Overnight on 160m FT8 RX

Quite a good night with lots of North Americans spotted with best DX KY7M (8369km) in New Mexico. Again, this was using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 overnight.

Sunspots - Monday January 14th 2019

Solar flux is 69 today and the SSN is 0. A=3 and K=2.

QSY to 472kHz WSPR RX

As 10m has closed for the day (well here at least), I have QSYed at 1655z to 472kHz (630m) WSPR for the evening. I may well switch to 160m FT8 RX later, if I remember! G1GKN (99km) immediately spotted.

UPDATE 1733z: Best DX spotted so far is PA0MLC (394km).

UPDATE 1849z: Now 4 different stations spotted with best DX F1AFJ (607km).

UPDATE 1912z: LA8AV (1035km) spotted as the best DX this evening.

UPDATE 2128z: Best DX spotted this evening on 472kHz WSPR RX is LA2XPA (1310km).

Maybe THIS year?

Looking back over 2018 I see I failed in at least one project aim!  I actually bought the e-field probe, but it has still to be erected. Maybe next season?

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/mflf/winter

Twat - NOT amateur radio

This car was probably stolen and the driver high on drugs?

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-46851036 .

Clunch building - NOT amateur radio

Not far from us is a small cottage with a clunch outhouse. This outhouse cracked very badly last summer. They pulled it down and are now rebuilding it with the original clunch stones. By the way clunch is a kind of chalk. I think the window is new.

Orchids - NOT amateur radio

My wife has a gift with orchids. We have had most many years and one now for 7 years. The secret is not to over-water. Most seem to thrive on a thimbleful a week.

When is Es'hail2 satellite operational?

At least one local ATV enthusiast is gearing up for Es'hail2, the geosynchronous Qatari satellite that has linear amateur radio transponders for ATV and modes like SSB/CW. Already the beacon is being received well. What I am not sure about is when it will be ready for use. I should check their website. I am pretty sure there will be an internet feed so one can see what is coming through. I think there are SDR receivers being set up at Goonhilly Down in Cornwall, UK.

The prospects of QSOs any time between Brazil, India, Europe and even Thailand are amazing. Even more so are the prospects of ATV exchanges at these distances on microwave frequencies with fixed antennas.

10m FT8 RX

Since about 0915z I have been on 10m FT8 RX here. No spots yet.

UPDATE 1236z: OE6VHF (1217km) spotted.

160m FT8 RX overnight

Again using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, plenty of Europeans spotted plus 7 North Americans and 1 Caribbean.

160m FT8 spots here overnight.

Sunspots - Sunday January 13th 2019

Solar flux is 69 and the sunspot number 0. A=3 and K=0.

Football - NOT amateur radio

It is years since I attended a game. However I watch the position of my old local team in the league tables.

So far this year Plymouth Argyle has had a bad season in League Division One. At present the team is in the relegation zone and could be relegated at the end of the soccer season unless it improves.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/plymouth-argyle  .

Guess what? They actually won away from home!

160m FT8 RX

As 10m was dire here, I have now QSYed to 160m FT8 RX. This occurred at 1505z. Already G8BCG (394km) has been spotted on 160m.

UPDATE 1525z: Already 5 stations in 5 countries with best DX spotted UX1UA (2065km) in Ukraine.

UPDATE 1600z: So far this afternoon, 19 stations in 9 countries spotted on 160m FT8 RX. All Europeans.

UPDATE 1754z: As before, lots of Europeans being spotted with best DX currently being R6FCU (3082km).

UPDATE 2100z: The first North American spotted this evening was WU1ITU (4831km) again at 2047z

UPDATE 2300z:  WA2TP (5509km) in New York just spotted.

BREXIT - NOT amateur radio

At the moment, BREXIT, i.e the UK leaving the EU looks like a pigs dinner. By this I mean a right mess. I think all we ever wanted is the right to decide who can live and work here and free trade. Why has this to be so complicated?

The EU does a lot of trade with the UK and they are likely to want further concessions if we want to delay leaving. They want to prevent others leaving the EU. As I feel at the moment I feel like saying leave without a deal - and I actually voted to remain!

Personally, I think Theresa May, the UK Prime Minister, has made a right "pigs ear" of negotiating our exit. She has wasted 2 years and "fallen on her sword" The EU must think the UK is a soft touch. There is a big vote on the deal next Tuesday, which is likely to be rejected. What happens next is anyone's guess.

