Es propagation

I have been on 10m WSPR all day and 6m WSPR since learly afternoon. Nothing (at all) again on 6m - why do I bother? - but several central European spots on 10m WSPR where I run 500mW to an indifferent antenna.

I was on 630m (472kHz) WSPR all morning and copied PA3ABK/2 (306km) again several times.

EU referendum - NOT amateur radio

As we are away on the day when voting takes place, we have voted by postal vote. I posted my vote off today. I am sure the outcome will be close.

Horses in Newmarket - NOT amateur radio

We do most of our food shopping in nearby Newmarket, which is the world home of horse racing. Here everything stops for the horses! We don't mind. This was a string returning from Newmarket  Heath earlier today. It is unusual not to see race horses in Newkmarket.

Much of the land around Newmarket is studs. Many are owned by rich Arabs. The fences alone must run into thousands of pounds, if not millions. To the south of the town are the rolling hills of Suffolk and the countryside is delightful. Newmarket is a right mix of people: jockeys (who tend to be short!) and owners who are very wealthy. Then there are people like me!

A summertime pattern on 472kHz WSPR

A pattern is emerging on 472kHz WSPR during the summer months: I can copy the stronger stations but my weak signal is harder to find.  Last night I copied 4 unique stations but no-one copied me. As I write I am still active on 472kHz WSPR.

Unique stations spotted on 472kHz WSPR overnight

Sunspots and 10m - Tues June 7th 2016

Solar flux is 78 today and we have another day when the sunspot number is zero (K=1). The forecast for 10m F2 propagation remains "poor" again today. Yet again, we need Es to liven up 10m.

Es disappointment

Yet again, it has been very quiet here on both 10m and 6m WSPR, with no sign of any Es here. Yesterday was also poor with just EA1FAQ (1249km) spotting my WSPR on 10m Es. 6m remains hopeless for me on WSPR. To be honest, I'm not sure why I bother with WSPR on 6m. I'd be much better off on SSB or JT65. On 6m WSPR there is just not enough WSPR activity.

OK, there is still a chance of late Es on both 10m and 6m WSPR, but I am not holding my breath!

VHF/UHF tropo forecasting

Usually I go on 2m and 70cm (mainly the Tuesday evening UKAC sessions) and work what I can with my QRP.  Some users use prediction maps, to get some idea of the likely tropo ranges. I came across one today and there is Hepburns available at http://www.dxinfocentre.com/tropo_eur.html . No doubt keen users have their own favorite.

A reminder that tomorrow evening is the June 2m leg of the RSGB's UKAC contest. This is usually well supported. With the fine, settled, weather there are likely to be quite a few portable stations out and about on good hilltop sites. Even with 5W QRP and an omni antenna I can usually work about 200km in flat conditions, further with a lift, from home.

EU referendum June 23rd 2016 - NOT amateur radio

This has not been an easy decision. There have been lies and errors on both sides of the debate. My considered view taking a long hard view of the facts as I can discern them is to vote IN that is remain in the EU.

Yes, there is a lot wrong with the EU but my considered view is we are better off IN than outside. In the coming years we need to work towards changing the EU from within, so that there is more focus on efficiency, a common market and less on a United States of Europe, unless those who want it continue down this path. Leave the rest to strive for a level playing field. As far as the UK is concerned we, of course, want peace in Europe, but this should come by removing trade barriers and not a U.S.E..

There has been a lot of poor debate in this referendum build up.

Sunspots and 10m - Mon June 6th 2016

Solar flux is 79 today. Sunspot number is zero again (K=6). The forecast for 10m F2 propagation remains "poor". Yesterday my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon was spotted by EA1FAQ (1249km) after teatime by Es. With summer conditions, a high K index it very unlikely 10m will be up to much. Es is the only real hope today.

472kHz WSPR last night

There are fewer active stations on during the summer but I was pleased to spot EA5DOM (1525km) as well as PA3ABK/2 (306km). I was spotted by just one station G4GIR (53km).