2m UKAC activity contest - advanced warning

As next Tuesday is the first Tuesday in July, it will be the 2m leg of the RSGB's activity contest. It runs from 1900-2130z (8pm to 10.30pm UK clock time). I run QRP (5W) to a big-wheel omni (3dBD) antenna. Usually my best DX is around 200km, but this depends on who is active and conditions. Last month I managed further. At this time of the year we are likely to have more portables out on hilltops. Usually I stop after about 1 hour as my voice is not good. Activity levels are usually good. It is a good way to work a few new squares even if you don't like contests.

Old flint tower - NOT amateur radio

Close-up of the church tower at Merton

Merton Church near Watton, Norfolk, UK has a very old, round, flint tower. Part of the tower dates from before the Norman Conquest in 1066AD. We have some truly wonderful church buildings in East Anglia, possibly the best in the world. Within an hour we probably have 1000 to chose from. We like to visit some of these.

Best 6m DX

Although I have had only 2 stations spotting me all day on 10m WSPR, I have had much better results on 6m JT65. Best DX on 6m today (so far) is a spot by OH8ETB (KP35 2057km) by Es.

I wonder if this station works in Oulu? I went there for work many years ago and was surprised to see the ice in May! We flew to Oulu from Helsinki, a city I liked.

Church blog updated - NOT amateur radio

After quite a break, I have just updated the East Anglian Churches blog to include Merton, St Peters near Watton in Norfolk. See http://eachurches.blogspot.co.uk/ . This is a very typical lonely, locked, Norfolk church with a round tower. Quietly beautiful.

Sunspots and 10m - Sat July 2nd 2016

Solar flux is just 71 today with yet another day with zero sunspots. K=2 and the forecast for 10m F2 propagation remains "poor". Thankfully there is Es about.

The sunspot number and solar flux are now well down on the peak, which was poor. The next peak is expected to be lower still.  See http://www.solen.info/solar/ .

JT65 on 6m - another surprising day

 

Spots on 6m JT65 (1W ERP) to mid evening last night

Yesterday proved to be another great day on 6m JT65 with spots again by Es from all over Europe. Nothing further as yet, but I keep trying. I use PSK reporter to see where I get spotted and the stations I spot. See https://www.pskreporter.info/pskmap.html .  Already I see I've been spotted in Germany on 6m JT65 this morning.

UEFA 2016 and Wales - NOT amateur radio

Although not a great football fan, I watched Wales beat Belgium 3:1 to reach the semi-finals. Unlike England (who were beaten by outsiders Iceland), Wales played well. By contrast England were hopeless! Well done Wales - you deserved to win.

Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio

Young rabbit

One of our favourite places is Anglesey Abbey, which is about 4 miles from our home. In every month there is something of interest.

Damsel Fly

10m WSPR

My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon has been on all day. Although it has been widely spotted in Europe again today I have not been spotted further afield. I was hoping that I would be spotted across the Atlantic on 10m WSPR.

ONLY 23 spots of my signal today on 6m JT65

If this was 6m WSPR, rather than JT65, I might have been spotted a few times! With 1W ERP of JT65 on 6m even on a quiet day I've already been spotted 23 times. 6m JT65 really does work well. I am very impressed, but still waiting for transatlantic Es DX on 6m.