Well that was a failure! Absolutely nothing spotted!
Overnight I was hoping to catch the end of the meteor shower. Either I was too late, I was on the wrong frequency, wrong mode, activity was low, or the antenna was not good enough. I have copied DX on 6m with this antenna via MS in the past.
The man in the photo is Boris Johnson, the UK Prime Minister. He is well known for making promises he does not keep. He has charisma, but is fast losing his party votes. He has become a liability.
My bet is he will be replaced by the spring.
At about 1900z I QSYed to 6m MSK144 RX on 50.280MHz, hoping to catch the tail end of the Ursids meteor shower. For the antenna I only have the V2000 vertical omni. No spots as of 2140z unsurprisingly.
I shall leave it running overnight, just in case, but I am not too hopeful.
I think this is the correct frequency in Europe.
OK - less of the "simple things please simple minds" in the back row!!
The historic 17.2kHz VLF alternator CW TX that is a World Heritage Site and almost 100 years old is on the air tomorrow, December 24th with a special message. They will QSL.
See https://alexander.n.se/en/ .
See also the software VLF receiver by SM6LKM on my video channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDxRhQYg7lQ .
UPDATE 1635z: The VLF up-converter should now be available via my G3XBM website (added today).
Today is my birthday and may I wish all blog readers a very happy Christmas and a good holiday.
This was a mid-winter holiday way before it was adopted as a Christian festival, so enjoy it whatever your faith or none.
The important thing is always to treat others as you would like to be treated - kindly and respectfully no matter who you are, your race, colour or gender. In the last analysis we are all the same.
Since about 0900z, I have been on 10m FT8 RX. It is now 0944z and so far 99 stations already spotted.
UPDATE 1006z: 149 stations spotted with the furthermost BA7IO (9494km).
UPDATE 1853z: 671 stations spotted today with the furthermost VK6XI (14434km). It would appear that is it for the day. I may try 6m MSK144 on 50.280MHz.
After 10m closed I tried 630m WSPR RX using the active loop. Just G0MRF(120km) spotted. QRT soon.
At 0834z my 10m gear was turned on. At 0850z 87 stations had been spotted. It looks like we could have a good day.
UPDATE 1157z: 456 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX this morning. Good.
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| 10m FT8 RX at 1419z |
One thing is certain, experts do not agree!
In the last few days we have seen quite high solar flux and sunspot numbers for this part of the cycle. Most predictors suggest the next peak will be very similar to the last one. It could be smaller, but it could be much bigger. Only time will tell.
For a change, I am on 30m FT8 RX. So far, 12 stations spotted, all in Europe.
UPDATE 1525z: 61 spots on 30m FT8 RX so far.
According to the EI7GL blog, some amateurs are proposing to experiment with DATV on 10m and 6m. Some DX is possible. I presume this is with much reduced bandwidths.
Being within existing amateur bands, no special permits are needed. In the UK special permits are needed to experiment at 4m or 2m with DATV.
As my 10m antenna is free, I am again on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW from the W5OLF beacon. Just spots from local G4KPX (14km) so far. At least I know it is getting out!
In a few moments I hope to be on 15m FT8 RX with the indoor Wellgood active loop antenna. Gear turned on at 0924z.
UPDATE 0950z: 73 stations spotted so far.
Whatever we expect the future to be, it is different. Life has a nasty habit of throwing the totally unexpected at us. It seems the only certainty is the future will be different from what we expect.
In all, I have probably been on 15m FT8 RX with the Wellgood active loop for about 30 minutes. So far, 54 spots with the furthermost RA0WHE (5565km).
UPDATE 0950z: 57 stations spotted with the furthermost BG0CAB (6149km). Certainly 15m is proving to be a good band at the moment. I expect this time next year 10m will be as good.
UPDATE 1050z: 109 stations spotted with the furthermost E24OYI (9466km).
As the PC and rig are being used for 15m FT8 RX, I am on 10m WSPR TX using 500mW from the W5OLF beacon. So far, just spots by local G4KPX (14km), but at least I know it is working! At 0945z, G4KPX has spotted me 15 times, but no DX yet.
UPDATE 1207z: 3 unique stations spotting me with the best DX EA8BFK (2880km) in the Canary Isles.
UPDATE 1426z: 4 unique stations have spotted me.
Solar flux is 115 and the SSN 109 (still pretty good for this time in the solar cycle). A=12 and K=2.
For the last few hours, I have been on 2m FT8. After a brief period on QRP TX (2.5W and being spotted by 22 stations, I have been RX only. Once again my antenna is the big-wheel omni. So far (at 2211z) 92 stations spotted. Furthermost is DJ2QV (937km).
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.
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| Stations spotted early this morning |
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.
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.
Already some are coming out. All being well, they should look good soon.
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).
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?
See map.
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).
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".
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.
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.
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).
