10m WSPR TX (500mW)

Since about 1410z, I have been on WSPR TX with my little W5OLF 10m WSPR beacon. As mentioned before, this is about the size of a pack of cards and is totally self contained. No PC is needed. Time is synchronised with a button push, then it TXs 100%, but randomly changes frequency within the WSPR window every 2 minutes.

UPDATE 1455z:   8 unique reports with the furthermost by EA8BFK (2880km) in the Canary Islands.

UPDATE 1840z:   14 unique stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon today.

Updated solar data

It is pretty clear from 10m that we have "turned a corner" and 10m is once again a great F2 DX band. At times it behaves like a VHF band, whereas, when the solar flux and sunspots are better, it transforms into arguably our very best HF DX band.

Usually early in the month my favourite site for solar data is updated. At the time of writing this had not yet happened, but it might have when you read this. 

As I recall things, predictions were that Cycle 25 would be similar to Cycle 24 with a peak expected 2024 or 2025.

Family 2012 - NOT amateur radio

This was 2012. This grandson is 14 years old next week!! 

160m FT8 RX overnight

349 stations were spotted on 160m FT8 RX in the last day. Although better stations were working the USA, nothing was spotted from North America or South America overnight. I think the Iraqi spot was a DL with an incorrect QTH locator.

10m FT8 RX (Monday)

My gear was turned on at 0855z. At 1010z 139 stations spotted on RX.

UPDATE 1411z:  507 stations from all over the planet spotted.

Sunspots - Monday November 1st 2021

Solar flux is 103 and the SSN 83.  A=20 and K=3.

Halloween party - NOT amateur radio

 

As our grandchildren had to go home just after lunch, we had a Halloween party last night. 

160m FT8 RX (Sunday)

This evening and overnight I hope to be on 160m FT8 RX. After a very brief TX period, I am RX only. On TX I was spotted by 1 station in Scotland and I have spotted 5 stations with the furthermost SP7MOC (1400km).

UPDATE 1925z:   79 stations spotted with the furthermost RM9X (3186km).

UPDATE 2100z:  159 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX so far today. Furthermost is 7P8RU (9486km) in Lesotho.

CQWW SSB contest

I had a peep on 10m SSB and there was plenty of activity as the photo shows. Without trying I worked VP9I which may be a new country with my 10W SSB on 10m. It is certainly a new country in the 21st century.  After 5 minutes I had had enough!! 

10m FT8 RX (Sunday)

My gear was turned at about 1105z. So far (at 1113z) 44 stations already spotted. I am amazed how many in such a short time.

UPDATE 1655z:  Now QRT on 10m FT8 RX and surprised to spot 474 unique stations today on FT8 on the weekend of the CQWW SSB contest.