472kHz WSPR RX overnight

Quite a decent night with 17 different stations spotted with best DX EA7HPM (1726km). All were received on the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

Stations spotted here in last 24 hours on 472kHz WSPR

Sunspots - Wednesday January 16th 2019

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN 0.  A=5 and K=1.

BREXIT - NOT amateur radio

My dad did not mince words. If he was still alive he would say, "they couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery". How right he would be!

UPDATE 1930z: Clearly we are in historic times. The UK government is likely to be defeated in the motion on Theresa May's EU leaving agreement. What comes next is anyone's guess. I voted "remain" in the EU referendum 2 years ago, even though there is a lot wrong with the EU. All we really want is free trade with whichever countries we like and control over who lives and works here. Why is this so hard? As I see it, the EU gets not a penny until this is agreed, and I speak as someone who voted "remain"!

UPDATE 2019z: A huge defeat for Theresa May's "deal" with the EU. Now what?

QSYed to 472kHz WSPR RX

After the daylight hours on 10m FT8 RX with just UK spots, I have now returned to 472kHz (630m) WSPR RX. 2 spots already with G1GKN (99km) the best DX so far. After dark the best DX will go up considerably. No DX outside of Europe here this season on the earth-electrode "antenna"  in the ground.

UPDATE 1550z: Best DX now PA3ABK (306km).

UPDATE 1920z: Now 6 different stations spotted with best DX DC0DX (467km).

UPDATE 2016z: LA8AV (1035km) is the best DX spotted this evening. In all, 9 different stations spotted.

UPDATE 2132z: On 472kHz WSPR, 12 different stations spotted this evening, but only 3 were from England sadly. Perhaps they are on other modes? More likely, there is a lack of interest in this country. This is sad as my own transverter is easy to build and an earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground is small and simple and capable of good results. No need of huge antennas and extensive ground systems!

Moulton, near Newmarket - NOT amateur radio

After a walk around the village we ate at the Packhorse Inn. The last time we ate here was March 2017 and it seems to have gone downhill. At one time it was the best in the area, but I would now say it was only average.

The village is delightful (see photo). In the field in the middle of the village was a little egret. If this was 1980 we would have been amazed.

472kHz (630m) WSPR RX

Until reminded by Facebook yesterday, I had forgotten that N1BUG was spotted here on this band last year on the earth-electrode "antenna". I may give 472kHz WSPR RX a go this evening and overnight.

Overnight on 160m FT8 with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground

Overnight, I was on 160m FT8 RX. Quite a reasonable night with best DX HK3PJ (8482km) in South America. In all, 7 North Americans, 1 Caribbean and 1 South American spotted.

Stations spotted here on 160m FT8 RX last night

Sunspots - Tuesday January 15th 2019

Solar flux is 69 today and the sunspot number 0. A=6 and K=2.

On 10m FT8 RX

About 10 minutes ago I QSYed from 160m to 10m FT8 RX. As yet, no spots.

UPDATE 1015z: One station spotted so far: G4HZW (212km).

UPDATE 1430z: Just UK stations spotted so far today on 10m with best DX MM0ULL (714km). This may have been aircraft reflection?

Gave 10m FT8 a miss today

For a change, I decided NOT to venture on to 10m today. No doubt I will have missed the best day for months! My normal pattern is 10m FT8 in the day and 630m or 160m in the evening and overnight. Usually 10m yields a few spots and a few countries. As the sunspot cycle gathers pace we can expect some juicy DX. Even now, better equipped stations are spotting some great stuff. Clearly at sunspot minimum it is now much harder, but 10m is a band of surprises. Expect the unexpected on 10m!

Amaryllis - NOT amateur radio

Every winter we enjoy seeing amaryllis plants growing. You pop the bulb in some soil and compost and watch it grow at a phenomenal rate. Each morning it seems to have grown even bigger! Once it starts you can practically see it grow. The flowers are very large.

Usually they are over in about 6 weeks. Sometimes they flower again later in the year. This year, most of ours are white, a colour we have not had before.

Return to 160m FT8

A few moments ago I returned to 160m FT8. My 2.5W CQ was spotted by M0BEW (194km). As before, I am using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. No doubt the EU DX will appear after dark.

UPDATE 1530z:  Best DX so far is RW3LL (2049km).

UPDATE 2212z: WU1ITU (4831km) is currently the best DX. This station was first copied at 2124z.

Club 72

Just got this from Oleg:

"Dear Club 72 members and friends,
today Club 72 is 9'th Birthday! Club was born in January 14, 2010.
Thanks ALL for gathering and friendship! The best wishes for ALL you!"

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.