Sunspots - Thursday December 13th 2018

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

472kHz WSPR

Just upgraded to WSJT-X V2.0, now on general release. Overnight, I am on 472kHz WSPR. Version 2.0 has, supposedly, better sensitivity on WSPR. Time will tell.

So far, a couple of spots of others and one of me. Still 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna".

UPDATE 2015z: It works! Already 9 stations spotted on RX with best DX LA2XPA (1310km). On TX, 4 spots of my 10mW ERP with LA3EQ (769km) as the best so far this evening.

UPDATE 2230z: LA2XPA (1310km) has spotted me. With 2 LAs spotting my QRPP so far, this is a promising evening.

472kHz WSPR spots of my 

10mW ERP this evening so far.

Free 60m QRP crystals

Saw this on Facebook:

"We offer FREE crystals for 60m band - 5.353 MHz.  Please share this post to all QRP builders.
Merry Christmas Alex OK1RS and Ondra OK1CDJ."

See https://www.hamshop.cz/

Pound versus the Euro - NOT amateur radio

Well, I am baffled.

Today we awoke to the news that the UK Prime Minister, Theresa May faces a no-confidence vote and could be out of her job tonight. The BREXIT vote in the UK House of Commons has been delayed. Frantically, Theresa May is trying to get words added by the EU to the UK exit deal so it gets a majority in the House of Commons.

Now, if I was a betting man - I am not - I would have expected the UK pound to fall in value against the Euro. What has happened? The UK pound has gone up against the Euro! Good job I am not in charge.

WSJT-X V2.0 now released

WSJT-X V2.0 has been officially released and should be adopted as soon as possible. There are new protocols for FT8 and MSK144. Joe Taylor K1JT is urging all amateurs to adopt the new standard as this is not compatible with older versions. For a period, this will cause some confusion, but I think I'll download the new version later. Call CQ above 2kHz audio with the new version!!

See David's note below: the "above 2kHz applied for the "rc" candidates only, so people can use below 2kHz audio with WSJT-X V2.0 fully released version, although FT8 using the old protocol will not decode

See https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/Quick_Start_WSJT-X_2.0.pdf

See also https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html

10m FT8

Since breakfast, I have been mainly on 10m FT8 RX. No spots as yet.

There is usually a small Es peak in the northern hemisphere around December/January. Not sure why. This is nothing like the May, June, July period, but it might bring in a few more Europeans.

UPDATE 1027z: Still no spots.

UPDATE 1224z: Just G0OYQ (177km) spotted.

UPDATE 1700z: Just 3 G spots today on 10m FT8 with WSJT-X V1.9.

Sunspots - Wednesday December 12th 2018

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 11. A=7 and K=2.

Getting a bit better?

160m FT8 RX overnight

In all, 9 North Americans spotted in topband FT8 overnight, as well as loads and loads of Europeans. Best DX was W5XZ (7555km) in Texas, USA. As before, using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

432MHz UKAC Activity Contest

Every month, the RSGB organises an activity contest. On the second Tuesday it is the 432MHz contest. As I have no suitable antennas, I use either my 2m halo or 2m big wheel antenna and 5W from my FT817ND. Before my voice shouted "stop!" I worked 4 stations as shown on the map.

Top band FT8

G8BCG (394km) was worked when I was running 2.5W from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. On topband FT8 RX so far, loads of Europeans with best DX on RX RV6ADY (2980km).

UPDATE 2242z: No stations in North America spotted yet on 160m FT8 RX, but plenty of Europeans.

10m FT8

Since late morning, I have been on 10m FT8 RX. So far today, just one G spot on 10m FT8 RX G4SWR (149km).

UPDATE 1715z: Just a couple of G spots. Time to QSY to 160m.

Hacked - NOT amateur radio

One of my friends had his PayPal account hacked out of the blue. Luckily, he got his money back. He has no idea how this happened.

It is a good idea to:

• check accounts regularly and often
• use strong passwords
• change passwords often.

