Coronation St star dies - NOT amateur radio

Many years ago, I used to watch a TV soap, called "Coronation St" on ITV.  This would have been the early 1960s, just after we got ITV in Devon. It was Westward TV back then.

I read today that one of its stars who played Vera Duckworth has died.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-41397413

Salcombe and the white slave trade - NOT amateur radio

When a child, I lived in Salcombe, Devon. Until reading a Giles Milton book a few months ago, I had no knowledge of the white slave trade that saw many coastal communities in grave peril not that long ago. Barbary pirates captured people and took them as slaves to North Africa.

As fishermen in the 1600s, my ancestors were in grave peril.

North Korea - NOT amateur radio

Sadly we have people in charge in the USA and North Korea who seem a bit irrational, allegedly. I certainly hope they can resolve their differences peacefully. War in Korea would result in countless deaths (millions?), even assuming it could be contained.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-41395970 .

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

Since before breakfast, I have had my 10m WSPR beacon running. As yet, no spots received. It will be on all day.

UPDATE 1135z: Still no spots today.

UPDATE 1516z: Yet again, I was surprised. DK6UG (633km) spotted me on 10m WSPR earlier.

UPDATE 1758z: Quite surprised to be spotted many times this teatime by EA8BFK (2880km). I assume this is F2, although Es is possible. Reports were up to +2dB which is strong.

UPDATE 1910z: I'm still being spotted in the Canary Is by EA8BFK. How long will this go on for? The last spot was at 1916z.

6m FT8 RX

Although I have been monitoring 6m FT8 since before breakfast, nothing spotted at all so far.

UPDATE 1137z: No spots at all on 6m FT8 RX, as yet, today.

UPDATE 1520z: Just a couple of stations in the Norwich area today (G3PXT and G3LDI) so far on 6m FT8. No continentals.

630m WSPR RX overnight

One new one this autumn LA8AV (1035km) with 5 unique stations spotted.

Sunspots - Tuesday September 26th 2017

Solar flux is 90 today and the sunspot number 36.  A=5 and K=1.

Italy holiday - NOT amateur radio

It seems amazing that it is a week since we got back from our Italian adventure. The map shows where we went. We saw some amazing places and the holiday was very enjoyable. This was our third holiday with Saga. I can really recommend them.

Now monitoring 630m WSPR

As of 1815z, I switched from 6m FT8 RX to 630m WSPR RX. So far, no MF spots.

UPDATE 1944z:  LA8AV (1035km) has been spotted a couple of times.

National Hamfest this weekend

A reminder that the National Hamfest is this weekend.

See http://www.nationalhamfest.org.uk/