160m FT8

After a successful 17m FT8 outing with the tiny magnetic loop antenna, I have QSYed to 160m FT8 using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. An initial CQ (10W) resulted in no QSOs but 24 spots across Western Europe on 160m FT8 TX. So far, 59 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX with the best DX being RX9WN (3591km).

UPDATE 1945z:  Now 237 stations spotted this evening so far on 160m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2210z:  407 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX today so far.

Electric cars - NOT amateur radio

Most times when out these days I spot at least 1 electric car. As time goes by I expect these will become more commonplace.

For me, they are still too expensive and the range is too limited for long distances. Even a trip from here to the coast and back would need a charge. They would be fine for short trips.

If people are to be persuaded to adopt these, they need good subsidies and better ranges. With research, I expect the latter will come. The former depends on government policies.

OFCOM updates

Every month OFCOM updates its Communications Monthly giving the latest statistics on comms in the UK. See their website.

10m

Southgate News often has lots of amateur news, but I get frustrated with Tony's 10m News.

To me, this would be far more useful if it showed the 10m DX being worked just from the UK. As it is, it usually shows DX being worked from other places. This can lead to a false impression that 10m is open to exotic places, when it is not!

10m should get better as the sunspot numbers and solar activity start to rise. With modes like FT8, we will find out the band is open much more often than we thought.

HF weak signal modes

There are some people who just enjoy chatting. On HF that usually means using SSB although there is some FM on 10m and some AM on less busy or crowded bands.

If, like me, you are more interested in seeing if bands are open, you may want to try weak signal modes. A few years ago WSPR was very popular. These days FT8 is more common.

WSPR signals are usually found in a 200Hz wide chunk. Individual WSPR signals are about 6Hz wide.  FT8 signals occupy usually a 2.5kHz window and are each about 50Hz wide.  FT8 is about 10dB less sensitive than WSPR.

Both concentrate activity in a narrow part of each band. Most monitors can pick up and report to the internet all signals they spot. Both work with signals weaker than SSB or CW. If a band is open, a weak signal mode will usually show it. As spots depend on monitors and internet uploads, I find FT8 more productive.

All software for these modes is free and available on the internet.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/hf-ft8

Cyclamen - NOT amateur radio

Other house plants we enjoy are cyclamen.  This one, an indiaka cyclamen, is a very attractive sort.

The one in the photo has been good for 4 months and is one of a pair bought cheaply from a local store. Normally, they go shortly after Christmas.

Amaryllis - NOT amateur radio

Every winter, we have amaryllis plants around. These are magical plants: it is hard to believe that from such a small bulb such enormous flowers can grow. We usually have a few and enjoy them shooting up. With luck, they can flower again too.

If you have never tried these, you are in for a treat! We take great pleasure watching ours grow. Next winter get some, water and watch!

17m FT8

At about 0715z I switched to 17m FT8. I am again using the magnetic loop antenna on the windowsill. No spots yet.

UPDATE 0900z: 12 RX spots so far and a 2-way QSO with RD4D (3089km).

UPDATE 0930z: 28 spots so far with RZ9U (5270km) as the best DX so far on 17m FT8 RX with the little magnetic loop.

UPDATE 1020z:  So far today, 49 stations spotted on 17m FT8 RX. On TX I see I was spotted in Eastern Ukraine by D1DX (2676km). Is this a prefix for the Russian occupied areas?

UPDATE 1024z: According to PSKreporter, 9 stations have spotted my 17m FT8 TX so far today.

Stations spotting my 10W
FT8 to 1122z today

UPDATE 1135z: So far today, 22 stations have spotted my 17m FT8 10W to the tiny magnetic loop antenna (thin copper wire and about 50cm across on the windowsill!). Best DX is a spot by OD5YA (3466km). Magnetic loops definitely work! In the garage I have a thicker loop which I have not used for about 7 years. This is probably at least 3dB better than the loop I am currently using.

UPDATE 1146z: 23 stations have, so far, spotted my 10W FT8 on 17m (see log).

