Sunspots and 10m - Thursday Sept 8th 2016

Solar flux is 92 today. Sunspot number is 50 and K=4. The forecast for 10m F2 propagation remains "poor".

UPDATE 1010z: The K index is going down (less disturbed) and currently K=3.

Brazil copied on 10m JT65

Although my own signals were not spotted in South America, PU2KOB (9653km) in GG56 square was copied at 1930z. As there was no Es, I assume this was pure F layer. Are we approaching autumn conditions? Although conditions cannot be expected to match recent autumns, I am still hopeful of some openings to North America on 10m JT65.

UPDATE 2220z: 10m is filled with surprises! 12 minutes ago I was spotted in France by what appears to be Es. I was going to go QRT but instead I'll remain on 10m JT65 overnight.

Going away

When I've been away it seems to take a few days before readers return. Perhaps they assume I've died and am never returning!

Anyway, don't panic I am still here and intend to be around for a good few years to come. If the blog disappears for a week or so, I am probably unable to access my blog as I am away or the internet is down.

The longest "outage" was when I was in hospital for 3.5 months 3 years ago.

10m JT65

About 20 minutes ago I went QRT on 6m and started up on 10m JT65, hoping to reach South America this evening. I also re-synced the PC to internet time. As yet, no reports from South America.

UPDATE 1832z:  No South Americans on 10m JT65 as yet.

6m JT65

This morning I decided to go on 6m JT65 rather than 10m, although I may switch to 10m later. So far, just 1 UK spot of my QRP on 6m, by G4VXE (136km). There is no sign of Es here on 6m JT65. At least on 6m JT65 I do get UK spots.

UPDATE 1248z: 2 spots of my 6m JT65 QRP from UK signals plus a couple of spots of others but nothing from mainland Europe by Es.

UPDATE 1558z:  4 UK spots today on 6m JT65 with the best DX G1IDZ at 182km. No Es on 6m all day.

Sunspots and 10m - Wednesday September 7th 2016

Solar flux is 92 today and sunspot number 32. K=3. The forecast for 10m F2 propagation remains "poor".

OFCOM updates

Form the latest from OFCOM see http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/.  I am not a great believer in the value of this organisation, but I leave it to you to decide.

Kids and puddles - NOT amateur radio

We have been visiting our son and his family who live near Canterbury in Kent. Their children are still very little (4 and 7). What is the magnetic attraction to muddy puddles?  Yesterday they went out on their scooters, but as soon as they found a puddle they just had to jump in it!

2m UKAC tonight

A reminder that tonight 1900-2130z is the 2m leg of the UK activity contest organised by the RSGB.  The enjoyment is working new squares although I have been suprised how well I am doing.

As we have only just returned from visiting our son and family in Kent, I shall be late on tonight.

UPDATE 2225z:  I was only on for a very short time (about 15 minutes) but worked 6 QTH squares with 5W and my omni antenna. Best DX was the south coast. Conditions were up tonight. I shall put in an entry tomorrow.

Sunspots and 10m - Tuesday Sept 6th 2016

Solar flux is 91 today and sunspot number 22. K=2. The forecast for 10m F2 propagation remains "poor".

There was no solar forecast yesterday as I could not update the blog from my son's home in Kent.