Sunspots - Friday December 31st 2021

Solar flux is 102 and the SSN 77.  A=8 and K=1 

160m FT8 RX with the active antenna

As 6m and 10m seem to be dead now, I have QSYed to 160m FT8 RX. I shall probably leave it running overnight. At 2011z, 70 stations spotted.

UPDATE 2108z:  86 stations spotted on RX today. 

Rally

As far as I know the Sparkford Wireless Group rally near Yeovil is still on this Sunday January 2nd. Contact the organiser to confirm.

Baking time - NOT amateur radio

 

Our younger granddaughter making minced pies in the kitchen.

Super DX by E layer

Recently, there have been reports of DX contacts on 6m between New Zealand and South America. For as many late spring/early summers as I can remember there have been 6m VHF QSOs between western Europe and Japan.  All these QSOs appear to be via E layer, but I think these are too far for multi-hop Es.

My own theory is this is some sort of chordal hop E layer propagation. It always seems to be in late spring/early summer and is linked to noctilucent clouds which form in the mesosphere around this time (late June, early July in the northern hemisphere).

I get the impression that these modes may well work at far higher frequencies, possibly even microwaves.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/super-dx . 

See also John's blog at https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/ .

10m WSPR QRP TX (Thursday)

 For most of the day since breakfast I have been on 10m WSPR TX with my 500mW W5OLF WSPR beacon. At the moment the vast majority of spots are by EA8BFK (2880km) with a couple by local G4KPX (14km). I think the spots in the Canaries are single hop F2 as some are very strong.

ICOM IC-7300 transceiver

Although you get the impression (I may be wrong) that all UK dealers have been instructed to hold the price, it looks like there are special "gifts" being given away with the intention of attracting buyers. This is a 100W HF, 6m and 4m SDR transceiver with auto ATU.  It has (at last) some competition from Yaesu. It has proved very popular in the last few years.

6m FT8 QRP (Thursday)

After a very brief period on TX (2.5W to the V2000 vertical omni antenna- no spots of me), I am now RX only. So far after about 15 minutes (it is now 1050z)  just 1 G spotted on RX in the form of G3RIK (224km).  No winter Es evident yet here.

UPDATE 1446z:  Just 3 G spots on RX.

Family history - NOT amateur radio

My family history can be traced back to the mid 1400s. Many of my relatives are buried in this Devon village. There are some gravestones well over 200 years old. I remember having harvest festivals and my parents funerals in this church. The big building in the foreground is the old vicarage and I remember this as a child long ago. 

Sunspots - Thursday December 30th 2021

 Solar flux is 111 and the SSN 79. A=7 and K=2. 

6m FT8 QRP (Wednesday)

 At the moment I am on 6m FT8 RX. At first I was on QRP TX (2.5W to the V200 vertical with 1 spot by G0PQO (50km) and 1 G spot on RX.

UPDATE 2126z: Mostly G stations spotted as well as OY and OZ stations that might have been Es.

10m WSPR QRP TX (Wednesday)

As my 10m antenna was free, I am again on 10m WSPR with 500mW from the W5OLF beacon. I have been on since 0943z. So far, spotted by local G4KPX (14km) and EA8BFK (2880km).

Yesterday I was spotted on 10m in the USA for the first time this solar cycle on WSPR. 

Santa special - NOT amateur radio

 

In 2012 we went on a special train in Kent. This was steam hauled and all the little ones got presents.

Sunspots - Wednesday December 29th 2021

Solar flux is 121 and the SSN 107.  A=8 and K=2.

Christmas Decorations NOT amateur radio

Many years ago an old neighbour made us some Christmas figures. Every Christmas these come out. She was very talented, but sadly dead. 

10m WSPR TX beacon (Tuesday)

As my 10m antenna was available, I decided to go on 10m WSPR with 500mW from the W5OLF beacon. So far today the only spots of me are by local G4KPX (14km), but at least this proves I am getting out! 

UPDATE 0935z:  No further spots today.

6m FT8 QRP (Tuesday)

 After a brief TX period starting at 0840z, I am now on RX only. So far at 0901z, no spots.

UPDATE 0955z:  1 QSO with 2E0VDS (30km) and spotted by G0PQO (50km) on TX.  On RX, just 2 G spots.

UPDATE 2035z:  9 stations spotted. All G.

