6m FT8

After a brief period on 10m FT8 (lots of Es from Europe), I have switched to 6m FT8 RX. Best DX spotted is SV1DH (2430km) near Athens, Greece. He was calling CQ NA. At first I was on the 10m antenna! Now I am using the V2000 vertical.

UPDATE 1605z: 7 unique stations in 4 countries spotted so far on 6m FT8.

UPDATE 1804z: Now 60 unique stations in 12 countries with best DX 4Z5ML (3566km) in Israel.

UPDATE 1958z: although not the greatest distance S01WS (3043km) in Western Sahara must be the most interesting. At -4dB S/N this station was strong. 3 continents on 6m (VHF) FT8 today with just my V2000 vertical. Magic band!

QRPclub newsletter

This just came in from Oleg:

"Dear Club 72 members and friends,
keep  your attention and have enjoy reading new issue of the Reporter
"QRP Vestnik" # 6 (May 2018) - FREE of course :-)
To download file visit Club 72 page or direct link -
http://club72.su/vestnik/qv6.pdf
Size 500 kB, 2 pages
Use Google or other translator to read Russian text, please.
Thanks Igor R2AJA for assistance!
My mailbox open for any feedback, also for articles, news, pics etc...

72! Oleg "Mr. 72" RX3G

This is a periodic Newsletter of the Club 72. Don't reply to Newsletter address! Send any requests or news to mr72@club72.su please."

Where we stayed in S.Devon - NOT amateur radio

As mentioned earlier, we have now got back from our break in Devon. This is a video reminder.

Rally in N.Ireland

13 MAY 2018 : LOUGH ERNE AMATEUR RADIO RALLY

Share Centre, Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh BT92 0EQ,. Access M1, A5 & A4 (NI), M/N3 (RoI ). Doors open at 11.30am. David, GI4VHO, 078-4291-0076, calderwood110@btinternet.com www.learc.eu.

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

Sunspots - Saturday May 12th 2018

Solar flux is 70 today and the sunspot number is 11. A=12 and K=4.

Back from holiday - NOT amateur radio

You may have guessed that we have been away for about 9 days. We are now safely home again.

Sunspots - Friday May 11th 2018

Solar flux is 74 and the sunspot number 11. A=12 and K=4.

Swifts - NOT amateur radio

Usually I see my first swifts at the end of April. This year, it was May 10th before I saw them and even that was in South Devon.  These are migrant birds and I suspect numbers are down. They have been seen for some weeks, but I had not seen any before yesterday.

Once I see them, they appear ubiquitous, screaming on the wing. Usually they are the most common bird seen in the spring/summer sky. They are here all May and June and then you just notice they have gone until next year. The skies are quiet.

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

EbNaut tests from IW4DXW on VLF

Riccardo is busy again with VLF transmissions.

"Hi Stefan, Lubos, Paul, VLF

Ok Stefan :-), here we go!

I'm starting a series of EbNaut transmissions, from 0800 UTC (9 May) every 8 hours. Then 3 messages per day (0000, 0800, 1600 UTC). 

QRG: 8270.003

2 ch.

30 sec./sym.

coding 16K21A

CRC 28

duration: 8h 00'

antenna current: 600 mA

many thanks for reports"

Sunspots - Thursday May 10th 2018

Solar flux is 69 today. Sunspot number is 22. A=16 and K=3.