472kHz disappointment overnight

Last night, 472kHz WSPR was disappointing here. Just 6 stations spotted me with best spot one from DL3GAK (823km) and only 8 spots of others by me with best DX spotted here being IW4DXW (1190km). Maybe it is just me, but I get the feeling interest in the band is waning. Perhaps many have changed to a different mode?

Sunspots - Wednesday February 27th 2019

Solar flux is again 70 and the sunspot number 0. A=2 and K=0.  At the moment it looks like this month is spotless.

Ickworth today - NOT amateur radio

This was a view at Ickworth, near Bury St Edmunds this afternoon. Although there were a few daffodils out, most were not. There were no lambs.

472kHz WSPR

About 15 minutes ago, I QSYed to 472kHz WSPR (20% TX, 10mW ERP). So far, 2 spots of my QRPP signal even though things have not yet settled.

UPDATE 2320z: So far this evening, 5 different stations have spotted me with best DX being a spot by DL3GAK (823km).

10m FT8 since breakfast

Following my usual pattern, I am on 10m FT8, mainly RX, although I  did put out a brief CQ call (2.5W) when I first came on 10m. No spots so far today.

UPDATE 1123z: Just one spot so far today on 10m FT8 RX of G0OXY (56km). Dire!

UPDATE 1352z: GI4SNA (491km) spotted. Aircraft?

160m FT8 overnight

Quite disappointing overnight with 6 North Americans and 1 Caribbean spotted on 160m FT8 RX and best DX V31YN (8346km). Only 348 stations spotted in the last day on 160m FT8 RX.

Sunspots - Tuesday February 26th 2019

Solar flux is 70 and the sunspot number 0. A=2 and K=0.

160m FT8

At about 1725z, I QSYed to 160m FT8. My CQ (2.5W) was spotted in Belgium, but no QSOs resulted. Since then, I have been RX only. So far, 29 stations spotted with best DX LA9VFA (2460km) on the northern tip of Norway.

UPDATE 1842z:  Now 77 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX this evening.

UPDATE 2210z: After a brief session looking on 1.908MHz for JAs, I have returned to 1.84MHz FT8. So far, 160 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX. The first North American this evening was WU1ITU (4831km).

Global warming? - NOT amateur radio

Temperatures reached 20.3deg C in Wales today. This is the highest ever winter temperature in the UK.

It is beyond doubt that our world is warming, despite what rubbish President Trump may spout in support, allegedly, of his coal and oil lobbyists about global warming being a Chinese hoax.

Nor sure what evidence he has, but his views seem at odds with most scientific evidence. I trust science. Sorry, but I don't support the views of a billionaire president.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-47360952

Lopped trees - NOT amateur radio

A very similar picture was posted here yesterday. This is another view of the back garden showing the two trees that were lopped last month. In a few months they should be in leaf.

Bolt Tail - NOT amateur radio

Another photo of where I came from in South Devon. Quite splendid. 

I have already said in earlier posts that we know for certain we were hereabouts in 1427, so there is every chance my distant ancestors fished and farmed here millennia ago and the iron age fort in the far distance on Bolt Tail was partly manned by my ancestors. 

And we are just a speck in history. Quite humbling.

Already bored?

Although Oscar 100, the geosynchronous satellite, has been operational for a few weeks now, the narrowband transponder still seems quite quiet. A few moments ago there were just 2 QSOs on SSB, whereas I was expecting the band to be quite full.

As I mentioned yesterday, it may take a few weeks or months before people "trust it". Even so, I was expecting more activity than we are seeing so far. As yet, I have seen activity from Brazil and Qatar, but not India or further east. Most stations are from Europe.

Solar minimum

The solar numbers for February 2019 do not look very good. Although some are still predicting the minimum is over, I have my doubts. Certainly 10m FT8 is very quiet here most days with just G spots. I hope I am proved wrong.

10m FT8

Since about 0920z this morning, I have been on 10m FT8. After a brief 2.5W CQ call, I am now RX only. No spots yet.

