New version of FT8

Older "release candidate" versions of WSJT-X 2.0 ceased to work as from today. The latest version is "rc5" which is expected to be very close to the released version due soon.

With "rc5" a new protocol has been introduced. If people are using older "rc" versions FT8 signals will be treated as noise and will not decode. On 160m I have seen several signals already that have not decoded.

So, it is important that FT8 users upgrade right away to WSJT-X 2.0 rc5. Do it now!!

See http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/wsjtx.html

The Moon and Mars - NOT amateur radio

It seems amazing that man first went to the Moon in 1969, even before I had started work. Whether I will ever again see man on the Moon, or even Mars, in my lifetime is uncertain. It would not surprise me if the Chinese did it first!

I see the USA is looking for commercial companies to get involved, presumably to save money.

See https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-announces-new-partnerships-for-commercial-lunar-payload-delivery-services

2m DXing

Amateur Radio Weekly has a piece this week about a recent tropo opening in the UK. Apparently most were using FT8 with very few stations on SSB. This is a sad reflection of how things are today. I am as guilty as any, sticking on FT8 most days because activity is concentrated and FT8 works with weak signals.

What is happening with FT8 is similar to the demise of traditional shops and banks. Many find shopping on-line is easier and better.

Christmas Fayre - NOT amateur radio

Every year, there is a Christmas Fayre in our village hall. As usual, there were lots of stalls and lots of people. Local things. As we are now in December, this is fine. If they held this in October, I would boycott it!

All quiet again - NOT amateur radio

The old friends that were staying here have now left, so the house is quiet again. It's funny how some people are "easy" guests who just make themselves at home. These old friends are like that. If they wasn't a cup of tea they will just make one. We like that.

10m FT8 - dead?

For about 30 minutes now, I have been monitoring 10m FT8. As yet, nothing at all spotted on 10m today. Let's hope things improve!

UPDATE 1505z: Still nothing spotted on 10m FT8 RX today. Really bad. I am using WSJT-X rc5 now. Soon be time to QSY to 160m.

Best yet on 472kHz WSPR this season

Stations spotted here on 472kHz WSPR overnight

Overnight was my best yet this season with 16 different stations spotting my 10mW QRP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Best DX was by LA2XPA (1310km) way up in Norway.

Stations that spotted my 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP) last night

Sunspots - Saturday December 1st 2018

Still the pits...

Solar flux is 68 and the sunspot number still zero. A=2 and K=1.

Definitely at sunspot minimum!

472kHz WSPR

A few moments ago I returned to 472kHz WSPR.  It normally takes about 20 minutes for the transverter crystal to settle and the drift go to zero.

UPDATE 1830z: So far the evening, 3 people have spotted my 10mW ERP MF WSPR signal. All Gs.

Low cost spectrum analyser

This weekend is the MLS Hog Roast.

As part of their usual "something for the weekend" promotion they are showing a low cost spectrum analyser. It is years since I used one at work. OK, this is low cost, but covers 15MHz to 2.7GHz. Of all the test gear I ever used, a spectrum analyser was among the most useful.