Sunspots and 10m - Thurs April 14th 2016

Solar flux is 112 today and the sunspot number 41 (K=3). The forecast for 10m propagation is yet again "poor".  It is unlikely I'll be on the band today as there is a risk of thunder and the band will be closed for DX later. I may go straight to 630m after dark.

472kHz last night

PA0RDT (243km) was best DX on TX on 472kHz WSPR last night. In all, three different stations spotted my 5mW ERP. It was a disappointing night on the band.

I have now gone QRT on all bands as there is thunder forecast. I may resume operations later when the threat is no longer with us.

CDARC 2m FM Net

This evening at 1900z I came on the 145.550MHz Cambridge Club net. I had a long chat with M0SND (Waterbeach) who gave me a 59+50dB report despite me running QRP to an omni-vertical. Alex is 92 years old  and was a regular on our Monday 2m net. It was good to talk with him again.

At one time (early 1970s) I was on the committee of the Cambridge club. It is some years since I last went to the club. I am not keen on driving in the dark these days.

See www.cdarc.co.uk  .

Return to 472kHz WSPR

We have been out most of the day at Felixstowe Ferry for a walk next to the sea and a lunch of fish (fresh) and chips at the old fashioned cafe that has been there since 1958.

I have been on 472kHz (630m) WSPR since 1936z. Only spots by M0LMH (223km) so far of my 5mW ERP, but the evening and night are young.

UPDATE 2100z:   LA8AV (1035km) is the best DX on RX so far tonight on 472kHz WSPR.

Steve G1KQH - NOT amateur radio

Steve did look for deals on eBay yesterday and found the Bluetooth smart watch for a little over £4. See yesterday's post. I do not understand how they do it for the price and ship it half way around the world.

Steve also sent me a link in which you can check MOT history.
See https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history

40m WSPR overnight

No great DX last night with only European spots given and received overnight. On previous 40m WSPR outings I have been copied in North and South America and Australia. No such luck last night!

Sunspots and 10m - Wed April 13th 2016

Solar flux is 113 today. Sunspot number is 34 (K=4) and the forecast for 10m propagation is again "poor".

As there is a chance of thunder, I am not currently active on any band at present. I shall review the situation later.

70cm UKAC

As usual, I entered the RSGB's monthly activity contest for 70cms using 5W pep and my 2m big-wheel antenna. I only stopped on for less than 1 hour because of my poor voice. 5 QSOs were made as shown on the map. Considering the QRP, poor antenna and my limited time, I was quite happy with the results.

QSY to 40m WSPR

After another disappointing day on 10m WSPR, I have QSYed to 40m WSPR for the evening and overnight.

UPDATE 1840z:  UA1ASB (2042km) is the best spot of my transmissions this evening so far. Plenty of spots given and received on 40m WSPR.

That EU referendum - NOT amateur radio

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-36024492

As a "floating voter" in the coming EU referendum I am not impressed by the £9M government publication going to each home and the negativity of the "IN" campaign.

Surely if staying in is a good thing, there are positive messages, not just more negative comments, that can be shared? My instinct is to vote "IN" but I may well change my mind.  I have a brain and intend to use it. I need to hear positive reasons to stay in the EU. All this negativity is counter-productive.

UPDATE 1850z:  I got this in the last hour. Apparently, if you return the leaflet to the freepost address, the Conservative  Party gets billed for the postage: