3 Oct 2017
2 Oct 2017
10m and 6m until this evening, then 630m WSPR RX
Even though both 10m and 6m have been poor here today, I'll probably stay on both until 1900z. At that time I join the East Cambs net on 144.575MHz FM. 10m WSPR uses a different antenna and rig, so could remain on longer.
At about 1930z, I shall probably switch from 6m FT8 RX to 630m WSPR RX.
There have been 12 unique 630m WSPR spots here in the last week.
UPDATE 1610z: Well unless things dramatically change in the next few hours, this is probably my worst day on 10m and 6m for some time. One station spotted all day and that was a G in SE London on 6m FT8. Absolutely no spots of my 10m WSPR 500mW beacon.
UPDATE 1800z: Lots of spots of my little beacon again by EA8BFK (2880km) at teatime. I think this is F2 as it seems to happen at the same time most evenings. At times, signals were very strong. Signals are still being spotted, but getting weaker in the Canary Is.. At the moment this opening has lasted over 2 hours. At 1810z I was still getting reports from EA8BFK.
UPDATE 2015z: The last spot of my 500mW WSPR beacon in the Canary Is. on 10m was at 1844z, so the opening was about 3 hours long! Since about 1900z I have been on 630m WSPR RX where the best DX is (again) LA8AV (1035km). So far this evening, no new stations on MF.
At about 1930z, I shall probably switch from 6m FT8 RX to 630m WSPR RX.
UPDATE 1610z: Well unless things dramatically change in the next few hours, this is probably my worst day on 10m and 6m for some time. One station spotted all day and that was a G in SE London on 6m FT8. Absolutely no spots of my 10m WSPR 500mW beacon.
UPDATE 1800z: Lots of spots of my little beacon again by EA8BFK (2880km) at teatime. I think this is F2 as it seems to happen at the same time most evenings. At times, signals were very strong. Signals are still being spotted, but getting weaker in the Canary Is.. At the moment this opening has lasted over 2 hours. At 1810z I was still getting reports from EA8BFK.
UPDATE 2015z: The last spot of my 500mW WSPR beacon in the Canary Is. on 10m was at 1844z, so the opening was about 3 hours long! Since about 1900z I have been on 630m WSPR RX where the best DX is (again) LA8AV (1035km). So far this evening, no new stations on MF.
Hollyhocks - NOT amateur radio
Today I dug out our impatiens (busy Lizzy) in readiness to plant primroses there over the winter. Most of the impatiens were well past their best. Once the frosts come, that will be it. Primroses give colour all winter and need little attention.
Our hollyhocks did well this year and they are still flowering, so these will not be cut back just yet. Our tomatoes have done well too. Our sweet peas were disappointing.
Summer here in the UK started warm and dry. In later months it has been less great.
Summer here in the UK started warm and dry. In later months it has been less great.
Slowly declining solar conditions
September was a bit of a surprise, with quite respectable solar flux and sunspots. Nonetheless, on average we are still very much on the downside of the solar cycle with some years before we hit the bottom.
It is some time since I last checked the predictions for the next peak, but they were disappointing, so we may not see much of a peak. Always remember these are averages and the odd day may be much better. The trouble is many desert the higher bands assuming they are no good, so DX gets missed.
See http://www.solen.info/solar/ .
See also http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-sten-odenwald/waiting-for-the-next-suns_b_11812282.html.
It is some time since I last checked the predictions for the next peak, but they were disappointing, so we may not see much of a peak. Always remember these are averages and the odd day may be much better. The trouble is many desert the higher bands assuming they are no good, so DX gets missed.
See http://www.solen.info/solar/ .
See also http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-sten-odenwald/waiting-for-the-next-suns_b_11812282.html.
10m WSPR TX (500mW) and 6m FT8 RX
Although I have been active on these bands/modes since before breakfast, no spots on either band as yet.
UPDATE 1215z: Still no spots today.
UPDATE 1344z: Just 2E0CIT (94km) on 6m FT8 spotted today. Otherwise nothing.
UPDATE 1215z: Still no spots today.
UPDATE 1344z: Just 2E0CIT (94km) on 6m FT8 spotted today. Otherwise nothing.
Valves
He did not feel confident on the key, so I operated.
On 15m this little 400mW rig got a response to the very first CQ call from a W. We nearly all fell off our seats.
I have to confess that I have never built a valve rig. Andrew G6ALB keeps trying to persuade me.
Autumn - NOT amateur radio
Leaves have started to gather on the lawns. Blink and the days will be getting lighter. In the meantime let us all enjoy the now. Every season brings its own beauty.
1 Oct 2017
QSYed to 630m WSPR RX
As of about 10 minutes ago I have gone QRT on 10m and 6m. I am now on 630m WSPR RX. It is quite early and no-one spotted as yet.
UPDATE 1956z: 4 spots so far with LA8AV (1035km) as the best DX so far tonight.
UPDATE 1956z: 4 spots so far with LA8AV (1035km) as the best DX so far tonight.
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