Sunspots and 10m - Friday July 15th 2016

Solar flux is 95 today. Sunspot number is 54 (K=3) and the forecast for 10m F2 propagation is yet again "poor".

Despite this, my 10m 500mW WSPR has been spotted over 10000km on 2 days recently.

Even when 10m seems "poor" it is often a lack of activity rather than poor conditions. Just check the CB bands just LF of 10m: if these are "humming" the chances are 10m could be too. Try a few long CQs or use a digital mode like PSK31, JT65, JT9-1 or WSPR. You could well get a nice surprise.

ZP4KFX copies me again on 10m WSPR

Just one spot by ZP4KFX (10277km) in Paraguay earlier this evening of my 500mW WSPR on 10m. Again, I am unsure of the propagation mode, but it was possibly a combination of F2 (or spread F) and Es. This is the second day he has copied me on 10m recently.

IC7300 Reviews

Both PW and the August RadCom have reviews of the ICOM IC7300. RadCom's is by Peter Hart and is the more "heavyweight" review.  Both rave it with Peter Hart saying it is "a superb radio" and "outstanding value" at £1050.

Rally reminder (2017)

14-16 JULY 2017: HAMTRONIC SHOW, FRIEDRICHSHAFEN
Messe, Friedrichshafen, Germany Trade stands, special interest groups and IARU Member Society's 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.

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

This is a big event. Some have compared it with Dayton in the USA.Get it in your diaries well in advance!

See www.hamradio-friedrichshafen.de/ham-en/  for details in English.

Mr Bean sacked - NOT amateur radio

The man, allegedly, who stabbed Boris Johnson - a possible UK Prime Minister candidate - in the back (metaphorically) has been sacked from the new UK Cabinet. I for one, although not a Conservative, agree with this. There is no place in the UK government for such people. I am told Mr Gove was a bright man. His recent behaviour has left me speechless.

10m WSPR and 6m JT65

Recently I resynced the 10m WSPR beacon and PC. The PC probably closed overnight whilst installing updates. Anyway, I am now definitely on both bands.

UPDATE 1145z: A few 6m JT65 spots including an Es spot from Austria.  My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon has not been spotted by anyone yet. It looks like there is less Es about.

UPDATE 1620z: Although I have received, and given, a few more 6m JT65 spots, there is still just the one Es spot on 6m here so far today.#

UPDATE 1625z:  With just a couple of Es spots by EA1FAQ (1249km), it has been pretty quiet on 10m WSPR here too.

UPDATE 1750z:  On 6m JT65 receive the best DX so far is OH7RJ (2001km) a few moments ago.

OFCOM

See http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/call-for-inputs-fixed-wireless-spectrum-strategy/?utm_source=updates&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=call-for-inputs-fixed-wireless-spectrum-strategy.

OFCOM is asking for inputs on a consultation.

10m WSPR DX analysis by PA1B

Bert PA1B has done some analysis of my recent 10m WSPR spots in Paraguay. At times, much lower power than my 500mW would probably have been enough to be spotted by ZP4KFX.

Dunham Massey - NOT amateur radio

Since Monday, we have been in Cheshire for our annual sibling reunion. As my wife and her two brothers were getting older, we thought it a good idea to meet up annually for a few days. This is a tradition we've now done for 13 years. Traditionally we go somewhere on the second day and the hosts are treated to a nice meal out. Each year we go to a different home. This year we visited Dunham Massey in Cheshire for our day out. This rose was in the Rose Garden there. Next year, we are the hosts.

Sunspots and 10m - Thurs July 14th 2016

Solar flux is 94 today. Sunspot number 54 (K=3) but the forecast for 10m F2 propagation remains "poor".  I suspect this will be the case now until the autumn. At least there is summertime Es to liven things up from time to time.