10m FT8 RX

Since before breakfast, I have been on 10m FT8 RX with the tiny indoor loop. It is now 0828z and, so far today, 55 stations have been spotted. 

UPDATE 0940z:  105 stations spotted on RX so far.  As well as Es, I think there is some F2 propagation.

UPDATE 1305z: 255 stations spotted so far today on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1530z: 348 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today (see map).

UPDATE 1810z: 593 spots so far.

UPDATE 1947z:  677 stations spotted.

V2000 vertical omni issues

For several weeks I have had issues with my V2000 omni which I use on 6m, 2m and 70cm. 

G3TFX has been investigating and it looks like the main issue is the coax. The antenna had some moisture in, but this has been removed. I need fresh coax.

In the interim I was hoping to use my VX2 handheld out portable for the Cambridge club net on 145.55MHz FM (2m) this evening. However I cannot find the charger! 

Morning walk 2014 - NOT amateur radio

After my long stay in hospital following my stroke I used to do a short walk most mornings. 

This photo from 2014 shows me just back. I look far thinner and the hedge that is now big and thick, looks tiny. 

Sunspots - Wednesday June 30th 2021

Solar flux is 93 and the SSN 56.  A=5 and K=2.

England v. Germany (football) - NOT amateur radio

England played Germany in the knockout stages of the delayed Euros at Wembley. For the first time since 1966, England managed to win. 

Although I am not a great football (soccer) fan, I watched the game, as did many in England. 

After the last year or so, we deserve a bit of good news.

5T5PA Mauritania

This station in West Africa is always a consistent 10m signal, even with my indoor loop.  I have no idea what power and antenna they use.

Odd clouds - NOT amateur radio

These odd clouds appeared as a FaceBook memory from 2019. I was wondering if they were fribratus clouds? Let me know what you think. I cannot remember what the day was like.

This was "our" windmill seen out the window.

See https://whatsthiscloud.com/cloud-species/fibratus/ .

Next SAQ (17.2kHz CW) test transmission

Next Sunday, this historic alternator TX is transmitting for Alexanderson Day on July 4th. I have a QSL card somewhere from them for a transmission many years ago. This is a good chance to test your VLF system.

See https://alexander.n.se/category/news/?lang=en .

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

10m FT8 in the last day with the loop

Compared with a half decent outside 10m antenna I know my loop (50cm across, indoors) is at least 1 S point down. This means stations others copy, I miss. 

Nonetheless, 197 spots in the last day is not bad. These were in Europe, Africa and South America. In the next few weeks with help, I hope to get a decent outside antenna up for 10m.

10m FT8 RX

 

Stations spotted
to 0950z

At 0653z, my 10m FT8 RX was turned on with the tiny indoor loop. So far (at 0700z) no spots.

UPDATE 0710z:   Just M0BPQ (74km) spotted.

UPDATE 1020z:   140 stations spotted on RX. Mostly Es. The map shows the stations spotted on RX at 0950z.

UPDATE 1336z:   247 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2120z: 336 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX. QRT shortly.