Rain at last - NOT amateur radio

The last time I saw rain here in Burwell was in May. Already the storm has arrived and we have rain.

A Toast - NOT amateur radio

Whilst in north Norfolk this week we celebrated our 47th wedding anniversary with one of our sons, his children and his French in-laws. The latter bought us champagne and a surprise hamper. It was a good week with excellent weather.

Storms

Whilst in north Norfolk, we had a very violent thunderstorm in the early hours. Apparently there was one here in Burwell too this morning, along with a brief power cut. More storms are due overnight.

A good place to look is https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortung/europe/index.php?lang=en. This map can be placed anywhere in the world and zoomed in. Very useful to see how close the risk is. At the moment, I look OK to remain on until at least 1600z.

10m WSPR TX

Since getting home just before lunch, I have been on 10m WSPR TX (500mW) although up to now no spots at all received. It is now 1433z.

UPDATE 1523z:  EA1FBU (1297km) spotted me several times this afternoon on 10m WSPR before thunder forced me to go QRT.

Return to 6m FT8

With no storms due until tonight, I have returned to 6m FT8 QRP. A brief CQ earlier was spotted by a few stations, but resulted in no QSOs. Since then, I have been RX only. There is plenty of EU Es about.

UPDATE 1534z: Still plenty of EU Es as the map shows.

UPDATE 1642z: As there is thunder and lightning, everything has been disconnected and I have gone QRT.

Back home - NOT amateur radio

We are back home after a week in north Norfolk. The postman said there had been a storm at 6am. There is a need to water the plants (this evening) and I hope to reconnect my radios for this afternoon.  For once our home seemed small!

OFCOM and small scale DAB

OFCOM is after "expressions of interest" on small scale DAB.

See http://ofcom.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/i/44995242F11646D32540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

Sunspots - Friday July 27th 2018

Solar flux is 66 today and the SSN zero.  A=4 and K=1 .

Storms

We have had very high temperatures again today and it is quite possible that these will trigger some thunderstorms overnight or tomorrow. Maybe I shall be unable to go on 6m and 10m when I get home.

Fish and Chips - NOT amateur radio

A few days ago we ate fish and chips outside whilst on holiday.