Solar cycle 25 predictions

This quote is from http://www.solen.info/solar/polarfields/polar.html

"As of July 2018 the strength of the polar fields hints at a cycle 25 with a magnitude slightly stronger than that of cycle 24."

In a few years we will have a better idea. I hope they are right!

See also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cycle_25 . At the moment this doesn't say a lot, but I expect it will soon say a lot more.

Solar data for August available.

If you are interested in the solar data for last month and much more check out http://www.solen.info/solar/

10m FT8

For a change today, I think I am going to try 10m FT8. Activity on FT8 seems greater than WSPR, but the main Es season has ended, so I am unsure of the level of activity. I am about to turn things on (0815z). Although mostly RX I'll call CQ occasionally (2.5W).

UPDATE 0829z: Now active. Called CQ on 10m FT8, but no spots. So far, no-one else spotted. I live in hope!

UPDATE 0938z: Still no spots.

UPDATE 1124z: My CQ calls were not spotted. On RX 5 stations in 5 countries spotted with best DX 9A7JCY (1424km) in Croatia. I suspect this is Es. There seems more FT8 activity than WSPR. I think the 15 seconds (rather than 2 minutes for WSPR) TX period helps.

UPDATE 1451z: Now 14 stations in 10 countries spotted today on 10m FT8 RX. Most look like Es. Best DX spotted is YO2CI (1681km).

UPDATE 1817z: Now 15 stations in 10 countries spotted today on 10m FT8. There is still Es about!

UPDATE 1937z: Quite late this evening 3 Brazilians were spotted on 10m FT8. Best DX was PP5BK (10114km). Considering conditions as we approach sunspot minimum are the pits, this was a total surprise on 10m FT8 RX. I shall probably try 10m FT8 again tomorrow.

Sunspots - Sunday September 2nd 2018

The slow plod to the sunspot minimum continues.

Solar flux is still 67 and the SSN still 0. A=5 and K=1.

Rally and Buildathon - too late?

The following has only just been seen. It was rather late coming to me, and is included for completeness today being Sept 1st!

1 SEPTEMBER 2018 : G-QRP CLUB AND TELFORD & DISTRICT ARS BUILDATHON
Telford at the Park Inn Hotel, Telford, TF3 4NA. Steve Hartley G0FUW is leading the Bath style 'Buildathon' which this year features a design by Heather. M0HMO described as an 'HF Swiss Army Knife', a small digital, very portable device that will measure VSWR, RF power, DC voltage, resistance, continuity, HF frequency, GPS (Lat/long, Maidenhead and OS Grid ref) and more, for around £20. The Buildathon venue opens from 7pm and Heather recommends pre-booking for the project by calling her on 0780 254 8938 or email heather@myorangedragon.com . Bookings for a concessionary overnight stay at the Buildathon venue can be made directly to the Park Inn Hotel on 01952 429988, ASAP, making mention of the GQRP Radio event. Further information at www.telfordhamfest.org.uk.

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

Syncing atomic clocks

There is a chance that WWVB on 60kHz will disappear next year as the genius decrees. Amateur Radio Weekly has a link to an article about using GPS to derive accurate timing.

See https://www.anishathalye.com/2016/12/26/micro-wwvb/?utm_source=amateur-radio-weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter

Gone? - NOT amateur radio

It is some days now since I saw a swift. They are one of the first summer migrant birds to leave. I expect there are a few stragglers, but most have now gone.

I read last week that 51 cattle egrets were seen together in South Devon. Some of these must now be breeding in the UK. I expect in 20 years they will be a common UK sight.

Norwich, Norfolk, UK - NOT amateur radio

Today, we went by train to Norwich. It has a fine Norman cathedral built almost 1000 years ago with stone brought all the way from Caen in France. This beggars belief. No power tools, no power boats, just hard labour.

We love Norwich. It is one of the few cities I could live in.

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

My little 10m WSPR beacon is active, but no spots of my signal so far. Will this be another blank day?

UPDATE 1945z: No spots again all day today on 10m WSPR. Now QRT. I only use 10m WSPR as the antenna is available and the beacon does not use the PC. When on 2m or 6m, I might as well try 10m WSPR, although I guess to be spotted by anyone now is a thrill!

2m FT8 RX

Since breakfast, I have been on 2m FT8 RX. So far, just a couple of Fs with best DX on FT8 RX F5CBU (454km) in Brittany.

UPDATE 1551z:  Best DX on 2m FT8 RX today is DJ1AN (627km) in Lower Saxony, Germany. 12 stations in 5 countries spotted so far today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1642z: Now 33 stations spotted in 7 countries today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1946z: Now QRT. Plenty of choice DX spotted, although this seems available every day. With FT8, I copy DX I only dreamt about in the past.