Reasonable start on 10m WSPR

My 2W 10m WSPR has been spotted by UA6038SWL (2907km) 4 times so far today. Although G3JVL has been spotted here several times on 10m WSPR for some reason these spots have not appeared on WSPRnet. I'll try restarting the software to see if my spots get uploaded. In the past I put this down to issues with the WSPRnet database but I wonder if it is a bug in WSJT v1.6?

UPDATE 1156z:  It helps to tick the "upload spots" button!! Just pressed it, so spots should now be sent to WSPRnet. Stupid fool me! Yes, that was the problem. 2 spots uploaded to WSPRnet already.

UPDATE 1204z:  Lots of nearer Europeans. I wonder if Bas is right and this is by backscatter?  No 10m WSPR DX outside Europe and near Asia so far, although I was late on 10m WSPR today.

Sunspots and 10m - Wed Feb 10th 2016

The question is will today be a repeat of the good 10m conditions of yesterday? Possibly. Solar flux is 116 and sunspot number 79 (K=2). Yet again, the 10m propagation forecast is "poor". I rarely find this correct!

40m WSPR overnight

Several USA stations spotting me on 40m WSPR overnight. I am still on 40m WSPR but will QSY to 10m shortly. K9AN (6505km) was still spotting me at 0820z on 40m WSPR.

QSYed to 40m WSPR from 10m - already spotted in Australia

In the last few minutes I QSYed down to 40m WSPR for the evening and overnight. VK6XT (14718km) spotted my very first transmission. I have not heard outside Europe on the 40m band this evening, probably because of the high local noise level on 40m WSPR. It amazes me that 2W on 40m makes it to Australia with my very low, poor, antenna. Yet again this shows what a good mode WSPR is.

UPDATE 2210z:  W1UU (5292km) is the best  RX DX on 40m WSPR so far this evening.

10m - a really good day so far

10m WSPR spots so far today

It has been a very good day so far, as you can see. I expect the USA be received on 10m soon.

UPDATE 1435z:  KK1D (5409km) was spotted at 1358z, which is quite early. He was also spotted later.

UPDATE 1738z:  Several more USA spots plus a huge signal from PY4MAB (9403km) who says he is using 10mW. If correct, I am amazed.

Shares - NOT amateur radio

Share prices, certainly in London, are falling on the continuing uncertainties over China, Greece and the World. The FTSE 100 index has fallen from a peak of over 7100 last year to about 5630 as I write. Things do recover but this can take years.

At such times people look for a safe haven. Many have chosen my old company, Sepura. Sepura make radios for (mainly) public safety. They recently bought a Spanish rival and now do DMR as well as TETRA.

See http://www.lse.co.uk/ShareChart.asp?chart=intraday&sharechart=SEPU&share=sepura.

UPDATE 1436z:  FTSE 100 shares are still falling.

Amateur Radio Blog

This blog often has interesting posts, including the occasional ones from me and Steve G1KQH! Although an American blog, there is often content of interest to those in Europe.

See http://www.amateurradio.com .

EC and the UK - NOT amateur radio

When it comes to our UK national referendum on whether we should stay in or leave the EC, I am undecided. In many ways the EC is a good thing. On the other hand it is a creaking bureaucracy in great need of reform. I like that Europe has been (largely) at peace in my lifetime. I like free trade in Europe. However, we are a small island running out of room, with creaking services and the UK should have the final say over who lives and works here.  I am in favour of a common market. Why do we need more?

I really feel for the genuine migrants fleeing conflict. Having had a nasty tummy bug in the comfort of my own home, I cannot help thinking how much worse this would have been if I was also cold,wet and hungry and thousands of miles from home. Even worse if you are a child who does not understand. Personally I think we should take more real refugees but not economic migrants.

No, there is still a great deal that needs fixing. Mr Cameron has not basically changed anything during his recent negotiations. We are being asked to stay, when really very very little has changed.

So, in summary, I am undecided which way to vote. At the moment I am voting to leave, but I may well change my mind.

Good start on 10m WSPR today

This morning, 10m WSPR has been good, with spots from Australia, Israel and Rhodes already (see above). As yet, I have not spotted anyone else. I have the feeling today is going to be good. As I have cautioned, do NOT believe the forecasts!

UPDATE 1120z:  PE4NSP (374km) has been spotted here. This is probably tropo with aircraft reflections too, although he is using 50W. G0LUJ (278km) has also been spotted.

UPDATE 1155z:  EA8/DL9XJ  (2981km) and I have exchanged strong reports on 10m WSPR. Probably single hop F2, but it could be Es I guess. Very strong signals.

UPDATE 1300z:  So far today. I have been spotted 5 times in Australia on 10m WSPR.

Sunspots and 10m - Tues Feb 9th 2016

Solar flux is 116 (quite good) and sunspot number 82 (not bad).K=2 which is quite low. Although the 10m forecast is still "poor", my 2W 10m was decoded times very early in Australia. Today could turn out to be not a bad day at all on 10m WSPR.