Sunspots - Sunday December 2nd 2018

Solar flux is 69 today and the SSN zero. A=8 and K=2.

Now on 160m FT8

As 10m FT8 was dire, I have QSYed to 160m FT8. As I was using an old "rc" version of WSJT-X 2.0 I have upgraded to rc5. Until others do so, I expect to copy many stations that don't decode.

UPDATE 1553z:  No decodes although plenty of stations. I guess few have upgraded yet!

UPDATE 2235z:  Just a couple of decodes, probably as few have upgraded. Plenty of stations on the screen. Will leave the RX on overnight "just in case", although until many more upgrade I doubt I'll get any more spots.

New version of FT8

Older "release candidate" versions of WSJT-X 2.0 ceased to work as from today. The latest version is "rc5" which is expected to be very close to the released version due soon.

With "rc5" a new protocol has been introduced. If people are using older "rc" versions FT8 signals will be treated as noise and will not decode. On 160m I have seen several signals already that have not decoded.

So, it is important that FT8 users upgrade right away to WSJT-X 2.0 rc5. Do it now!!

See http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/wsjtx.html

The Moon and Mars - NOT amateur radio

It seems amazing that man first went to the Moon in 1969, even before I had started work. Whether I will ever again see man on the Moon, or even Mars, in my lifetime is uncertain. It would not surprise me if the Chinese did it first!

I see the USA is looking for commercial companies to get involved, presumably to save money.

See https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-announces-new-partnerships-for-commercial-lunar-payload-delivery-services

2m DXing

Amateur Radio Weekly has a piece this week about a recent tropo opening in the UK. Apparently most were using FT8 with very few stations on SSB. This is a sad reflection of how things are today. I am as guilty as any, sticking on FT8 most days because activity is concentrated and FT8 works with weak signals.

What is happening with FT8 is similar to the demise of traditional shops and banks. Many find shopping on-line is easier and better.

Christmas Fayre - NOT amateur radio

Every year, there is a Christmas Fayre in our village hall. As usual, there were lots of stalls and lots of people. Local things. As we are now in December, this is fine. If they held this in October, I would boycott it!

All quiet again - NOT amateur radio

The old friends that were staying here have now left, so the house is quiet again. It's funny how some people are "easy" guests who just make themselves at home. These old friends are like that. If they wasn't a cup of tea they will just make one. We like that.

10m FT8 - dead?

For about 30 minutes now, I have been monitoring 10m FT8. As yet, nothing at all spotted on 10m today. Let's hope things improve!

UPDATE 1505z: Still nothing spotted on 10m FT8 RX today. Really bad. I am using WSJT-X rc5 now. Soon be time to QSY to 160m.

Best yet on 472kHz WSPR this season

Stations spotted here on 472kHz WSPR overnight

Overnight was my best yet this season with 16 different stations spotting my 10mW QRP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Best DX was by LA2XPA (1310km) way up in Norway.

Stations that spotted my 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP) last night

Sunspots - Saturday December 1st 2018

Still the pits...

Solar flux is 68 and the sunspot number still zero. A=2 and K=1.

Definitely at sunspot minimum!