Sunspots - Tuesday December 28th 2021

 Solar flux is 124 and the SSN 85.A=10 and K=3.

FT8 RX in the last week

 Apparently, I have spotted 83 countries on FT8 in the last week. Although most of these will be on 10m, I have been on 160m, 80m, 40m, 30m ,17m, 15m, 6m and 2m as well. This mode certainly digs signals out of the noise.

I am on RX far more than TX these days.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Monday)

I am on 10m WSPR TX (500mW to the W5OLF beacon) as the 10m antenna is available. So far, no spots of me.

UPDATE 1554z: Just one spot of me, so far, by EA8BFK (2880km).

UPDATE 1645z:  2 unique stations spotting me. In addition to EA8BFK, I am again being spotted by G4KPX (14km). Richard is giving me a poorer S/N report. Nothing should have changed here, so I wonder if he has a higher noise floor perhaps due to Christmas lights?

6m FT8 QRP (Monday)

After a brief TX period, I am now RX only on 6m FT8 hoping to catch some winter Es. No spots given or received!

UPDATE 1558z: Just one spot of me from G0PQO (50km) , but nothing yet on 6m FT8 RX here.

Time - NOT amateur radio

Some time ago one of my wife's friends went into a care home. If you asked me, I would have said last summer. Apparently it was over a year ago! I was amazed.

It is as if my perception of time is different. Is this just me or is it common in old age? 

Wildlife in 2021 - NOT amateur radio

In recent years we have noticed that the weather in this part of the UK (east) is much wetter. This may be cyclic, but it is more probably the impact of climate change. Some birds are now common in the UK since their ranges have gone further northwards. Swallows were noticeable by how few there were last summer. We get far less snow than we once did. Frosts were very common. Now they are quite rare.

Overall, wildlife is suffering with some species being pushed out and going extinct. There are a few winners.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-59757497 .

10m FT8 RX (Monday)

Since just before breakfast I have been on 10m FT8 RX.  211 stations have been spotted with the furthermost VK5DOC (16208km) at 0940z.

UPDATE 0955z:  237 stations spotted.

UPDATE 1530z:  607 stations spotted so far on 10m FT8 RX.

Quy - NOT amateur radio

 

This fine house is about 10km from where we live. There are often some good birds here.

80m FT8 RX using the Wellgood active loop antenna

Overnight I was on 80m FT8 RX using the Wellgood active loop RX antenna on the shack window. In all 573 people we spotted including 2 in the USA. 

Ely Cathedral - NOT amateur radio

This is sometimes called "the ship of the fens" as it is often seen floating over the fens. There has been a church here for well over 1000 years. It is magnificent site both inside and out, especially the octagon tower.

Sunspots - Monday December 27th 2021

Solar flux is 125 and the SSN 95. A=3 and K=1. 

80m FT8 RX (Sunday)

As 10m is closing, I have QSYed down to 80m FT8 RX using the Wellgood active loop on the shack window. It has been on for about 10 minutes and, so far, 28 stations have been spotted. The furthermost is supposed to be in Iran, but I suspect this is a wrong QTH locator.

10m FT8 QRP (Sunday)

As 10m WSPR was good, I have changed modes to 10m FT8 mid afternoon. After initially being on TX with 2.5W (no spots suggesting I was being clobbered by a bigger co-channel signal), I am now RX only with 49 unique stations spotting me at 1455z. 

UPDATE 1615z:  134 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today.

6m FT8 (Sunday)

After a very brief time on TX early this morning (2.5W, no spots of me) I am RX only with the V2000 vertical omni antenna. So far, (at 1044z) 5 stations spotted on RX with the furthermost OZ1HFG (873km). Most spots are Gs so far.

I am hopeful of some mid-winter Es.

If it looks promising, I may try TX again later.

UPDATE 1447z:  5 unique stations spotted including OZ and HB9. These could be winter Es or aircraft reflection. Now QSYed to 10m FT8.

Salcombe - NOT amateur radio

This is Salcombe is where I spent much of my childhood. My brother still lives near there. Because of the pandemic I have not been back since 2019 and I miss it. Let's hope this year I get back!

160m FT8 overnight

Overnight, I was on FT8 RX again. 201 stations were spotted in total as the map shows. 

Nothing "across the pond".

Lesotho - NOT amateur radio

About 10 years ago we went to South Africa. On one day we went up the Sani Pass into Lesotho and it suddenly felt like we had stepped back in time. Many of the people were subsistence farming much as they had done for thousands of years. 

