160m antennas

Although my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground has got me over 1300km on 160m FT8 recently, some may prefer more conventional antennas. I had this problem at the old QTH and came up with this compact indoor vertical in the loft.  It seems pretty effective. It was wound on an old piece of PVC pipe.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/160m_loft_ant

Sunspots - Friday January 3rd 2020

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 13 (yes some spots!!).  A=3 and K=1.

UK weather - NOT amateur radio

OK, I know forecasting the weather in the UK can be hard as several weather systems interact, but I find the UK's BBC weather forecasts poor unless we have a big high pressure overhead and very settled conditions.  At least they show a percentage likelihood of rain nowadays. Considering the vast amounts spent on super-computers to better forecast, I can see little advance in forecasting accuracy.

Many is the time I have looked out the window at rain when at the very same time the BBC says it is full sun. As a guide to weather coming, these BBC forecasts are poor in my experience and there are better guides to upcoming weather available.

If you use BBC weather as a guide to what is going to happen, you are on our own. Personally, I find looking out of the window a better guide.

Cynic me? Surely not!

See https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/
See https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather

New EU 2m tropo record

Southgate News reports that there is a new tropo record in Europe with a contact between Scotland and the Cape Verde Is off Africa thanks to sea ducting.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2020/january/region-1-144-mhz-tropo-record-now-extended-to-4776-kms.htm

6m FT8

At 0945z, I QSYed to 6m FT8 calling CQ (10W to the V2000 vertical) initially. Just a single G spot by G0LGS (171km). On 6m FT8 RX  nothing yet spotted.

UPDATE 1420z: 4 stations spotted so far on 6m FT8 RX with best DX spotted being OH4ZS (2005km).

UPDATE 1510z: A recent 6m FT8 CQ was spotted by 3 G stations, but no QSOs resulted.

UPDATE 1632z:  Now 6 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1703z: My 3 sets of 6m FT8 CQs have been spotted by just 3 G stations, but no QSOs.

Grandchildren - NOT amateur radio

We have 4 grandchildren. 2 go home today and 2 more come here later. The photo shows 2 earlier shortly before leaving.

2m FT8

The last day has been remarkable on 2m FT8. Plenty of stations spotted (225 at the last count) .

UPDATE 1002z: 239 stations in 13 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX in the last day from Spain to Gotland in Sweden!

Stations spotted on 2m FT8 in the last 24 hours
 to 0845z using the big-wheel omni antenna

New Year's Day football - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday we went to see Cambridge United playing Mansfield. Cambridge lost 2-3. It was our grandson's first football match. He enjoyed it. The photo shows our son and his son.

Sunspots - Friday January 2nd 2020

Solar flux is 72 and the sunspot number is 0.  A=3 and K=0.

Earthing

Southgate News has a piece reporting on the new RSGB leaflet on grounding.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/january/earthing-and-the-radio-amateur-leaflet-updated.htm#.XgyIZuiTLnE