• [G3XBM] 160m FT8 RX with the active Wellgood loop

    From G3XBM via rec.radio.amateur.moderat@21:1/5 to All on Tue Nov 2 01:42:24 2021
    XPost: rec.radio.amateur.moderated, uk.radio.amateur, free.uk.amateur-radio

    Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog

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    160m FT8 RX with the active Wellgood loop

    Posted: 01 Nov 2021 12:59 PM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/11/160m-ft8-rx-with-active-wellgood-loop.html


    This evening and overnight I am monitoring 160m FT8 RX using the Wellgood
    loop. It was turned on at about 1930z. Early indications suggest it is
    every bit as good as the coax up to my 2m big-wheel, possibly better. I
    wonder if it will copy stateside stations later?
    The Wellgood loop was a swap for my X80 antenna, that I had not used for
    many years and was lingering in the garage. I think we both got a good
    deal. Jason is pleased with the X80 and I am pleased with the Wellgood loop. After about 25 minutes I have spotted 35 stations with the furthermost
    RW4PU (3416km).
    My loop is just attached to the shack window with Blutak.

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    10m WSPR TX (500mW)

    Posted: 01 Nov 2021 11:44 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/11/10m-wspr-tx-500mw.html


    Since about 1410z, I have been on WSPR TX with my little W5OLF 10m WSPR
    beacon. As mentioned before, this is about the size of a pack of cards and
    is totally self contained. No PC is needed. Time is synchronised with a
    button push, then it TXs 100%, but randomly changes frequency within the
    WSPR window every 2 minutes.
    UPDATE 1455z: 8 unique reports with the furthermost by EA8BFK (2880km) in
    the Canary Islands.
    UPDATE 1840z: 14 unique stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon
    today.


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    Updated solar data

    Posted: 01 Nov 2021 06:56 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/11/updated-solar-data.html


    It is pretty clear from 10m that we have "turned a corner" and 10m is once again a great F2 DX band. At times it behaves like a VHF band, whereas,
    when the solar flux and sunspots are better, it transforms into arguably
    our very best HF DX band.
    Usually early in the month my favourite site for solar data is updated. At
    the time of writing this had not yet happened, but it might have when you
    read this.
    As I recall things, predictions were that Cycle 25 would be similar to
    Cycle 24 with a peak expected 2024 or 2025.

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    160m FT8 RX overnight

    Posted: 01 Nov 2021 06:47 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/11/160m-ft8-rx-overnight.html


    349 stations were spotted on 160m FT8 RX in the last day. Although better stations were working the USA, nothing was spotted from North America or
    South America overnight. I think the Iraqi spot was a DL with an incorrect
    QTH locator.


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    10m FT8 RX (Monday)

    Posted: 01 Nov 2021 07:12 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/11/10m-ft8-rx-monday.html


    My gear was turned on at 0855z. At 1010z 139 stations spotted on RX.
    UPDATE 1411z: 507 stations from all over the planet spotted.



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    Sunspots - Monday November 1st 2021

    Posted: 01 Nov 2021 12:33 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/11/sunspots-monday-november-1st-2021.html


    Solar flux is 103 and the SSN 83. A=20 and K=3.

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