Return to 10m JT65

After an evening and night on 630m WSPR, I have returned to 10m JT65.

There was no new DX on MF last night with my best TX DX (5mW ERP) being DL-SWL (701km) again. No spots from Norway sadly.

UPDATE 1115z:  Nothing as yet on 10m JT65.

UPDATE 1204z:  Still no 10m JT65 spots.

UPDATE 1530z: Still nothing on 10m JT65.

Lighter evenings - NOT amateur radio

Although mornings get darker until early January the sunset gets later from December 18th here. Winter Solstice is Dec 21st.

At first the change is very slow, but at least we are moving in the right direction! We'll blink and it will be the longest day.  By the end of January the sun sets almost an hour later. I enjoy all seasons but look forward to lighter evenings.

Sunspots and 10m - Saturday December 17th 2016

Solar flux is 72 today and the sunspot number is zero. A=2 and K=1.

Family Clock - NOT amateur radio

My brother-in-law recently had this grandfather clock restored.  It has been in their family since it was made in the late 1700s. It is wonderful to imagine how this has been in their family for well over 200 years and to think of all the generations that have gazed at its face down the years.

Alibris - NOT amateur radio

Well, I have had a moan about this company before.

Every week it seems they have a sale with at least 10% savings. To be honest it is a joke and their emails get deleted right way. If you we ever want to buy something from them, you can be sure it will be cheaper next week or later the same week!

Decision time?

Tomorrow, I shall probably ring around the UK dealers to see who can offer me the best cash deals on the IC7300, the FT991A and the KX3.  I have read the reviews, so I need a good deal on price and guarantee.

Back on MF WSPR

At around 1924z I returned to 472kHz (630m) WSPR. At the moment G4FTC (123km) in IO91 is the best DX on TX with 5mW ERP. As yet, we are seeing no skywave reports.

6m JT65 and 10m WSPR

Since breakfast, I have been on 6m JT65 and 10m WSPR. So far, nothing on either band.

Sunspots and 10m - Friday December 16th 2016

Solar flux is 72 today and the sunspot number 12. A=3 and K=0

OFCOM

OFCOM are holding some public meetings to review their plans for 2017.

See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/E6E549BF4512C7DC/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38A

They are also consulting on commercial gateways.

See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/B66A67CA9536B759/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C