Sunspots - Sunday October 14th 2018

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 22. A=14 and K=2.

Abandoned boat? - NOT amateur radio

This boat was seen at Lakenheath Fen last week. It looks abandoned.  A lot of the lakes there were dried up as we have had little rain this summer.

Khashoggi disappearance - NOT amateur radio

It bothers me that the UK government wants to do business with Saudi Arabia and get them to fight wars on our behalf. In many ways this Middle East state appears out of step with values we hold dear.

The disappearance in Turkey of a critic of the regime makes us all the more suspicious. There may be an innocent explanation, but at the moment it looks murky.

In my view the current government is afraid of losing military contracts, so turns a blind eye on the kingdom's dirt. Moral high ground? We have none. The UK seems as bad as the rest.

472kHz WSPR last night

In the end, 5 stations spotted me and 10 stations were spotted here with best DX EA4GHB (1300km). An average night with my 10mW ERP and earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground on MF.

Unique stations spotted on 630m WSPR in last day

10m FT8 (mostly RX)

There is more activity on 10m FT8 than 10m WSPR. I think the shorter time periods help. So I am trying 10m FT8 today. So far, 3 stations spotted in 3 countries with best DX on 10m FT8 RX F1RAD 867km).

UPDATE 1228z: 6 stations in 4 countries spotted so far today on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1423z: Plenty of South Americans and the Falkland Isles coming through on 10m FT8 RX. It seems every day I try 10m FT8 I get real DX and this is near sunspot minimum! Best DX on 10m FT8 RX is VP8LP (12773km).

UPDATE  1452z: Even more South Americans and Falkland Is stations being spotted here now on 10m FT8. Sadly my 2.5W QRP CQ on 10m FT8 was spotted by no-one just now!

UPDATE 1529z: Currently 13 stations in South America spotted today on 10m FT8 RX.

Cambridge Bikes - NOT amateur radio

Yes, there are lots of bikes in Cambridge.

It is flat and the traffic can be bad, so people often use bikes to get around the city.

Sunspots - Saturday October 13th 2018

Solar flux is 71 today and the SSN 11. A=5 and K=1.

472kHz WSPR

Earlier this evening I swapped to 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP). Best DX on RX, so far, is EA4GHB(1300km). So far just 3 G spots of me.

FTSE below 7000 and BREXIT - NOT amateur radio

For some time now, the FTSE UK share index has been falling. It may recover or it could be a sign of market jitters. Many big pension funds depend on FTSE listed companies doing well.

I expect once the BREXIT outcome is clearer things will go one way or the other. A good BREXIT deal could result in a rebound in sterling. This depends on the UK parliament agreeing the deal.

If we leave without a deal, goodness knows what will happen. My gut feel is there will be some last minute bargaining, as no-one really want a bad deal.

Another royal wedding

Apparently the queen paid for the wedding, but we, Joe Public, paid for all the security. I am not sure where I stand on royalty. I guess as a brand it earns a few million, but I am against wealth and privilege when not earned. On the other hand I can't think of a suitable candidate for UK president! Most in public life are a shower.

Goodness only knows what will happen when the queen dies. No doubt this event has been rehearsed and rehearsed on the TV and radio channels. I guess it is bound to happen sometime soon, although her mum lived to a ripe old age.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-45827183 .