Sporadic E (Es) and wet string

 At this time of year we get Es in the northern hemisphere. What amazes me is how strong signal can be. This is not always the case, but it is not uncommon to get S9+ signals with low power, even on FM. Es can be particularly effective on 10m and 6m. Often the season goes on into September. Very simple antennas can be effective. Yesterday I was happily decoding FT8 signals with my antenna wire on the ground on 10m. A dipole made of wire is perfectly adequate.

10m FT8 yesterday

Spots of me
on TX 

Now I have an outside antenna for 10m, results are better. 887 stations spotted on RX and 47 spots of my 2.5W and several QSOs. 

Stations spotted on
RX yesterday 

The second map shows the stations spotted here yesterday. 

Sunspots - Sunday July 4th 2021

 Solar flux is 94 and the SSN 81. A=4 and K=1. 

SAQ reminder

 If you want to have a go at receiving SAQ on 17.2kHz CW, a reminder that there are special transmissions of this historic alternator VLF TX today. 

VHF NFD

The RSGB used to hold VHF NFD in September, but it is now this weekend in July. I came on briefly this evening to give a few points away with 10W and the big-wheel omni antenna. I might try briefly tomorrow. 

Discount food shop - NOT amateur radio

Recently a new discount food store opened in nearby Newmarket. It is actually a nice shop. 

They will give the other supermarkets a run for their money. The photo shows our purchases there yesterday. 

Northern Iceland - NOT amateur radio

Some years ago we had a great holiday in Iceland. The weather was very good and we were surprised by how green it was. There were lots of wild lupins.

The photo shows northern Iceland. It was one of the nicest places I have ever been to. 

10m FT8 with the external antenna

At 0515z I turned on my 10m FT8 gear with 2.5W and the external antenna. So far today 31 stations have spotted me. 

Sunspots - Saturday July 3rd 2021

 Solar flux is 95 and the SSN 72. A=5 and K=2.

External 10m antenna

Late this afternoon, with the help of G3TFX, I re-erected my Par EF-10/20/40 antenna. It matches fine on 10m and 40m but the match is off on 20m. Since erecting this I have been spotted by 48 stations on 10m FT8 with the furthermost CU6AD (2679km). 

On RX it seems to work from 40m-10m. I have not tried other bands yet.

On 10m FT8 RX 80 stations have been spotted with the furthermost PT2VHF (8874km).

UPDATE 2106z: Copied in the USA (New England) by a couple of stations with the furthermost W1BZJ (5317km).