10m FT8 RX

Since breakfast, I have been on 10m FT8 RX. Quite a decent start really with 5 stations spotted in 3 EU countries already.

UPDATE 1302z: Now 18 stations in 3 EU countries. Winter Es?

UPDATE 1600z: Now 20 stations in 3 EU countries. Best DX is currently SP8DK (1548km) who was spotted this morning.

UPDATE 1917z:  Now 23 stations in 6 EU countries.

630m WSPR RX last night

With 14 unique stations spotted, it was a reasonable night. No USA stations but a couple of Spanish stations, with one quite far south.

Sunspots - Friday January 19th 2018

Solar flux is 71 and the sunspot number 12. A=2 and K=3.

RSGB, bandplans and AM

What is it about the RSGB and AM?

Yet again, AM is reduced to a 2m footnote with a stupid, childish and inane remark about watching bandwidth! OK, it is some time since I used AM seriously, but the RSGB really needs to wake up. AM bandwidth is less than many FM transmissions and very low cost AM gear is available from the PMR industry.

I am rapidly going off the RSGB. The image of a bunch of grey haired fuddy duddies who are brain dead is being heavily re-enforced. I am sure this is not the image they want us to see.

As a member of the RSGB for 54 years, it is possibly my last. Although I want to support my national society, I find it hard if they are incompetent.

New MGM (digital) RSGB contests

According to the latest RadCom, the RSGB's VHF contest calendar now includes a couple of contests aimed at digital operators.

See RadCom Feb 2018 p70/71

Rad Com spelling mistake

My February 2018 RSGB "RadCom" arrived in the post today. Right on the front cover was a spelling mistake! Receiver it should have been! Reciever it was for all to see without unwrapping.

How can they make such a basic mistake? What about spell checking?  Honestly, it made my blood boil. I wrote to the editor there and then. Such a basic mistake is totally unacceptable in 2018. My excuse for errors is my addled brain. What is your excuse RSGB?

10m FT8 RX

10m FT8 RX has been my "band of choice" today. I have been on since breakfast. So far, 8 unique stations in 4 EU countries spotted.

UPDATE 1522z: Currently 13 unique stations in 6 countries spotted today on 10m FT8. Es?

UPDATE 1616z: Now ZS6BUN (9130km) spotted on 10m FT8 as well as lots of Europeans. Is this Es plus F2?

UPDATE 1832z:  With 3 Africans and 3 South Americans and lots of Europeans spotted on 10m FT8, today is the best day on 10m FT8 this year.

UPDATE 1904z: It gets better and better! Now 5 South Americans including VP8NO (12773km) today on 10m FT8.

Packaging - NOT amateur radio

Well, I am appalled by the amount of wasteful packaging these days. Much of it cannot be recycled either. One UK food supermarket has vowed to go plastic free within 5 years. In my view they all should do this. It is a no-brainer. The big supermarkets have the power to force their suppliers - use it!

630m WSPR RX overnight

I was on 630m WSPR RX again last night. Overall, 10 unique stations were spotted with the best being EA7HPM (1726km).

Sunspots - Thursday January 18th 2018

Solar flux is 70 today and the sunspot number 12. A=3 and K=1.