2m contest

There is a contest currently on 2m (MGM). I am monitoring FT8 RX with the big-wheel omni antenna.

Best DX was DF6PW (633km). Currently 6 countries spotted this morning. At the moment, nothing special: these sort of distances are possible every day by aircraft reflection on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1540z: I think the contest ended at 1400z. Busy on 2m FT8, but perhaps not much different to a normal "flat" day?

UPDATE 2107z: Still on 2m FT8 and still spotting good DX, presumably via aircraft.

Overnight on 160m FT8 RX

As well as loads and loads of Europeans and 2 stations just north of Mongolia, 4 North Americans spotted on 160m FT8 RX last night using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

Most stations seem to be using WSJT-X V2.0 now.

Sunspots - Sunday December 16th 2018

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 12. A=2 and K=0. Just a hint that the climb has started.

Birthday gifts - NOT amateur radio

Around this time both my wife and I become 70. My wife's birthday was at the end of November and mine is in a week's time, just before Christmas. My wife's brother and his wife came to stay and gave us some great gifts.

Storing intermittent grid energy - NOT amateur radio

This is the "holy grail" of renewable energy. These days solar and wind energy are cost effective, but they are not always there when you need them. Crack storage and renewables will be the way to go. There just may be an answer. At the moment this is an MIT project.

Steve G1KQH may have to close his eyes!

See https://www.elektormagazine.com/news/molten-silicon-stores-excess-grid-energy?utm_source=Elektor+International+%28English%29&utm_campaign=afd6eb7863-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_12_13_2018_11_34&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_23bd160f48-afd6eb7863-234067237&mc_cid=afd6eb7863&mc_eid=b5d6dac1e2

160m FT8 RX

About an hour ago I QSYed to 160m FT8 RX from 10m FT8 RX. As on previous evenings lots of Europeans, although many now seem to have swapped to WSJT-X V2.0.

Too late, I found out I missed the start of the 2m MGM contest with lots of FT8 activity. I may give it a try on Sunday morning.

UPDATE 2019z: Lost count of the Europeans spotted om 160m FT8 this evening.

UPDATE 2110z: No North Americans yet on 160m FT8, but best DX is UA0SC (6428km) in Asiatic Russia.

472kHz WSPR overnight

Last night was not bad. In total I was spotted by 13 different stations and I spotted 16 different stations.

10m FT8

For the last few minutes, I have been on 10m FT8 RX. So far, just  PA8MC (404km) spotted.

UPDATE 1710z:  No further spots today here.

QRP Club magazine - Vestnik

The new edition of Vestnik (Reporter) of the QRPclub is available now online.

See http://club72.su/vestnik/qv16.pdf

OFCOM and UK broadband

Please wake me up - is OFCOM about to do something useful? Surely I must be dreaming. Yesterday they announced they plan to force broadband providers to tell their customers when they can get
faster speeds. A good idea.  At present they are consulting. I hope to respond later.

See https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0022/130378/Consultation-helping-consumers-get-better-deals.pdf