SAQ yesterday

Although I did not try to listen for SAQ (17.2kHz CW on VLF) yesterday I wonder who did? It was received in Russia and is a good test of your VLF system. Although they have a lot of power and big antennas it can be a challenge to receive them.

July 4th - NOT amateur radio

If I am not mistaken, today is a national holiday in the USA to celebrate independence of the 13 original USA states from the UK in 1776.  I am sure if they wanted to join the UK they would be welcome!

The UK voted recently to leave the EU. Time will tell whether this was a good move or a bad one. We probably have more in common with the USA than the rest of Europe. Certainly we share a common language.

I like Europe but am not a great fan of the EU as an institution. Like many, in many nations, I am happy with a common market but not a federal Europe. The EU has sadly become an inefficient institution which has not added a lot of value in recent years. Although I voted REMAIN, I am not surprised we voted to LEAVE. It is now up to us to forge our way in the world. In some ways being outside the EU is not so bad.

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.