Rallies this weekend.

Notification has been received about these rallies:

Sunday 22 MAY : BLACK COUNTRY RADIO RALLY MARK 2
Portway Lifestyle Centre, Newbury Lane, Oldbury, West Midlands B69 1HE. The venue is 1 mile from junction 2 of the M5. Doors open at 10am and the admission is £2. A raffle will be drawn at 2pm.

Sunday 22 May : 33RD DUNSTABLE DOWNS RC ANNUAL AMATEUR RADIO CAR BOOT SALE
Stockwood Park, Luton All the usual facilities will be there. www.ddrcbootsale.org.

Sunday 22 MAY : BroadBand HamNet MEETING
A get together of BBHN Mesh Operators and those interested in this system of digital communications on the amateur microwave bands has been arranged at Tilgate Forest Rec. Centre, Hut 18, Tilgate Forest, Crawley, West Sussex, RH11 9BQ. For details and an agenda contact Ted, G4ELM via BBHN.Event.2016@gmail.com.

A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

Sunspots and 10m - Sat May 21st 2016

Solar flux is 101 today. Sunspot number is 43 (K=3) and the 10m propagation forecast remains "poor" today.

6m WSPR Es

This evening there has been a little Es on 6m WSPR. Not a lot, but some. We need more stations on WSPR.

I have not been on 6m WSPR for more than a week as we have been away but I shall be on 6m and 10m WSPR once home again.

Sunspots and 10m - Friday May 20th 2016

Solar flux is 100 today. Sunspot number is 38 (K=1) and the forecast for 10m (F2) propagation remains "poor".

No longer in Devon - NOT amateur radio

We are on the way home, having left Devon this morning. It was a very good break and I enjoyed being back in my home county after a break of three years because of my stroke. I was surprised that I was able to do most things that I enjoy.

6m Es

In the last 24 hours there has been 6m Es noted on WSPR.

Elecraft KX2

Elecraft has announced a new SDR based QRP rig covering 80-10m (not 160m and 6m) which is available ready-built only. It is considerably smaller than the KX3. It can house an internal ATU and LiIon battery and can produce up to 10W. I have no idea how good the RX is. It is likely to be considerably less to buy than the KX3.

See www.elecraft.com .

Dayton Hamvention 2016 and the FT817

Well, if there is to be a replacement for the FT817 we are likely to hear about it this weekend at Dayton. This is the biggest amateur event in the world.

There was a rumour about this last year. If there is no announcement then I think Yaesu will have missed the boat for ever and they will not bother to replace it. I for one will be looking with interest.

What amazes me is that none of the other Japanese manufacturers has tried to beat the Yaesu FT817. ICOM?

Rallies

21-22 MAY : DAYTON HAMVENTION®
Hara Arena, Dayton, Ohio, USA. There are large car parks as well as transport to the event from various locations. The venue also has disabled facilities. Doors open at 8am. There will be trade stands and a huge flea market as well as special interest groups and an RSGB bookstall. A lecture programme will take place each day. There are multiple catering outlets and family attractions on site. US exams are available and there is a raffle. Details by email to international@hamvention.org. www.hamvention.org.


Saturday 21 MAY : ROCHDALE AND DISTRICT ARS SUMMER FLEA MARKET INDOOR SALE
St Vincent de Paul's, Caldershaw Rd, off Edenfield Rd (A680), Norden, Rochdale OL12 7QR Doors open at 11am with disabled visitors gaining access at 10.45am. The rally finished around 3pm. Talk in with S22 on 2m (145.550MHz) and entry is £2.50 with those under 12 free. Coffee, tea, soft drinks, bacon/sausage butties, biscuits, crisps will be available on the day. Traders can set up from 8am. Tables may be hired from RADARS at £5/table. Pitches will remain at £5/pitch or £10/pitch and table. Further details from Dave, G3RIK on 01706 633 400 or by email to rally@radars.me.uk


A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

/P operation

We leave Devon in the morning and I did not turn my amateur radio gear on once! This is a good sign as we spent far more time than I expected enjoying the walks and the scenery. No doubt I shall be  WSPRing again when I get home.  At least I know that I can still enjoy the things I used to do in my home county.

OK, I am more reluctant to use my (poor) voice on HF SSB. This is much harder than it was. Instead, I was happy to walk and look instead.