Early 10m Es

My QMX+ was on 10m QRP FT8 early (0500z) and already I have had 23 spots all across Europe presumably via Es. It is very easy to miss these very early morning openings.

UPDATE 0930z:  So far I have been spotted on 10m FT8 QRP by 53 stations. The furthermost on 10m FT8 RX is VK6RK (14469km).

UPDATE 1302z:  73 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today with the QMX+.

UPDATE 1638z: 303 spots of my 10m QRP FT8  with my QMX+ in the last day (see map).

UPDATE 2053z:  QRT. 412 stations have spotted me on 10m QRP FT8 in the last day.

Sunspots - Thursday July 18th

 Solar flux is 224 and the SSN 275. A=5 and K=1.

Hollyhocks - NOT amateur radio

We have quite a few of these flowers in our front garden. They look splendid, but then go rusty and look a mess. They also self-seed and are very hard to get rid of! 

Once they have flowered it is better to cut them back before the seeds scatter.

We call them "triffids".  Just imagine if they could walk!! If you are thinking about planting any, think hard.

Sunny at last! - NOT amateur radio

In all my years, I cannot remember a worst summer. Until yesterday it was cold, dull and wet. 

Today we have warm sunshine! It makes you feel so much better. It is only expected to last a few days. Well, I suppose we have to be grateful for having any summer here in the UK. 😀

10m QRP WSPR TX (Wednesday)

As the 10m antenna is free when I am on 6m, I decided to try 500mW 10m WSPR with my 10m WSPR beacon. No spots at all after about an hour.

6m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

Just before lunch I went on 6m FT8 with the QMX+. So far, 11 stations have spotted me including one in the south of Spain. Nothing spotted on RX, which is surprising.

UPDATE 1222z:  Just a single G spotted today on 6m FT8 RX.

QMX+ start-up

Since adjusting upwards I have had no problems whatsoever with the WSJT-X audio levels on my QMX+ rig on 6m and 10m. 

Using Windows 10 I am still having issues with the PC recognising the QMX+. This may well be a Windows 10 issue and I have still not worked out the order in which things have to be connected and turned on.  Once I fully understand this it should not be an issue going forward. 

All I know is this problem does not occur with my SignalOne USB from Tigertronics, which just works every time.

Overall the QMX+ is very good, but it would be even better not having to struggle every time.

10m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

 In all, my QRP 10m FT8 has been spotted by 5 stations. These seem to be via Es.

UPDATE 0937z: My QRP FT8 spotted by 11 stations including ZS4ZO (9235km).

UPDATE 1405z:  12 stations have spotted me in the last 30 minutes.  Best DX is a spot from South Africa again.

UPDATE  1832z:  77 stations have spotted me on 10m QRP TX (see map) and 107 stations spotted here on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2125z: Still lots of Es spots of my QRP even though it’s very late.

Muntjac deer - NOT amateur radio

 These dog sized, introduced deer are a real menace eating many garden plants. One of our neighbours is trying to keep them at bay by planting these!

Sunspots - Wednesday July 17th

 Solar flux is 242 and the SSN 250. A=10 and K=1.