DX Summit

If you are a keen DXer , I guess this site could be of use. I think people post stations they spot so you know where to look. 

It has not been used here as I have not been DX hunting actively for many years.

See http://www.dxsummit.fi/#/ .

10m FT8 RX

In the last few days I have started to have an S8 noise level on the higher HF bands on AM. Up to now, these bands have been fairly quiet. I guess someone locally has a new gadget with a noisy PSU. 

I don't think it is a problem with FT8. Maybe the noise is on specific, narrow, frequencies? At the moment I am on 10m FT8 RX with the FT817ND and the tiny indoor loop. It is now 0715z and no spots yet.

UPDATE 1510z:  No spots yet.

Sunspots - Wednesday May 12th 2021

 Solar flux is 76 and the SSN 31. A=3 and K=1.

70cm UKAC

This evening was the May leg of the 70cm activity contest organised by the RSGB. With my QRP and poor voice, 4 QSOs were had using the 2m big-wheel omni. I only stayed on for 37 minutes.

OFCOM Communications Monthly - May

As usual, OFCOM has updated its "Communications Monthly" with the latest statistics it holds. See the OFCOM website for details.

15m FT8

It is now 0750z. At the moment, I am on 15m FT8 RX using the IC-705 and the tiny indoor loop. 

Yesterday, on 10m FT8 I did not have both pre-amps on. This may have reduced sensitivity and may have resulted in fewer 10m FT8 spots being obtained.

UPDATE 0717z:   No 15m spots yet.

UPDATE 1247z: 17 15m FT8 stations spotted on RX. I am back on the FT817 at the moment. I am suffering horrendous local noise for the first time too. The USB lead from the PC to the IC-705 was introducing noise, although I think it was the external noise that was the real culprit. NN4X (7001km) is the furthermost.

UPDATE 1438z: 30 stations in 4 continents spotted today on 15m FT8 RX with the tiny indoor loop.

UPDATE 1735z: 47 stations spotted on 15m FT8 RX. 

160m FT8 last evening

 

Yesterday evening (not overnight) I went on 160m FT8 with QRP using the IC-705 and the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Although no QSOs, I was widely spotted across Europe (see map).

Tame pheasant - NOT amateur radio

My brother lives in the country and has tame pheasants eating out of his hands. He was surprised to see this visitor in his kitchen yesterday! 

Obviously not feeding it enough. 

Sunspots - Tuesday May 11th 2021

 Solar flux is 77 and the SSN 36. A=6 and K=2.

Californian lilac - NOT amateur radio

This comes into flower about now and looks great against the sky.