North Korea - NOT amateur radio

If North Korea continues its missile tests Mr Trump will retaliate. They risk a bombing of their nuclear test facility and the consequences could be catastrophic not only for the Korean peninsula.

If the USA was instrumental in putting a "spanner in the works" last time, it is unlikely they will repeat this trick. Of course, we have no proof of their involvement and the missile may have failed on its own.

I have mixed feelings: we do not want an unstable regime to be able to fire nuclear weapons on South Korea, Japan or the USA, but at the same time I do not trust Mr Trump to do the wise thing. I hope he is well advised and that he listens. He has a tendency to "fire from the hip".  Somehow I don't think this will work with North Korea.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-39623882

10m WSPR TX as well as 6m MSK144 RX

As I use a different antenna, rig, and the PC is not needed, I can use my 10m WSPR beacon (500mW, 100% TX, randomised frequencies) on 10m at the same time as looking on 6m MSK144 RX. As of about 10 minutes ago, I am also on 10m WSPR TX.

UPDATE 1828z: No spots all day of my 500mW WSPR beacon on 10m. I have a feeling this is as  much to do with activity as conditions. With more stations active I am sure openings would be spotted. I shall leave the beacon running for a few more hours.

Early roses - NOT amateur radio

This year, our roses are in flower very early. The daffodils were late but everything seems to have accelerated in the last month. This rose is at the front of our house and gets plenty of sun.

Sunspots and 10m - Monday April 17th 2017

Solar flux is 74 today and the sunspot number zero. A=4 and K=1.

Back on 6m MSK144 RX today

After another disappointing day on 10m yesterday, I am back on 6m MSK144 RX today. Already spotted 17 stations in 9 countries on 6m, mostly by random MS pings. Great mode!

UPDATE 1308z: Best 6m DX is currently IK5GQK (1239km) in Tuscany, Italy. Currently spotted 27 stations in 11 countries on 6m MSK144 RX.

UPDATE 1553z: 29 stations spotted so far today in 11 countries on 6m MSK144 RX. Best day yet.

UPDATE 2120z:  A very good day on 6m MSK144 RX!

Crab apples - NOT amateur radio

Last year, we had very little blossom on our crab apple tree. This year we have loads. My wife gives the fruits to a friend who makes crab apple jelly, which is delicious. This should be a good year!

Windmill - NOT amateur radio

Our local windmill and museum opened today, for the first time this year, with an Easter egg hunt. It was busy. It now opens Thursdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays until late October. The windmill is literally "over the garden wall". This photo was taken from our lounge.

10m JT65 transceive

10m JT65 (2W) has been my band/mode of choice today. I have been active for about 2 hours, but nothing spotted so far on RX or TX on 10m.

Another month we'll be well into the northern hemisphere Es season when lots of Europeans can be expected.

UPDATE 1948z: Just a spot of me from G0LRD (25km). Otherwise no 10m spots all day.

Easter - NOT amateur radio

All Christian churches celebrate today as Easter Sunday. This year the western and eastern churches (that use different calendars) celebrate Easter on the same day. The next time this happens is 2025.

I went to church with my wife today. I used to go regularly. Sadly, I did not feel moved. To me the words were meaningless and empty. I deeply wish I still had my faith, but I feel lacking in faith.  Something deep inside tells me there is some truth in all this but right now I cannot discern it.

Sunspots and 10m - Sunday April 16th 2017

Solar flux is 72 today. Sunspot number is 11.  A=6 and K=2.