Bots - NOT amateur radio

Funny how blog numbers have gone back to normal again at the very same time visits from Romania have taken a nosedive. Need I say more?

If you see any unusual postings, especially comments on postings, let me know right away, so I can check and if necessary remove. As far as possible I try to ensure all links are safe.

UPDATE 2144z: Blog numbers have risen sharply again, as have visits from Ukraine. Suspicious?

Return to 630m WSPR

As is my normal pattern, I have returned to 630m WSPR for this evening and overnight (10mW ERP, 20% TX). So far my best TX DX is M0NKA (154km). Although drift is reducing, the crystal in my transverter is still settling. It usually settles within 20 minutes.

UPDATE 1815z:  G0LUJ (266km) is currently the best TX DX.

Ely - NOT amateur radio

As the weather was sunny and bright (if cold) we decided to go to Ely for a walk. The photo shows the cathedral from the river.

Bye, bye Christmas - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday we put away the Christmas things. Time seems to fly by!  It seems no time since Christmas 2016. As always, the grandchildren love it.

EME on TV?

According to Southgate News the next Michael Portillo "Great British Rail Journeys" may include a piece recorded at Goonhilly Downs showing him operating 5.6GHz EME under supervision.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/january/bbc-tv-to-show-michael-portillo-moonbounce.htm#.WlIA00x2vIU .

10m FT8 today

Today, I am back on 10m FT8 RX. So far just 2E0XXO (120km) spotted.

UPDATE 1114z: So far, the best DX on 10m FT8 RX is DM1FL (495km).

UPDATE 1625z: 5 uniques in 2 countries so far today.

630m WSPR overnight

As usual, I went on 630m WSPR last night with my 10mW ERP. In all, I was spotted by 9 unique stations and I spotted 6. Unusually, all the stations that spotted me were Gs.

Best DX on RX was (again) LA8AV (1035km) up in Norway. He must have a good set-up as he always beats my S7 noise floor.

Sunspots - Sunday January 7th 2018

Solar flux is 69 today and the sunspot number 11. A=3 and K=0.

630m WSPR

Rather later than usual (2145z) I have QSYed to 630m WSPR (10mW ERP, 20%) from 6m MSK144. I have spotted a couple of stations, although no-one has yet spotted me.

UPDATE 2220z: So far 7 unique stations have spotted me with the best DX being G0LUJ (266km).

Free French Mag

The December 2017 edition of the French Radio mag Radio-REF is available as a free download.

See http://www.r-e-f.org/images/201712_INTERACTIF.pdf .