Migrant bird numbers down - NOT amateur radio

Although we saw plenty of swallows, house martins and a few swifts in S. Devon last week, I feel numbers are lower. By now, up here in East Anglia, swifts should be everywhere and they are usually one of the most common birds seen in late spring and summer. I have only seen a handful of swallows and not one swift or house martin up here yet! I have heard quite a few chiffchaffs in Devon. I hope numbers of migrants recover.

UPDATE 2154z: As it was warm and pleasant, we enjoyed a cup of tea in the garden. In the time we were there we saw 3 swifts overhead.

6m FT8 RX again

As this is the Es season, I am sticking with 6m FT8 again today. The number of stations on FT8 is staggering.  Very early on I went on TX (2.5W) calling CQ. I was spotted by a couple of Gs. Since before breakfast I have been RX only.

Although Europe and North Africa on 6m Es are "easy", I am keeping a watchful eye for more distant E layer DX on 6m. With FT8 I am sure it is just a matter of time before the USA, Caribbean and South America are spotted on 6m FT8 even with my basic V2000 vertical antenna.

For Es, I find polarisation is unimportant. All my 6m JT65 "real" DX (well outside Europe) last spring/summer was using the V2000 omni antenna. With FT8 this year I expect results at least as good. With 15 second overs, even the briefest of openings should be copied.

So far, just 10 UK stations spotted on 6m FT8 with the best DX GS3PYE/P (576km) on Islay, Scotland.

UPDATE 0925z: More stations being spotted now. Currently 14 uniques in 3 countries with best DX CT1EKD (1644km).

UPDATE 1247z: Now 58 unique stations in 10 countries spotted on 6m FT8 today, so far. Best DX is currently IW8PQU (1940km).

Dayton Ohio Hamvention

This is the biggest amateur radio event on the planet and is often where new products are showcased. I have never been, but it is worth following to hear what new rigs are coming up. Often these are very early models.

Dandelions - NOT amateur radio

These are often considered weeds, but the yellow flowers and dandelion clocks (seeds) are actually quite beautiful.

Yaesu

Several times recently, I have expressed my doubts about Yaesu. Over the years I have owned many different Yaesu transceivers and they have all been good.

In the last few years Yaesu seems to have "dropped the baton" and become a follower rather than a leader. Yaesu also seems to be slow to develop new models and when it does it seriously disappoints like the rushed FT991A and the really disappointing FT818, that probably cost 2 cups of coffee to develop! Even I could have done a better job with my eyes closed! Market research? Rubbish.

Yaesu, do a lot better or fail. I, for one, want you to do well. Please, prove me wrong.

DXCC List

Many years ago I stopped chasing DXCC countries. I will not shout and shout to be heard in a rare place, although I fully understand this is important to some.

When I sort of stopped many years ago I had worked well over 100 countries with QRP SSB. If I work a new country, so well and good, although I refuse to buy expensive rigs, linears, towers and beams to enable this. If it happens, it happens!

Southgate News had a piece on DXCC yesterday.
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/may/dxcc-report-1405.htm#.WvmovUxFzIU

Sunspots - Tuesday May 15th 2018

Solar flux is 70 today and the sunspot number 0. A=5 and K=1.

Alibris book hunt - NOT amateur radio

After a week in South Devon, I wanted to buy a book on the village where we were staying. I read the book at our holiday place. It was printed in 1993 and is now out of print. I tried Alibris, but they could not point me to a second hand copy. I'll keep checking back.  Alibris keep telling me about special deals and can usually locate most books. I was surprised not to be able to find it.

Many years ago my uncle walked to school, rain or shine, a round-trip of about 14 miles every day. What looks like his father or grandfather is in the book cutting hair with sheep shears! There is also a photo (very old) of where we stayed when it was still a farm barn.

New QRPclub member

This just came from Oleg:

"Dear Club 72 members and friends,

new Club member SV7CUD op. Panagiotis (Panos)
certificate # 108

72! Oleg RX3G / KH6OB "Mr. 72"

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."

Unknown flower - NOT amateur radio

This flower self-seeded in our front garden. We did not plant it. The flowers are about 3cms across. It is probably quite a common sort, but this is the first year we have seen it. We have been here almost 5 years now. It is May flowering. Some have died and just this one is in flower.

UPDATE 1340z: Someone told me it is "Star of Bethlehem".