Sunspots - Thursday October 5th 2017

Solar flux is 85 today and the sunspot number 27. A=5 and K=1.

10m FT8 RX

For a change, I am on 10m FT8 RX this morning and not on 10m WSPR TX and 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 0950z: G4CJC (73km) in N. London spotted. I must be looking on the right frequency then!

UPDATE 1200z: Lots of stations from all over Europe plus a couple in Israel and ZS6C (9123km). All 10m FT8.

UPDATE 1218z: Now 2 South Africans in the Johannesburg area spotted on 10m FT8. Now 13 countries in 3 continents spotted on 10m FT8 today!

UPDATE 1615z: Now Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil being spotted on 10m FT8.

630m WSPR RX

Yet again I am monitoring 630m WSPR RX. Best DX is LA8AV (1035km). Yet again, I am spotting the same stations.

Unless things change, I am going to try other bands and modes. Tomorrow I may give 10m FT8 a try during the day. On MF I am not sure what to try.

6m FT8 RX and 10m WSPR TX

Following my usual daytime pattern, I am active on these bands. As yet, no spots, although it is only 0850z.

UPDATE 2018z: On 10m WSPR I was spotted very frequently by EA8BFK (2880km) and in Germany and Denmark. On 6m FT8 I spotted a couple of Gs as well as S51AT (1250km).

630m WSPR overnight

A disappointing night on MF with just 5 unique spots. What is more disappointing is I am spotting the same stations. Again, the best DX was IW4DXW (1190km).

Sunspots - Wednesday October 4th 2017

Solar flux is 86 today and the sunspot number 25. A=8 and K=3.

Butterfly - NOT amateur radio

Whilst at Anglesey Abbey earlier, we saw this butterfly. I am not sure of the type. Perhaps someone else in the UK can help ID it? It was smaller than a cabbage white (about 60%).

UPDATE 2145z: Apparently it is a speckled wood, which is quite common.

630m WSPR RX

Since the 2m UKAC, I have been on 630m WSPR RX using the coax to my big-wheel 2m antenna as my 630m antenna. So far, just the same stations copied with LA8AV (1035km) as the best DX.

2m activity contest tonight

As this is the first Tuesday of the month, tonight is the 2m UKAC contest organised by the RSGB. It starts at 1900z and finishes at 2130z. Because of my poor voice, I usually stay on for only 20-60 minutes. This is a very friendly "contest".  As I usually get less than 10 contacts with my 5W SSB and omni antenna, I transcribe my log and enter the 10W and lower section. I have always found people helpful and understanding of my voice disability. Activity levels are high.

UPDATE 2026z: 10 contacts with the best DX being IO82 square. In the end I managed 70 minutes. Best QSO was G1YBB/P at 229km near the Welsh border.

Sour grapes? - NOT amateur radio

At the moment the EU seems to want to play "hard ball" with the UK over Brexit. Personally, I think it is in the interest of most in the EU to reach a good settlement.

Many of us in the UK only wanted Brexit so we could keep control over our population: we are a small island with limited space and resources. Like many, I actually voted to remain in the EU, even though it was/is far from perfect.

No, personally, I think the hard EU line is because they are peeved we are leaving and will no longer contribute money to the project. EU nations need our trade. We will be free to trade with the world on our terms.

EU - get real!