Compromise antennas

Many people are of the opinion (mistaken) that you need big antennas and lots of power to work HF DX.  As this video from VK3YE shows even a compromise antenna works. The answer is try something as you may be pleasantly surprised, especially with FT8 and WSPR.

6m 1W FT8 (Sunday)

 My gear was turned on at about  0925z.

UPDATE 0938z:  3 English stations have spotted me.

70cm activity contest (UKAC)

Contacts made on 70cm SSB in 18 mins

This was last Tuesday evening. I use 10W SSB and my 2m big-wheel omni antenna. I amazed this works as well as it does. Because of my poor voice I usually stay on for about half an hour or less. I usually work over 100km.

On the next night they had the 70cm FT8 activity contest. Most times I spot stations from surprising distances, making me wonder if I am seeing some sort of scatter.

160m FT8 RX overnight

 Once again, I tried monitoring 160m FT8 RX with my IC-705 and the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. 152 stations spotted with the best Asiatic Russia. Nothing yet from the USA or Canada.

Sunspots - Sunday October 18th

Solar  flux is 132 and the SSN 87. A=6 and K=2.

160m FT8 RX (Saturday)

 My gear (IC-705 and the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground) was turned on at about 1825z.

UPDATE 1911z: So far, just one spot in Brittany. Is there a website problem?

Russia

 Allegedly, President Trump has signed an executive order than delays some additional sanctions on Russia that the US congress has approved. My reading, my view, (others may differ) is that President Trump is losing patience with Ukraine's President Zelensky. 

According to this video, Russian regions are short of cash. 

At some point Ukraine has to decide to carry on fighting or give in to those nations more powerful than Ukraine. With winter approaching, this is a hard decision.  I am sure both sides have faults (Ukraine and Russia). 

I wish both sides could end the senseless war and come out of it feeling they have won.

10m 1W FT8 (Saturday)

 My gear was turned on at about 0940z.

UPDATE 1134z:  74 stations spotting me so far, many probably via F2 propagation.

160m FT8 overnight

 As usual, I went on 160m FT8 RX overnight.

UPDATE 0737z: Spotted 199 stations.

Sunspots - Saturday October 17th

 Solar flux is 131 and the SSN 81. A=12 and K=1.