UPDATE 1301z: 101 stations spotted so far on 17m FT8 RX today, with best DX spotted being BG9NJY (7657km) in China. 34 spots on TX.

USA spots of my 10W FT8 to the tiny
magnetic loop so far today (16 spots so far)

UPDATE 1526z: 58 stations have spotted my 10W 17m FT8 to the tiny magnetic loop today including 16 from North America.

UPDATE 1655z: 19 stateside stations have spotted me today with my 10W 17m FT8 to the indoor magnetic loop. 145 stations have been spotted today.

160m FT8 overnight

Quite a decent session on 160m FT8 RX overnight with over 500 stations spotted. Plenty of US, Caribbean and European stations.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 overnight 

Sunspots - Wednesday February 5th 2020

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=5 and K=2.

2m activity contest tonight

Starting at 2000z is the activity contest held every month on the first Tuesday on 2m. I usually give it a go for about 1 hour with my big-wheel omni and 10W SSB. My voice is poor. In all, 9 contacts made before I had to go QRT.

House plants - NOT amateur radio

My wife loves having lots of house plants and flowers around. As there are plenty of daffodils around, we have some of these in a vase. They certainly help to brighten up dull winter days!

160m FT8

As 17m is closing or closed, I have QSYed to 160m FT8.

Lots of EU stations that have been spotted. On 160m FT8 TX, 15 stations have spotted my 10W to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground so far.

UPDATE 1925z: So far this evening 167 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX with best DX UA9YE (5277km). On 160m FT8 TX 26 spots of my 10W FT8 so far.

17m FT8 with the magnetic loop

As I have no external 17m antennas, I am using the tiny magnetic loop on the shack windowsill. Plenty of RX spots, 1 QSO, and 10 spots of my 10W signal so far. Amazing.

UPDATE 1246z: Now 103 stations spotted.

UPDATE 1632z: Now 194 stations spotted today on 17m FT8 RX with the tiny magnetic loop. These include VU and A45, but best DX is 9Y4DG (7209km). On TX (10W) a couple of recent spots from EA8 and CU2. 11 stations have spotted me today on 17m FT8 TX, although I have not been on much.

Stations spotted today on 17m FT8 RX with
the magnetic loop antenna on the windowsill

Good overnight on 160m FT8 RX

With over 500 stations spotted on the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, last night was quite a good session on 160m FT8 RX. 

The stations spotted are shown on the map below.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX overnight

Sunspots - Tuesday February 4th 2020

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=5 and K=2.

Violets - NOT amateur radio

Poking out of the ivy were these violets. They are facing the sun and seem early, although probably not.

With a mild February, we can expect to see more spring flowers.

160m FT8 RX

Stations spotted to 2120z this
evening on 160m FT8 RX

Using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, I have returned to 160m FT8 RX.  As yet, just Europe and Africa spotted. Nothing yet from other continents.

UPDATE 2132z:  So far this evening 203 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX. A promising start in just over 90 minutes.

UPDATE 2206z:  UN1L (4097km) in Kazaknstan is the first Asian station spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX.  Although I have an S9 noise level on SSB, with this "antenna" I seem to have no problems at all with FT8.

UPDATE  2224z:  Now 270 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX in just over 2 hours.

UPDATE 2233z:  A few moments ago the first North American was spotted. This was VE2FXL  (4996km). Now 4 continents spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX.

Return to 17m FT8

Although my recent CQ calls on 17m FT8  got no spots or QSOs, on RX 5 stations in 3 continents already spotted with the best being YV5DRN (7611km) in South America. Still using the tiny magnetic loop on the windowsill with 10W.

UPDATE 1518z: Just spotted by CU2GI (2575km) in the Azores on 17m FT8 TX.

UPDATE 1528z: 3 spots of my 10W 17m FT8 CQ to the tiny magnetic loop so far with quite decent reports too.

UPDATE 1648z:   10 USA spots of my 10W FT8 17m CQ calls with the tiny magnetic loop on the windowsill. 13 spots of me in total.

UPDATE 1857z:  Now QRT. In all, 14 stations spotted my 10W FT8 on 17m. I am amazed this tiny magnetic loop works so well.

