OFCOM

If you are interested, OFCOM has just published http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/wireless-telegraphy-fees-notice-2016/statement/?utm_source=updates&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=wireless-telegraphy-fees-notice-2016-statement.

In one word - QUANGO.  My view, others may have different views.

10m WSPR

My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon is still running with spots from all over Europe again today. I like the mode as you can monitor WSPRnet in the lounge, and just pop in to the shack if there is a problem or to do a time re-sync.

But I agree that JT65 does seem a better mode on 6m. WSPR would be fine on 6m if there was more activity. Also, I suspect the one minute TX cycle in JT65 is better, even though the mode is less good at digging weak signals from the noise. Overall, JT65 seems right for 6m.

For JT65, I have to use my PC and FT817, so if I want to try the mode on 10m I have to stop TXing on 6m. With 10m WSPR I can use my stand-alone W5OLF WSPR beacon and be on 6m JT65 at the same time. The tiny W5OLF WSPR beacon does not need external audio or a PC.

Beaconing on 6m JT65

https://pskreporter.info/pskmap.html

For the last few hours I have been running 1W ERP (vertical) on 6m JT65. Spots are being seen from all over Europe. I am monitoring in the lounge using PSK reporter but can be in the shack in seconds.  JT65 does seem to be more productive than WSPR. There seem to be more people using the mode on 6m. Thanks to Bas, it is now clear I am beaconing rather than calling CQ. Best DX on JT65 is still 9A6IV (1515km) in JN95ae. The strongest was a spot by LA7DFA (1312km) in JP33vj.

Recent 6m JT65 reports are shown below.

Rallies

Saturday 18 JUNE : 19 JUNE 29th NEWBURY RADIO RALLY 
Newbury Showground, next to M4 J13. There will be a talk-in station operating on S22 (V44). The venue has free car parking and disabled facilities24-26 JUNE HAMTRONIC SHOW, 

FRIEDRICHSHAFEN 
Messe, Friedrichshafen, Germany Trade stands, special interest groups and IARU Member Socities all have stands in the main hall. Large flea market. Lectures take place each day, some in English. There will be a large RSGB book stall. [www.hamradio-friedrichshafen.de]. 

26 JUNE WEST OF ENGLAND RADIO RALLY 
Cheese & Grain, Bridge Street, Frome, Somerset BA11 1BE. The venue has car parking available and disabled facilities. Doors are open from 10am to 2pm and admission is £3 with under 14s free. There will be trade stands and an RSGB bookstall, There is catering on site. More details from Shaun, G8VPG on 01225 873 098 or by email to rallymanager@westrally.org.uk. www.westrally.org.uk.

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

More JT65 on 6m

I am still on JT65 on 6m this morning and have been spotted by lots of Gs as well as in Spain and France by Es. I call CQ and try to get into the shack to answer calls. I have a couple of questions.

My questions are:

1. I really want to just beacon sometimes. What should I send that will appear on PSKreporter? Calling CQ when I am really beaconing seems wrong.

2. Is there a convention to call CQ in even (or odd) minutes?

Although I am WSPRing on 10m at the same time, surprisingly I have not been spotted yet on 10m.

On 6m I am now beaconing and sending "B G3XBM JO02" at 1W ERP. This seems to be being reported to PSKreporter.

Sunspots and 10m - Thurs June 16th 2016

Solar flux is 87 today. Sunspot number is 22 (K=2) and the 10m F2 propagation forecast remains "poor". Luckily there is Es about.

Gilbert and Sullivan - NOT amateur radio

This evening we went with friends to nearby Swaffham Bulbeck for a Gilbert and Sullivan performance of "The Pirates of Penzance". Every June a local barn is taken over to do a G+S production. It is part of our year. The performance was excellent. It always is good. The cast is amateur but they always put on a first class show. At one point it rained heavily. Luckily the lights stayed on!

Sunspots and 10m - Wed June 15th 2016

Solar flux is 87 today and sunspot number 26 (K=3). 10m F2 propagation is forecast to remain "poor".

It is hard to believe we are approaching the summer solstice and the longest day. It seems 5 minutes since Christmas and the shortest day.

Still on 6m JT65

Today, I shall remain on JT65 on 6m, but continue with WSPR on 10m. A couple of G stations have already spotted my CQ on 6m in JT65, but no Es as yet. I have seen CQs from other G stations on 6m JT65.

UPDATE 1240z:  On 6m JT65 I have spotted GU8BFO (374km) and OZ0TFW (829km) as well as several G stations.

Now active on 6m JT65

For the last hour or thereabouts I have been on 6m JT65 rather than WSPR. I am still just using the FT817 and the V2000 vertical omni fed with (lossy) RG58 coax.

Much to my surprise I am being spotted by G0LFF (146km) not far north of Brighton. At the moment I am calling CQ every 2 minutes, but I shall probably switch to RX only until after breakfast. There seems to be more activity on this mode than WSPR on 6m. It will be interesting to see what I spot, and who I can work, by Es tomorrow using this mode.

UPDATE 2050z:  On 6m JT65 I have now switched to RX only until after breakfast tomorrow.