Ely - NOT amateur radio

Today it rained. The weather is so different from a few weeks ago when it was very hot.

This afternoon we went to Ely to Oliver Cromwell's house and to the Almonry Tea Rooms which has been serving refreshments since the 1200s! Thankfully the scones were not that old.

This is my wife and 2 of our grandchildren looking bright on a dull day. In the background is Ely Cathedral.

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

Although I have been on 10m WSPR TX since mid-morning, not a single spot all day. I get the feeling the main Es season has ended. Although we can expect some Es still, it is likely to be less common now until next spring.

UPDATE 1915z: Still no spots today.

6m FT8 RX

At long last I am back on 6m FT8 RX. So far just UK spots and no real DX.

UPDATE 1645z: Just UK spots today including some North Sea /MM spots from "wet" squares.

UPDATE 1807z: DX at last! TF3ML (1785km) in Iceland.

Sunspots - Sunday August 26th 2018

Solar flux 70 and the SSN 31. A=11 and K=7.

NOT on 6m and 10m

As we have grandchildren staying I have not been on 6m and 10m.  I may get a chance later.

UPDATE 1852z: No chance!

WWWB shutdown?

Amateur Radio Weekly reports that President Trump has announced the possible shutdown of WWWB next year. Perhaps he doesn't realise that about 50 million devices in the USA use this to synchronise time.

Another decision by a genius?

See https://swling.com/blog/2018/08/synchronizing-atomic-clocks-final-tock-time-may-no-longer-be-synchronous/?utm_source=amateur-radio-weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter

Picking blackberries - NOT amateur radio

We have all four grandchildren with us at the moment. Next door's blackberries didn't stand a chance!

More UK Rallies

27 AUGUST 2018 : HUNTINGDONSHIRE ARS ANNUAL RALLY

Ernulf Academy, Barford Rd, St Neots, PE19 2SH. Talk-in with GX0HSR on 145.550MHz, free parking, admission £3, doors open 9am (traders 7am), hot meals and drinks on site, ice cream van, RSGB Bookstall, Bring and Buy, fine weather booked! M0OLG, 01480 214 282, events@hunts-hams.co.uk.


26 AUGUST 2018 : TORBAY ARS ANNUAL COMMUNICATIONS FAIR

The Racecourse, Newton Road, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 3AF. Indoor event, free parking, disabled facilities, accessible by public transport. Bring-and-buy sale, catering, RSGB Book Stall, special interest groups, trade stands, prize draw/raffle. Contact Mike, G1TUU, 01803 557 941, rally@tars.org.uk.

26 AUGUST 2018 : MILTON KEYNES ARS 60th ANNIVERSARY RALLY

Irish Centre, Manor Field, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK2 2HZ. Doors open at 9.30am, admission £3. Hot & cold food available. Contact Francis Hennigan, 2E0FMK, rally@mkars.org.uk. www.mkars.org.uk/rally.


A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

Sunspots - Saturday August 25th 2018

Solar flux is 71 and the sunspot number 26. A=5 and K=1.

Eating out - NOT amateur radio

Last night , the last night with our friend on the Wirral, we treated our good old friend to a meal out. Here he is tucking into his main course. He still found space for a dessert.