10m FT8 RX (Sunday)

It is now 0931z and I have been on for about 30 minutes.  So far, 51 stations have already been spotted with the furthermost VK6AS (14459km). 10m is definitely getting back to life. This is with a very low modest end-fed. 

Stations spotted
early this morning

With a beam up high you have probably got another 10dB, so many more stations can probably be copied, not that I am complaining!   

When 10m is good, you can copy and work the world with very little. FT8 must make this even more possible.

2m FT8 QRP overnight

Since early last evening I was on 2m FT8 RX. In all, 111 stations were spotted on RX with the big-wheel omni antenna.  The furthermost was DK1FG (815km) in Bavaria, Germany.

Sunspots - Sunday December 19th 2021

 Solar flux is 121 and the SSN 117.  A=4 and K=0. 

2m QRP FT8

At about 1815z, I QSYed to 2m FT8.  I was on TX (2.5W) for about 2 minutes and was spotted by 6 stations. On RX 13 stations spotted, but no "real DX" seen yet. At the moment, I am not seeing any stations at exceptional range. Still using the big-wheel omni antenna. No beams! 

UPDATE 1945z:  52 stations spotted.

UPDATE 2002z:  58 stations spotted with the furthermost F6APE (553km).

UPDATE 2310z: 81 stations spotted at bedtime. RX on overnight (I hope). Several German stations spotted. 

Primrose - NOT amateur radio

In autumn we replace our summer bedding plants with winter flowering primroses to brighten up the garden when it can be dull.  The one in the photo  has drops of rain on it.

Already some are coming out. All being well, they should look good soon. 

Simple regen RX

Many people like simple, but effective, receivers. This design is probably one of the simplest you could make. It works very well.  There are several examples of this, and others, on YouTube.

10m WSPR QRP TX

As FT8 does not appear to work with PSKreporter, I have gone instead on 10m WSPR TX with my W5OLF 500mW beacon. It is now 1315z and, so far, just spots by local G4KPX (14km).

Snowy churchyard - NOT amateur radio

 

This photo was taken on this day in 2009. Obviously we had December snow then.

10m FT8 RX (Saturday)

It is now 1113z and I have been on for about 65 minutes. So far,  no spots have been reported to PSKreporter, which is rubbish as my screen is filled with stations. I shall have to try a total reset.

UPDATE 1150z:  It seems to coincide with Windows wanting to do an upgrade. Don't you just love Windows? Complete reset done. Still no spots. I guess this could be a problem at their end? Anyone else had issues?

Sunspots - Saturday December 18th 2021

Solar flux is 121 and the SSN 119.  A=3 and K=0. 

2m FT8 RX (Friday)

As last night, I am on 2m FT8 RX using the omni-directional big-wheel antenna. After about 2 hours, 74 stations were spotted with the furthermost EA1SA (1034km) in northern Spain.  In the last day 188 stations in 10 countries were spotted. As they say, "a bit of a lift on".

See map.

10m FT8 RX (Friday)

At the moment I am on 10m FT8 RX. It is now 0952z and already 66 stations have been spotted with the furthermost 4Z4WD (3595km).

UPDATE 1722z:   231 stations spotted. The furthermost was CX8DSK (11116km).

Solar conditions

Both the solar flux and sunspot number are good today. I know that solar conditions can vary widely, but today the numbers are good. 

I have not seen the latest predictions, but this cycle is definitely not a "non event".

2m FT8 DX

2m FT8 was good last night with 138 stations spotted including several in northern Spain. 

Only using a big-wheel omni antenna!! 

Sunspots - Friday December 17th 2021

Solar flux is 118 and the SSN 127.  A=8 and K=1.

40m FT8 RX

 As it is dark, I have QSYed to 40m FT8 RX using the indoor Wellgood active loop antenna.  It is now 1730z and I have been on for about 10 minutes and already 69 stations spotted.

UPDATE 2002z:   344 stations spotted. Soon to QSY to 2m FT8.

