Return to 6m MSK144 RX

After a good evening on 630m WSPR RX (Italy, Spain and Norway were the best DX spotted) using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, I returned to 6m MSK144 RX this morning.

So far, just G3RED (91km) spotted strongly, presumably by aircraft reflection.

Sunspots and 10m - Tuesday March 7th 2017

Solar flux is 72 today. Sunspot number is again zero. A=25 and K=4.

2m UKAC tonight

A reminder that the RSGB's 2m activity contest is this evening 2000-2230z. As usual, I hope to take part with my big-wheel and 5W pep SSB. This is preceded by an hour of FM activity. Because my voice is poor, I usually stay on for 30-60 minutes, then go QRT.


See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?contest=2mukac .


UPDATE 2140z:  7 squares and a few  "get-aways" tonight with 13 QSOs in just over an hour with 5W and an omni antenna. Best DX 215km.

More from Oleg about QRP Club

Another post from Oleg about a new member of the QRP Club:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

I'm happy to inform about new Club 72 member -
# 95 - DH0DK op. Bernd
He  is  regular  visitor  (Frequenter)  of  the QRP Rendez-Vous round
tables.
Who's next?

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.

Cellphones and brain cancer?

There has been debate for years and years about whether or not excessive use of cellphones increase the chances of getting brain cancers. I guess that prolonged use of a high power VHF or UHF handheld may pose similar risks?

According to Southgate News a judge in California has asked for a 2014 report to be made public. A quick read seems to suggest some sort of increased risk. Basically, this is all relative, but prolonged RF exposure is probably not good and is best avoided. Another argument in favour of QRP?

See https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B14R6QNkmaXuRmJlZDRWME5lN2M/view

Nearly - NOT amateur radio

This garden border, in the next street, is usually a blaze of yellow daffodils by now. Things are late this year, but another week or so and they should all be out. Nearly spring and lighter evenings again.

It started out sunny today, but the forecast is for rain later. I caught this photo before the rain came, although it has already clouded over.

New offering from Banggood?

It seems possible we may have some competition in the low cost, dual band handheld market.  On the Banggood blog there is mention of a $35 handset from China. At the moment the photo appears to show dummies but as they say, "watch this space".

See  https://blog.banggood.com/xiaomi-mijia-walkie-takie-dual-band-51940.html .

6m MSK144 RX

Although I stayed on 6m MSK144 RX overnight and am still monitoring, no new spots received today so far. I am likely to remain monitoring 6m MSK144 for a few more hours before moving to 10m JT65.

UPDATE 1020z: F1BHB (314km) spotted on 6m MSK144. Aircraft reflection?

UPDATE 1138z: HB9SHD (762km) spotted on 6m MSK144. Aircraft or random MS?

UPDATE 1208z: GM4UYE (507km) brings today's 6m total to 4 countries received by MSK144.

QRP and QRP Club

More from Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous Report (March, 5, 2017)
Visitors  of  the  week:  OK1DNZ,  RV9WMZ, UR0ET, US3EN, RV3GM, R1OA,
DK3EZ,  R1CAF,  UA1CEX,  DK1HW, UA1CEG, RV3UF, UA1ADF, PD0HRS, EA6BB,
UR7VT,  EA2EFI,  OH6NPV, PA5XM, UR5EFD, UA0SBQ, US5ERQ, G3XJS, UA4NU,
RN4NAA,  LY2PX,  UR5LEH,  YO2UP,  ON6KZ, IK2RMZ, R2AJA, R2FAE, RD6MZ,
OM6TC
Congrats!
PD0HRS, UR5LEH became Honor Frequenters (regular visitors)
Welcome new Visitors - DK3EZ, LY2PX, YO2UP
See full Frequenters and Visitors lists on the Club 72 web page.
Comments.......
See full WQR Report on the blog page -http://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/
Thanks to ALL! See you on the next QRP Rendez-Vous round tables.

NOTE: to subscribe regular "72 Newsletter" bulletin send request to my
"mr72" e-mail, please.

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.

Overwintering Swallows - NOT amateur radio

Swallows (migratory birds) usually return from Africa here in early April. Swifts are later, arriving here in early May. The return of swallows is something I look forward to.

I have heard a few reports of swallows that managed to survive long into winter on the insects near seaweed. There was a report of at least one hanging-on over the entire winter. The Daily Mail sometimes gets its facts wrong, so I have no idea if this report was correct or just journalistic hyperbola. It dates from 2009.

See http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1115442/Meet-Rambo--tough-little-swallow-forgot-fly-South-winter.html .