4m (70MHz) next year?

Although I have "dabbled" with 4m in the distant past, I have not really tried the band seriously. As I am looking for a new challenge for 2018, my mind is drifting towards the 4m band. There are now lots of EU countries on the band which should be in reach by Es in the summer. As I recall, 4m is pretty effective for inter-G QSOs too, so 5-50W to a 4m halo should prove quite effective. 4m WSPR should be very effective. We'll see!

10m FT8

As of  about 10 minutes ago, I went QRT on 630m WSPR and QSYed to 10m FT8 RX. 2E0XXO (120km) already spotted. Not long after OZ1LXJ (806km) was spotted on 10m FT8.

UPDATE 1210z: 8 stations in 7 EU countries spotted so far on 10m FT8 today.

UPDATE 1746z: 12 stations in 9 EU countries spotted so far.

630m WSPR overnight

Last night and overnight I was on 630m WSPR again (10mW ERP, 20% TX). In all, I was spotted by 9 unique stations in 2 countries with best DX PA0O (440km).

On RX I spotted 15 uniques with best DX EA5DOM (1525km).

Light - NOT amateur radio

This was the light on our table at lunch at "The Merry Monk" in Isleham, UK yesterday.

Sunspots - Saturday December 9th 2017

Solar flux is 69 today and the sunspot number 11. A=10 and K=1.

Return to 630m WSPR

A few minutes ago I returned to 630m WSPR (10mW ERP, 20%). So far 4 unique spots of me even though the crystal in the transverter is still drifting. It usually takes about 20 minutes before the drift is zero Hertz.

Merry Monk Cheese - NOT amateur radio

As we have several birthdays about now, we went with friends for lunch at "The Merry Monk" a Michelin recommended restaurant nearby. The photo shows my cheese course.

BREXIT latest - NOT amateur radio

As many may remember I voted "remain" in the UK referendum over whether, or not, we should leave the EU. There is much wrong with the EU, but, on balance, I thought remaining was the lesser of two evils. Overall, the UK narrowly voted to leave the EU. 

Presently, the UK and EU are negotiating on the separation deal. There are tough negotiations ahead. At least the first set of hurdles appear to be behind us.

It is in the interest of both the EU and UK to reach an outcome that is good for all. Personally, I think we would have voted "remain" had the EU recognised how important (to the UK) was the control of our immigration and made some concessions in this regard for the UK. They did not, and the EU will suffer as the UK leaves - fewer rich nations to pay the bills of the EU.

It would not surprise me if the EU falls apart in the next 20 years. There are already cracks. The UK has always wanted trade, but placed less importance on security and a federal Europe. Perhaps the UK leaving the EU "club" was inevitable?

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42277040 .

Freight train - NOT amateur radio

On our way to the garden centre to buy a Christmas tree, we had to stop for this freight train. Having to stop here at this level crossing is very rare.

New VHF/UHF log periodic

If you have plenty of money, you may want to consider the new log-periodic from InnovAntennas at just under £200. Personally, I think this is expensive, although others may disagree. Each to their own. I know they have to recover development and manufacturing costs, but just under £200 for some aluminium?

See http://www.innovantennas.com/antennas-a-accesories/on-line-shop/view/productdetails/virtuemart_product_id/469/virtuemart_category_id/75.html

See also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium