160m FT8

Results with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground are very similar to previous evenings. So far, 40 stations spotted here and 6 spots of my 10W.

UPDATE 1808z:  So far this evening 22 stations have spotted me. On 160m FT8 RX, 149 spots so far this evening.
 2110

Spots on 160m FT8 RX this evening

UPDATE 2018z: 26 spots of my 10W FT8 CQ calls on 160m this evening. 362 spots on RX spots far this evening. Quite a few stations are working Japanese stations that I think TX higher up the band. I must find out where and monitor.

UPDATE 2028z:  Looks like the Japanese TX on 1907kHz which is where I am looking now. Maybe I am too late this evening? I shall monitor 1907kHz for a while before going back to 1840kHz.

UPDATE 2100z: Both JA5EXW and JH4UYB spotted on 1907kHz USB FT8, but neither appeared on PSKreporter. I am obviously looking in the right place. Tomorrow I must try earlier. A couple of EU stations are transmitting up there hoping to work Japanese without split.

UPDATE 2118z:  VO1HP (3744km) spotted at 2110z, which is quite early. 4S7AB (8678km) is currently the best DX spotted this evening.

Stations spotted so far this
evening on 160m FT8 RX

UPDATE 2140z: 418 stations spotted so far this evening on 160m FT8 RX. This excludes the Japanese stations.

20m FT8 with the magnetic loop

Just before 1130z I QSYed to 20m FT8 using the tiny magnetic loop antenna on the shack windowsill. Already 5 spots of my 10W FT8 CQ with best DX RO1M (2030km). On 20m FT8 RX 15 stations spotted, mostly in Eastern Europe.

UPDATE 1348z:   Just measured the loop diameter - just 0.4m!! The wire is about 1mm diameter.  So far, 15 stations have spotted me with the magnetic loop (10W) with the best DX being a spot by K1GUY (3288 miles). Quite amazing.

UPDATE 1700z:  I have just QSYed to 160m FT8, but managed 31 spots of my 10W 20m FT8 CQs (no 2-way QSOs sadly) with the tiny magnetic loop.

Building

The photo shows me building in the back of the garage at the old QTH many years ago. These days building is hard.

Another good session on 160m FT8 RX overnight

Yet another good session on 160m FT8 RX overnight with 756 stations spotted including many in North America and 1 in South America.

UPDATE 1000z: Nothing in the last 2 hours! Definitely a nighttime DX band.

Spots on 160m FT8 RX overnight here 

Sunspots - Saturday February 8th 2020

Solar flux is 71 and the sunspot number 0. A=15 and K=2.

160m FT8

The sun is still shining here. It will be dark in about 30 minutes' time.

I am now on 160m FT8 with 10W to the earth electrode "antenna" in the ground.  Already my CQ call has got spots from 13 stations across Europe and on 160m FT8 RX the best DX is RU8W (3643km) after about 30 minutes on the band.

UPDATE 1930z: After a CQ call session on 160m FT8 (10W) I got not a single spot! Investigation revealed that the connection to the earth-electrode "antenna" had fallen off!! Since reconnecting I am being widely spotted again. At the moment 23 spots received with the best spot being by OH2BUA (1833km).

Stations spotting me
on 160m FT8 (10W)

UPDATE 1957z: Already 33 stations have spotted my 10W FT8 on 160m. The earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground certainly works for me!

That magnetic loop on other bands

The magnetic loop
antenna

As you may remember, I have been experimenting with my tiny magnetic loop antenna on the shack windowsill. It is at most about 50cm diameter and the wire is not very thick. To my amazement, I am getting spots with about 10W on 20m FT8. It seems to match on most bands above 20m. If stuck for a "proper" antenna, I can always try this!

20m FT8 TX spots in 30
minutes on the tiny loop

Winter sun - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows Ely Cathedral in the bright winter sunshine.

We went to the cathedral today to see the "Crowns and Gowns" exhibition. Needless to say, I chose not to go to the exhibition.

Like many high streets there plenty of coffee shops and charity shops and few independent shops left.

Green fingers? NOT amateur radio

My wife seems to have a way with orchids! The photo shows just one.

Best night ever on 472kHz WSPR

Overnight 32 stations spotted my 10mW ERP on 472kHz WSPR. Best DX was again a spot from Norway.

Stations spotting my 10mW ERP on 472kHz WSPR TX overnight 

Sunspots - Friday February 7th 2020

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 0. A=15 and K=3.

New IC-705 video

Southgate News has a link to the IC-705 video in which Ray N9JA gives a detailed walk-through of this QRP radio which we hope will be on sale in the UK and EU later this year. It looks very much like the IC-7300 on the screen.

This is the most detailed video of this transceiver I have seen.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/february/icom-ic-705.htm#.Xjxk5I6TLnE

Coronavirus - NOT amateur radio

It is understandable that governments are being very cautious: at the moment there are no vaccines and it is not totally clear how it is spread. It could yet become a global pandemic. At the moment the death rate seems pretty low.

Several things are certain:

• As many things are now made in China, supplies will be disrupted. 
• Demand for oil is falling in China. 
• Cruises will become less popular. 
• The impact on the global economy could be massive.

A lot will depend on the next few weeks.

Another rally

Sunday 9 FEBRUARY : HARWELL RADIO AND ELECTRONICS RALLY

Didcot Leisure Centre, Mereland Road, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 8AY (3 miles from A34 Milton Interchange). Doors open 10am to 3pm, admittance £3 (under 12s free). Free car parking. Disabled parking and facilities. Talk in on 145.550MHz, using G3PIA. Local and national traders, Special Interest Groups and RSGB Bookstand. Home-made refreshments available all day. Details from  www.g3pia.net.

Return to 472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP)

After an absence of several weeks, I have returned to 472kHz WSPR TX. My measured ERP is less than 10mW from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.  The output of the transverter is about 12W into 50 ohms, but the "antenna" is pretty inefficient, although better than expected.

Even in daylight I was quite surprised to see 3 unique stations spotting me with best DX spots by G0MRF (139km).

All being well, I hope to stay on overnight.

UPDATE 1206z: So far today, 4 different stations have spotted my 10mW ERP 472kHz WSPR signal.

UPDATE 1835z: 17 stations have spotted my 10mW ERP so far (see table below).

160m FT8 overnight

With over 600 stations spotted overnight it was another good session on topband. Antenna is again the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

Stations spotted on 160m
FT8 RX overnight 

Sunspots - Thursday February 6th 2020

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=2.

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.