6m FT8 RX

At the moment my best DX on 6m FT8 RX is LZ2NW (2139km) in Bulgaria. There seems to be early Es from southern Europe with early spots of Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland and Germany. I have also spotted a couple of UK stations.

UPDATE 1032z: 10 countries spotted so far on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1854z: Best DX on 6m FT8 RX was EA8YV (2982km) earlier this evening.

No storms yet, so back on air

At the moment all the nasty storms are far away, so I have returned to 6m FT8 RX and 10m WSPR TX.

Wednesday looks dire!

The WX tomorrow looks miserable with lots of dark clouds, rain and thunder/lightning. Shortly I shall go QRT and it is doubtful if the rigs will get switched on tomorrow. Maybe tomorrow is a day to read a book instead.

Visit by Richard G3TFX

An old work friend, Richard G3TFX, called in today. He stopped for a cup of tea, before rushing to catch a bus.

I owe my life to him as it was he who told my XYL to get me to A&E when I had my stroke 4 years ago. I was in hospital for 3.5 months. Had I collapsed at home, I might be dead now.

Storm gone through, so on air again

The thunderstorm has passed and is currently well east of us and moving away, for now. So, I am again on 10m WSPR TX (500mW) and 6m FT8 RX. Assuming the storms stay well away, I expect to be on for many hours.

UPDATE 1532z: Just a couple of G spots since returning to 6m FT8 RX. Nothing, as yet, on 10m WSPR TX.

Thunder, so QRT

In the distance I can hear thunder. I have still to check the storm map to see exactly where the storms are, but I am taking no chances, so have gone QRT and disconnected everything. Darn it!  It was such a promising Es day.

Now it is raining. The forecast says dry now!

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

UPDATE 1228z: The storms are just to the south, but I cannot tell (yet) if they are getting closer.

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).