Promises - NOT amateur radio

The first daffodils have appeared in our close.

Over the coming months we will see plenty, but like the arrival of summer migrant birds, they herald better times ahead and gladden the hearts.

This was a photo my wife took a few hours ago. Winter is here, but spring is coming.

10m WSPR?

It is a while since I tried 10m WSPR. A few years ago it was a popular mode whereas many have swapped to FT8. We are currently very near to sunspot minimum and outside the Es season in the Northern Hemisphere.

One of the reasons for not going on is the lack of an outside antenna, but yesterday's success with the magnetic loop on 17m FT8 on the windowsill has got me wondering. I can run 500mW WSPR on 10m all the time on TX with randomised frequencies every 2 minutes. So, this could run all the time in the background. On 10m the loop is likely to be more efficient than 17m, but would anybody be looking?

I am tempted.

Space weather forecast by the UK Met Office

Southgate News regularly carries the space weather, but there is also a forecast by the UK Met Office.

See https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/specialist-forecasts/space-weather

15m FT8

As I have no external antennas for 15m, I am again using the indoor magnetic loop antenna on the windowsill. Only 1 station spotted so far  - OD5ZZ (3438km) and no-one has spotted my 10W yet.

UPDATE 1415z: No spots yet of my 10W FT8 to the magnetic loop. 2 EA8s and 1 OD5 spotted on 15m FT8 RX so far.

UPDATE 1435z:  After calling CQ on 15m with 10W FT8 for about 40 minutes with no success, I have returned to 15m FT8 RX only.

Cowfield - NOT amateur radio

Where we used to live backed onto fields. For years, we had cattle in the fields in summer and we could hear them munching over the fence. Many years ago the 11 acre site was bought for the village by the local council. It is a real meadow and has the remains of a Roman settlement as well as a castle built nearly 1000 years ago in the time of King Stephen. We walk there often. The photo shows the field in summer. Even now we still call it the cowfield.

Sunspots - Monday February 3rd 2020

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 0. A=6 and K=2.

Magpies - NOT amateur radio

These magpies (see photo) were at Anglesey Abbey recently. A few years ago magpies were rare in this part of the UK. In nearly 40 years of travelling 12 miles into Cambridge for work I saw not a single magpie. These days I see them almost daily. At one time, buzzards were rare up here . Now we regularly see them. Red kites were limited to Wales. Now we see them often near major roads. Since the  1980s little egrets have become common in the UK.

Declining radio amateur numbers?

Southgate News has a piece today about declining amateur numbers in Germany. This is mirrored elsewhere. In 20 years' time, unless things change, we could see steep declines in our hobby.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/february/germany-ham-radio-decline-continues.htm#.XjbnpY6TLnE

DNA memories? - NOT amateur radio

It is well known that physically characteristics can be passed down the generations. As an example, my brother-in-law looks just like a relative from 100 years ago.

Years ago I met a distant relative who branched away from our family tree in the 1700s. He looked remarkably like my uncle! That was over 200 years ago!

Now, I am no human biologist, but I gather much of our DNA is not used to create us physically. So, I wonder what it is for? Will we ever find out? Do we have hidden in our DNA, ancient memories? Maybe one day we will find out.

Yorkshire pudding - NOT amateur radio

When our granddaughter comes to stay, she loves to make Yorkshire pudding. This is a savoury dish served with or before a meal. It is great with stews.

The photo shows one she recently made. Apart from putting it into a very hot oven, she does everything. Even her brother thinks they are good!

Magnetic loop on windowsill

After the recent experiments with the Rybakov antenna, I am trying the tiny magnetic loop antenna on the windowsill indoors (see photo). Although it matches on all HF bands, I get some RF feedback on some bands.

On 15m RX it seems to do pretty well.

UPDATE 1347z: On 17m FT8 it works (see logbook and map) with 6 stations spotting my 10W to the magnetic loop so far.

17m FT8 TX with 10W to the tiny magnetic loop

UPDATE  1356z: Just after posting the above I get spotted by WN4N (4339 miles) in Florida on 17m FT8!! Not bad with this tiny magnetic loop and 10W. Also spotted by 5T5PA (3791km) in Mauritania, West Africa on 17m FT8.

