Overnight on 472kHz

As our grandchildren went home yesterday, I returned to 630m (472kHz) WSPR last evening and overnight. It was a bit disappointing with several Dutch spots of my 5mW ERP but nothing further. I have now moved to 10m JT65 for the day.

Back to radio

Now the house is back to normal, I can concentrate again on my amateur radio hobby. The pattern is usually 630m WSPR in the evenings and overnight and 10m JT65 in the day time.

This year, I should try for more 2-way QSOs with JT65. At some point I may buy a new radio, but I am in no hurry and am waiting for prices to drop. I expect quite a bit of price cutting in 2017 as dealers fight for our trade. I would like to see them all survive, but they have to be totally fair to customers making a fair profit but without exploiting us.

Although my voice is not great, I try to go on the East Cambs 2m FM net at 2000z Mondays 144.575MHz (yes forty four) and the 2m and 70cm UKAC sessions on Tuesday evenings. I assume the first 2m UKAC is tomorrow evening? It is very easy to forget at this time of year!

As for New Year amateur radio resolutions, I have made none, although  I hope my health improves so I can do more building and field work again.

Quiet at last - NOT amateur radio

We seem to have had visitors for about a month! Firstly my brother came, then some old friends, then over Christmas and New Year both lots of grandkids and their parents, thankfully not at the same time.

Now we are alone again and the house feels empty. We love seeing them, but it is "good to see them come and good to see them go" as my mother-in-law used to say. It was "clean mess", but I was exhausted and now in need of a rest!

Sunspots and 10m - Monday January 2nd 2017

My source of solar data is either fit again or back from holidays!

Solar flux is 72 today and the sunspot number zero again. A=14 and K=2.

10m JT65

Although I have been on 10m JT65 since mid morning, no spots given or received as yet.

Return to 472kHz WSPR

About an hour ago, I QSYed from 10m JT65 to 472kHz WSPR with about 5mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

Uniques in 1st hour on 472kHz WSPR this evening

Best TX DX so far is a spot by F1AFJ/1 (607km).

Solar Data - Sunday January 1st 2017

Yet again, my source is still showing old data, so I cannot provide the data I want today again. Sorry.

New Year 2017

As we enter 2017, may I wish all readers all the best in 2017. It will take me a while to get used to the new year and writing 2017 instead of 2016!

Luckily we do not know what is ahead but I hope the new year brings you lots of happy times.

QRP and QRP Club

More from Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,
Happy New Year for all you there!

WQR Report (December 31, 2016)
Visitors  of  the  week: IK2RMZ, RV3GM, US3EN, UR0ET, UR5EFD, IK2RGV,
R1CAF,  UA1ADF,  UA0SBQ,  UA1CEG,  G3XJS, DL2WA, RW3AA, US7IB, DK1HW,
UR5MKZ, EA5EQ, UA1CEX, UA1AQC, SV2BBK, UT5EDU, SM1IRS, G3KOJ, UW5EKR
Comments...
see full report on the blog page - http://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/
See you all QRPers on the 2017 year Rendez-Vous!

72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"


This is a periodic Newsletter of the Club 72. Don't reply to Newsletter address! Send any requests or news to mr72@club72.su please.

10m JT65

I was on 10m JT65 all night and am still on now. No recent spots and no DX.

UPDATE 1612z: A little winter Es on 10m with LA9NKA (929km) spotted but just Gs otherwise and still no real DX.