60m (5MHz) band

More and more countries are allowing their radio amateurs access to the 15kHz wide 60m WRC allocation. Apparently China is granting access from July 1st. This is a small band and hopefully later there might be a wider slot.

As the sunspot activity drops, this band could be quite useful. That is if noise levels allow!

First swallow seen - NOT amateur radio

Much later than last year, I saw my first swallow (migrant bird) here. Numbers seem to be down as by this date they are usually quite common.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swallow

10m FT8 RX

After lunch, I went on 10m FT8 RX. As yet, no spots.

UPDATE 1630z: Still no spots today here on 10m FT8 RX.

Bluebell hunting - NOT amateur radio

This morning we drove to Waresley Woods (about 28 miles west of here) to see the bluebells. As the video shows, there were plenty. The paths were surprisingly muddy though. The video has no sound.

Last night on 472kHz WSPR RX

This may be my last outing on 472kHz WSPR RX this season. Last night just 4 unique stations were copied, suggesting most have now gone QRT on the band until the autumn. I may join them!

Sunspots - Monday April 23rd 2018

Solar flux is 74 today and the sunspot number 20. A=5 and K=1.

Rain stopped play?

This is a familiar phrase heard by cricketers in the UK.

Well, in my case not rain (yet) but thunder. For the first time this year my radio kit has been switched off and everything unplugged. At the moment, I think we will (just) miss the worst, but it is quite close. I shall consult the maps!

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/?lang=en

UPDATE 1548z: At the moment, the storms seem to be passing south of us.

UPDATE 1604z: As the storm seems to have passed, I have reconnected rigs and antennas.

UPDATE 1800z: No further DX spots on 10m FT8 RX, but things will be running for a few hours yet, so still a chance of South Americans. This, of course, assumes the storms don't return. F1ABL (963km) spotted very recently.

40 not out - NOT amateur radio

Remarkably our younger son is 40 today. It seems just a blink since I was that age!

We do not know what the future will bring us, but we wish him good health and happiness.

Just think  - in just 10 more years he can go on Saga holidays. Saga is a UK holiday company doing holidays for the over 50s. 😄

Lyrid Meteor Shower

Space Weather reports we are in the middle of the Lyrid meteor shower. Compared with some showers, this is not that big. A solar storm is passing.

10m FT8 RX

Yesterday was remarkable with 11 South Americans spotted on 10m FT8. After a brief period calling CQ earlier, I reverted to 10m FT8 RX. As yet, no spots (at 0822z) here on 10m today.

UPDATE 0838z: G7BXU (124km) spotted. Aircraft?

UPDATED 1454z: Lots of Southern Europeans spotted earlier on 10m FT8 RX. Could this be Es? Also South Africa and Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean spotted on 10m FT8 RX this afternoon.