Hanseatic League - NOT amateur radio

At the moment we are in Riga, Latvia. Although under communist rule after WW2, it is fine city. It still has some communist buildings as well as modern ones.  We like it.

Many years before, it was a Hanseatic League port. There are some fine old buildings in the old town.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanseatic_League

Sunspots - Wednesday June 20th 2018

Solar flux is 77 and the sunspot number a remarkable 41. This is very high for this part of the cycle and reminds us that we tend to forget that on good days the conditions can be much better. A=6 and K=1.

Earth-electrode "antenna" at MF and LF

Several people have asked me about my somewhat unconventional "antenna" at LF and MF. Let me say from the outset, if you can erect a "proper" antenna and ground at LF and MF you will do better, but at 2 QTHs the earth-electrode "antenna" worked for me. No-one knows it is there yet it regularly gets my 5mW ERP WSPR copied over 1000km!

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/earth-electrode-antennas

Baltic Holiday Blog - NOT amateur radio

As some of you know, we are spending 10 days exploring Baltic capitals. Some we have been to some before, whereas others are for the first time. Mainly to jog our memories in years to come, I have created a blog.

See https://baltichol18.blogspot.com/

Sunspots - Tuesday June 19th 2018

Solar flux is 72 today and the sunspot number 13.  A=5 and K=2.

NZ spotted on 6m in the UK?

One UK station (at least) has reported spotting a ZL station on 6m FT8. My first reaction was this must be a pirate, but he has been copied in both the USA and Europe. We wait to see if this was genuine.

Old age?

Southgate News reports that attendance at Friedrichshafen was down on last year. Could this be because the amateur population is now mainly old men who find travel harder? If numbers are down next year too, it would not surprise me.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/june/attendance-dips-at-friedrichshafen-ham-radio-2018.htm#.WyfU2fZFxMs

Unfortunate name! - NOT amateur radio

I was amused to spot this in Sweden!

Sunspots - Monday June 18th 2018

Solar flux is 72 and the sunspot number 13. A=5 and K=2.

FT8 and the Reverse Beacon Network

Quite a few use the RBN to see where their signals get even if they get no response on SSB and CW CQs. I have used it myself with QRP CW. Southgate News reports there are moves afoot to also spot FT8.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/june/the-reverse-beacon-network-and-ft8.htm#.WyaAVPZFxMs