Sunspots - Friday April 27th 2018

Solar flux is 69 today and the sunspot number is 14.  A=4 and K=0.

10m FT8 RX

Today, I have returned to 10m FT8 RX.

The last few days on 6m FT8 have been an indication of things to come during the Es season. 6m FT8 activity is increasing.

As Es also has a big impact on 10m, expect to see lots of Europeans in the logs in the coming months, as well as real DX from time to time.

UPDATE 0817z: So far, just 2E1RDX (139km) spotted on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1058z: Now M6GAN (111km) spotted on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1215z:  Just 4 Gs spotted so far today on 10m FT8. Aircraft or tropo?

UPDATE 1318z: Just spotted PD1DL (322km). Strength suggests aircraft reflection. Now 5 different stations in 2 countries on 10m FT8 today so far.

UPDATE 1530z: CT1GVN (1801km) spotted. Now 7 different stations in 3 countries on 10m FT8 RX today.

President Trump to visit the UK in July - NOT amateur radio

Each to his own, but I find it hard to warm to this man. I expect his visit in July will stir up riots and protests. I hope he is ready for what will greet him. It won't be a quiet visit.

He comes across badly over here in the UK and he has made few friends, although he got a lot of votes in the USA from a populous that expected much. Even Monsieur Macron of France said some pretty harsh words in Congress.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43913414

A quote from the BBC website:

Reacting to the announcement of his July visit, Kate Allen, Amnesty International UK's director, said: "When Donald Trump arrives on these shores, we and thousands of our supporters will very definitely be making our voices heard."

Magnetic loops

Although narrowband, these antennas can be remarkably effective. They are ideal for modes that do not require rapid retuning such as WSPR, PSK31 or FT8. It is some time since I tried one.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/magloop

Tree rings - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday we visited Brandon Country Park, Suffolk. This felled tree looks about 30 years old judging by the rings.

Felled beauty - NOT amateur radio

Today we visited Brandon Country Park, Suffolk on the edge of Thetford Forest. This tree was on the ground. Either it had been felled or it had blown down over the winter. We liked the textures and colours.

6m FT8

Before breakfast, I went on TX (2.5W) calling CQ on 6m FT8. Sadly, no-one received me, but it was very early!

Since then I have been on 6m FT8 RX only using the omnidirectional V2000 vertical antenna. So far, just a couple of Gs spotted on 6m.

UPDATE 1712z: 16 different stations in 2 countries so far spotted on 6m FT8 today. Best DX is PE0TS (445km).

UPDATE 2120z: Now QRT. In the end, 19 different stations in 2 countries spotted today on 6m FT8 RX.

Flatlands - NOT amateur radio

Here in East Anglia, UK we have few real hills, but some great skies. At the moment we have rapeseed plants in flower which are bright yellow. I like this photo which contrasts the chalk with the rapeseed.

Our local windmill sails turning - NOT amateur radio

We live next door to a fully restored windmill. The windmill is about 200 years old. Its sails turn usually on Thursdays and Sundays when the museum is open. The video shows the mill with the sails turning.

See http://www.burwellmuseum.org.uk

Yaesu - in trouble?

For many years (well as you ask since 1979 - nearly 40 years!) I have been a great Yaesu fan and I have been the delighted owner of many of their fine transceivers in that time. Now I am very worried.

• Firstly they "missed the boat" by not replacing the FT817 before the last sunspot peak. In my book this was an unforgivable error. The market was ready, yet they were stupid not to see and capitalise on this.
• Secondly they had to play catch-up when ICOM introduced the IC7300. The FT991A is clearly an attempt to match the IC7300. They were caught off guard, followers rather than leaders. No doubt some poor innocent was made to fall on his/her sword.
• Thirdly, the FT891 looks market priced to catch buyers. It is relatively low cost for a 100W mobile/base unit.
• Fourthly, the FT818 is definitely a development done on the (very) cheap with few features expected in a replacement for the FT817. If they were serious they would have added a speech processor, an auto ATU and a Lithium Polymer battery for starters. No, this looks a development with very little outlay indeed. Lost come to mind. Sad, pathetic would be truer.

As a real Yaesu man, I could be forgiven for thinking they are in deep trouble. Everything points to a struggling company. I am disturbed enough to think of avoiding them. My bet is on ICOM surviving and Yaesu going to the wall. Hopefully, I am very wrong. Over the next few years we shall find out.

Once the Chinese really get in this market, the Japanese face a real wake-up call and no Japanese company in the amateur market will be safe. The Chinese have started. Give them a few years. Soon, we may look back on these days as the golden age.