OFCOM, 26GHz and 5G

OFCOM is consulting about allocating 26GHz spectrum to 5G. They will need a lot of masts! Clearly written by "experts".

See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/A4DCDE61BC2736792540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

Tomatoes - NOT amateur radio

We are definitely not experts in growing tomatoes!

The smaller ones on the right were red ripe today, so these were picked. The larger ones on the left are still green. This picture was taken more than a week ago before they had ripened.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomato

Sprite Satellites

Southgate News has information about the deployment of tiny Sprite satellites that send telemetry on 437.325 MHz.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/july/437-mhz-sprite-satellites-deployed.htm#.WXsE5bpFzIU .

10m WSPR

Yet again, I have been surprised by the Es spots of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon from all over Europe. Best DX is EW2ABC (1812km). This is very early for Es as it is just 0830z.

UPDATE 1556z: Unless things suddenly change for the better, today will go down as a disappointing day. No Es has been noted here since early this morning on 10m WSPR. Others may well have done better, but only 10 unique stations spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon today whereas yesterday it was more than 40.

UPDATE 1852z: There seems to have been a late teatime Es opening with EW2ABC (1812km) again spotting my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon.

6m JT65

Since breakfast I have been on 6m JT65. Initially I was transceive (1W ERP) but I have switched to RX only. Already spotted Norway and Sweden by Es.

UPDATE 1456z: In the last few minutes I just spotted K4PI (6800km) on 6m JT65. As he was widely spotted in Europe and the USA, I am pretty sure this is genuine. This spot was quickly followed by 2 others in Georgia, USA.

Sunspots - Friday July 28th 2017

Solar flux is 68 today and the sunspot count still zero. A=6 and K=1.

Late Es

In the northern hemisphere the main months are usually May, June and July for Es (sporadic E), although Es can occur at any time, but most openings are missed. With modes like WSPR we really have no excuse: leave WSPR running in the background, say on 10m, and see what spots come in.

Although we are now nearing the end of July, we still have good Es around on 10m and 6m.

Patio flowers - NOT amateur radio

These flowers are on our patio. At the moment there is a riot of colour.

OFCOM on access to 5.8GHz

See http://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/05926F4415CC62812540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

6m JT65

Things seem to be getting harder on 6m Es. I have spotted a station in the Czech Republic, but no-one else today so far on 6m.

UPDATE 1110z: With just 2 Es spots and 1 G (tropo or aircraft reflection?), this has been a disappointing day on 6m JT65 so far. Up to now I have been transceive (1W ERP), but just about to go RX only on 6m. There was at least 1 EI station who was spotted but not uploaded to the PSK Reporter database. Maybe the shack PC lost internet connectivity?

UPDATE 1120z: Now RX only on 6m JT65.

UPDATE 1525z: Widespread Es on 6m JT65 this afternoon to South and Eastern Europe. Best DX is 4X4DK (3582km).

UPDATE 1836z: Still plenty of Es about on 6m JT65.

UPDATE 1934z: UB7K (2733km) was recently spotted.