South Devon - NOT amateur radio

This is Burgh Island from Thurlestone in South Devon, UK. I don't think this photo has been on the blog already. This is very near where I originally came from and still love. 

10m FT8 RX (Tuesday)

 As mentioned yesterday, I am on 10m FT8 RX again this morning, but may QSY to 8m FT8 RX this afternoon if F2 propagation looks promising. Judging by initial 10m results, F2 to the USA is looking a possibility on 8m later.

Initially, I shall be RX only on 8m FT8 on 40.680 MHz. I shall try TX if things look possible.

UPDATE 0915z:  71 stations already spotted on 10m FT8 RX.

2011 holiday - NOT amateur radio

 In 2011 we had a holiday in Perigord. 

Software VLF RX

This very simple software RX by SM6LKM was found about 10 years ago. I think it has been developed further by others.

Sunspots - Tuesday September 20th 2022

Solar flux is 128 and the SSN 74. A=11 and K=2.

8m FT8 tomorrow?

F2 conditions are getting better, so I may try 8m FT8 tomorrow PM.  I shall probably go on 10m FT8 in the morning. 

At some point this autumn I hope to copy USA 8m stations on 40.680 MHz FT8. To get any reports of my 8m FT8 signals or even a QSO across the Atlantic would be incredible.

23cm antennas?

Next year, all being well, I hope to try some /P 23cm operation in some of the RSGB organised activity contests (UKAC). I am wondering if there is a popular antenna used in these contests?  

Clearly very high gain antennas will give good signals, but will miss stations that are out of the very sharp beamwidth, whereas smaller antennas will have broader beams, but less gain.  Perhaps, stations use one antenna for hunting, then a sharp, high gain one when on beam.

It is a very long time since I was on 23cm and then only RX.

Is there a favourite antenna?

History - NOT amateur radio

Whatever your views are on the monarchy, today's funeral of Queen Elizabeth II of the UK was historic and will have been viewed by billions of people across the globe. 

We watched on TV. 

10m FT8 RX (Monday)

This morning, I am on 10m FT8 RX. Lots of F2 propagation at 0752z. 

UPDATE 1035z:  Worldwide (almost) reception on 10m FT8 RX this morning.

UPDATE 1450z:  513 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today from all over the world.

UPDATE 1920z: 1021 stations spotted today on 10m FT8  RX today. Like old times!

Sunspots - Monday September 19th 2022

Solar flux is 136 and the SSN 51. A=11 and K=1.