Yorkshire Pudding - NOT amateur radio

Traditionally Yorkshire Pudding was eaten as a separate savoury course before the main meal. It was designed to fill you up so less meat was needed at the main course. Our 7 year old granddaughter is now an expert and makes good Yorkshire Puddings! I love Yorkshire Pudding, especially with some gravy!

On 10m FT8 for the day

For about 30 minutes so far, I have been on 10m FT8. After an initial CQ call, I am now RX only. No spots yet.

UPDATE 1230z:  SM0MLZ (1381km) spotted.

UPDATE 1502z: No further spots. I think I'll QSY to 160m before it gets dark here.

160m FT8 overnight

Late yesterday evening, I QSYed to 160m FT8 RX. It was quite a decent night with 21 North Americans and 2 Caribbean stations spotted. Best DX spotted was AD5A (8002km) in Texas.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 overnight 

with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

Left 10m FT8 too soon?

It appears 10m was open to Brazil and even North America from Eire after I QSYed yesterday according to John, EI7GL's blog. 10m is a band of surprises, and openings to the USA at sunspot minimum just show how good the band can be when we least expect it. I don't know what antennas John uses on 10m, but I would be surprised if they are not at least 6dB better than mine!

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/2019/01/opening-to-usa-on-28-mhz-fri-11th-jan.html

Sunspots - Saturday January 12th 2019

Solar flux is 68 (lowest for a while) and the SSN 0.  A=6 and K=1.

We definitely are experiencing sunspot minimum conditions. It is usually some time after the minimum that we can be sure the minimum has been gone through. This because the solar numbers are smoothed and it can be bumpy with short-term ups and downs.

Back on 160m FT8 RX

After the evening on 630m (472kHz) WSPR, I have now returned to 160m FT8 RX for the overnight period. It turns out that staying on 630m WSPR overnight adds very few new stations. Already the first North American has been spotted on 160m FT8: WW1WW (5239km) in New Hampshire, USA and all over Europe.

Stations spotted here on 160m FT8 RX within 30 minutes!

QSY to 472kHz WSPR RX

About 20 minutes ago, I QSYed to 472kHz WSPR. It is still just light here, but obviously dark now in mainland Europe. So far this evening spots of 3 stations spotted with best DX DL7NN (873km). As before, using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

UPDATE 2300z: I have now QSYed to 160m FT8, but 14 unique stations spotted mon 472kHz WSPR this evening with best DX spotted being LA8AV (1035km).

Stations spotted on 472kHz WSPR this evening.

China Moon probes - NOT amateur radio

Apparently a couple of probes on the far side of the Moon have taken photos of each other. Being on the Moon's far side, all images have to be relayed by lunar orbiting satellites.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46836047

David Lammy MP on BREXIT - NOT amateur radio

Often we do not realise when we are being manipulated.

On Channel 4 News (a TV news) last night David Lammy MP made a lot of sense. You may not agree with his politics, but he spoke a great deal of sense in my view. If you are in the UK, I urge you to take a look. We desperately need political leaders there for the common good, and not there to "feather their own nests". Sadly, there is a dearth.

10m FT8

After a brief CQ call (no spots), I am on 10m FT8 RX for the day. As yet, no spots.

UPDATE 1216z: No Spots.

UPDATE 1352z: Just a single spot so far today. G0KUC (87km) in London is the only station so far spotted today on 10m FT8 RX.  Pretty dire.  No DX at all.

UPDATE 1416z:  2E0MMY (124km) spotted.

UPDATE 1437z: OE6VHF (1217km) spotted. Maybe some winter Es?

UPDATE 1551z:  No further spots on 10m FT8 RX today. I shall probably QSY to 630m WSPR shortly for the evening and switch to 160m FT8 late this evening.

160m FT8 RX

Not a bad night on 160m FT8 RX with 16 North Americans and 1 Caribbean stations spotted. Best DX spotted was N7GP (8479km) in Arizona, USA. As before, using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, which works well on 160m.

Stations spotted overnight on 160m FT8 RX

70cm UKAC results for the year

The results of the 70cm activity contests for the whole year (2018) have been published.

According to the results I came 109th out of 180 in the AL section. Considering I use 5W to a 2m halo fed via very lossy RG58 coax, I am quite pleased. I usually stay on for about 30 minutes only as my voice is poor.

