Rain, hail, thunder - will we ever see the sun?

At the moment it is hailing here. I will probably disconnect all antennas, PC and rigs until the storm has passed over and moved away. We had a few settled days last week. Maybe that was our summer? We usually see thunder and lightning in late July and August. June is rare.

See www.lightningmaps.org .

UPDATE 1500z:  The storm seems to be moving away now, although I can still hear thunder. I shall wait until all danger is well gone before reconnecting antennas, rigs and PC.

More expensive UK amateur gear?

With the fall in the UK pound as a result of the UK vote to leave the EU it is possible that amateur radio gear (paid for in US dollars) will get more expensive. This is not certain and I hope the dealers will hold or reduce prices and their margins. Fuel will definitely be a bit more expensive.

Cut the grass! - NOT amateur radio

We were only away a few days but our grass is long and is in bad need of cutting!  Sadly we have had lots of showers, so the grass may be left uncut until tomorrow.

Time flies - NOT amateur radio

Maybe it is because I am getting older. Maybe it is an artifact of my stroke. Time seems to be faster these days. We have been home from Amsterdam less than half a day, but the next week will fly by! I have mentioned driving before: everything seems faster: when doing 50mph, it feels like 60mph. I am sure that my perception of time and speed has changed.

Return to 6m and 10m

I am beaconing on 10m WSPR and 6m JT65. Very early (around 0700z) I called G0VUH (157km in IO93) on 6m JT65 and since then have been spotted by a couple of Gs 6m JT65. G4KPX (14km) is the only station to spot me on 10m WSPR. As yet, no signs of Es on 10m or 6m as yet. It is now nearly 1000z.

UPDATE 1010z:  Although no-one outside of the UK has spotted me yet, I have spotted a station in Germany and in Italy on 6m JT65. There is Es about.

Rallies

24-26 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.

This rally is a big international one.  It is a bit like a European version of Dayton, although I've not been to either.

Sunday 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/
 

Sunspots and 10m - Sat June 25th 2016

Solar flux is little changed at 76. Sunspot number is again zero (K=2) and the forecast for 10m F2 propagation remains "poor". Hopefully Es will liven up both 10m and 6m again today.

Amsterdam - NOT amateur radio

The last few days we were in Amsterdam, Holland. We traveled there by train, through the Channel Tunnel on Eurostar. Our journey took us through France, Belgium (Brussels) and Holland. My wife and I have "divisions" in cities, with Amsterdam in our top division - we have been there 6 times now. Having had a stroke nearly 3 years ago, I found negotiating the cobbled streets and bikes made me very dizzy. Despite this we had a great few days. Now that I'm back you can expect blog updates most days.

BREXIT the reality - NOT amateur radio

So the referendum has taken place and the UK people have chosen to leave the EU. All of my close family voted to remain IN. The future of the UK is unknown. Indeed, the future of the EU may now be very different. All I hope is that we remain friends with our neighbours in Europe. We have always wanted the EU trade, but we have never sought closer political ties.  The future is ours to forge and we must chose a good future that unites its people not divides them.

Sunspots and 10m - Fri June 24th 2016

Solar flux is 75 today and the sunspot number is zero (K=2) and the forecast for 10m propagation is "poor".  As there is thunder about I shall return to 10m WSPR and 6m JT65 tomorrow.