Sunspots - Wednesday July 4th 2018

Solar flux is 67 today and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=1.

World Cup Football - NOT amateur radio

OK, I am not a great football fan, but I had to watch England v. Colombia tonight. We so nearly won in the 90 minutes, then they equalised. After a further 30 minutes it was down to penalties and Colombia saved one! In the end England won the penalty shoot-out.  Talk about doing things the hard way.

Not sure watching these games is good for the heart. 😅

Bee Swarm - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday was hot and sunny, so we went to Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk. The repairs are still going on and they could last 3 years. Whilst there, there was a bee swarm on the wall just to the right of the bridge into the Hall. They looked pretty docile.

OFCOM Communications Monthly

OFCOM has just published its "Communications Monthly".

See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/2214C158C2ED643F2540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

10m WSPR TX

Some early Es on 10m today. Already, some early spots of my 500mW WSPR beacon from Italy and Germany. Today could be a good day.

UPDATE 1418z: 5 different stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon today. All were Es with best DX EA1FAQ (1249km) in northern Spain.

UPDATE 1536z: 29 spots today on 10m WSPR, all morning ones.

UPDATE 1747z: 33 spots today. My best spot is by EA8BFK (2880km) in the Canary Is again.

6m FT8

An earlier call to G3PXT went unanswered, but I was spotted by 6 G stations. Best was M0BEW (194km) near the Welsh border.

On 6m FT8 RX there is already (0840z) Es evident with spots from southern Europe already.

Sunspots - Tuesday July 3rd 2018

Solar flux is 68 today. The sunspot number remains 0. A=3 and K=1.

BREXIT - NOT amateur radio

Apparently the UK Cabinet meets on Friday to agree the UK's position on leaving the EU. Some tough talks are ahead.

Members of the EU are paranoid about it failing, worried about losing our budget contribution and perhaps a bit jealous. At the same time, the UK Prime Minister is weak with much squabbling in her ranks. Later this week we'll really see the truth.

I voted "REMAIN" 2 years ago, but there is a lot wrong with the EU. In my view, it has to reform or it will fall apart. Leaving the EU is fraught with economic dangers.

Missing 12 year olds found alive in Thai caves - NOT amateur radio

I really really hope this news is correct. What a traumatic experience.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-44688909

UPDATE July 3rd 1302z: It looks like getting them out will be hard.

6m FT8 RX

Not a great day. Spots from the Baltic area and around the UK but nothing else today so far.

UPDATE 1514z: There you go - I speak and 6m FT8 opens up! Stations in France, Italy and Sicily spotted on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1632z:  Now Es from all over the place in Europe on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2010z: Whilst using my V2000 vertical omni on the 2m FM net I gather an HH (Haiti) was coming through on 6m FT8. I missed him! EA8JK (2999km) was worked on 6m FT8. As always, I was using 2.5W to my V2000 vertical omni fed with CB coax.