10m WSPR transceive (2W)

Since breakfast, I have been transceive on 10m WSPR running 2W TX 20% of the time with 80% RX. G3YSX (115km) is the most distant station copied here so far. G4KPX (14km) is copying me.

Initial WSPR spots on 10m this morning

UPDATE 1712z: Well there were no other spots (well not up to now) since these early ones. I suspect these were people off to work. I shall stay on a bit longer, but hopes are fading for any long distance DX on 10m today. Later, I shall probably switch to 630m RX.

Dutch Politics - NOT amateur radio

Well, I for one am pleased that the far right was NOT well supported in the Dutch elections yesterday. In my view there is no place for extreme right wing politics anywhere.

The recent BREXIT vote in the UK and the election of Mr Trump in the USA were reactions. People generally are saying, "politicians be honest" and, "listen to our views".  The swing to truly representative politics will take time. Politicians everywhere need to truly represent the people.

60m in the UK

According to the latest RadCom, the RSGB is still negotiating with OFCOM and the military to get the WRC2015 worldwide 60m allocation available to UK amateurs in 2017 in addition to the existing UK allocations.

6m MSK144 this morning

A couple of countries spotted so far, but occasionally I am also trying transmitting in beacon mode on this mode/band sending "B G3XBM JO02" in MSK144. So far, no reports on TX.

UPDATE 1318z:  4 countries spotted so far on 6m MSK144, but sadly no spots of my own 2W signal. I have now gone RX only.

Sunspots and 10m - Thursday March 16th 2017

Solar flux is 69 today and the sunspot count remains stubbornly zero. A=7 and K=0.

Arctic Litter - NOT amateur radio

At my U3AC course yesterday at the Scott Polar Research Institute in Cambridge we were told an amazing fact. Litter in the Arctic Ocean has increased 20-fold in the last 10 years.

Back on 472kHz WSPR RX

Although not on any bands today, I am back on 472kHz WSPR receive this evening.

Lambs - NOT amateur radio

Today, we had our warmest day of the year. It felt warm for the first time and was true "shirt sleeve" weather. At Ickworth, UK there were daffodils, lambs and bees on the wing. A lovely day.

Last night on 472kHz WSPR RX

Last evening and overnight I was on 472kHz WSPR RX again. Plenty of stations copied with the best DX again being Norway. Without the PC's SMPSU being active I am surprised just how much I spot with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground and the totally in modified (deaf) FT817.

Sunspots and 10m - Wednesday March 15th 2017

Solar flux is 70 and, yet again, the sunspot number remains zero. A=4 and K=2