40m FT8 RX (Thursday)

As 15m is getting pretty quiet here, I have QSYed to 40m FT8 RX using the Wellgood active loop antenna.  I QSYed at 1933z.  At 1945z, 26 stations spotted. Furthermost is CU3AK (2586km) in the Azores.

TinySA spectrum analyser

Amazon Prime sell these, but I gather there are several copies on sale and only some are "the genuine article". My wife wants to buy me something for Christmas and birthday (which is very near Christmas) and this seems a good idea. It is certainly better than socks!

If you know who sells the "real deal", please let me know.

At around £63 this looks excellent value, especially as it can also be used as a signal generator.

Rally cancelled

The rally for the Bishop Auckand Radio Amateurs Club, due to take place on Sunday November 28th, has been cancelled due to the pandemic. It is hoped to hold it next year.

80m FT8 RX last evening and overnight

Last evening and overnight I was on 80m FT8 RX with the Wellgood active loop on the shack window indoors. 796 stations spotted, but nothing from the Americas.

The Wellgood active loop is working really well. For RX this antenna is perfect: all I have to do is change the WSJT-X band and the RX frequency.

15m FT8 RX (Thursday)

At the moment I am on 15m FT8 RX with the Wellgood active loop on the shack window. So far, 96 stations spotted with the furthermost PY7ZC (7540km).  It is now 1035z and I have been on since about 0900z.

UPDATE 1232z:  232 stations spotted with the furthermost LW2EDM (11776km).

UPDATE 1518z:  468 stations spotted. Furthermost is LU8XW (13474km).

UPDATE 1926z: 583 stations spotted on 15m FT8 RX.

Sunspots - Thursday November 25th 2021

 Solar flux is 83 and the SSN 39.   A=5 and K=1.

80m FT8 RX (Wednesday)

As 15m seems to have got quiet here, I QSYed to 80m FT8 at 1745z. The antenna is still the Wellgood active loop. Already after 75 minutes 175 stations spotted. Furthermost is RW0AR (5585km).

UPDATE 1955z:  249 unique stations spotted so far on 80m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2030z:  327 stations spotted.

Why? - NOT amateur radio

It seems that many things get worse over time, not better. 

At one time Google supported Picasa (a photo editing tool) that was excellent and allowed you to send photos to friends very easily. This has gone.  Coats have fewer pockets. Underpants are thinner, no doubt made in sweat shops to a fixed price. Bags from the National Trust have fewer pockets. The latest is something from Google Adsense saying they no longer support certain sorts of adverts.

I am sure some things are better, but ,"if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

Boris - NOT amateur radio

Boris Johnson is the UK Prime Minister. 

He has had a difficult time since being in office, but this week he made a bumbling speech to business leaders and lost his way with his notes. As an ad lib he mentioned he had been to Peppa Pig World.

I give him a few months before he is replaced. His ruling party, the Conservative Party, is likely to lose support if he stays in charge. This is my view. Others may think he is wonderful. Sorry, but I don't.

This cartoon will mean more to people in the UK who know Boris.

15m FT8 RX (Wednesday)

For about an hour I have been on 15m FT8 RX with my Wellgood active loop on the shack window. So far, 80 stations spotted with the furthermost VR2XMT (9530km) in Hong Kong.

UPDATE 1410z: So far today, 348 stations spotted from most continents.

UPDATE 1656z:  637 stations so far spotted today on 15m FT8 RX with the Wellbrook active loop.