IARU Region 1 Conference

Southgate News reports on the IARU Region 1 Conference in Germany last month. Sadly, the link does not work, so I have added it here. A reminder that the next WRC meeting is in 2019, so lobby your national society now.

See https://www.iaru-r1.org/index.php/downloads/func-startdown/977/

Chesterfield - NOT amateur radio

On the train to Liverpool last week, we went through Chesterfield, Derbyshire with its crooked church spire. This is clearly visible from the train.  just on the south side of the station.

I think the timbers warped after it was erected.

It makes quite a talking point. I don't think any other UK church has such a spire.

10m WSPR TX (500mW) and 6m FT8 RX

Since before breakfast I have been on these bands/modes.

Nothing spotted yet on 6m, but I see my little 10m WSPR beacon (500mW) was copied by G4KPX (14km) and IU1DZZ (973km) earlier. This beacon is totally stand-alone (does not need a PC) and is smaller than a pack of cards. It has been copied on every continent including Antarctica and Australia. Amazing.

UPDATE 1050z: M0SSK (75km) was the first station spotted on 6m FT8 today.

UPDATE 1246z: G1IDZ (182km) was the second station spotted on 6m FT8 earlier today.

UPDATE 1628z: PA5WT (294km) is the best spot today on 6m FT8. No further 10m WSPR spots since early this morning.

Sunspots - Sunday October 1st 2017

Solar flux is 88 today and the sunspot number 39. A=16 and K=3.

630m WSPR RX overnight

Not a bad night with 7 unique stations spotted with best DX being LA8AV (1035km). DH5RAE (995km) was spotted for the first time this season, I think.

Chinese UHF handhelds

So, how do they do it? You can now buy a pair of UHF handhelds with free airmail shipping for £13.86 a pair. Somehow, a profit is made too.

How long have ICOM, Yaesu and the other Japanese manufacturers got? Just a few years and the Chinese will wipe them out. The best I can see is they design in Japan, but make in China. The more likely scenario is they decide there is no longer money in amateur radio products and they just stop being in this market altogether. I can see this happening within a few years.

At the moment ICOM seem to be most likely to survive. The future does not look good.

Catalonia vote - NOT amateur radio

Although I am unclear about all the facts, the fact Catalonians in Spain are voting about independence says a lot. What is more disturbing is the heavy-handedness of the police. The outlook does not look great for Spain if this is how they want to be seen in the world.

Now on 630m WSPR RX

As of 2010z I went QRT on 10m WSPR TX and 6m FT8 RX and am now on 630m RX, G6AVK (78km) and DC0DX (467km) and PA0A (417km) have been spotted already within minutes of going on the band. As yet, no new stations spotted.

UPDATED 2045z: F1AFJ (607km) now the best DX this evening on MF.

Ploughing lonely furrows?

Although 10m WSPR has been quiet here so far today, I have copied 7 different stations on 6m FT8 including OZ6HQ (716km). There is life on these higher bands, although few seem to want to try.

UPDATE 1445z: Now spotting 4O6AH (1788km) in Montenegro on 6m FT8. Es? When he popped up he was very strong.

UPDATE 1715z: EA8BFK (2880km) is spotting my 10m WSPR strongly. I have spotted 9 stations in 4 countries on 6m FT8 today, so far.

UPDATE 1735z: now 10 stations in 5 countries today on 6m FT8.

UPDATE 1840z:  Now plenty of 10m WSPR spots today.

A Liverpool Street - NOT amateur radio

Apparently, this street, off Hope Street, is widely used when after old street scenes for TV and films.