SPAM emails - NOT amateur radio

Every day I must get about 20 SPAM emails. My gmail SPAM filter is very good, so I rarely see these in my inbox. It is always worth checking as just occasionally (1 in 1000?) genuine posts end up in the spam folder. 

It was good to know that my account has just been credited with over £200k. That should help in retirement.😆

Never ever click links you are unsure about. My passwords are regularly changed.

Sunspots - Wednesday December 2nd 2020

 Solar flux is 104 and the SSN 46. A=2 and K=2.

2m activity contest - December

Every month, the RSGB organises an activity contest on 2m (UKAC). Most activity is SSB. As usual, I ran 10W for under an hour to the big-wheel omni antenna. The map shows the contacts tonight.

Solar forecast update

There is an update showing the latest solar updates.

See https://www.solen.info/solar/

OFCOM updates

As usual, OFCOM has updated its statistics in its Communications Monthly. See the OFCOM website. 

QSY to 2m FT8 QRP (Tuesday)

At 1850z, I QSYed to 2m FT8 QRP with 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far, 3 stations have spotted me with the furthermost G4HGI (244km).

UPDATE 1941z:  7 stations have spotted me so far on TX. Nothing spotted on RX yet.

UPDATE 2155z:   9 stations have spotted me on 2m FT8 QRP TX in 4 countries with the furthermost being GI6ATZ (479km).

SAQ Christmas VLF CW transmission cancelled

There was a posting on the SAQ website saying that their Christmas Eve transmission on 17.2kHz CW has been cancelled. See their website. Hopefully better next year. This is often a good time to test your VLF system.

See https://alexander.n.se/the-radio-station-saq-grimeton/saq-transmissions/?lang=en

A very simple PC based receiver for SAQ and VLF is available from SM6LKM. This is simple to install and works very well. I installed it years ago. There may be even better ones around now. You now have more time!

See https://sites.google.com/site/sm6lkm/saqrx/

Looks like there are even better RXs! I have not yet tried this one.

See http://www.dl1dbc.net/SAQ/

10m antenna: Homebase-10

With 10m returning to life, this antenna may "fit the bill" for some people. It featured in Practical Wireless magazine some years ago and there is a page with files about it on my main website. 

For most, the explanations are clear, but if not please let me know so I can make them clearer. It was used for many years at my old QTH.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/homebase .

10m FT8 QRP (Tuesday)

In a few moments (it is now 0914z) I hope to go on 10m FT8 QRP with my 2.5W to the indoor loop. For this time in the sunspot cycle conditions are quite promising.

UPDATE 0924z:  10m FT8 gear turned on.

UPDATE 1027z:  Just one spot of a Polish station SP8BZX (1078km) so far on 10m FT8 RX today.

UPDATE 1258z:  As our Internet has been off some of my spots will not have got to PSKreporter. 

UPDATE 1438z: Just 4 stations spotted today with the furthermost NR1DX (7107km) in Florida.

Covid-19 humour - NOT amateur radio

This appeared on WhatsApp earlier. I have no idea where it came from.