26 Nov 2021

20m FT8 RX (Friday)

It is now 0913z. I am monitoring 20m FT8 RX will the Wellgood active loop antenna. So far, 33 stations have been spotted. 

UPDATE 0927z:  62 stations spotted.

UPDATE 1616z:  620 stations spotted on 20m FT8 RX with the Wellgood loop.

UPDATE 1905z: 638 stations spotted. Time to QSY.

Where I come from in South Devon - NOT amateur radio


This is where I come from in South Devon. We have been hereabouts since the early 1400s. 

Sunspots - Friday November 26th 2021

 Solar flux is 94 and the SSN 20.  A=4 and K=1. 

25 Nov 2021

40m FT8 RX (Thursday)

As 15m is getting pretty quiet here, I have QSYed to 40m FT8 RX using the Wellgood active loop antenna.  I QSYed at 1933z.  At 1945z, 26 stations spotted. Furthermost is CU3AK (2586km) in the Azores.

TinySA spectrum analyser

Amazon Prime sell these, but I gather there are several copies on sale and only some are "the genuine article". My wife wants to buy me something for Christmas and birthday (which is very near Christmas) and this seems a good idea. It is certainly better than socks!

If you know who sells the "real deal", please let me know.

At around £63 this looks excellent value, especially as it can also be used as a signal generator.

Rally cancelled

The rally for the Bishop Auckand Radio Amateurs Club, due to take place on Sunday November 28th, has been cancelled due to the pandemic. It is hoped to hold it next year.

80m FT8 RX last evening and overnight

Last evening and overnight I was on 80m FT8 RX with the Wellgood active loop on the shack window indoors. 796 stations spotted, but nothing from the Americas.

The Wellgood active loop is working really well. For RX this antenna is perfect: all I have to do is change the WSJT-X band and the RX frequency.

15m FT8 RX (Thursday)

At the moment I am on 15m FT8 RX with the Wellgood active loop on the shack window. So far, 96 stations spotted with the furthermost PY7ZC (7540km).  It is now 1035z and I have been on since about 0900z.

UPDATE 1232z:  232 stations spotted with the furthermost LW2EDM (11776km).

UPDATE 1518z:  468 stations spotted. Furthermost is LU8XW (13474km).

UPDATE 1926z:
583 stations spotted on 15m FT8 RX.

Sunspots - Thursday November 25th 2021

 Solar flux is 83 and the SSN 39.   A=5 and K=1.

24 Nov 2021

80m FT8 RX (Wednesday)

As 15m seems to have got quiet here, I QSYed to 80m FT8 at 1745z. The antenna is still the Wellgood active loop. Already after 75 minutes 175 stations spotted. Furthermost is RW0AR (5585km).

UPDATE 1955z:  249 unique stations spotted so far on 80m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2030z:  327 stations spotted.