First aconites - NOT amateur radio

This winter seems much colder than last. We have yet to see a daffodil out and the snowdrops are later. Yesterday I saw the first aconites out, in a garden not far from us (see above).

We are seeing more birds from Scandinavia like fieldfares, redwings, starlings and waxwings. The latter I have still not seen. Each winter we see some but usually they come as it is very cold in Scandinavia. Seeing lots here often suggests a cold winter.

MSK144 (6m - 50.280MHz)

Since about 1820z I have been on 50.280MHz MSK144 mode (2W). I am hoping to receive stations by tropo, aircraft reflection and maybe MS. Unfortunately I am only vertically polarised on 6m using my V2000 omni antenna.

UPDATE 1840z:  No spots as yet.

UPDATE 1905z: M1BXF/SDR (14km) has just spotted me. I changed the TX to "enabled", F TOL 200, and the TX period to 30secs so the relay changes less often. No spots on RX yet.

UPDATE 1940z: G0LRD (25km) has now spotted me on 50.280MHz MSK144.

UPDATE 2010z: F8ZW (652km) in Alsace, France is the best RX DX so far. Aircraft reflection?

UPDATE 2336z:  For the last hour or so I have been on RX only and intend to stay on RX until after breakfast tomorrow. Maybe I'll catch some random MS in the early hours?

I am surprised how effective this mode is proving. Getting better RX DX by random MS pings would not surprise me now.

RSPB Bird Count this weekend - NOT amateur radio

A reminder to those in the UK that the annual RSPB bird count is this weekend (Jan 28-30th). The idea is very simple: you simply choose any hour Jan 28, 29 or 30th and count the highest number of unique species seen in your chosen spot in that hour. For example: 6 wood pigeons, 2 robins, 4 blackbirds. You can do it in your garden, school, a local park or wherever. I have done this for many years. You just go to the RSPB website and upload your results. RSPB membership is not required. You may be surprised.

Tonight?

I am still thinking about my overnight challenge for tonight. Maybe I'll try a WSJT-X and PSK Reporter Maps supported mode on 6m? Still not sure.

UPDATE 1606z:  Based on G0LRD's comments (see below) I think I'll try MSK144 on 50.280MHz this evening and overnight. Depending on how often the relay would switch I may be RX only.

Growing amaryllis - NOT amateur radio

Our amaryllis is really growing. It might be in flower next week?

Our lounge (where it is) is pretty warm - usually 22-26 deg C most evenings.

The longest stem is 44cms, so it has grown 5cm since yesterday! You can almost watch it growing! Great fun.

10m JT65

A few minutes ago I switched from 2m ISCAT-A RX to 10m JT65. I am currently beaconing sending "B G3XBM JO02". With low 10m activity any reports are welcomed.

Please may sure you have "upload to PSK Reporter Maps" or similar ticked in your JT65 software package, so I can see who is receiving me. I have this ticked so if I get you, check PSK reporter maps.

UPDATE 1212z: Yet again, only G4CJC (73km) in North London has been spotted on 10m JT65 so far today. No-one has spotted me yet on 10m JT65.

UPDATE 1332z: Spotted by David G0LRD (25km) on 10m JT65. No DX as yet on 10m JT65

Sunspots and 10m - Saturday January 28th 2017

Solar flux is 80 today. Sunspot number is 33. A=21 and K=2.

Rally

29 JANUARY 2017 : HORNCASTLE WINTER AMATEUR RADIO RALLY

Horncastle Youth Centre, Willow Close, Cagthorpe, Horncastle LN9 6B

Doors open at 10am and there is free car parking on site. Entry is £2. The venue is all on one level and so is suitable for less able visitors. There will be hot drinks and snacks available including bacon butties. The RSGB bookstall will in attendance.

Details from Tony, G3ZPU on 01507 527 835.
If travelling far, ring first.

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

2m ISCAT-A

At present, I am beaconing in ISCAT-A on 144.370MHz as this is supported in WSJT-X v1.7 and PSK Reporter Maps. The rig relay switches every 5 seconds, which was a surprise to me! Hopefully if I spot anyone this will show on PSK Reporter Maps.

As my ERP is low, I am only really hopeful of tropo and aircraft reflections. MS pings would be a bonus!

UPDATE 2038z: As I did not like the FT817 relay clicking every few seconds, I am now on 2m ISCAT-A RX only.

UPDATE 2315z:  Nothing received so far.

UPDATE 28.1.17 1030z: ISCAT seems not to be listed in PSK Reporter Maps any more.

EU frequencies for ISCAT and FSK441?

This evening and overnight I was (am?) planning to try ISCAT or FSK441 on 2m. Despite Googling for 5 minutes I failed to find an answer. So, can someone please tell me?

I plan to beacon sending "B G3XBM JO02" if this is allowed, so results show on PSK Reporter Maps. My ERP is low at around 8W so I am only really looking for tropo and aircraft reflections. Any MS results would be surprising!