Sunspots - Saturday August 5th 2017

Solar  flux is 74 and the sunspot number 13. A=23 and K=4.

7 countries on 6m MSK144 so far

Since yesterday, I returned to 50.280MHz MSK144 RX. So far, 7 countries spotted. There seem to be most users of this mode on the old frequency rather than the new.

Return to 6m MSK144 - but on 50.280MHz

After reading some of the recent comments, I have returned to MSK144 on 6m, but on 50.280MHz RX.  Already I have spotted PA5JS (370km).

More OFCOM rubbish?

Sorry, but my personal view is OFCOM seems incompetent. Recent tests on VDSL seem to re-enforce this. Is OFCOM really saying the noise pollution of the spectrum, especially in cities, is not getting worse? If so, they must be plain stupid. Even in my village it is much worse than 20 years ago. Please OFCOM get real. There is more to life than money. Sometimes I hear/read nothing but bollocks.

In the USA you have the FCC.

Perhaps OFCOM assume we only go on the internet and digital radio/TV? Well, if you know very little or nothing, about radio you might think that.

See http://rsgb.org/main/files/2012/12/VDSL-RFI-RSGBOfcom-meeting-June-21-2017.pdf

Busy bee - NOT amateur radio

This afternoon we visited the walled garden at Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk. This bee was busy collecting pollen.

6m FT8 RX

After a day on 6m MSK144, I have now gone on 6m FT8 RX monitoring 50.313MHz.  Already spotted G0MBL (130km) in Kent.

North Norfolk, UK - NOT amateur radio

Norfolk is one of the most rural and unspoilt counties in the UK. Today we drove up there and back 167 miles in all.

Our favourite place to eat in Norfolk is The Old Reading Room at Kelling, which is run by real locals. "We don't do change in Norfolk", one of them said. This is a place not "up itself". Food is low cost, simple and just great. Surrounded by second hand books in the longest sale in history,"all books half marked price". I think the signs are so old they have faded. 😊

UK Rallies this weekend

6 AUGUST 2017 : 28th KING'S LYNN ARC GREAT EASTERN RADIO RALLY
Gaywood Community Centre, Gayton Road, King's Lynn, Norfolk PE30 4DZ. Car parking on site is free and talk in will be provided on 145.550MHz. Doors open at 9am, with admission £2. There will be trade stands and a Bring & Buy. There are amateur radio pitches outside as well as tables inside. On site Catering will be available. Details from Ted, G4OZG on 01553 768 701, 0794 683 8656 or email g4ozg@raynet-uk.net www.klarc.org.uk

6 AUGUST 2017 : LORN RADIO RALLY
Crianlarich Village Hall, Main Street, Crianlarich, Perthshire FK20 8QN Doors open at 10.30am and entry is £2. There will be trade stands (tables are free but a raffle prize appreciated) as well as a Bring & Buy. There will be a raffle drawn at 1.30pm. Catering is available on site. Details, by email, to lornradioclub@gmail.com

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

New Weather App (free) - NOT amateur radio

Those who know me know that I have little faith in the UK weather forecasts from the Met Office. Quite often the local forecast for now is wrong! There is a new (free) app that might be useful. My thanks go to Richard Fusniak for bringing this to my attention.

See http://www.anglia.ac.uk/news/app-can-help-banish-those-barbecue-blues .

Sunspots - Friday July 4th 2017

Solar flux is 75 today and the sunspot number 13. A=12 and K=4.