Overnight on 160m FT8 RX

Quite a decent night with 15 North American stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX, as well as loads of Europeans.

Sunspots - Wednesday December 26th 2018

Solar flux is 69 and the sunspot number 0. A=4 and K=0.

Return to 160m FT8 RX

It will soon get dark here, so a QSY to 160m FT8 RX is in order. This can be done in the background.  160m FT8 has been a real eye opener for me. DX is there to be had every day. My "antenna" seems to perform excellently and I cannot imagine doing any better with a dedicated topband antenna.

As you may recall, my "antenna" is just the earth-electrode in the ground. The baseline is about 10m, maybe less. I think this acts as a loop. On TX, I have received spots on 160m FT8 from Sweden over 1000km away when using 2.5W.

The QSY was done at 1540z.

UPDATE 1552z:  Just 2 spots so far - M0RTP (116km) and DL6ZBN (605km). Once it gets dark there will be plenty of DX .

UPDATE 1615z: DX from across Europe is appearing. Best DX is RV3F (2384km).

UPDATE 1830z: Somewhere over 50 stations spotted in 15 European countries so far on 160m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2145z: WU1ITU (4831km) was first spotted at 2128z this evening.

Stations received on 160m 

FT8 RX this evening so far.

Ripe for renovation? - NOT amateur radio

On our pre-Christmas lunch walk earlier, we saw this old Volkswagen. I think they enjoy restoring old Volkswagens at this place.

Overnight on 160m FT8 RX

Not the best of nights. 5 North Americans and 1 South American spotted as well as lots of Europeans.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX with the 

earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground overnight

2m FT8

Whilst doing other things, I am monitoring 2m FT8 RX (saddo). Already 4 stations in 3 countries spotted with best DX being DF6PW (633km).

Happy Christmas - NOT amateur radio

Whatever your beliefs, or none, Christmas is a time for kindness and sharing. I hope you get some! From me, a very happy Christmas and may 2019 bring you success and good fortune.

Sunspots - Tuesday December 25th 2018 (Christmas Day)

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN 0.  A=4 and K=1.

Amateur VLF

Recently, there have been up to 4 stations active around 8.27kHz VLF. This is the excellent spectrogram at Paul Nicholson's station in Todmorden, UK. Such levels of activity are rare.

Names leaked too soon? - NOT amateur radio

Yet again, the gutter press has released the names of 2 people questioned by police in connection with the shutdown of Gatwick Airport by drone flights.

It is my firm belief that no names should be released at all until people are found guilty. Mud sticks and many an innocent person has had his/her life ruined by being named when they are innocent or not even charged.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-46675612 .

SAQ VLF transmission missed

Earlier today there was a CW transmission from SAQ on 17.2kHz. This uses an alternator TX and broadcasts heritage transmissions a few times a year. Years ago, I received a QSL card from SAQ for one of their transmissions. If, like me, you missed today's transmission you may like to look at this video of today's transmission.

See https://youtu.be/shqi43EV07c .

Now on topband

As 10m FT8 was flat today, I have QSYed to 160m FT8 RX with the earth-electrode "antenna". No spots yet, although I have only QSYed a few minutes ago and it is still light here.

UPDATE 1600z: Already 35 stations in 15 countries spotted on 160m FT8 with best DX RU4I (3202km).

UPDATE 1716z: The map shows the stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX so far today in the last few hours.

UPDATE 2034z: WU1ITU (4831km) was first copied on 160m FT8 RX at 2028z.

Iris - NOT amateur radio

This may have been on before, but it is a nice picture of a lovely flower seen at nearby Anglesey Abbey recently. Hope you enjoy it now, and possibly before!

Yes, it was on before last week!!

Sorry, but I really am losing it! My excuse is I post to so many places that I forget which - well that is my excuse. Truth is I cannot remember!

Ba Humbug - NOT amateur radio

Yes, I have officially become a grumpy old man!

