23 Aug 2017
Sunspots - Wednesday August 23rd 2017
Solar flux is 85 today and sunspot number is 48. A=22 and K=4.
6m FT8 RX
We seem to be coming to the end of the Es season. It is getting harder now, although there is still Es about. I am again on 6m FT8 RX, ever hopeful! At the moment just G spots and one station in northern France that may have come in via aircraft reflection rather than Es.
UPDATE 1315z: Having returned from shopping, I have switched everything back on. Es spots from southern and eastern Europe on 6m FT8. There was a threat of storms, but that seems to have passed.
UPDATE 1902z: 10 stations in 6 countries today on 6m FT8. Most were by Es I think.
UPDATE 1315z: Having returned from shopping, I have switched everything back on. Es spots from southern and eastern Europe on 6m FT8. There was a threat of storms, but that seems to have passed.
UPDATE 1902z: 10 stations in 6 countries today on 6m FT8. Most were by Es I think.
Optical NLOS work
One of my interests before my 2013 stroke was optical communications over the horizon - non line of sight (NLOS).
Although I briefly tried a few years ago, I was still too wobbly, so had to give up. Sadly, I still feel giddy when on my feet, so further optical experiments are on hold for the time being. Others have continued the work and one thing worth trying is using infra-red, which many say is better for NLOS than red LEDs.
At some point I do hope my health improves so that I can resume these tests. Test gear is simple (easier than microwaves) and this really pushes the boundaries - true experimentation.
Although I briefly tried a few years ago, I was still too wobbly, so had to give up. Sadly, I still feel giddy when on my feet, so further optical experiments are on hold for the time being. Others have continued the work and one thing worth trying is using infra-red, which many say is better for NLOS than red LEDs.
At some point I do hope my health improves so that I can resume these tests. Test gear is simple (easier than microwaves) and this really pushes the boundaries - true experimentation.
22 Aug 2017
East Cambs 2m FM net
A reminder that at 8pm (clock time) on Mondays we hold an East Cambs net on 144.575MHz FM (One four four point five seven five megahertz). If there is QRM we moved down around 25 or 50kHz.
Usually there are 2 or 3 on but everyone is welcome. We usually finish around 8.30pm. This is not a highly technical net and conversations vary from what we did the week before (ATV, WSPR, JT65, FT8, etc.) to gardens, model boats, trains - well anything!
Stations are in the Cambridge and East Cambridgeshire areas with vertical polarisation.
Put it in your diary.
Usually there are 2 or 3 on but everyone is welcome. We usually finish around 8.30pm. This is not a highly technical net and conversations vary from what we did the week before (ATV, WSPR, JT65, FT8, etc.) to gardens, model boats, trains - well anything!
Stations are in the Cambridge and East Cambridgeshire areas with vertical polarisation.
Put it in your diary.
6m FT8
Yesterday was disappointing with very little Es. Since breakfast time I have been on 6m FT8 hoping today will be better. As we are now at the end of the Es season, openings are likely to be less frequent. As yet (0842z) no spots.
UPDATE 1102z: Just Gs spotted so far with no Es as yet.
UPDATE 1226z: EA1YV (1320km) in Galicia, N.Spain was the first Es spot on 6m FT8 today.
UPDATE 1546z: So far, 5 countries spotted on 6m FT8 today: England, France, Germany, Finland and Spain. Mostly Es.
UPDATE 2110z: In the end 7 countries spotted on 6m FT8 RX today.
UPDATE 1102z: Just Gs spotted so far with no Es as yet.
UPDATE 1226z: EA1YV (1320km) in Galicia, N.Spain was the first Es spot on 6m FT8 today.
UPDATE 1546z: So far, 5 countries spotted on 6m FT8 today: England, France, Germany, Finland and Spain. Mostly Es.
UPDATE 2110z: In the end 7 countries spotted on 6m FT8 RX today.
10m WSPR TX (500mW)
Yesterday was very disappointing with very little Es on the band here. I am back on 10m WSPR TX again, hoping for better results today. So far, no spots.
On Monday I was even hopeful of some F2 DX, but no-one spotted me outside of Europe on 10m WSPR.
UPDATE 1102z: With 9 unique 10m WSPR spots so far, today is proving quite a good Es day. Spots are from all over including, Italy, Germany, Poland and Belarus. This late in the season, Es seems to be better on the lower frequencies; as yet it has not reached 6m here.
UPDATE 1602z: Now 13 unique 10m WSPR spots today. OY1OF (1164km) has spotted me many times at up to +6dB S/N i.e. very strong.
On Monday I was even hopeful of some F2 DX, but no-one spotted me outside of Europe on 10m WSPR.
UPDATE 1102z: With 9 unique 10m WSPR spots so far, today is proving quite a good Es day. Spots are from all over including, Italy, Germany, Poland and Belarus. This late in the season, Es seems to be better on the lower frequencies; as yet it has not reached 6m here.
UPDATE 1602z: Now 13 unique 10m WSPR spots today. OY1OF (1164km) has spotted me many times at up to +6dB S/N i.e. very strong.
"Our" windmill - NOT amateur radio
Sunspots - Tuesday August 22nd 2017
Solar flux is 91 today (good) and the sunspot number 43 (pretty good). A=10 and K=5.
21 Aug 2017
Eastern European Storms - NOT amateur radio
The last time I checked most of the severe storms were over eastern Europe and Scandinavia. There was nothing over the UK.
Ever since a work colleague suffered a direct strike many years ago I have always been wary of electrical storms. His was a very ordinary house in a very ordinary estate. He certainly was not isolated and on a hill. OK, the chances are low, but I try to minimise my risks.
See https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortung/europe/index.php?lang=en
Ever since a work colleague suffered a direct strike many years ago I have always been wary of electrical storms. His was a very ordinary house in a very ordinary estate. He certainly was not isolated and on a hill. OK, the chances are low, but I try to minimise my risks.
See https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortung/europe/index.php?lang=en
2017: where did it go? - NOT amateur radio
They say as you get older, time appears to go faster. Indeed! It is already well into August and this year seems to have sped by. It is already over 2 months since the longest day and already the nights are drawing in. We'll blink and it will be the shortest day.
I try to enjoy every season, as there is something good about each, although my favourite time is the spring with the promise of longer and warmer days ahead. Still, enjoy the now.
I try to enjoy every season, as there is something good about each, although my favourite time is the spring with the promise of longer and warmer days ahead. Still, enjoy the now.
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