Days without sunspots

Last month we had quite hopeful signs on the sunspot count for cycle 25. Currently we have had many days without spots. 

I see that Southgate News has some details of spotless days broken down by years. I have no idea what the current view is of the size of sunspot peak for cycle 25.

Spotless Days

Current Stretch: 14 days 

2021 total: 31 days (63%)

2020 total: 208 days (57%)

2019 total: 281 days (77%)

2018 total: 221 days (61%)

2017 total: 104 days (28%)

2016 total: 32 days (9%)

2015 total: 0 days (0%)

2014 total: 1 day (<1%)

2013 total: 0 days (0%)

2012 total: 0 days (0%)

2011 total: 2 days (<1%)

2010 total: 51 days (14%)

2009 total: 260 days (71%)

2008 total: 268 days (73%)

2007 total: 152 days (42%)

2006 total: 70 days (19%)

Walk yesterday - NOT amateur radio

The collage shows more of our walk yesterday. 

Just afterwards it rained! We just hit a gap when it was not dull and raining.

More on the walk yesterday - NOT amateur radio

On our walk yesterday we saw lots of snowdrops and aconites. 

15m FT8 QRP (Thursday)

Most of the morning I've been on 15m FT8 with the tiny indoor loop antenna and 2.5W. So far, 5 stations have spotted me and 110 stations spotted on RX. 

Sunspots - Thursday February 18th 2021

 Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 0. A=8 and K=2. 

2m FT8 QRP (Wednesday)

At 1900z I QSYed to 2m FT8 using the usual 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far, 5 stations have spotted me and I have spotted nobody.

UPDATE 1930z: 7 stations have spotted me so far and the furthermost is GI6ATZ (479km) again. I have spotted 2 stations.

UPDATE 2312z: QRT. 

Winter walk - NOT amateur radio

Every winter we go for a walk around Landwade, which is the smallest village in the county. 

The snowdrops are great as are the aconites.  Very few daffodils out.

Pancakes - NOT amateur radio

My wife had sugar and lemon on hers and I had savoury pancakes. 

They were delicious. The daffodils were past their best and were thrown out tonight.

Burwell church - NOT amateur radio

We have a fine old church in our village. It is currently closed. Parts of it are 1000 years old. From the top  of the tower the view is amazing. Years ago, I went regularly. My wife still attends, but not every week.

The video was made many years ago.

Antenna ideas

For many with small gardens or difficult neighbours, antennas can be a problem. The biggest antenna I have ever used is a CB halfwave. I have never used an HF beam. Despite this, I have worked QRP DXCC with 10W SSB. Most  times I have used just a low wire dipole.

One "antenna" I have found useful is the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. This has proved very effective on VLF, LF and MF. Only last evening I was copying Italy on it on 630m and the night before there were lots of stateside stations spotted on 160m FT8. An advantage is the XYL and neighbours do know even notice it is there at all! 

Another possibility is to use the coax outer feeding maybe a VHF antenna via an ATU on the HF bands tuned against ground. Such antennas can be quite effective. OK against a beam on a tower this maybe an S-point or 2 down, but for the lack of neighbour hassle is a tall tower and big beam worth the fuss? This is a hobby after all. If you don't work DXCC entity 247 does it really matter? Get a life!!!

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