160m FT8 RX (Wednesday)

 A few moments ago I QSYed to 160m FT8 RX. So far, 48 stations spotted with the indoor Wellgood active antenna.

15m FT8 RX (Wednesday)

Since about 0930z, I have been on 15m FT8 RX will the indoor active loop. So far today, 29 stations already spotted with the furthermost 5Z4VJ (6858km).

UPDATE 1130z:  149 stations spotted so far today on 15m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1900z:   415 stations spotted before I QSYed.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Wednesday)

 Since about 0930z, I have been on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW using the W5OLF 10m WSPR beacon.

UPDATE 1430z: 4 unique stations have spotted me so far today.

Crowded Devon beach 2012 - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows a Devon beach in 2012 on this December day. My brother and I went for a walk around the coast. 

160m FT8 RX overnight

Apart from a short while on 2m (I gave up as there was an activity contest on) I was on 160m FT8 RX with the active loop antenna. In all 177 stations spotted.  One USA station spotted - KA2HTV (4839km). 

Sunspots - Wednesday December 8th 2021

 Solar flux is 79 and the SSN 13. A=5 and K=1.

Active RX loops

Some months ago I swapped my little used X80 multi-band vertical for a Wellgood RX active loop. This is essentially the same as the Wellbrook RX active loop.

I just use mine stuck to the shack window. It cannot even be turned! It has been used from 2200m to 15m. It may even work at 10m, but I have not tried it. The convenience of not having to swap or tune antennas is great. As far as I can tell it is every bit as good as my alternative antennas.

Christmas cards earlier? - NOT amateur radio

Perhaps as we all need cheering up, it seems Christmas cards are arriving earlier this year. I don't think this is my imagination. 

15m FT8 RX (Tuesday)

At about 0950z, I turned on my 15m RX using the Wellgood active loop on the shack window. At 0954z,  27 stations already spotted with the furthermost ZS6AF (9156km).

UPDATE 1434z:  334 stations spotted so far today on 15m FT8 RX (see map).

UPDATE 1727z:  446 stations spotted.

10m QRP WSPR (Tuesday)

I keep forgetting that if I an RXing using the Wellgood active loop, my 10m antenna is free and I can go on 10m WSPR TX with the W5OLF 10m WSPR beacon! This puts out 500mW 100% of the time, but randomly moves the TX in the 200Hz WSPR window on every TX period to avoid being clobbered by a strong station. It was turned on about 0950z.

UPDATE 1816z: 3 unique stations have spotted me. I still have some doubts about the authenticity of FY5KE (7110km).