Sunspots - Monday January 1st 2018

So I remembered 2018 and not 2017!

Solar flux is 70 today and the sunspot number remains zero. A=4 and K=2.

QSYed to 630m WSPR

At about 1945z, I QSYed to 630m WSPR (10mW ERP, 20%TX) from 10m. My signal will drift for a few minutes until the transverter crystal warms.

DXlab

Apparently DXLab now has a waterfall when used with the ICOM IC7300.

See http://www.dxlabsuite.com/dxlabwiki/GettingStarted .

Still probing? - NOT amateur radio

With blog visits over 4 times the normal level at this time, I am convinced there is evil intent abroad. This peak again corresponds with high visitor numbers from Romania. I suspect Romanian bots. Now off to check my other blogs!

UPDATE 1544z:  Looked at the other blogs and visits seem normal.

10m FT8 RX

Although I have only been on 10m FT8 RX for a short while, DM1FL (495km) in the Rhine area has been already spotted.

UPDATE 1512z:  No further 10m FT8 RX spots all day here, so, unless things rapidly change, a dismal day!

UPDATE 1530z: Well, well, well thing did change with VO1NE (3931km) being spotted on 10m FT8. He has been widely spotted across Europe and in North America, so he is definitely genuine.

UPDATE 1620z: More Gs and near Europeans now being spotted on 10m FT8. Currently 7 stations, 5 countries, 2 continents today on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1708z: Lots of Eastern Europeans coming through on 10m FT8. I suspect Es again.

UPDATE 1847z: 10m FT8 was still good a little while ago.

630m WSPR overnight

Last night was disappointing with just G spots of my 10mW ERP. On RX too it was unexceptional as well. Shortly it will be time to move to 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1103z: Now QSYed to 10m FT8 RX.

2017 - NOT amateur radio

So, another year draws to a close. Despite the after-effects of my 2013 stroke (giddiness and tiring quickly) I have still managed to do a lot including a 10 day trip to Italy, a week in Corfu (Greece) including a trip to Albania and a week in Devon. Things are much harder, but one has to milk life and accept oneself.

2018? I have no idea what it will bring. Live each day as if the last and "go for it".

Sunspots - Sunday December 31st 2017

Solar flux is 70 and the sunspot number zero. A=3 and K=0.

Painting by our 8 year old grandson - NOT amateur radio

When I was sent this picture drawn by our 8 year old grandson I was very impressed. Even for a boy twice his age it would be good. A year ago he did a picture of the Santa Maria ship in great detail. In my view he is a natural artist with real talent. Note that the perspective is good and the shading.

Christmas - NOT amateur radio

Our younger granddaughter enjoying unwrapping Christmas presents earlier in the week. They went home today. Our house is now quiet!