He also suggested https://passwordsgenerator.net/ to generate strong passwords

Homely kitchen - NOT amateur radio

Our kitchen can certainly not be classed as "clinical". Yes, we clean sides and floor regularly, but we have postcards and posters on the walls and enjoy breakfast at the table overlooking the windmill. When people stay they enjoy breakfasts relaxing.

Norway again on 472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP)

Yet again LA3EQ (769km) in Norway spotted me last night on 472kHz WSPR. I have now lost count of how many times he has spotted my signal this season. I very much appreciate these spots.

Sunspots - Tuesday December 11th 2018

Solar flux is 70 and the sunspot number back to zero. A=11 and K=2.

Angry sky - NOT amateur radio

At the moment, it gets dark early. From later this week the evenings get lighter, although mornings get darker until early January. With "our" windmill in the foreground the angry sky late today was great. Roll on warm summer evenings! It only seems 5 minutes since it got dark at 10pm!

See https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/

472kHz WSPR overnight

Not the best of nights for me with just 7 spots of my 10mW ERP, with the best DX spot being by PD0OHW (459km). On RX, 18 stations spotted including 3 LAs.

10m FT8 RX

Since after breakfast, I have been keeping an eye on 10m FT8 RX. So far today, just one spot EA3ZD (1227km). Disappointing.

Sunspots - Monday December 10th 2018

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 12. A=9 and K=3.

Where I lived long ago (but not this long ago!) - NOT amateur radio

Between 1959 and 1967, I lived in Kingsbridge, Devon. This very old, hand-tinted, postcard surfaced yesterday. I guess it dates from the late 1800s? It is before Fore Street, the main road, was tarmacked - a different age.

10m FT8

A few minutes ago I switched from 630m WSPR to 10m FT8 (mostly RX) for the daylight hours. Already OY1OF (1163km) up in the Faroe Is has been spotted.

UPDATE 1456z: No other spots since.

UPDATE 1830z: 3 G spots in addition to the OY earlier. I have now QSYed to 630m WSPR.

Windmill next door - NOT amateur radio

We are very lucky to live next door to a windmill that is nearly 200 years old. The sails usually turn when the mill is open (Thursdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays Easter until late October). We can have breakfast in our kitchen looking on the windmill and tell which way the wind is blowing by looking at the sails. The photo shows the windmill last evening just before dark.

See http://www.burwellmuseum.org.uk/  .

M1PRO success on 472kHz WSPR

A few days ago I posted that Jason M1PRO had built a version of my 472kHz transverter. He made a very neat version (see photo).

Well, I noticed last night he was spotted in Norway, Scotland and Belgium as well as lots of places in England. I assume this is with this transverter, although I forget what antenna he is using.  I think he loaded up the coax to his big-wheel. Not sure what his ground is.

Great stuff Jason!

From Jason's RX log, I see he is spotting quite a bit on MF.

Sunspots - Sunday December 9th 2018

Solar flux is a balmy 71 (well, better than recent days!) and the sunspot number 12. A=10 and K=2.

QSYed to 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP)

At about 1545z (just before dark) I QSYed to MF WSPR. As usual, I am TXing for about 20% of the time (the rest is RX) with about 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. I hope to be active until after breakfast tomorrow. For about 20 minutes my transverter is settling, so I get about 2Hz drift.

Oscar 97

As regular readers will know, in recent years I have done very little with amateur satellites. Way back, I listened to Oscar 6 and 7 and had one contact through a satellite with a 10m band output. That was a very long time ago!  I cannot remember the satellite.

There is a report on Southgate News about the latest Jordanian satellite.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/december/jy1sat-now-jo-97.htm#.XAu5EvZ2u00

10m FT8

Mid-morning I switched to 10m FT8. A short CQ was put out (2.5W), but sadly I got no spots. On RX so far, 5 stations in 4 countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX, although I had a spot of an RA3 that did not appear on PSKreporter. Maybe my internet was down then?