Sunspots - Friday January 11th 2019

Solar flux is 70 today and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=2.

160m FT8 RX

At about 1825z I switched from 10m to 160m FT8 RX. Immediately, lots of Europeans spotted.

Stations spotted in the first 15 minutes 

with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

UPDATE 2205z:  No North Americans so far on 160m FT8 RX this evening.

UPDATE 2225z: First North American spotted on 160m FT8 RX this evening was VA2WA (5115km) in Quebec at 2208z.

Living every day - NOT amateur radio

We are told to enjoy every day and live in the moment. Sometimes we have to think of the future.  Last year Michael Johnson, the America athlete, suffered a transient stroke (TIA), from which he recovered. The cause was not discovered, so he has a shadow hanging over him that it could happen again.

Speaking from experience, strokes can occur out of the blue. Tomorrow is yet to be. One thing is certain: it will not be what you expect.  Enjoy the now.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/46798931 .

Art - NOT amateur radio

One of our friends is a very good artist. We have one of her paintings in our hall. Yesterday, we visited them for a cup of tea and here she is with her husband by 2 of her pictures. She specialises in plants mainly.

472kHz WSPR RX

Last evening and overnight I was on 472kHz WSPR RX.  In all, 12 stations were copied. In the overnight period just one extra station spotted.

My conclusion is it is not really worth staying on overnight as most stations are spotted in the evening period.

Overnight tonight, I shall probably switch from 630m WSPR RX to 160m FT8 RX.

Stations spotted overnight on 472kHz WSPR 

using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

10m FT8 RX

Since just before breakfast, I have been on 10m FT8 RX. Unsurprisingly, no spots yet, although I am ever hopeful!

UPDATE 1035z: No spots.

UPDATE 1300z: Winter Es? So far, 6 stations in 3 countries spotted with best DX IU7GRJ(1754km). One Italian was +5dB S/N.

Sunspots - Thursday January 10th 2019

Solar flux is 70 today and the sunspot number 0. A=4 and K=1. Bouncing along the bottom of sunspot minimum.

Back on MF

Mid-afternoon I returned to 472kHz (630m) WSPR RX. So far, 5 unique stations copied with best DX DL7NN (873km).

UPDATE 2210z: 12 stations spotted so far this evening with best DX LA8AV (1035km). As before, the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground is being used. Seems to work quite effectively at 472kHz.

Stations spotted on 472kHz WSPR this evening

60m FT8 RX

With 2 North Americans and 1 Caribbean as well as loads of Europeans spotted on 60m FT8 in the last day I have reached some conclusions.

1. The earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground works at 60m, but it is much more effective at lower frequencies.
2. My 60m noise floor with this "antenna" is pretty low, although I am in no great hurry to return to this band.

The road not taken - NOT amateur radio

Perhaps this is something that comes with old age. I was 70 a few weeks ago.

Time and again I look back at my life and wonder what would have happened if I had made different decisions. I expect these questions are quite common in all of us. For example, what if I went to a different university, or actually had done that PhD? What if I had married someone else? What if I had accepted that directorship, or gone to work in California when I was offered a job?

My 2 claims to fame: I had lunch with Joselin Bell (who discovered pulsars) when interviewed for my PhD. Sir Clive Sinclair asked me for advice on antennas back in the 1970s!

All through life there are branches we could have taken, but didn't. I guess we will never know. This reminds me of a famous Robert Frost poem "The road not taken". Many years ago we visited Robert Frost's house in New England.

See https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44272/the-road-not-taken
See also (for audio readings) https://reelyredd.com/0602roadtravel.htm

Sunspots - Wednesday January 9th 2019

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=6 and K=1.

Back on 10m FT8 RX

After a foray on 60m FT8 using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, I have returned to 10m FT8 RX with my end fed Par antenna.

UPDATE 1350z: No spots yet today on 10m FT8 RX.

Calendulas out in early January - NOT amateur radio

This was out early yesterday. Calendulas come in several varieties and are sometimes better known as marigolds.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calendula

70cm UKAC activity contest

For about 30 minutes I broke off 60m FT8 to go on the 70cm activity contest. Only a couple of contacts G4CLA (105km) and M0UGA/P. As usual 5W and the 2m omni antenna used.