Old friends - NOT amateur radio

Since university days back in the 1960s, we have known this couple. They live about 40 miles away and we usually meet up a few times each year. We went to their house for lunch today. When we meet it seems like just yesterday when we last met. In his working life he was a project manager responsible for putting a probe on a comet. He is very modest and talking to him you'd never guess. My wife is on the left.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosetta_(spacecraft)

Visitor Map - NOT amateur radio

Usually I can see where visitors to my blog are from. This was very useful to see where hackers were located. This is a map visible only to me. For several days now, this has not been working. It looks like a Google issue, which I hope is soon resolved.

Lately, several things seem to be getting worse. Several of our famous high street shops have closed as we buy more and more online. Our only bank in the village has closed (similar reason). Picasa no longer allows me to send photos, etc. It almost seems we are going backwards!

No storms?

Looking at the lightning maps, it looks like we are in for a quiet day. The nearest storms are miles away. It is not too hot, but likely to remain dry.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortung/europe/index.php?bo_page=map&bo_showmap=6
See https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/u121rkr90#?date=2018-08-17

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

Although active since breakfast, no spots as yet. It is still early.

UPDATE 0905z: Still no spots.

UPDATE 1944z: EA8BFK (2880km) in the Canary Islands spotted me 4 times this afternoon. Otherwise no spots at all. Soon be QRT time.

Sunspots - Friday August 17th 2018

Solar flux is 68 today and the SSN remains 12 (low but not zero!). A=11 and K=2.

6m FT8 RX

Although on since breakfast, not much doing. Just EA1SI (1071km) in northern Spain spotted so far on 6m FT8. This could be Es or could be aircraft reflection.

UPDATE 0912z: Es I think. Now 5 stations spotted in 4 countries with best DX EA7HG (1644km) in southern Spain.

UPDATE 1935z: It definitely feels like the end of the Es season. 8 different in  5 countries spotted today on 6m FT8 RX today with best DX S01WS (3043km). Soon be QRT time.

QRT on all bands

The big switch has been pulled and I am now QRT on all bands until tomorrow.

Not sure what bands to try tomorrow. Maybe 6m FT8 RX and 10m WSPR TX.

There is still Es about, but not as much as a few months ago. The main problem now will be fewer stations on as they think the Es season has ended. With FT8, even short openings will be uncovered. Es might still be productive outside of the traditional Es season.

Surprises - NOT amateur radio

In many ways this has been a hard year with several people no longer with us or now living with terrible conditions.

At the same time, we have had the joy of some total surprises! There is little doubt that receiving a total surprise is a great joy. In past years, I have received things through the post. To this day, I have absolutely no idea who sent them. Grateful? You bet. It brings joy to the heart that there are some really kind people around. These are the unsung heroes who take pleasure in seeing other people happy. Thank you. Really, thank you.

If you want to bring joy into someone's life, send them a surprise!

New projects

Someone recently asked me if I had any plans for new projects. Well, at the moment, I have not given this too much thought.

I fancy trying 136 and 472kHz RX with a decent antenna in the form of an E-field probe in the garden in a quiet spot. Up to now I have only tried these bands with compromise antennas and it would be good to find out what I can copy with an EFP in a quiet spot in the garden. Maybe I shall not transmit on MF/LF this autumn and winter?

I also fancy a better try on 4m. This means erecting an antenna for the band as presently I have none. At this QTH I have never been on 4m. 4m FT8 and WSPR could be good.

It is years since I tried 23cm reception.

In the end it will probably be none of these!

Disappearing swifts (birds) - NOT amateur radio

About this time of year, swifts start to fly south. For a few months they are part of the British summer. They sleep and feed on the wing. The screaming swifts are a common summer sound.

Then you realise they are not here. I am sure we'll see more still, but they are moving south. By early September most will have gone. They winter south of the Sahara in Africa.

Funny how I treasure the day when the first swift of the year is seen. To me, it is a sign that life goes on. This year we seem to have had fewer swallows and house martins. Luckily here swift numbers have held up. Several people have erected swift nest boxes.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/