6m 5W FT8 (Sunday)

For the first time in several weeks, I am on 6m FT8  with my vertical omni V2000 antenna and the IC-705.

UPDATE 1640z:   Just 3 English spots of me so far. No DX.

Stations spotting my 6m QRP FT8 today

UPDATE 1938z:   11 English stations have spotted my 6m QRP FT8. See map. QRT soon.

10m 200mW WSPR ((Sunday)

My Zachtek WSPR beacon was turned on at about 1430z.  

UPDATE 1518z:  18 stations have spotted me already with most in the east of the USA.  See table.

UPDATE 1540z:  28 stations have spotted me with the best PY2SDR (9616km) in Brazil.

UPDATE 1936z:  36 spots of my 200mW 10m WSPR with the best Reunion Is. in the Indian Ocean. QRT soon.

Sun? What's that?

We have had a dull and wet winter. It is now spring (according to the Met Office), so we decided to go for a walk in nearby Reach. 

For once, the sun was shining, although it has clouded over again!

10m 2.5W FT8 (Sunday)

 In a few minutes my gear will be on 10m 2.5W FT8.

Stations spotting my 2.5W 10m FT8 just now

UPDATE 1237z:  Plenty of spots of my 2.5W FT8 from North and South America.  Currently RX only.

In an art gallery window

 

This was in an art gallery window in Cambridge last week. I am informed it is the singer Prince, although I would not know!

Taking stock of the solar cycle

We are not clearly on the downward slope of the latest solar cycle. The downward slope is usually gentler than the rise from the minimum to the next maximum. 

Usually the higher HF bands get neglected as people move to lower bands. I am hoping with FT8 there will be more activity remaining on the higher bands. We'll see. Often CB is busy when 10m seems dead.

One useful resource is the site I often visit to see how things are progressing.

See https://www.solen.info/solar/

Another DXpedition

Just to show how much of a DXer I am not, I have to confess not having a clue where this is!  I am even unfamiliar with T31! If chasing DXCC is your thing, this may be of interest.

10m still in great shape

Stations received yesterday on
10m FT8  using the QDX-M

Yesterday I decided to stay on 10m FT8 RX all day using my tiny QDX-M which is smaller than a pack of cards. In all, 1851 stations were spotted from all around the world. We maybe on the downward side of solar maximum, but conditions remain superb.

QDX-M 10m

The map shows the stations received here yesterday on my QDX-M on 10m FT8  with just the low endfed wire.

Corruption in high office

Events of the last few weeks have confirmed to me that powerful billionaires command a lot of power and influence in the world. This is not in just one country. 

It would appear that powerful men and women are able to influence the workings of governments and the functioning of countries, being able to avoid justice and prosecution. 

There are dangerous people in high places.

Sunspots - Sunday March 1st

 Solar flux is 141 and the SSN 44. A=8 and K=2.