10m FT8 RX

Despite very poor solar conditions, the last 2 evenings has seen 10m FT8 spots (lots) from South America.

So far today, 7 unique stations spotted in 3 EU countries.

Solar conditions are similar, so let's see this evening!

UPDATE 1330z:  Still 7 uniques in 3 countries, all EU.

Liverpool Quiz Book - NOT amateur radio

A good friend of ours is a blue badge guide to Liverpool. These blue badge guides are trained guides who take people around this vibrant UK city.  He often takes visitors from cruise ships. He has recently had a quiz book published. You can buy this at various places in and around Liverpool, or from Amazon.

See https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B076L86Y4C/ref=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_0

Work "do" - NOT amateur radio

This picture was taken by a friend many years ago. I have no idea what the occasion was. It looks like all males and I am enjoying the wine. Probably about 30 years ago? It was something to do with work, but I have no memories of it. No, that is not a result of the wine!

Sunspots - Saturday April 6th 2018

Solar flux is 66 today and the sunspot number 0. A=9 and K=1.

10m FT8 today (Friday)

Once again I am monitoring 10m FT8 RX today. So far, only 2 stations spotted - a G and CT1FHW (1681km). I am staying on late in case the band opens again to South America as it did late yesterday. Conditions seem quite similar to yesterday and no better.

UPDATE 2125z:  South America again this evening on 10m FT8.

Rally

8 APRIL 2018 : RIPON & DISTRICT ARS RALLY AND SURPLUS EQUIPMENT SALE

Hugh Ripley Hall, Ripon, North Yorkshire HG4 2PT. Doors open to public at 10am. For enquiries please email David Cutter, G3UNA at rally@ripon.org.uk [http://www.ripon.org.uk/content/rally-2018].

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

Yesterday - NOT amateur radio

This is a collage of yesterday. We had something quite rare - sunshine!

6m in the Es season

We are rapidly approaching the Es season, bringing alive 10m and 6m and to a lesser extent 4m and 2m with DX up to about 2000km.

Frequently the distances are much further, bringing into range some true exotic DX on 6m.

This year we also have FT8, which is already proving its value as a DX mode. I shall probably be monitoring 6m FT8 RX this season. I suspect 6m will be "open" far more often than we expect!

10m FT8 yesterday

Quite late (after 9pm UK clock time) 10m FT8 opened to South America with lots of stations spotted. I was surprised, as conditions on paper were dire.

10m often opens N-S and FT8 finds the briefest openings now.

Sunspots - Friday April 6th 2018

Solar flux is 66 (very low) today and the sunspot number 0. A=9 and K=1.