QRP and QRP Club

Having been away for a couple of nights, I have not posted news from Oleg (and others), so this is a catch-up. There have been many more emails but I have not included them all here.

There was discussion about Indian radio amateurs launching a "Sputnik" piggyback. On the QRP Club website is more news of the recent "Sputnik" activities.


Dear Space friends,

Today I went to the Fort as said before.
I worked on 40 and 30 meters.

On 40 meters (7030 kHz):
G4OJF Gerry at 08:38 UTC S569-R539
F55NJF Michel at 08:58 UTC S559-R589
DL7KB Dieter at 09:07 UTC S549-R559 He used 150mW from Berlin!
DK1RT/P Bernd at 09:26 UTC S439-R559 He used 1 watt FT817 from Sebnitz
GM0GCO Brian at 09:51 UTC S579-R559 used 50 watts at start later reduced to 5 watts.
ON6WJ Jos at 10:27 UTC S569-R589 This was the first Inter-Sputnik QSO! Both xtals on different QRGs but still close enough.

Then I lunched and afterwards switched to 30 meters (10116 kHz and worked:
F6ENI Bruno at 11:43 UTC S599-R599 He used 100 Watts and was stunned about my 1 Watt 1 tube TX.

Then I helped a friend at the Fort with some work on a fence to keep the sheep out of a certain area and saw that the GP still stands. Hopefully the sheep will leave it alone.

About yesterday's 4 QSO's, the log is as follows:
40 meters:
I/DL9FI Horst at 08:25 UTC S569-R539. he used 1 watt from his car
HB9BIN/p SOTA at 12:05 UTC S599-R559
Then on 30 meters:
OH0GG Gey at 12:28 UTC S559-R559 Very pleasant QSO with Aland Island!
IZ3PYE Max at 12:42 UTC  S569-R539

@ Oleg: Sorry about the wrong callsigns in my previous mail.

Coming Saturday and Sunday I will be at the Fort also and hopefully no crowded band. At least I then escape to 30 meters...
Beep beep to you all from PA6FBE The "Fort Bij Edam".

72/73 Peter PA0PJE


Dear Space Friends,
the  2016  totals, comments, pictures page opened on the Club 72 site
today. There is a 1'st QSO in the log today - RV3GM/S to G3XJS.
Preferably, to send me results daily.

72! beep-beep-beep...
Deep Space Communications Center
operator on duty -
Oleg ("Mr. 72") RV3GM / KH6OB 

10m JT65 again

This morning, I returned to 10m JT65 TX and RX. Apart from  CT1GVN (1798km) who was spotted at 1154z, all is quiet.

Last evening I spotted loads of South Americans on 10m JT65.

I don't think a day has passed in the last few weeks when somewhere in Europe has not been spotted on 10m JT65.

UPDATE 1640z:  2 South Americans spotted on 10m JT65 here so far.

UPDATE 1745z:  5 South Americans so far spotted on 10m JT65 this evening.Best RX DX is LU7ECO (11207km) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. There were a couple of stations "in line" that could have been E layer. I wonder if this was TEP with E layer to get within TEP range?

UPDATE 1928z: No further South Americans spotted on 10m JT65. I am surprised, as on paper I expected better.

UPDATE 2050z: 8 South Americans spotted on 10m JT65 this evening. I expected more.

Sunspots and 10m - Saturday October 8th 2016

Solar flux is 105 today and the sunspot number 50. K=2. The forecast for 10m F2 propagation remains "poor".

Rallies

Sunday 9 OCTOBER : HORNSEA AMATEUR RADIO RALLY
Floral Hall, 7 The Esplanade, Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire HU18 1NQ. The venue has car parking on site and the doors open at 10am. There will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy, special interest groups and an RSGB bookstall. A raffle will be held on the day. There will be catering on site. Details from Rick, M0CZR, on 01964 533 712, or email R106221@aol.com.

Sunday 9 OCTOBER : HACK GREEN BUNKER RALLY
Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 8AL. Sale of electronic equipment, amateur gear, components, military radio sets and vehicle spares. Doors open 10am, there will trade stand and catering is available on site. Further details from Lucy on 01270 623 353 or by email to Lucy@hackgreen.co.uk. www.hackgreen.co.uk.

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

10m JT65

Since returning home this morning I have been active on 10m JT65. 4Z5ML (3571km) is the best DX so far. He spotted me well over an hour ago. Several other Europeans have spotted me, so the Israeli might have been E layer or F2.

Sunspots and 10m - Friday October 7th 2016

Solar flux is 102 (respectable) and the sunspot number is 55. K=1. The forecast for 10m F2 propagation is "poor".

As I was away, there was no solar forecast yesterday.

Back Home - NOT amateur radio

We had a couple of nights in Stamford, Lincs, UK (no blogging!) and visited Burghley House. Our hotel backed directly onto the estate so we walked the 1 mile to the house and then back again. There were plenty of deer in the park and we saw a kite fly over. These birds are now quite common but they were once rare outside a small area of Wales. They are very distinctive with their forked tail. We also saw this dragonfly  and several sweet chestnuts.

Southgate News Back

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/ .

I am glad to see this back after the holiday. On the link that I used there was no indication of holidays although I agree with "anonymous" that this was made clear on their homepage, which I usually bypass.

Sunspots and 10m - Wednesday October 5th 2016

Solar flux is 93 today (not bad). Sunspot number is 33 and K=4. The forecast for 10m F2 propagation remains "poor".

2m UKAC contest this evening

As it is the first Tuesday of the month, tonight is the October 2m leg of the RSGB's UKAC activity contest. The contest runs from 1900z to 2130z. I shall take part for under an hour because of my poor voice. I shall be using 5W QRP and my big-wheel omni antenna.

As I have said many times, this is a friendly affair and there is no compulsion to send in an entry. Go on, enjoy the activity and maybe work a few new squares.

UPDATE 2030z: I had to stop because of my voice, but worked some decent distances with real QRP. Best DX was a station on the Welsh border G1YBB/P, well over 200km.

Stations worked tonight on 2m with 5W and omni antenna