UPDATE 16565z: Just 3 spots today on 10m FT8 RX with best DX HA7ME (1535km). Soon be time to QSY to 160m FT8 I think. Still bright and sunny here.

The end of life - NOT amateur radio

My son's parents-in-law lost their only son in 2017 due to a freak accident involving a driver ploughing though a red light. The driver was texting. There is a chance one of their two young daughters could die from cancer leaving a husband and 2 young children. The family, my son included, is very afraid. So are we.

At times life seems very random and very cruel. All world religions try to make sense of death. Perhaps the flame just goes out and that is it. However, there is so much we do not understand. Perhaps our brains simply cannot ever hope to understand. It is a brave person indeed who says he or she really understands. At the same time it takes some faith to believe in a just and loving God when things seem so cruel.

As death approaches us all, perhaps it is right that we think about it.

Sunspots - Monday February 25th 2019

Solar flux is 70 today and the sunspot number 0. A=3 and K=1.

472kHz WSPR overnight

Overnight I was spotted by 7 stations with best DX spot of my 10mW ERP being by GM4AOS (653km).  In total, 9 stations were spotted here with best DX spotted LA2XPA (1310km).

Grass cutting - NOT amateur radio

As yesterday was so warm, I gave our lawns a bit of a haircut. The blades were set higher than in the summer. We also managed a cup of tea in the garden in shirt sleeves! And this is February!

472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP)

As it is now getting dark here, I have QSYed to 472kHz WSPR using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. On the first transmission I was copied by G6AVK (78km) and G8LCO (58km) even though the transverter crystal is still drifting a few Hertz. Normally, it takes about 20 minutes, then the drift is very low.

UPDATE 2225z: Now spots of my 10mW ERP have been received by 4 stations and I have spotted 8 stations so far today on 472kHz WSPR.

My other blogs - NOT amateur radio

I maintain several blogs. Among these is my Miscellaneous Musings blog. This is updated every few days. It is not amateur radio oriented.

Blossom - NOT amateur radio

As a result of the mild weather, the tree opposite our village Post Office is laden with blossom. A few strong winds and a few weeks and this will all be gone.

Grass cutting - NOT amateur radio

In shirt sleeves, I cut my front lawn earlier. After lunch, I expect to cut the rear lawn. For February, it is extremely mild. It feels like a late spring day! These are the first cuts this year.

Where I come from - NOT amateur radio

As a youngster, I was brought up in South Devon, UK. I moved away for work. Even now, I go back several times most years. My brother still lives there.

Oscar 100 - still quiet

A casual check on the webSDR for the geosynchronous Oscar 100 this morning around 1000z showed 5 SSB QSOs and plenty of space. I guess it will take a while for many people to assemble the gear. Some people will have held back fearing that something would go wrong. At some point, I quite fancy having a go. Certainly right now it seems a great resource working well. People using milliwatts are getting access and, of course, the dishes are fixed: once aiming at the satellite that is it.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/

Neighbour pleaser?

Well, I think not.  Maybe OK if you live on a farm, but certainly my neighbours would object!

Southgate News have given details of the new antennas from InnovAntennas. These are billed as "compact".  I'd like to know what the non-compact antennas look like! With a tower, the investment must be of the order of £2k before you get a rig. Personally, this is not my style of amateur radio.

We are all different, so if this is OK with your neighbours and how you chose to spend your money, so be it. I make no judgements, but this is not for me.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/february/enter-the-innovantennas-xr7-and-xr7c.htm#.XHJlGvZ2u00

10m FT8

I was on 10m FT8 before breakfast today and called CQ earlier (2.5W). So far, no spots given or received on 10m here.

UPDATE 1005z: Still no 10m FT8 spots here today.

UPDATE 1127z: G0FWX (160km) spotted calling CQ. Also 2E0XXO (121km) spotted here, but doesn't appear on PSK reporter maps. Maybe my internet was briefly down? This station was spotted later.