Sunspots - Saturday December 8th 2018

Solar flux is 70 today and the SSN 16. A=10 and K=2.

Yet again, spotted in Norway on 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP)

Last night was average on 472kHz WSPR with best DX LA2XPA (1310km) spotted on RX. The best DX on 472kHz WSPR TX was (yet again) LA3EQ (769km), with 11 spots of my 10mW ERP in total. This was the first time more people spotted me than I spotted.

Spots of my 10mW ERP 472kHz WSPR last night

Stations spotted overnight here on 472kHz WSPR

Elecraft News - December

Every month I get an email saying the latest Elecraft newsletter is available. Elecraft make some fine QRP radios, although they are expensive here in the UK. In many ways their receivers are very good.

See https://elecraft.com/

QSY to 10m FT8 RX

At about 1025z, I QSYed to 10m. As yet, no spots.

UPDATE 1112z: So far, just a 2 stations spotted: MM0HVU (480km) and 2E0RUS (104km). Aircraft reflection? No EUs and no "real DX", well not so far.

UPDATE 1603z: In all, just 5 stations in 4 countries spotted here today on 10m FT8 RX. See Bas's comments below!

Magnetic loops

It is some years since I built and used magnetic loop antennas on HF. They work remarkably well, although they are narrow band and need frequent retuning unless you are using modes like FT8, WSPR or PSK31 where the activity is all concentrated in one place. I recall using a small wire loop in the bedroom and getting WSPR spots from Japan with 20m QRP.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/magloop .

I see Southgate News has a link to a video on magnetic loops.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/december/magnetic-loop-antenna-current-and-voltage-distribution.htm#.XApJVvZ2u00

Last night on topband

Last night, I was on 160m FT8 RX. Overnight 7 North Americans and 1 Caribbean station spotted as well as loads of Europeans. Shortly, I hope to try 10m FT8.

As before, using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground on 160m. Best DX to the west on 160m FT8 RX last night was KC9FFV (7612km) in Texas, USA.

Sunspots - Friday December 7th 2018

Solar flux is 69 today and the SSN 17. A=5 and K=1.

Are we coming out of the solar minimum? Only time will tell. Solar flux is still low,  but the SSN seems to be improving. As they say, "one swallow does not make a summer".  Maybe in a year from now things will be clearer.

Prize - NOT amateur radio

We heard today that our 9 year old grandson was one of 4 chosen to win a prize to be on the front of a Christmas brochure for his school.

For a 9 year old it is amazing. We had to check with his dad to make sure he did it! Yes, he did!

This is far better than his grandparents could do!

Now on 160m FT8

My recent 160m FT8 CQ (2.5W) was spotted by 2 Belgians and by G3TXL (360km) in Devon. On 160m FT8 RX 3 stations in 3 countries spotted so far today.

As usual, I am using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. I am pretty sure this acts like a loop on 160m.

UPDATE 1602z: Now 11 stations in 4 countries spotted today on 160m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2150z: WU1ITU (4831km) was first spotted at 2040z. Again, lots of Europeans with best DX to the east RW6PA (3462km) in Chechnya.

Last night on 472kHz

Last night was not at all bad on 472kHz WSPR As well as GM, Jan LA3EQ (769km) spotted me 3 times. I have lost count now of the spots from Norway on 472kHz (630m) WSPR this season. Most times I go on MF I seem to get spotted in Norway.

Taster menu - NOT amateur radio

To celebrate my wife being just 70 and me being 70 just before Christmas, we enjoyed a "Taster Menu" at a local restaurant. It was excellent, both the food and service. Why do I not feel hungry today? 😁

Sunspots - Thursday December 6th 2018

Solar flux is 70 and the sunspot number 16 (they are back!).  A=5 and K=1.

472kHz WSPR

As it is now dark here, I have QSYed to 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP) from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. G1GKN (99km) is a good signal on RX and my QRPP is being copied by 4 unique stations with best DX so far being a spot by G4ZFG (203km).