6m MSK144 RX overnight

Overnight I went on 6m MSK144 RX, hoping to catch the tail end if the Geminids meteor shower. I think I was too late or was monitoring on the wrong frequency for Europe as nothing, at all, was copied. I was on 50.260MHz RX. Disappointing.

15m FT8 RX with the tiny indoor active loop

Most of the day I have been on 15m FT8 RX with the Wellgood active loop indoors on the shack window. So far,  547 stations spotted at 1651z.

Furthermost was VK2QV (16898km).

10m QRP WSPR TX

Since this morning I have been on 10m WSPR TX using 500mW. It is now 1625z and, so far, 4 unique stations have spotted me. 

Cambridge college - NOT amateur radio

This was the entrance to one of the Cambridge colleges. I think it was Christ's. 

Sunspots - Thursday December 16th 2021

Solar flux is 103 and the SSN 79.  A=9 and K=3.

15m FT8 RX with the tiny indoor Wellgood active loop

I have been on 15m FT8 RX most of the day and 136 stations spotted. It seems to have closed now. 

10m WSPR TX beacon (Wednesday)

From about 1340z I have been on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW. So far only spots of me by local G4KPX (14km).

Oscar 100 activity

Every few weeks I look at the narrowband transponder of this geosynchronous satellite using the webSDR at Goonhilly.  Activity level remained very very low when I looked, which was 0925z on a weekday morning. Most activity seems to be from Europe, so this was not a great time.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

160m FT8 RX overnight

Using the active Wellgood loop indoors, I was on 160m FT8 RX overnight. In all, 147 stations spotted, but none "across the pond".

Sunspots - Wednesday December 15th 2021

 Solar flux is 89 and the SSN 40. A=5 and K=2.

My Shack

Since moving to the present QTH in summer 2013, I have had a dedicated amateur radio room. Mostly I use digital modes that don't require me to use my poor voice that I have had since my stroke. 

The shack is only about 8m walk from the lounge, so I often monitor on a different PC in the lounge. If I need to go into the shack, it only takes a few seconds. For SSB and FM, I clearly use the shack.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/shack .

Covid passports - NOT amateur radio

Several countries have, or are about to, demand Covid-19 passports to gain entry into large venues. Sadly it would appear that previous vaccines do not stop the Omicron variant from being spread. So, after a large event Omicron could still be passed on.

It would appear the real motivation is to get more jabs in arms, especially boosters that appear to work.

So far, evidence from South Africa suggests this is easily transmitted between people, but far less severe. If this proves to be the case, Covid could spread widely, but herd immunity might kick in sooner, which would be good.

10m FT8 QRP (Tuesday)

This morning, I am on 10m FT8. I was briefly on TX and am now on RX only. So far, 4 stations have spotted me (at 0943z) and I have spotted 3 stations. This looks like mid-winter Es.

UPDATE 1120z:  17 stations spotted this morning on 10m FT8 RX with the furthermost TA6B (2963km).

UPDATE 1152z:  About 10 minutes ago I tried a brief TX period with 2.5W FT8. Sadly, nobody copied me.

UPDATE 1317z:  So far today 22 stations spotted.

UPDATE 1433z:  Just 24 stations spotted and no "real" DX.  It has been quite disappointing.

Trinity Street, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows Trinity Street in Cambridge which has seen fewer Far East visitors this year. 

EI7GL Blog

John's blog is always a mine of useful data. This week he reports on an apparent pause in FCC approvals of USA 40MHz (8m) permits. It looks like the FCC is worried about a new amateur band via the back door. My feeling is that people after permits are real experimenters.

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com .

OFCOM and paired 2100MHz spectrum

OFCOM has issued the prices for paired spectrum at 2100MHz. See the OFCOM website for details.

Sunspots - Tuesday December 14th 2021

 Solar flux is 81 and the SSN 40.  A=6 and K=1.

Solid state batteries - NOT amateur radio

These are the "holy grail" of batteries promising higher capacity than LiIon batteries and faster charging times. However getting them into mass production has proved hard. 

