Snowy churchyard - NOT amateur radio

 

This photo was taken on this day in 2009. Obviously we had December snow then.

10m FT8 RX (Saturday)

It is now 1113z and I have been on for about 65 minutes. So far,  no spots have been reported to PSKreporter, which is rubbish as my screen is filled with stations. I shall have to try a total reset.

UPDATE 1150z:  It seems to coincide with Windows wanting to do an upgrade. Don't you just love Windows? Complete reset done. Still no spots. I guess this could be a problem at their end? Anyone else had issues?

Sunspots - Saturday December 18th 2021

Solar flux is 121 and the SSN 119.  A=3 and K=0. 

2m FT8 RX (Friday)

As last night, I am on 2m FT8 RX using the omni-directional big-wheel antenna. After about 2 hours, 74 stations were spotted with the furthermost EA1SA (1034km) in northern Spain.  In the last day 188 stations in 10 countries were spotted. As they say, "a bit of a lift on".

See map.

10m FT8 RX (Friday)

At the moment I am on 10m FT8 RX. It is now 0952z and already 66 stations have been spotted with the furthermost 4Z4WD (3595km).

UPDATE 1722z:   231 stations spotted. The furthermost was CX8DSK (11116km).

Solar conditions

Both the solar flux and sunspot number are good today. I know that solar conditions can vary widely, but today the numbers are good. 

I have not seen the latest predictions, but this cycle is definitely not a "non event".

2m FT8 DX

2m FT8 was good last night with 138 stations spotted including several in northern Spain. 

Only using a big-wheel omni antenna!! 

Sunspots - Friday December 17th 2021

Solar flux is 118 and the SSN 127.  A=8 and K=1.

40m FT8 RX

 As it is dark, I have QSYed to 40m FT8 RX using the indoor Wellgood active loop antenna.  It is now 1730z and I have been on for about 10 minutes and already 69 stations spotted.

UPDATE 2002z:   344 stations spotted. Soon to QSY to 2m FT8.

6m MSK144 RX overnight

Overnight I went on 6m MSK144 RX, hoping to catch the tail end if the Geminids meteor shower. I think I was too late or was monitoring on the wrong frequency for Europe as nothing, at all, was copied. I was on 50.260MHz RX. Disappointing.