New forecast for solar cycle 25

A panel of NOAA and NASA experts has issued a new forecast for cycle 25.

See https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/news/solar-cycle-25-forecast-update

2m FT8

As usual during the day I am on 2m FT8.  Initially I called CQ (2.5W) and was spotted by 7 stations with best DX EI2FG (565km). On 2m FT8 RX just one G spotted so far. Using the big-wheel omni antenna still.

UPDATE 1049z:  Now 4 stations in 3 countries spotted with best DX spotted DL6YBF (471km).

UPDATE 1343z:  Now 9 stations in 4 countries spotted this morning in 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1806z:  10 stations in 4 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX today.

Deep solar minimum

According to Southgate News which carries a piece from Space Weather, this sunspot minimum is officially "deep" with very few spots this year. This minimum could go on until next April! At the moment experts think the next cycle could peak in 2025 with a similar peak to the last one - low, but still a peak.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2019/december/sunspots-break-a-space-age-record.htm#.XfiiKOiTLnE

Strictly Come Dancing - NOT amateur radio

This BBC TV show has become an institution on dark autumn and winter evenings. It has now ended.

According to the internet we are now at the point when evenings get no darker, although it gets darker in the mornings for a few more weeks yet.

It is funny how we just adapt. In the summer we have light evenings until at least 10pm. At the moment it is dark before 4pm! We really see the difference by the end of January. I like the seasons.

160m FT8 overnight

It is something when I can say, "only about 40 odd USA stations spotted on 160m FT8 overnight". Overnight just a couple of Caribbeans and nothing from continental Africa or South America spotted. In all, just 480 stations in 4 continents spotted overnight on 160m FT8 with the best DX being N6VR (8358km) in Arizona, USA. As usual, using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

Stations spotted overnight on 160m FT8 RX
using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground

Electric and hybrid cars - NOT amateur radio

Quite a few of my friends have electric or hybrid cars. At the moment these seem too expensive for me and the range is still sub-optimal. Common electrics cars are the Nissan Leaf. On a typical trip I usually see a couple nowadays. In 10 years' time I expect the majority of cars will be electric. Honda is launching an electric car in early 2020.

See www.honda.co.uk/‎  

Sunspots - Tuesday December 17th 2019

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=1 and K=0.

160m FT8

A brief 160m FT8 CQ (2.5W to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground) was spotted by 4 stations in 4 countries with the best DX spot being by DK7LO (650km). On 160m FT8 RX 52 stations so far spotted with best DX UA9MA (4598km) in Omsk. This is within 20 minutes of going on 160m!

UPDATE 2024z: A recent 160m FT8 CQ (2.5W) was widely spotted in Western Europe.  On 160m FT8 RX 111 spots so far. 20 stations within 2kHz!!

UPDATE 2104z:  WU1ITU (4831km) was spotted at 2027z!

UPDATE 2138z:  Now 217 stations spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX with best DX UA0ZC (8130km). Something tells me this might be a pirate - not sure why.

2m FT8

2m FT8 is where I tend to be during the day. On 2.5W TX to the big-wheel omni antenna 4 stations in 3 countries with best DX being EI2FG (565km).  On 2m FT8 RX 6 stations spotted so far.

UPDATE 1245z:  Now 10 stations in 5 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1801z:  Now 31 stations in 7 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX in the last day.

472kHz TX QRPP success

Last night my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground reached Norway 39 times on 472kHz WSPR.  This is my best session this season. The table shows the spots last night and overnight.