My latest rant is about all the Christmas emails from companies and political parties. All they are really after is bigger profits or for you to sign up for their party. They have nothing to do with the spirit of Christmas. As soon as I get them they are deleted. Ba humbug.

10m FT8 RX

Most of the morning I have been on 10m FT8 RX. Only 2 stations spotted with best DX being DG5HR (719km).

UPDATE 1457z: One new spot from N.Ireland.

472kHz WSPR RX overnight

Last night, I stuck with 472kHz (630m) WSPR RX using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. In all, 14 stations spotted with best DX EA7HPM (1725km) in southern Spain.

Stations spotted on 472kHz WSPR overnight

Sunspots - Monday December 24th 2018

Solar flux is 68 today and the SSN 0. A=2 and K=1.

MF WSPR RX

At about 1510z I QSYed to 472kHz WSPR RX. Already LA and PA spotted.

Best DX on 472kHz WSPR RX is LA2XPA (1310km).

10m FT8 RX

Most of the morning, I have been on 10m FT8 RX. So far, 10 stations in 6 countries spotted here. I am pretty sure some are coming in by winter Es. So far, all stations are European, with best DX OK1BRG (1104km).

I shall probably stay on 10m until dark then try 630m WSPR RX with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

UPDATE 1440z: Still just 10 spots. Looks like we had some Es this morning and it has now gone.

UPDATE  1510z: No further spots, so QSYed to 472kHz (630m).

137kHz

Last winter, I tried 137kHz WSPR and OPERA even though my FT817 is very deaf on LF.

In the past, when I was fit, I put my 137kHz beacon on QRSS3 and looked for the signal with a mag-mounted E-field probe on the car. Even though the ERP was low milliwatts at most, I got good copy the far side of Cambridge at about 24km.

At some point I should try 137kHz TX again. It was good fun. Maybe I should resurrect my 137kHz transverter. It is somewhere around.

Sunspots - Sunday December 23rd 2018

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=3 and K=1.

160m FT8 RX overnight

Overnight 15 North Americans and 1 South American spotted on 160m FT8 RX with best DX N6VR (8354km) in Arizona, USA.

Antenna choices

In the very near future, I have to get a tree surgeon in to trim my silver birch tree. This is the support for the end of my 35W Par antenna for 10m, 20m and 40m. One possibility is the erection of my x80 vertical. This is in nearly new condition and has a 9:1 unun in the base to bring the SWR down to the sort of SWR that can be matched with most auto-ATUs. The drawback is it is quite "whippy" and blows around in the wind. It has never been used at this QTH.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/x80

Paddy Ashdown dead - NOT amateur radio

One of the heavyweights of UK politics has died aged 77. Paddy Ashdown was one of the few charismatic leaders we had. One of the problems we have is a lack of real leaders in waiting. Most in politics seem to be there for their own advancement rather than for the greater good.

Although many did not like his politics, I liked Tony Benn. He was an honest man.

What the entire western world needs badly is leaders who want high office for the greater good and not self advancement.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-46662546 .

Food this afternoon - NOT amateur radio

The previous post mentioned the gathering we had this afternoon for a few friends. The photo shows some of the snacks. My savoury tartlets (cooked earlier today) proved very popular! Most had gone even though I made 24. I shall have to do more tomorrow. The fillings are onions, cheese, red peppers, mushrooms, tomato and a tiny bit of chutney. Some had ham too. The secret is to cook these first and then put more cheese on top before baking. My wife does the pastry the night before. I roll this out very thinly.

Pre-Christmas gathering - NOT amateur radio

As it is my birthday tomorrow and Christmas on Tuesday, we had a few more friends around including Richard G3TFX and his wife.

Last week we had some of the neighbours around.

160m FT8 RX

About 30 minutes ago I QSYed from 10m to 160m FT8 RX. As on previous evenings with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, lots of Europeans spotted. Overnight, I am pretty sure North Americans will be copied again. Best DX is UA4HBW (3325km) in Samara, Russia.

