Final QRT tonight

Finally, I went QRT on all bands about 1930z. I may go on again tomorrow.

QRT - thunder

My wife said she heard thunder, so I have disconnected everything again. At the moment it is rain, rain, rain. Tomorrow looks better. I suspect I'll be QRT until tomorrow.

UPDATE 1444z: At the moment the storms look to be confined to Kent, so I have gone back on the air again. Outside it is still very wet! The photo shows a group (with umbrellas) arriving at our museum and windmill. The photo was taken out of the lounge window.

UPDATE 1627z: 8 countries spotted on 6m FT8 in the last hour.

Trump and North Korea - NOT amateur radio

So, what happens next?

North Korea is run by Kim. The USA is led by Donald.

In years past I had confidence in the leaders to wisely "do the right thing". This time I have my doubts. Both are unpredictable.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/40857783/trump-north-korea-threats-will-be-met-with-fire-and-fury.

Mini Rally (Scotland)

11 AUGUST 2017 : 24th ANNUAL MINI RALLY NIGHT
Port Seton Resource Community Centre, South Seton Park, Port Seton, East Lothian EH32 0BQ Doors open 6 to 9pm and entry is £2. A raffle will be held on the night and refreshments will be available. Bring along your own 'junk' and sell it yourself. No charge for a table but they are on a first come first served basis. More information from gm4uyz@csparc.com A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

Sunspots - Wednesday August 9th 2017

Solar flux is 71 today. Sunspot number is 11. A=5 and K=2.

10m WSPR TX

Several spots of my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon, mainly from Germany. Early Es.

UPDATE 1115z: 9 unique spots of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon so far today. The map shows the spots so far today.

UPDATE 1912z: 13 unique spots today on 10m WSPR TX (500mW).

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.