UPDATE 1310z: With G4CJC (74km) spotted, there are now 3 spots in the log today on 10m FT8 RX. These were all in the UK.

UPDATE 1732z: Soon be time to QSY - probably 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP). In all, 6 UK stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today. Stunningly bad!

Overnight on 160m FT8 RX

Last night was not as good as earlier on 160m FT8 RX with just 8 North Americans spotted. Best DX spotted was V31YN (8346km) in Belize. In all, 403 stations spotted on 160m FT8 in the last day.

Stations spotted overnight on 160m FT8 RX 

using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

Sunspots - Sunday February 24th 2019

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN still 0. A=2 and K=0.

160m FT8 RX

About an hour ago I QSYed to160m FT8 RX after the daylight hours on 10m FT8. So far this evening 87 stations spotted on 160m with best DX 5B4VL (3188km).

UPDATE 2051z: Now 167 stations spotted today on 160m FT8 with best DX R0SR (6425km) in Asiatic Russia.

UPDATE 2302z: Now 263 stations spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX, but nothing yet from North America. Most interesting DX is 5T5PA (3791km) in Mauritania.

Quiet again - NOT amateur radio

After a few days with 2 of our young grandchildren, the house is now quiet again. We love having them, but I get tired more easily than I did. The photo shows them with my wife and a neighbour outside earlier in the sunshine.

Overnight on 472kHz WSPR

Overnight, I was on 472kHz WSPR (20% TX 10mW ERP). It was not a great session with the best spot of me being by PA3ABK (306km). On RX my best DX was LA2XPA (1310km) among the 9 stations spotted.

10m FT8

Yet again, I am monitoring 10m FT8 RX today in the daylight hours. So far just a G spot with no DX here.

UPDATE 1256z:   Now 5 stations in 2 countries spotted so far today on 10m FT8 RX. Best DX is DJ5JD (489km).

UPDATE 1353z:  Now 7 stations in 3 countries spotted today on 10m FT8 RX. No great distances.

UPDATE 1647z: Now 11 stations in 4 countries spotted today on 10m FT8 RX with best DX OZ1LXJ (802km).

Sunspots - Saturday February 23rd 2019

Solar flux is 70 and the sunspot number 0. A=4 and K=0.

472kHz WSPR

Tonight, and overnight, I hope to be on 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP) using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, On RX the best DX so far is LA2XPA (1310km) and on TX G4ZFQ (203km).

UPDATE 2112z: Average start on 472kHz WSPR this evening.

MLS Kenwood offers

Every weekend, MLS has "something for the weekend" offers. This weekend, they have some Kenwood deals.

See https://www.hamradio.co.uk/

Guided bus to St Ives - NOT amateur radio

We have 2 of our 4 grandchildren staying with us. Today we went by guided bus to St. Ives, Cambs. The children really enjoyed it. It was a good day out, helped by the glorious, warm, February weather. I expect they will want to go again!

As old age pensioner it is a free trip for us with our bus passes, although we had to pay for the children. We ate lunch out at the "Oliver Cromwell" pub not far from the river. Food and service were excellent. It had a nice "buzz" and I'd happily eat there again.

160m FT8 RX overnight

Despite spotting no Japanese stations last evening on 1908kHz FT8, it was another great night for North Americans on 160m FT8 RX, perhaps the best yet. So many North Americans were spotted I lost count! Best DX on 160m FT8 RX was KY7M (8369km).

10m FT8

I have been on 10m FT8 most of the day. 9 spots of others with best DX SQ4OJD  (1357km).

Sunspots - Friday February 22nd 2019

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 0.  A=11 and K=0.

Japan hunting on 160m FT8 RX again

For the third night, I am looking on 1908kHz FT8 for Japanese stations. No luck yet.

UPDATE 2152z:  Still no luck. Still monitoring 1908kHz for another hour.

