8m FT8 RX

 Most of the day I shall be monitoring 40.680 FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1730z:  I think I had my settings wrong on 8m FT8 RX!

Something wrong?

 Last night I tried monitoring 630m WSPR. Not a single station copied that suggests something was wrong.

UPDATE 0853z:  Yes, wrong audio source selected. I may try again tonight.

Sunspots - Monday March 2

 Solar flux is 147 and the SSN 85. A=8 and K=1.

6m 5W FT8 (Sunday)

For the first time in several weeks, I am on 6m FT8  with my vertical omni V2000 antenna and the IC-705.

UPDATE 1640z:   Just 3 English spots of me so far. No DX.

Stations spotting my 6m QRP FT8 today

UPDATE 1938z:   11 English stations have spotted my 6m QRP FT8. See map. QRT soon.

10m 200mW WSPR ((Sunday)

My Zachtek WSPR beacon was turned on at about 1430z.  

UPDATE 1518z:  18 stations have spotted me already with most in the east of the USA.  See table.

UPDATE 1540z:  28 stations have spotted me with the best PY2SDR (9616km) in Brazil.

UPDATE 1936z:  36 spots of my 200mW 10m WSPR with the best Reunion Is. in the Indian Ocean. QRT soon.

Sun? What's that?

We have had a dull and wet winter. It is now spring (according to the Met Office), so we decided to go for a walk in nearby Reach. 

For once, the sun was shining, although it has clouded over again!

10m 2.5W FT8 (Sunday)

 In a few minutes my gear will be on 10m 2.5W FT8.

Stations spotting my 2.5W 10m FT8 just now

UPDATE 1237z:  Plenty of spots of my 2.5W FT8 from North and South America.  Currently RX only.

In an art gallery window

 

This was in an art gallery window in Cambridge last week. I am informed it is the singer Prince, although I would not know!

Taking stock of the solar cycle

We are not clearly on the downward slope of the latest solar cycle. The downward slope is usually gentler than the rise from the minimum to the next maximum. 

Usually the higher HF bands get neglected as people move to lower bands. I am hoping with FT8 there will be more activity remaining on the higher bands. We'll see. Often CB is busy when 10m seems dead.

One useful resource is the site I often visit to see how things are progressing.

See https://www.solen.info/solar/

Another DXpedition

Just to show how much of a DXer I am not, I have to confess not having a clue where this is!  I am even unfamiliar with T31! If chasing DXCC is your thing, this may be of interest.