10m WSPR TX beacon

As the 10m antenna is available, I am on 10m WSPR TX using 500mW to the W5OLF beacon. So far today just local spots, but at least I know it is working! 

UPDATE 1425z:  4 unique stations spotting me with the furthermost FR1GZ (9724km). Think I shall QSY to 10m FT8. 

UPDATE 1500z:  QSYed to 10m FT8.

Sunspots - Sunday December 26th 2021

Solar flux is 131 and the SSN 128.  A=7 and K=0.

160m FT8 RX (Saturday)

After 10m closed for DX, I QSYed to 160m FT8 RX with the Wellgood active loop. At 1900z (after about 25 minutes) 54 stations had been spotted with the furthermost YO3APJ (2073km).

136kHz beacon

Whilst looking through some old photos I came across this photo from 2012 of my 136kHz beacon. With just microwatts ERP the signal was copied in the Netherlands. I think my antenna was just a thin wire loop in the garden of about 80m sq. As I recall I was going to use thicker wire to improve the ERP, but never did this.

10m FT8 RX

Early spots

Even though it is Christmas, 10m FT8 RX is running in the background. 148 stations spotted on RX today at 0953z. The furthermost is Western Australia.

UPDATE 1652z:  448 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX .

Christmas birthday - NOT amateur radio

After 73 years, I am used to my birthday being a few days before Christmas.  

This is me with some of my presents. I hold an unofficial birthday in June, but keep forgetting!

160m FT8 overnight

Overnight I left my 160m FT8 system running with the Wellgood active loop RX antenna on the shack window. In all, 265 stations were spotted. 

A cold - NOT amateur radio

For the last few days I have had a cold. Now I have given it to my wife!  Just in case it was Omicron Covid-19 we both have done a couple of lateral flow tests that proved negative. It looks like it is a common cold.

It is several years since I have had a streaming nose and sore throat. I am largely recovered.

Let's hope Omicron turns out to be milder and we can all treat it like a common cold seeking medical help only when needed. Life could then go back to (nearly) as it was.

Christmas - NOT amateur radio

Today is celebrated around the world as Christmas Day. 

I am not a strong believer these days, if at all. What I am sure of is all the world's religions are hints at a greater truth. We all need kindness and understanding. 

Whatever you believe, I wish you peace and happiness now and next year.

Sunspots (Christmas Day) - Saturday December 25th 2021

Solar flux is 126 and the SSN 145.  A=5 and K=1. These are quite remarkably high numbers. 

160m FT8 RX (Friday)

 At 1840z, I QSYed from 6m FT8 to 160m FT8 RX using the indoor Wellgood active loop.

UPDATE 1915z:  So far, 25 stations have been spotted on 160m FT8 RX with the furthermost UA4HTZ (3293km).

The Hall - NOT amateur radio

Our village is a mixture of old and new houses. The one in the photo is known as "The Hall". I have no idea how old it is.

6m FT8 (Friday)

As there is chance of mid-winter Es, I QSYed to 6m FT8. On TX (briefly) I was spotted by 1 G station.      On RX (at 1335z) 3 stations spotted with the furthermost F6HGB (983km).

UPDATE 1641z: 5 stations spotted on RX and 2 have spotted my very brief QRP TX sessions. No QSOs.

UPDATE 1835z:   Still just 5 stations spotted. I think I shall QSY to an LF band.

BBC weather app NOT amateur radio

This is useless!! At the moment we're meant to have light cloud and no sun. It's sunny!! As a BBC licence payer, I object to them wasting my money. As a joke it is fine, but it is rarely useful as a forecasting aid. OK the UK weather is changeable, but this is terrible even in real time. In the meantime, the best forecast is Windows - just look out of them!! 😁

10m FT8

At 0634z I turned on my 10m FT8 gear. One station spotted (Es?) and my short transmission was spotted by 1 station in England. 

UPDATE 0946z: So far, 155 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX with the furthermost VK6AS (14459km) in Western Australia.

UPDATE 1156z:  260 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX so far today.

Excessive? - NOT amateur radio

 

A householder in a nearby town likes to decorate his house with lights at Christmas. 

It must be a hazard for aircraft flying overhead. I am glad I am not paying for the electricity! 

At the moment, we all need cheering up.