OFCOM consultation

OFCOM is consulting on short range radar.

See https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-3/consultation-notice-of-proposal-to-make-the-wireless-telegraphy-automotive-short-range-radar-exemption-regulations-2019

Vote loser? - NOT amateur radio

Jeremy Corbyn, UK opposition leader, has said, allegedly, that Ms Begum should return to the UK to face trial. Whereas he may be legally right, I suspect this stance will lose him votes. This I.S. supporting person left the UK aged 15 to go to Syria. In recent interviews she appears to still support this group. Many in the UK feel she is a threat.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-47319763

UK Rallies on Sunday

Sunday 24 FEBRUARY : RAINHAM RADIO RALLY

The Victory Academy, Magpie Hall Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 5JB. Doors open 10am to 4pm, £2.50 adult entry, free entry for kids. Local and national Traders, BRATS Kitchen, BRATS Interactive Zone for Kids, BRATS Junk, Talk In Station on 145.550MHz using GB4RRR.


Sunday 24 FEBRUARY : RED ROSE RALLY

St Josephs Hall, Chapel Street, Leigh WN7 2PQ. Doors open 11am. Trade, individual and Club stands including an RSGB bookstall as well as a Bring & Buy. Anyone wishing to hire a table should contact Colin on rally@WMRC.co.uk. Catering will be available on site. Details on www.wmrc.co.uk.


A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

Mild - NOT amateur radio

We have had very little snow this winter. Today it seems very mild and already some parts of Scotland reached 16.9 degrees C. For February, this is exceptionally mild. Here in East Anglia it feels spring like. The photo shows "our" windmill with the blue sky behind.

10m FT8 - best yet?

Today is bound to be brilliant on 10m. How do I know? Because I am not on!

As the forecast was poor, I decided to give 10m a miss. This always proves fatal with others telling me what I'd missed! Ho hum. That's life. There will be other days.

Overnight on 160m FT8 RX

Although I failed (again) to copy any Japanese stations on 1908kHz, it was a good night on 1840kHz FT8 with 49 North Americans and 1 Caribbean station spotted in the 309 spotted last night. Even though I was on 1840kHz FT8 RX for less time than usual, this was my best night so far. Best DX spotted was WB2REM (7018km) in Florida.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX with the earth-electrode 

"antenna" in the ground since late last night.

Monkey business? - NOT amateur radio

Today, we went to Chippenham Park, near Cambridge and after to La Hogue farm shop for lunch with 2 of our grandchildren. Here is the younger one climbing a tree (above).

Sunspots - Thursday February 21st 2019

Solar flux is 70 and the sunspot number 0 still. A=3 and K=2.

Independent Group - NOT amateur radio

So far, 11 UK MPs have left their political parties to sit as independents in the House of Commons. To me, it looks like UK politics is in trouble with deep fissures in both main parties. By any analysis, the UK Prime Minister is making a mess of BREXIT, the UK leaving the EU.

In my view, a new grouping uniting moderate ex-Conservatives and moderate ex-Labour MPs is needed with a leader who is well respected as a fair and moderate person, forging policies by consensus rather than confrontation. Only time will tell how this will pan out.

Return to 160m FT8 RX

As 10m seems to be dire, I shall shortly QSY to 160m. Initially I shall be looking on 1.840MHz FT8 although I may move to 1.908MHz later hunting Japanese stations.

UPDATE 1707z:  Now 39 stations in 15 countries spotted so far on 160m FT8 RX today. Best DX is RW4PU (3362km).

UPDATE 1809z: As we are due to have grandchildren shortly for a few days, I have already moved to 1.908MHz FT8 RX in the hope of spotting some Japanese stations this evening. If I remember, I shall return to 1.840MHz FT8 RX before bed time.

UPDATE 2156z: No Japanese on 1.908MHz FT8 here tonight. I think there are fewer Europeans copied this evening around the Japanese "watering hole".  Shortly, I shall switch back to 1.84MHz FT8 RX