Let me start by saying I have not seen any very recent predictions.
The last I saw suggested the next minimum would be next year (2019) and cycle 25 would be similar to cycle 24. If you are aware of later, credible forecasts, please let us know.
Predicting how the sun will behave in the future is getting better, but the truth is no-one really knows. At best, these are educated guesses. For example, see the link below, which is full of journalistic hyperbolae and even managed to mix up the minimum between the last 2 cycles! Written by a student?
See https://www.universetoday.com/139833/are-we-witnessing-the-start-of-solar-cycle-25/
25 Sept 2018
UK Pound versus Euro - NOT amateur radio
We live in uncertain times in the UK. I guess the markets are waiting to see how BREXIT pans out.
If we end with a reasonable "divorce" I guess the UK Pound could appreciate in value. If we leave on bad terms, the Pound could fall.
At the moment the EU and UK are both playing hard, although expect last minute bargaining: it is in nobody's interest to part badly.
If only the EU had detected the signs that little UK is full up and did not want freedom of movement I expect we would still be in the club.
If we end with a reasonable "divorce" I guess the UK Pound could appreciate in value. If we leave on bad terms, the Pound could fall.
At the moment the EU and UK are both playing hard, although expect last minute bargaining: it is in nobody's interest to part badly.
If only the EU had detected the signs that little UK is full up and did not want freedom of movement I expect we would still be in the club.
2m FT8
So far 7 unique stations in 2 countries spotted so far on 2m FT8 RX.
Yet again my 2.5W QRP to my big-wheel omni CQ was widely spotted including by G7RAU (461km) on the Lizard in Cornwall. Just a QSO with G8ALS again.
UPDATE 1045z: Now 16 different stations in 4 countries on 2m FT8 RX with best DX DF7IW (612km). Omni antenna still.
UPDATE 1245z: 19 different stations in 4 countries today so far on 2m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1509z: Now 28 different stations in 4 countries spotted here today so far on 2m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1920z: EA1UR (1195km) in the north of Spain is currently the best DX on 2m FT8 RX. Pretty sure he is genuine as he is getting strong reports from relatively near Spanish stations. He is being widely received. Not sure if this is tropo, aircraft reflection, or a combination of both. Anyway, I am pretty sure this is among the best DX on 2m ever, excluding Es.
Yet again my 2.5W QRP to my big-wheel omni CQ was widely spotted including by G7RAU (461km) on the Lizard in Cornwall. Just a QSO with G8ALS again.
UPDATE 1045z: Now 16 different stations in 4 countries on 2m FT8 RX with best DX DF7IW (612km). Omni antenna still.
UPDATE 1245z: 19 different stations in 4 countries today so far on 2m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1509z: Now 28 different stations in 4 countries spotted here today so far on 2m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1920z: EA1UR (1195km) in the north of Spain is currently the best DX on 2m FT8 RX. Pretty sure he is genuine as he is getting strong reports from relatively near Spanish stations. He is being widely received. Not sure if this is tropo, aircraft reflection, or a combination of both. Anyway, I am pretty sure this is among the best DX on 2m ever, excluding Es.
 |
| Today's stations spotted on 2m FT8 RX |
472kHz WSPR last night
Using my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground I was spotted by 8 different stations with the furthermost being PA0EHG (296km).
Sunspots - Tuesday September 25th 2018
Solar flux is 67 today and the sunspot number remains 0. A=7 and K=3.
24 Sept 2018
472kHz WSPR
As a test, I am trying 472kHz WSPR using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground with WSJT-X V2.0 rc1 and 10mW ERP. On TX it seems to work with a spot from G8LCO (58km), although I have yet to spot anyone on RX.
UPDATE 2100z: F1AFJ (607km) now spotted on RX. G4ZFQ (203km) also spotting me on TX.
UPDATE 2124z: Several spots now.
UPDATE 2100z: F1AFJ (607km) now spotted on RX. G4ZFQ (203km) also spotting me on TX.
UPDATE 2124z: Several spots now.
WSJT-X V2.0 rc1
This is new software which I downloaded this evening. A brief CQ on 2m FT8 (2.5W to my omni antenna) resulted in no QSOs but was spotted in Devon and Cornwall, yet again, amongst other places. It seems to work, although nothing seen, as yet, on RX.
So far, no issues here with Windows 10.
UPDATE 2010z: First station spotted on RX with the new software - M0CDL (168km) NW Birmingham.
So far, no issues here with Windows 10.
UPDATE 2010z: First station spotted on RX with the new software - M0CDL (168km) NW Birmingham.
OFCOM - new board (bored?) members
Gosh! I get so excited reading this!
OFCOM has 2 new board members. Such thrilling news that I just had to share.
As far as I can tell, neither knows anything about radio technology. If I am wrong I'll happily eat humble pie. As I have said many times before, these days OFCOM seems only interested in money. Look at the attributes and career history of these two ladies.
See https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/latest/media/media-releases/2018/two-board-members-appointed
Bring back real enforcement and stop messing around!
OFCOM has 2 new board members. Such thrilling news that I just had to share.
As far as I can tell, neither knows anything about radio technology. If I am wrong I'll happily eat humble pie. As I have said many times before, these days OFCOM seems only interested in money. Look at the attributes and career history of these two ladies.
See https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/latest/media/media-releases/2018/two-board-members-appointed
Bring back real enforcement and stop messing around!
Country house window - NOT amateur radio
It is a very English scene, complete with creepers, roses and leaded windows. We are lucky to have this National Trust property and extensive grounds just a few miles away.
10m WSPR TX (500mW)
As the antenna is available, I am again on 10m WSPR TX (500mW,) although no-one has spotted me yet. I have been on for about 2 hours. This time last year I was widely spotted around Europe.
UPDATE 1652z: No spots of my 500mW WSPR beacon yet today.
UPDATE 1652z: No spots of my 500mW WSPR beacon yet today.
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