Solar flux is 108 today and the sunspot number 88 (K=3). 10m propagation is yet again forecast to be "poor". I somehow think 10m WSPR will be better today than of late?
11 Dec 2015
10 Dec 2015
Another day with no 10m WSPR spots from the USA
We are nearing winter and sunspot activity is sliding. Today was yet another day without 10m WSPR spots from the USA. Conditions are on the change sadly.
Stroke voice - NOT amateur radio
Today I had to go to Addenbrooke's Hospital for an outpatient appointment at the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) clinic. This meant having a camera down my nose into my throat. Sadly, the diagnosis was that my poor voice is "neurological" and there is nothing that can be done to make it better. I am seeing the "main man" later just in case, but it sounds like I am stuck with my poor voice unless it gets better over time. This is a blow, although at one time I was told I would never eat ever again. For the last year I've been able to eat just about anything. Moral? Never, ever give up. It maymean I am stuck with digital modes for a long time!
"Our Nectar programme is changing" - NOT amateur radio
Yet another email from one of the many computers at British Gas. Another example when headless chickens make benefits worse than before. British Gas are not alone. Now we will be able to earn fewer Nectar points. I'd change energy suppliers, but from what I can tell one is as bad as another.
Amateur VLF transmissions
Although my health has rather put a stop to VLF earth-mode tests here, I see that radiated tests are still happening. Uwe, DJ8WX has been doing radiated VLF tests at 8.27kHz recently.
Brazil on 10m WSPR
KD0VWO (7412km) monitoring in Brazil was the only person to spot my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon this morning.
472kHz WSPR overnight
It was good to see EA5DOM (1525km) in the 472kHz logs on RX several times. At some points he was strong at -11dB S/N. In all, he was spotted 38 times last night. Again this was just using the earth-electrodes and the FT817 without a preamp. He have a very effective MF system as he gets out well.
I went QRT on 630m (472kHz) WSPR at breakfast and am now active in 6m and 10m WSPR
I went QRT on 630m (472kHz) WSPR at breakfast and am now active in 6m and 10m WSPR
Sunspots and 10m - Thurs Dec 10th 2015
Solar flux is 108 today and the sunspot number is 77 (K=4). Predictions for 10m propagation remain "poor". 10m cannot be worse than yesterday! With quite disturbed conditions, I have doubts about 10m WSPR spots from the USA today.
UPDATE 1000z: All quiet so far on 10m and 6m WSPR.
UPDATE 1000z: All quiet so far on 10m and 6m WSPR.
9 Dec 2015
2m and 70cm UKACs
It must be my age! My XYL said last Tuesday "have you got a contest tonight?" I said, "no" thinking it was the end of November. Somehow I also read my email reminder of the 70cm UKAC too late last night. So, I managed to miss both the 2m and 70cm December legs of the monthly RSGB activity contests, thinking it was the end of November still!
Incidentally, my article on the big-wheel antenna for 2m is in the January RadCom. If I had remembered, this is the antenna I would have used! It works well and is a horizontal omni with gain. Mine was very kindly erected by David G0LRD, to whom I am much indebted.
Incidentally, my article on the big-wheel antenna for 2m is in the January RadCom. If I had remembered, this is the antenna I would have used! It works well and is a horizontal omni with gain. Mine was very kindly erected by David G0LRD, to whom I am much indebted.
Steve's blog (G1KQH)
A reminder to check out Steve's blog from time to time:
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