UPDATE 1420z: 8 stations in 3 continents  spotting my 10W 17m FT8 TX to the tiny indoor magnetic loop antenna so far today. Quite amazing.

UPDATE 1429z: 111 stations spotted so far today on 17 FT8 RX with the tiny indoor magnetic loop antenna.

UPDATE 1452z: A 2-way QSO with AV4VV (3938 miles) in North Carolina with 10W 17m FT8 to the tiny magnetic loop. I am now beginning to believe anything is possible!

UPDATE 1511z: Quite remarkable the stations spotted so far today on 17m FT8 RX with the tiny loop.

Stations spotted so far today on 17m FT8 RX
with the tiny magnetic loop on the windowsill

UPDATE 1530z: I am wondering if 17m is fading out now? There would appear to be far fewer stations on 17m FT8 RX now.

UPDATE 1735z:  In all, I was spotted 8 times by USA stations on 17m FT8 with the tiny magnetic loop on the windowsill indoors.

Stations spotting my 10W 17m
FT8 with the magnetic loop today

A Rybakov antenna on the bench?

In the garage I have a virtually unused SRC X80 end-fed vertical antenna. This was very briefly erected in about 2011 and has remained unused for years. I took it down as reports said it blew around in high winds and at the time my interest was mainly on 10m for which I had a suitable antenna at that time.

The X80 is a sort of Rybakov antenna. These are end fed antennas fed via a unun transformer so the very high end impedance is transformed into a VSWR less than 3:1 that can usually be matched via the auto-ATUs in most modern HF rigs.

As an experiment, I tried loading up the coax to my 2m big-wheel via this Rybakov transformer. I can get quite a good match on a couple of HF bands (at least) but on some bands the VWSR was so bad that the rig just turned off!

By ear, I think my small indoor magnetic loop is as good!

Sunspots - Sunday February 2nd 2020

Solar flux is 73 and the SSN 11.  A=6 and K=1.

Hackers? - NOT amateur radio

At the start of every month, visits to my blogs peak. These correspond to visits from a certain country in Eastern Europe. It looks like regular visits from hackers looking for vulnerabilities.

Usually, things return to normal next day. I guess if they found they were able to, they would implant links to dodgy sites or malicious software. Usually I change passwords frequently to avoid a problem.

Up to now, I have had no problems, but if you see anything unusual, that is why.

Outside the record shop - NOT amateur radio

Earlier today I mentioned that vinyl records seem to be making a comeback. This is our friend outside the record shop in Letchworth yesterday. The shop is also a cafe.

Solar forecast update

My favourite solar forecasting page has been updated today (Feb 1st 2020). It still shows the forecast that we have already passed the solar minimum and are starting the climb to the next solar peak. This is slow at first, but, if correct, it means better times are ahead. Fingers crossed.

See https://www.solen.info/solar/

BREXIT round 1 - NOT amateur radio

So the UK has left the EU. Several months of difficult trade negotiations now take place. We were staying with old friends (see photo).

As I have said many times before, there is a lot wrong with the EU and I would have preferred us to work for change from within the EU. I just hope we continue to work with the EU in a positive way.

2m FT8

Having just returned from a night away with friends, I am again on 2m FT8. My 10W FT8 CQ was spotted by 19 stations in 3 countries and on 2m FT8 RX 12 stations spotted in 3 countries. Typical 2m FT8 results.

UPDATE 1744z: Now 28 stations spotted in 7 countries.

UPDATE 2136z: Now 50 stations in 8 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX since returning home this afternoon.

Vinyl records - NOT amateur radio

Old fashioned vinyl records are back again as witnessed by this shop in Letchworth yesterday.

Sunspots - Saturday February 1st 2020

Solar flux is 74 and the SSN 11. A=8 and K=1.

Overnight on 160m FT8 RX

Quite a decent night on 160m FT8 RX with 763 stations spotted including 16 North American stations and 2 South Americans.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX overnight