Sunspots at last!
Solar flux is 69 today and the sunspot number 12. Yes 12, not zero!! A=4 and K=1
15 Aug 2018
14 Aug 2018
70cm actvity contest
"Successful" HAARP WSPR test?
Well, not in my book.
Southgate News carries news of this test using WSPR around the end of July and start of August. The report mentions the hundreds of WSPR reports from all over the USA and Canada. Using 1GW ERP this is distinctly average.
OK, apparently D-layer absorption was high on 80m, but I would have expected reports from elsewhere too.
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/august/successful-haarp-wspr-research-campaign.htm#.W3LXXPZFzIU
Southgate News carries news of this test using WSPR around the end of July and start of August. The report mentions the hundreds of WSPR reports from all over the USA and Canada. Using 1GW ERP this is distinctly average.
OK, apparently D-layer absorption was high on 80m, but I would have expected reports from elsewhere too.
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/august/successful-haarp-wspr-research-campaign.htm#.W3LXXPZFzIU
6m FT8 RX
Although I guess these could be aircraft reflections, they are probably mostly Es, certainly the more distant spots.
I have been on 6m FT8 RX since before breakfast and spotted 15 stations in 8 countries so far. Again, a promising start to the day at 0952z. Best DX on 6m FT8 RX is DM5BB (903km).
As yet, I have not tried 6m FT8 TX today.
UPDATE 1317z: Es from all over Europe. Best DX on 6m FT8 RX is IT9BCC (1889km).
UPDATE 1900z: Now going QRT, but still plenty of Es on 6m FT8 RX today as the map shows.
I have been on 6m FT8 RX since before breakfast and spotted 15 stations in 8 countries so far. Again, a promising start to the day at 0952z. Best DX on 6m FT8 RX is DM5BB (903km).
As yet, I have not tried 6m FT8 TX today.
UPDATE 1317z: Es from all over Europe. Best DX on 6m FT8 RX is IT9BCC (1889km).
UPDATE 1900z: Now going QRT, but still plenty of Es on 6m FT8 RX today as the map shows.
10m WSPR TX (500mW)
Before breakfast, I turned in the 10m WSPR beacon. Very early on I was spotted by DK6UG (633km), but nothing since.
As I said yesterday, I think there are far more people on 10m FT8 than 10m WSPR. I use 10m WSPR as this is "stand alone" and does not tie up a PC or rig. If I want to go on 10m FT8 I need the FT817ND and PC.
As I said yesterday, I think there are far more people on 10m FT8 than 10m WSPR. I use 10m WSPR as this is "stand alone" and does not tie up a PC or rig. If I want to go on 10m FT8 I need the FT817ND and PC.
Sunspots - Tuesday August 14th 2018
Firstly, an apology for a "senior moment" yesterday. I had the wrong date until this was pointed out to me by an old work colleague, Andrew. As soon as it was pointed out, it was corrected. I just wonder how many have crept through in the past unnoticed. Anyway, I hope the date today is right!
Solar flux is 66 (very low) today and the sunspot number 0. Not exactly startling! A=5 and K=2.
Solar flux is 66 (very low) today and the sunspot number 0. Not exactly startling! A=5 and K=2.
13 Aug 2018
Back on 10m WSPR TX and 6m FT8 RX
After calling on the 2m East Cambs FM net (144.575MHz, 1900z, Mondays) and getting no takers, I returned to 10m WSPR TX (500mW) and 6m FT8 RX. Still plenty of Es about on both bands. My brief 6m FT8 CQ was widely copied in southern Europe despite running 2.5W to an omni vertical.
UPDATE 2026z: QRT on all bands.
UPDATE 2026z: QRT on all bands.
Temporary QRT
We had storms quite close (2 miles), so I went QRT on all bands.
As the storms seem to have moved on, everything is now reconnected (6m FT8 RX and 10m WSPR TX). On 6m I am getting Es from Italy although it usually takes 20 minutes for things to settle on my 10m WSPR beacon.
We need the rain, so I am not complaining.
As the storms seem to have moved on, everything is now reconnected (6m FT8 RX and 10m WSPR TX). On 6m I am getting Es from Italy although it usually takes 20 minutes for things to settle on my 10m WSPR beacon.
We need the rain, so I am not complaining.
Car insurance fiasco - NOT amateur radio
Well, I have been with my current car insurer for ages. Most years I have to ring up to tell them it is too much and get a better quote. This morning I did this again and they dropped a very little. So I told them to let their policy lapse and I'd look around. I have got the same cover for very much less, even allowing for introductory offers.
Now, wouldn't you think they would want to keep a loyal customer who has never made a claim? No, they have lost me now, probably for ever. Crass stupidity!! Their loss - not being able to see this.
In my view, the insurance industry is mad. Surely, they should give loyal, good customers a good deal to prevent them going elsewhere. Instead I get an idiot in a call-centre who couldn't care a jot. As I said, their loss, not mine. They deserve to lose all my business in future years, and they probably will now.
Now, wouldn't you think they would want to keep a loyal customer who has never made a claim? No, they have lost me now, probably for ever. Crass stupidity!! Their loss - not being able to see this.
In my view, the insurance industry is mad. Surely, they should give loyal, good customers a good deal to prevent them going elsewhere. Instead I get an idiot in a call-centre who couldn't care a jot. As I said, their loss, not mine. They deserve to lose all my business in future years, and they probably will now.
Storm threat?
The Met Office has put out a yellow warning of thunderstorms in East Anglia after 11am today. Looking at the storm maps, it looks like the risk is decreasing. Nonetheless, I shall keep looking (and listening!) ready to disconnect gear if the risk is too high.
See https://www.lightningmaps.org/#m=oss;t=2;s=200;o=0;b=0.00;ts=0;d=2;dl=2;dc=0;
See https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/warnings#?date=2018-08-13&lat=52.27453&lon=0.32891
See https://www.lightningmaps.org/#m=oss;t=2;s=200;o=0;b=0.00;ts=0;d=2;dl=2;dc=0;
See https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/warnings#?date=2018-08-13&lat=52.27453&lon=0.32891
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