Sunspots and 10m - Tues July 19th 2016

Solar flux is 107 today and sunspot number 68 (K=1). The forecast for 10m F2 propagation continues to be "poor".

I need to sort out my JT65 issue next! I shall be on 10m WSPR in a few minutes. This is "stand alone", so will work once synced to internet time.

JT65 issue?

My shack PC did a Windows 10 update this evening. Whether this was coincidental or not I cannot tell, but neither WSJT-X or JT65-HF software now work: my FT817 refuses to go on TX. I need to check this out in the morning. It could be something tivial. I hope so. I shall look tomorrow with a clear head.

Ickworth (National Trust) - NOT amateur radio

Today, we went for a walk at the National Trust grounds at Ickworth near Bury St Edmunds. It was very hot, for a change. In the car coming home it touched 30 degrees Celsius. There were several dragon flies and damsel flies about.

Trident Vote - NOT amateur radio

This evening, the UK Parliament votes on whether or not to renew the Trident submarines which carry our "independent" nuclear deterrent.  I personally think this is a TOTAL waste of money. Most nations don't have this. Are we really any safer? Personally I'd rather spend the money (£100 billion?) on things that help us with 21st century threats such as terrorism.

What amazes me is why so many in the UK parliament think this is "a good idea". Sorry, but we are in NATO and are very very unlikely to fire nuclear weapons. In my view, Trident should be phased out as soon as possible.

Sorry if this is political, but I hate the whole idea of the UK having nuclear weapons at all. Were these ever to be used, it would be the end of civilisation. We should be setting an example for others to follow. Please don't tell me Trident is a deterrent. It certainly is no deterrence against terrorism and never has been. If we are short of money then we should spend what we have prudently.

Es

Both on 6m JT65 and 10m WSPR I am being spotted in Spain by Es early. This bodes well for the rest of the day.

Sunspots and 10m - Monday July 18th 2016

Solar flux is 112 today and the sunspot number 51 (K=1). The forecast for 10m F2 propagation remains "poor".

Local Museum Summer Fete - NOT amateur radio

Today, in the sunshine and warmth, our local museum and windmill is holding its summer fete with free entry for all. It is good the sun is shining. The windmill and museum are well worth a visit at any time. There is always so much to see and do.

See http://www.burwellmuseum.org.uk/ .

JT65 on 6m and 10m WSPR - Early Sunday

So far, no Es seen here yet on 6m JT65 but 5 UK stations (best DX report 219km with 1W ERP) have spotted me, most in the last few minutes. This is either tropo or aircraft reflection. It is early (0910z). Meanwhile 10m WSPR is very quiet with not a single spot so far. I did a full re-sync to internet time before breakfast. The PC clock is automatically readjusted every 1000 seconds, so as long as the PC works JT65 timing should be very good. The stand-alone W5OLF WSPR beacon on 10m is re-synced every day, although this is probably not necessary.y

UPDATE 1230z:  Still 6 UK spots on 6m JT65 and no Es here on 6m. I see that 4X1RF has spotted at least one G today, sadly not me. Maybe my 1W ERP (vertical) is not enough?  Just LZ1UBO (2039km) has spotted me on 10m WSPR earlier.

UPDATE 1728z:  Now been spotted by 8 different UK stations on 6m JT65 toda. Have copied Cornwall, France and Belgium on 6m JT65 RX today, but this must have been either tropo or aircraft reflection. No 6m Es today and very little on 10m WSPR - just LZ1UBO this morning.

UPDATE 1814z:  6m Es at last today!

ON4KST chat

See http://www.on4kst.com/chat/start.php . This is probably the most well used chat facility for radio amateurs on the internet. It is set up with various "rooms". People tend to use it to arrange skeds from VLF to microwaves.

Sunspots and 10m - Sunday July 17th 2016

Solar flux is 106 (respectable) and the sunspot number 47 (K=2). Yet again, the 10m F2 propagation forecast remains "poor".