UPDATE 1847z: Best DX now on 160m FT8 RX is RO9O (5145km) in Asiatic Russia.

UPDATE 2015z: WU1ITU (4831km) already spotted on 160m FT8 RX. This is very early.

Stations spotted to 2030z this evening on 160m FT8 RX 

with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground

UPDATE  2245z: The first Canadian this evening on 160m FT8 RX was VA2WA (5115km) about an hour ago.

Sunspots - Saturday December 22nd 2018

Solar flux is 70 and the sunspot number 0. A=5 and K=1.

Overnight on 160m FT8 RX

Not a bad night again with 9 North Americans and 1 Caribbean station spotted. Best DX on 160m FT8 RX was  WQ5L (7347km) in Mississippi.

10m FT8

Since breakfast, I have been on 10m FT8 RX. So far today, 5 EU stations spotted in 4 countries.

UPDATE 1135z: Loads and loads of Europeans spotted on 10m FT8 RX. Is this winter Es?

160m FT8 RX

Following my usual routine, I have now moved to 160m FT8 RX. Despite decoding loads of stations with the first few minutes, none of these have appeared on PSKreporter maps. This is odd as I re-synced the PC to internet time at the same time. It is either due to a lack of internet connectivity at my end or at the PSKreporter end.

UPDATE 1715z: All seems to be working again!

UPDATE 2110z: As well as loads of Europeans,WU1ITU (4831km) was first spotted here on 160m FT8 RX at 2104z.

Now on 10m FT8

At 0916z, I QSYed to 10m FT8 RX from topband. As I left 160m, there was an EI calling CQ. As yet, not unexpectedly, no spots on 10m FT8.

UPDATE 1201z: No 10m spots yet.

UPDATE 1302z: Just 1 spot so far on 10m FT8 RX: G0BNR (37km) - such great DX!

UPDATE 1500z: 4 stations in 2 countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX today. Best DX is DG1RUG (554km).

Overnight on 160m FT8 RX

In all, 19 North Americans spotted on 160m FT8 last night, with a couple still being spotted not long before breakfast. Best DX spotted was KY7M (8369km) in New Mexico.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 last night

Sunspots - Friday December 21st 2018

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=12 and K=2.

Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio

We are quite near to the National Trust place Anglesey Abbey. We go pretty often to check what is coming up in the way of flowers. January is usually a good month for snowdrops and daffodils and at the moment there are irises out.

VLF upconverter

Amateur VLF transmissions demand very narrow bandwidths, high stability, long integration times and special (free) software. By contrast, commercial or government VLF signals are often strong. These stations usually have high power and very big antennas.

To receive commercial or government broadcasters a simple upconverter is fine. An example of one is my design.

For amateur VLF signals this is almost certainly not suitable. Most amateur VLF signals are seen on a PC screen rather than heard.

160m FT8 RX

 Since 1744z, I have been on 160m FT8. As on previous evenings, lots of Europeans spotted.

UPDATE 2222z: No North Americans coming through yet.

Nearly - NOT amateur radio

This morning we went to Anglesey Abbey hoping to see some early snowdrops and daffodils.

There were a few snowdrops out (not many) and one daffodil about to come out: it had dropped and needs a few more days.

Grand Arcade, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

It seems everywhere is getting ready for Christmas, although the big stores and garden centres have been selling Christmas things since September!

I guess Dec 26th we'll have holiday adverts and Easter eggs on sale - all in the name of that god "profit".

The photo shows the Grand Arcade in Cambridge last week.

10m FT8

LA7DFA (1311km) was worked with 2.5W FT8 on 10m early this morning. Judging by the signal strengths, this was probably winter Es. This was a total surprise. In all, 5 stations in 4 countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX already.

UPDATE 1710z: 12 stations, all European, so far spotted on 10m FT8 RX today.