Sunspots - Monday August 7th 2023

Solar flux is 174 and the SSN 97.  A=4 and K=2.

Muntjac deer - NOT amateur radio

These are deer the size of large dogs. They are an introduced species and they are getting bolder. This one just stared at us, then calmly walked into the sweetcorn. They can be a real pain in the garden when they eat flowers.

Amused me!! - NOT amateur radio

This was on Facebook earlier. It made me chuckle. I guess the label was created by someone who doesn't know English. 

Afternoon walk - NOT amateur radio

 Later, we hope to go on a walk in the village. It is an area called "Paulines' Swamp". It is a nature reserve created some years ago in memory of the wife of a well known village person.

The YouTube video is a view of our village, taken with a drone.  Pauline's Swamp is just visible after 2 mins 10 secs at the very top. If you did not know, you would not know!  Our house also on near the windmill.

More European Es

Following on from my post yesterday and Jan's comment, I am finding plenty of 6m Es today.

See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/ .

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Sunday)

 My 10m WSPR beacon was turned on at about 0830z. So far today, no spots of me. It is now 0851z.

UPDATE 0932z:   My signal has been received in Finland by OH6BG (1718km). This could be Es or F2 I guess.

UPDATE 1913z:  8 unique stations have spotted my QRP 10m WSPR today. QRT soon.

6m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

My 2.5W to the V2000 vertical omni antenna was turned on at about 0830z.  So far, spotted just by Gs. 1 G spotted on RX.

UPDATE 0955z: My signal has been received in Portugal. Es? 10 stations have been spotted here as far away as the Canary Is..

UPDATE 1104z: 13 stations have spotted me as far as Portugal and Spain and 23 stations have been spotted here so far.

UPDATE 1740z:  30 stations have spotted me (see photo).

UPDATE  1925z: 88 stations spotted. Furthermost ZS6WN (8931km). I really hope this is genuine. Does anyone know? QRT soon.

UPDATE 2107z:   ZS6WN had lots of spots in Europe and none in South Africa. He looks like a pirate in Europe? I may be wrong, but am naturally suspicious.

G3USB Richard

Many years ago whilst driving around the lanes of Devon I worked G3USB/M on 2m FM. I used to work with him in old Pye days. After a period of inactivity, he is now on the air again from 26km away. He has spotted me several times recently on 6m FT8.

I checked QRZ.com but could not see an email address. If anyone has this I'd be most grateful as I should like to get in touch.

Sunspots - Sunday August 6th 2023

Solar flux is 176 and the SSN 100. A=36 and K=1.

European Es - is FT8 making the season longer?

Traditionally, the Es season in the northern hemisphere peaks around May, June, July. It is now well into August and I am wondering if more people are "staying around" on 10m and 6m FT8 than before? 

In the past, many people took a look, heard nobody, so QSYed to a lower band. With FT8 a band can be monitored very easily and signals can be fleeting and weak. It is my thought that brief peaks in Es occur far more often than we think. FT8 might just be the key that "unlocks the door".

Today, as an example my 2.5W to a vertical omni has been spotted widely in Europe (96 stations at 1442z) on 6m FT8. Openings may only be fleeting and weak, but that can be enough. With more power and a beam just imagine what could be possible.