Sunspots and 10m - Wednesday January 4th 2017

Solar flux is 72 today and sunspot number 11. A=12 and K=2.

10m JT65

Although I have been on 10m JT65 since before breakfast, no-one has spotted me and I have spotted no-one at all so far today on 10m.

UPDATE 1206z: Still no spots today yet.

UPDATE 1400z: DL0ZB (601km) spotted. Es or aircraft?

UPDATE 1748z: No further 10m spots today, so soon be time to QSY to 630m.

472kHz (630m) WSPR overnight

Although there was a new reporter overnight, it was yet another disappointing session. I seem to be getting spotted by fewer different stations this season on MF and I have still to break through the 1000km barrier with my 5mW ERP. I shall persevere, but I think I need to radically improve my antenna before my sphere of influence increases.

New 472kHz reporter

PA0LSB/RX1 (326km) was spotting my 472kHz WSPR this evening (5mW ERP). He is a new reporter for me.

The next WRC in 2019

We are still several years away from the next ITU World Radio Conference that looks at frequency allocations. This takes place in 2019.

See http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/conferences/wrc/2019/Pages/default.aspx .

For CEPT (Europe) prep see: http://www.cept.org/ecc/groups/ecc/cpg/news/latest-news-from-the-2nd-cpg-19-meeting/ .

Personally, I'd like to see a CEPT 100kHz wide 60m allocation (secondary), a small 8m allocation (for Es research) as well as better access across CEPT nations to VLF/ULF. These will only happen if we press for them.

Propagation Prediction Tool

Thanks again to Southgate News for pointing me to this resource for propagation prediction. I have  yet to try it, but it assumes 100W and a dipole, so JT65 should work with much lower powers, as long as the path is "open".

See http://www.predtest.uk/ .

See also: http://www.itu.int/oth/R0A0400006F/en

10m JT65 - all quiet so far today

Having been on 10m JT65 most of the morning, no spots as yet. Not even UK spots and no winter Es so far today.

UPDATE 1356z:  Still no 10m spots.

UPDATE 1725: Still no 10m JT65 spots today. Time to QSY to 630m WSPR.

Panto - NOT amateur radio

Curtain call at Aladdin, Ely

It is a UK tradition to go to a pantomime with children at Christmastime. Pantos are usually daft with the lead woman played by a man, with lots of ad libs and jokes. We went to Aladdin in Ely Maltings as we did last Christmas (different panto theme). We went a few days after Christmas and everyone enjoyed it.

Had we gone in Cambridge, it would have been much more expensive. The panto runs until next week. Great family fun.

See https://thelittleboxoffice.com/kdtheatre .

2m FMAC and UKAC sessions this evening

As reminded by Dave G0LRD yesterday, the RSGB's new FM activity session is in the hour preceding the 2m UKAC this evening. The FMAC is designed to encourage FM 2m activity and runs for the hour before the UKAC session. I hope to try both if my voice holds out!

In the UKAC sessions it is horizontal polarisation and mostly SSB with a little CW. For the FM sessions I am unsure which polarisation, so will start with vertical, but have the horizontal big-wheel if needed. Certainly the UKAC activity levels are high. I hope the FMAC brings plenty on the air.

See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?year=2017&contest=2mfmac&seq= .
See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?year=2017&contest=2mukac&seq=

UPDATE 2142z: Well the FMAC was a dead loss for me! I was unclear of where to look on the band and unclear about polarisation. Only one station heard calling CQ contest and no QSOs made! UKAC was better with 11 QSOs in just under an hour with 5W and an omni antenna. Best DX 123km.

Sunspots and 10m - Tuesday January 3rd 2017

Solar flux is 72 today and the sun is yet again spotless. A=7 and K=2. I am not expecting much on 10m today, but the band always brings surprises! Maybe some winter Es may liven things up in the northern hemisphere?