Early Es on 10m

There was early Es on 10m today with spots from CT, EA1 and LB9 before 0936z.  Still no "exotic" Es DX seen here yet on 10m WSPR. 6m WSPR has been quiet, so far.

UPDATE 1252z:   GM, I and D spotted by Es in addition to the above on 10m WSPR today so far.  Nothing by Es on 10m WSPR since much earlier today.

6m WSPR Es

Since returning home from a week on the Isle of Wight with our younger son and family I have been on 10m and 6m WSPR this evening for about one hour.  Spots exchanged on 6m WSPR with F1VMV (947km) and so far just G4IKZ (18km) spotting me on 10m.

UPDATE 2041z:   G0OQK (98km) is now spotting me.

Sunspots and 10m - July 17th 2015

Sunspot number has climbed back to 55 (K=2) but 10m propagation is still "poor". Don't expect wonderful F2 conditions on 10m.

UK thunder and lightning

Storms are currently moving up from Hampshire into East Anglia over night. Better stay off the air until these are well out of the way.

UK MP salary - NOT amateur radio

With unbelievably poor timing UK MPs have just been awarded a 10% pay rise taking their BASIC annual salary to around £74k. At the same time nurses and similar are getting rises of 1% or nothing and some benefits are being cut.

Back on 10m and 6m WSPR

I should be back on 10m and 6m WSPR before the weekend although I don't think I have missed too much.

Sunspots and 10m - July 16th 2015

Sunspot number remains at 39 (K=2) and 10m propagation remains "poor" .  Apart from Es we should not expect great things of 10m today.

Sunspots and 10m - July 15th 2015

Sunspot number is 39 today (K=2). 10m propagation is expected to remain "poor".

The next few solar cycles

According to recently published UK forecasts the next few solar cycles will be very poor with abysmal conditions on the higher bands but good LF and MF conditions

See http://www.amateurradio.com/solar-cycle-25-and-beyond/

Looks like many will not see a return to good 
HF conditions in our lifetimes.

Low cost mics

Steve G1KQH  has made me aware of some very good deals on mics for under £10. If you need mics this may be worth investing in.

See http://www.gearbest.com/speakers/pp_193557.html