365project - NOT amateur radio and NOT Microsoft

For several years now I have done a photo a day as a kind of visual diary. It is interesting to look back and see what we did, say 2 years ago to the day. Some would find this hard to keep up, but I have found it fun. It is totally free but if you want more albums and total privacy this only $19.99 a year. See http://365project.org/ .

Don't confuse with Microsoft's Office365 which is totally unrelated and which is a subscription service. I use OpenOffice instead and that is free. See https://www.openoffice.org/download/  .

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

With 5 unique spots of my little WSPR beacon already very early by Es, today is already better than yesterday on 10m WSPR. The Es season may be drawing to a close, but there is still Es about on 10m and 6m.

10m WSPR spots of my 500mW as of 0945z today

70cm UKAC tonight

If memory serves me correctly, tonight starting at 1900z, for 2.5 hours, is the August leg of the RSGB's activity contest on 70cm. I had to miss last month as we were on holiday. I only have a 2m halo and 5W but still manage to work some reasonable ranges especially towards the Midlands. Usually I am active for about 40-60 minutes maximum because of my poor voice. This is usually my limit.

UPDATE 1936z: With just 1 QSO and dire conditions, I gave up! Even G4CLA in the Midlands was weak: usually I manage to work him despite my 5W and 2m halo.

6m FT8 RX

There is early Es on 6m this morning with widespread early reception of southern Europeans. Best 6m FT8 RX DX is IK7EOT (1847km). 6 countries spotted already and it is only 0846z.

UPDATE 0900z: 8 countries spotted so far on 6m FT8.

UPDATE 0921z: 16 countries spotted already! Hum dinger of a morning so far.

6m FT8 RX up to 1030z today

UPDATE 1030z: The map shows my spots on 6m FT8 so far today. A good Es day.

UPDATE 1152z: Best DX is currently SM2A (1816km) in the north of Sweden. Nothing outside of Europe so far.

UPDATE 1734z: After a break because of storms, the best DX on 6m FT8 RX is EA8AQV (2988km).

Back on again

Just before breakfast I resumed operations. I am on 10m WSPR TX (500wW) and 6m FT8 RX again.

Sunspots - Tuesday August 8th 2017

Solar flux is 73 today and the sunspot number 11. A=5 and K=1

Now QRT

After a brief period looking at 20m FT8 (very busy at 1930z), I have now gone QRT on all bands.

All being well, I hope to return to 10m WSPR TX (500mW) and 6m FT8 RX at breakfast time tomorrow.

20 minutes on 20m FT8 RX this evening

Es season ending?

Today, there were just 2 unique spots here on 10m WSPR of my 500mW beacon, although I did much better on 6m FT8 RX. My feeling is the Es season is drawing to a close in the northern hemisphere, although there will still be DX there for those looking. Es occurs at any time of the year although in the UK and USA the best months are May, June and July.

I have worked Es 6m DX on QRP SSB in September and with newer digital modes quite brief openings can now be spotted. Never give up!

As we enter the "quiet sun" years E layer propagation becomes more important and may be the best hope of DX on 10m and higher bands.

For reasons I do not understand, there is a smaller Es peak around the end of December and early January. So, for those alert, there are plenty of opportunities for DX by E layer at any time of the year. OK, outside the peak months there may be long quiet periods, but stick with it and search out those brief openings!

Storms Tuesday?

The weather forecast for the next few days is bad. Rain (heavy at times) is forecast before things might improve on Thursday. There is a chance of thunder too. If so, I may be off air for a few days.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortung/europe/index.php?lang=en .

UPDATE 1558z: At the moment, it looks like we may miss the storms tomorrow. I''ll check in the morning.

Plenty of Colour - NOT amateur radio

Last week we visited Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk, where there was still plenty of colour in the walled garden. This place is owned by the National Trust.