Disappointing Es so far today

With just 3 Es spots on 10m WSPR all day and just G spots on 6m JT65, today has been disappointing for Es. Even with 500mW and my indifferent antenna on 10m, I still get decent reports, but I guess there was not much Es about today. A "bad hair day".

There was a little Es on 6m earlier as I spotted an Italian but, so far, no Es spots of my 1W ERP on 6m.

Transatlantic on 6m?

Last night I spotted Italians and Finns on 6m JT65 calling "CQ USA" or "CQ NA". I spotted, and was spotted by, nothing from across the Atlantic.  I presume some were luckier or just plain hopeful!

This morning all is quiet here with just G spots on 6m JT65 and no spots at all on 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 1114z: No 6m Es seen here yet. My best DX is a spot by G1IDZ (182km). This is either aircraft reflection or tropo.

Sunspots and 10m - Mon July 4th 2016

Solar flux is just 72 today and we have yet another day with the sunspot number at zero (K=3). The forecast for 10m F2 propagation is, not surprisingly, "poor". So far, no Es on 10m or 6m here.

QRP and QRP Club

More from Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,
72 QRP Net (Rendez-Vous) weekly report (June 27 to July 3, 2016)
Visitors  of  the  week:  UA1ASB,  SV8/LZ1WF, US5ERQ/p, US3EN, UR0ET,
UR7VT,   RV3GM,  Z35M/p,  RA3AL,  UA1ADF,  TF/RA1M,  RU3NJC,  OK1KW,
OE/DL6UHA, SM7RYR, DF9QV, UA1CEG, OH9XX/p, PA5XM, G3XJS, HA8TI, RX3FY,
LX1KM, HB9FSV, F5SJB, RZ4NWA, OM6TC, HB9BIN/p, DH0DK, OH6NPV
At once SIX operators became Frequenters of the "rendezvous" -
OK1KW, DL6UHA, DF9QV, OH9XX, F5SJB, US5ERQ
See  full  Visitors  and  Frequenters  lists  at  Club  72 web page - www.club72.su
Comments and photos of "rendezvous" - http://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/
72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"

France v. Iceland UEFA 2016 - NOT amateur radio

As hosts I want France to win the football, but I have the greatest respect for little Iceland. We had one of our best holidays ever in Iceland a few years ago. It was a beautiful place, and nothing like as barren as we had expected. There were lupins everywhere and the people were kind and friendly. At halftime France were 4:0 up so it looks like France will win.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lupinus .

VHF NFD

Yet again, I almost forgot this! I was prompted by a Facebook post by the Cambridge Club. I have just been on (5W and a 2m omni antenna) to give away a few points. Because of my poor voice I was not on long but my best DX was G4RFR/P (250km) in IO80ST on 2m. I worked G3PYE/P (local) on 70cm with my 2m halo. The contest runs until 1400z today.

10m WSPR and 6m JT65 and Es

Both 10m and 6m have shown clear signs of Es propagation. I am getting better results on 6m JT65 than WSPR on 10m. I think this is just due to usage. Moving to JT65 was definitely the right move on 6m. Though theoretically not as good as WSPR, it seems to get more reports. Maybe the 1 minute TX cycle helps with JT65?  I am still awaiting transatlantic spots on 6m, although I have been spotted in the Caribbean on 10m WSPR by Es.

Sunspots and 10m - Sunday July 3rd 2016

Solar flux is 71 today. Sunspot number is again zero  (K=2) and the forecast for 10m propagation is "poor" again. Luckily there is Es on 10m and 6m at this time of year.

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.