago and a few amateurs in Europe have been operating on the band with special permission.

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/p/40-mhz.html

70cm super-DX

Southgate News reports on some super 70cm DX in the Southern Hemisphere. They report on an FM QSO between South Africa and Saint Helena. This over 3100km!! Makes you wonder if they will work Cape Verde Is at some future date from South Africa especially with FT8.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/november/3000km-plus-contact-made-on-433-mhz.htm#.X67fv7uTLrc

2m FT8 QRP

Most of the day I have been on 2m FT8 with the usual 2.5W to the big-wheel omni antenna. At 2130z I have gone QRT. 

17 stations spotted me today in 6 countries as the map shows. On RX 30 stations spotted in 6 countries.