10m FT8

In the end I decided to QSY to 10m FT8 RX. 

At 1259z, 5 stations were spotted so far on 10m FT8 RX. I may try 10m FT8 TX with 2.5W shortly. My antenna is a Par end fed dipole antenna at about 3m above ground.

UPDATE 1304z: TX switched on. 1 spot of me on TX by G6TUS (18km).

UPDATE 1318z:  6 stations spotted on RX and 6 stations have spotted me on TX with the furthermost IS0AWZ (1598km).

UPDATE 1359z: So far this afternoon, I have been spotted by 8 stations on TX (as the map shows) and  I have spotted 15 stations on RX.

30m FT8 RX with the indoor active loop

I am trying FT8 on 30m with the Wellgood active loop. I think there is an internet connectivity issue as I am getting local spots, but these are not appearing on PSKreporter. I tried a reboot without success.

UPDATE 1023z:  Working now. 10 EU stations spotted so far.

UPDATE 1206z: 17 stations spotted with the furthermost UA3DPM (2893km).

UPDATE 1233z: 35 stations spotted on RX with the furthermost being JW4PUA (2952km).  Soon be time to QSY, but unsure where to!

40m FT8 RX with the active loop antenna

At the moment, I am on 40m FT8 RX using the Wellgood active loop stuck to the shack window. Noise level on the FT817ND is about S4.  So far, 8 unique stations spotted (at 0800z) with the furthermost TF5B (1813km) in northern Iceland. 

Although it will probably work at higher frequencies, I doubt it will seriously be used at HF.

See https://www.george-smart.co.uk/projects/wellgood_loop/ .

UPDATE 0858z:   32 stations spotted. The map shows the stations spotted.

UPDATE 0927z:  45 stations spotted.

Lincoln High Street - NOT amateur radio

To those unfamiliar with Lincoln, it is dominated by the cathedral on the hill that is approached by a very steep hill. By steep, I really mean steep. If you have weak heart, you will struggle. 

The photo shows Lincoln High Street before the steep climb starts. The cathedral can be seen and heard from a long way off.

Shield bug - NOT amateur radio

This shield bug was on a post near Lincoln Cathedral. 

It seemed quite happy for me to take its photo.

These are quite common in the UK on roses. They are a kind of beetle usual less than 1cm long.

472kHz WSPR RX with the Wellgood active RX loop

Last evening I was active on 472kHz WSPR RX using the Wellgood active loop RX antenna. This is very similar to the Wellbrook active loop. I swapped my X80 HF vertical for one. 

In all, just 1 station was spotted - DC0DX (467km) - with the 1m diameter wire stuck to the window indoors. Noise levels are low. This is my first outing on 472kHz RX for some while.

I may try again this evening.

See https://www.george-smart.co.uk/projects/wellgood_loop/ .  George designed this as he was trying to mend his Wellbrook loop. 

Sunspots - Saturday September 4th 2021

Solar flux is 87 and the SSN 33. A=5 and K=1 . 

160m FT8 RX with the Wellgood active loop

For the first time, I tested the Wellgood active loop antenna briefly on 160m FT8 RX. This is a clone of the Wellbrook RX active antenna. I was only on for about 2 minutes, but spotted 8 stations from across Europe with a 1m diameter wire attached to the shack window indoors. Noise level seems low.

Scottish golf course near Aberdeen - NOT amateur radio

When the sun shines Scotland is beautiful. Conversely, when it rains it can be miserable. 

This photo was recently posted on 365project by a friend who lives in Shetland where it can be very windy. It is of a golf course near Aberdeen on the Scottish mainland.

"You'll be old yourself some day" - NOT amateur radio

My mother-in-law said this about 50 years ago. At the time life seemed to be endless. Now I am 72. 

As Michael Portillo (he was a famous UK politician who now is a well known UK TV personality) said, when you are old every year is a year nearer your end, or similar words. Certainly, I am far more conscious of being old. I get tired more easily and I can no longer do many of the things I took for granted all those years ago.

Things that seemed important at 22 no longer are at 72.