630m WSPR RX

Up to now I have used the shack PC on mains power with the internal PC battery charging. In a few minutes I shall run the PC on its internal battery hoping for a lower noise floor.

UPDATE 2054z: Shack PC now running on its internal battery.

UPDATE 2132z: From the evidence of the last 1.5 hours the S/N of signals received on 630m WSPR improves by at least 10dB when the shack PC is on internal batteries. Previous tests were rather inconclusive, but results this evening are very clear.

10m FT8 RX

Rather later than usual, I have QSYed from 630m WSPR to 10m FT8 RX. This is where I shall probably be for the rest of the day, before going back to 630m WSPR tonight. As yet, no spots.

UPDATE 1825z:  No spots all day on 10m FT8. Soon be time to QSY to 630m WSPR RX.

UK rally

14 JANUARY 2018 : RED ROSE WINTER RALLY

The George H Carnall Leisure Centre, Kingsway Park M41 7FJ. Venue is easily accessible from Jct 9 of the M60 (opposite the Trafford Centre). This vast hall has superb disabled facilities, being all on one level. It has a huge free car park. There will be our usual bring and buy stall and there is an excellent cafe on site. Doors open at 11am. There will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy, special interest groups and an RSGB bookstall. Further details from John on 0787 016 1953 www.wmrc.co.uk.

A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

President Trump - NOT amateur radio

If recent reports allegedly coming out of the White House are correct, then the USA president is rapidly losing friends around the globe and probably at home.

His latest reported outburst was another swipe at immigrants and their families.

I must remind the good people of the USA (all those I have met were decent, kind, generous and caring folk), and the President, that ALL white Americans were from immigrant stock. The land of freedom and liberty. People want to come to the USA because of its values.

UPDATE 2042z:  I notice that the US $ is rapidly losing value against the UK £.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42656433 .

PTT with cellular network radio

It had to come.

Southgate News has details of a mobile radio using cellular radio as its bearer. It uses Android and can link with things like Echolink for radio amateurs. The  "radio" is sold by Moonraker.

See https://www.moonraker.eu/inrico-tm-7-network-mobile-radio

Overnight on 630m WSPR RX

Last night I was on 630m WSPR RX overnight, but with the shack PC still on mains power.

No further spots overnight compared with those spotted in a couple of hours last night. 11 spots of unique stations in 7 countries (see table).

With the PC just on its internal battery, the reports might have been a little better, but it is not certain more stations would have been spotted.

Sunspots - Friday January 12th 2018

Solar flux is 69 today and the sunspot number 12. A=2 and K=1.

630m WSPR RX again

Since returning from a meal with friends, I have been on 630m WSPR RX with the shack PC on mains power with the battery charging. When I go to bed I may run the shack PC off its internal battery. 9 unique stations spotted in the last hour.

UPDATE 2300z:  Now 10 unique stations spotted in the last hour.

Christmas trading results - NOT amateur radio

Many of the large retail stores have released their results over Christmas and it shows a mix of fortunes. What is clear is more and more people are buying online and the retail business is going to change in the coming years. In 20 years' time some very familiar names are likely to disappear.

6m MSK144 RX

At the moment I am monitoring 50.280MHz MSK144 RX. No spots as yet.

UPDATE 1302z: So far, just MM0CEZ (488km) spotted strongly.

UPDATE 1420z: At the moment 3 unique stations in 3 countries (England, Guernsey and Scotland) spotted here on 6m MSK144 today.