It is rumoured that 2 Japanese manufacturers are close to mass production. If it happens, it could be transformational. Imagine an electric car with a huge range that could be charged whilst you drink a cup of coffee! If this really happens, it could signal the end to fossil fuelled cars. I certainly hope this happens.

Also, Lithium is not an endless resource.

15m FT8 RX with the active RX loop

For about an hour, I have been on 15m FT8 RX. So far (at 1010z) 54 stations spotted with the furthermost A41ZZ (5854km) in Oman. The antenna is again the indoor Wellgood active loop fixed to the shack window.

UPDATE 1145z:   123 stations spotted with the furthermost E25ETT (9673km) in the Far East.

UPDATE 1231z:   149 stations spotted with the furthermost CE2SV (11716km).

UPDATE 1545z:   259 stations spotted.

UPDATE 2150z:   QRT. 265 stations spotted today on 15m FT8 RX.

10m WSPR QRP TX

At the moment I am on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW. So far just local spots from G4KPX (14km).

UPDATE 1143z:  Still just spots from G4KPX.

UPDATE 2145z:   QRT now. Just 2 Gs spotted me all day.

Dwarfed - NOT amateur radio

The Shard in London is over 300m tall. In the foreground is what I think is Southwark Cathedral which is totally dwarfed. 

80m FT8 RX overnight

In all, 640 stations spotted on 80m FT8 RX overnight including several from the USA and Canada. 

Geminids meteor shower

Often meteor showers like the Geminids that peak this week result in some long pings with enhanced VHF conditions. FT4 could be worth a try. Pings can short, but signals strong. 

Old and new Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

Cambridge is a city of contrasts. 

The university has some buildings and traditions that stretch back centuries.  At the same time Cambridge has some of the most forward companies in the whole world. The photo shows some of the contrasts with electric scooters outside St John's College on Friday.

Sunspots - Monday December 13th 2021

Solar flux is 80 and the SSN 12. A=3 and K=3. 

80m FT8 RX (Sunday)

As 6m is quiet here today, I have QSYed to 80m FT8 RX with the indoor Wellgood active loop. So far,  80 stations spotted. The furthermost is UV3IK (2699km).

UPDATE 1937z:  267 stations spotted.

UPDATE 2130z:  474 stations spotted on 80m FT8 RX (see map).

6m FT8 (Sunday)

Although I briefly went on TX at about 1150z, I am mostly RX with the V2000 vertical. No spots given or received.

UPDATE 1512z: 1 station spotted my brief transmission GB0SNB/SDR (65km) and 2 stations were spotted on 6m FT8 RX - 2E1IDC (92km). and G0OYQ (177km). No DX outside G.

University Church, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows Great St Mary's, which is the university church in central Cambridge. It is very close to the world famous King's College Chapel and Cambridge Market.

15m FT8 RX (Sunday)

 It is now 0920z. I have been on 15m FT8 RX for about 10 minutes with the Wellgood active loop antenna. So far, 12 stations spotted.

UPDATE 1145z:   89 stations spotted this morning. QSYing to 6m FT8 shortly.

10m QRP WSPR TX

At the moment, I am again on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW. As 6m was open yesterday I may QSY to 6m later. Just local G4KPX (14km) spotting me so far today.

Sunspots - Sunday December 12th 2021

 Solat flux is 76 and the SSN 0.  A=5 and K=0.

Grove or copse? - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows me at nearby Anglesey Abbey this morning.  A few years ago they planted some silver birches which have now matured. I am unsure if this should be called a grove or copse. Apparently according to Paul (see comments) it is a grove.

160m FT8 RX

Having gradually gone to lower and lower frequencies, I have settled on 160m FT8 RX. So far, 17 stations spotted with the furthermost YL1ZF (1605km).

OFCOM Communications Monthly

Every month OFCOM updates its Communications Monthly with the latest statistics it holds. See the OFCOM website for more details.