Solar flux is 90 today and sunspot number 37 (K=2). The propagation forecast for 10m remains "poor" again. I have been on 10m WSPR (was on 40m WSPR) since about 1015z.
UPDATE 1032z: Unsurprisingly, no 10m WSPR spots, as yet, apart from an exchange with local G4KPX (14km).
UPDATE 1148z: Only Gs on 10m WSPR this morning. G8VDQ (93km) has just been spotted.
28 Feb 2016
27 Feb 2016
Return to 40m WSPR
Since returning to 40m WSPR (from 10m WSPR earlier this evening) I have been spotted in the USA several times and have spotted XP3A (3206km) in GP44de a couple of times. This is Nuuk in Greenland.
Only Gs on 10m here today
Today has been disappointing on 10m WSPR with just G stations copied so far. I shall stay on the band until after dark, but I fear no DX spots will be exchanged on 10m WSPR today. This is a great pity. I am sure a lot has to do with fewer stations and not conditions. I'll be back on 10m tomorrow after breakfast.
UPDATE 1900z: G4CUI (172km) has been spotted several times this evening by what looks like aircraft reflections on 10m WSPR. I shall probably QSY shortly but I have not yet decided onto what band.
UPDATE 1620z: So far on 10m WSPR just one non G spot by EA8/LA3JJ (2870km) around lunchtime. I also spotted him. I assume this was single hop F2. The question is will we see any USA spots on 10m WSPR later?
UPDATE 1900z: G4CUI (172km) has been spotted several times this evening by what looks like aircraft reflections on 10m WSPR. I shall probably QSY shortly but I have not yet decided onto what band.
UPDATE 1620z: So far on 10m WSPR just one non G spot by EA8/LA3JJ (2870km) around lunchtime. I also spotted him. I assume this was single hop F2. The question is will we see any USA spots on 10m WSPR later?
Windmill - NOT amateur radio
The buildings on the right are our local museum open Thursdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays Easter-October. Our grandchildren love it. The windmill forms part of the museum.
See http://www.burwellmuseum.org.uk/ .
Heathkits
The resurrected Heathkit company has launched a dual band antenna. As much as I want them to succeed is this the best they can do?
They absolutely have to produce decent kits at decent prices or they will not survive. Their offerings so far do not exactly set the world alight. No, the offerings so far have not excited me. Years ago I started out with a Heathkit Electronics Workshop. Years later I had an HW8 which gave me loads of contacts with small wire antennas.
Please, think of your potential customer base, think about prices, and look at your competitors. I have no doubt a few loyal USA customers will support you, but far far more is needed in the competitive world of the 21st century.
They absolutely have to produce decent kits at decent prices or they will not survive. Their offerings so far do not exactly set the world alight. No, the offerings so far have not excited me. Years ago I started out with a Heathkit Electronics Workshop. Years later I had an HW8 which gave me loads of contacts with small wire antennas.
Please, think of your potential customer base, think about prices, and look at your competitors. I have no doubt a few loyal USA customers will support you, but far far more is needed in the competitive world of the 21st century.
Amazingly low cost Chinese kits
See http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/262131628596?adgroupid=13585920426&hlpht=true&hlpv=2&rlsatarget=pla-131843262066&adtype=pla&ff3=1&lpid=122&poi=&ul_noapp=true&limghlpsr=true&googleloc=1006598&device=c&chn=ps&campaignid=207297426&crdt=0&ff12=67&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff14=122&viphx=1&ops=true&ff13=80
There are some amazing bargains on eBay. The link above is for a full Pixie 40m CW transceiver kit with sockets, PCB, IC and crystal all for £2.30 delivered free. There are other kits available including the Frog which is more expensive but has more power and a better RX. Last year I bought a 40m Pixie kit from a different Chinese supplier and it worked well first time on the air.
You'd be very hard pressed to buy the crystal for the price of the full kit delivered free. With these sort of prices it is hard to go wrong.
There are some amazing bargains on eBay. The link above is for a full Pixie 40m CW transceiver kit with sockets, PCB, IC and crystal all for £2.30 delivered free. There are other kits available including the Frog which is more expensive but has more power and a better RX. Last year I bought a 40m Pixie kit from a different Chinese supplier and it worked well first time on the air.
You'd be very hard pressed to buy the crystal for the price of the full kit delivered free. With these sort of prices it is hard to go wrong.
Shaking off a cold - NOT amateur radio
I have had a cold for a week now. Last weekend I was rough with it and
felt really under the weather. A week later, although I no longer feel
unwell, I still have a runny nose. It is taking longer to shake off the
symptoms. It is some years since I last recall having a classic cold.
Sunspots and 10m - Sat Feb 27th 2016
Solar flux is 89 today and sunspot number 41 (K=2). Predictions for 10m propagation remain "poor" although they were "poor" yesterday and I managed to be spotted, and spotted others, in Australia with 2W on 10m WSPR yesterday! I always treat these forecasts with a degree of skepticism and the band often supports DX when it seems quiet. Use WSPR and find out.
UPDATE 1102z: So far the only 10m spot this morning is of G8VDQ (93km) who I think was coming in via aircraft reflection judging by the Doppler, from IO91um.
UPDATE 1102z: So far the only 10m spot this morning is of G8VDQ (93km) who I think was coming in via aircraft reflection judging by the Doppler, from IO91um.
Switched to 10m WSPR
All night I was on 40m WSPR, but since 1007z I switched to 10m WSPR. Several spots from the USA on 40m WSPR again.
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