6m FT8 RX

Apparently Japan was being spotted and called on 6m FT8 earlier from southern Europe, although on my basic V2000 vertical omni system nothing was spotted here in the UK. Lots of Es received already. 45 countries spotted on 6m FT8 in the last day! 59 countries spotted in the last few days on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1354z: A brief CQ call on 6m FT8 QRP (2.5W) a few moments ago brought 2 QSOs (SP6 and EA3) as well as spots from stations all over Europe. I have gone back to 6m FT8 RX only.

10m WSPR TX

10m WSPR is good today. Already I have received 283 spots of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon with the best DX being EA8BFK (2880km) and it is only 1036z.

UPDATE 1130z: Spotted by 11 different stations so far today on 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 1816z: My little WSPR beacon has been spotted by 23 different stations today.

Sunspots - Thursday June 28th 2018

Solar flux is 70 today and the sunspot number12. A=7 and K=3.

60m WRC band in China

According to Southgate News, China is soon to get the 60m WRC allocation.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/june/china-soon-on-60m.htm#.WzPrNPZFzIU

OFCOM

Now, do not wet your pants with excitement. Well, OK I know you find this earth shattering. OFCOM has been asked to alter its licence for broadband at 3.6GHz.

See http://ofcom.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/i/6657CBCCC95E5E022540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

10m WSPR TX

Off to a good start with 7 spots of my 500mW WSPR beacon from Denmark. Es seems good today and early. No reports outside Europe yet though on 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 1827z: So far today, 11 different stations spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon.

6m FT8 again

After a brief TX period with 2.5W (9 spots of my QRP with best DX 205km), I have been on 6m FT8 RX. Lots of EU Es.

UPDATE 1200z: Lots of Es spotted this morning on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2022z: LA9VFA (2460km) is the best DX on 6m FT8 RX today.

UPDATE 2137z: I was about to switch everything off when I noticed Es on 6m FT8. So I had 2 G QSOs, 9 Gs spotted my QRP as did LA7DFA (1311km)

Sunspots - Wednesday June 27th 2018

Solar flux is 71 and the sunspot number 12. A=20 and K=2.

Probability - NOT amateur radio

Sometimes it is wise to think how lucky we are to be here.

We were just one sperm of countless numbers that fertilised that egg. We made it through to birth and beyond. We happened to be born on this planet at this time. Against all the odds we are here, now. It is possible, although unlikely, we are totally alone in the universe as sensate beings, capable of contemplating our existence and the universe(s).

Of course, we could say the same were we born at a different time on a different planet.

Nonetheless, life is a precious gift and wonder.

Plane views - NOT amateur radio

We flew back from Finland yesterday. The weather, and views from the plane, were perfect.

Before leaving, we visited medieval Porvoo about 55km from Helsinki.