Sunspots - Saturday December 15th 2018

Solar flux is 71 today and the SSN 0. A=3 and K=1.

Am I imagining things or is the sun just starting to wake? Of course, this could just be a blip.

10m FT8

Today is my first outing on 10m using the newly fully released WSJT-X V2.0. As yet no spots. I called CQ earlier, but no spots.

If I am lucky, I might see a few Gs later, but I am not expecting much: to decode there has to be activity on 10m FT8 and they have to be using V2.0. As we are at sunspot minimum there is not much activity on 10m currently (sadly), so my chances are low.

Sunspots - Friday December 14th 2018

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=2 and K=0.

Overnight on 160m FT8 RX

A week ago very few were using WSJT-X V2.0. Now a great many are using the new 77 bit FT8 protocol. As well as countless Europeans and some Asiatic Russians, 6 North Americans spotted with the new FT8 protocol with best DX AA7A (8369km) in New Mexico, USA.

Once again using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. 160m FT8 with this "antenna" is astounding me.

It seems most have now switched to the new standard.
See https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html.  Look for WSJT-X V2.0.

Geminid meteor shower

A reminder that this peaks tonight, so often MS DX is possible using the ionised trails of meteors as they burn up. Try 2m perhaps with  MSK144 or FT8.

OFCOM and 700MHz

OFCOM has updated progress on freeing up spectrum at 700MHz.

See https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0027/129933/Statement-700-MHz-clearance.pdf

160m FT8 RX (WSPR-X V2.0)

A few minutes ago I turned on 160m FT8 RX using WSPR-X V2.0. So far, 6 stations in 4 countries spotted.

It looks if more people are moving to V2.0.

UPDATE 1839z: 27 stations in 12 countries so far this evening.

472kHz WSPR

Only now have I turned off 472kHz WSPR. I have turned all off rigs, but expect to be on 160m FT8 later. As I am using WSJT-X V2.0, the latest released version,now there may be far fewer spots until everyone moves over. V2.0 cannot decode earlier versions and many will still be using the older versions.

In the last day on 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP) I was spotted by 11 different stations and I spotted 17 different stations. For now, I am having a rest!

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.