Remote control of the IC-R30 scanner

Southgate News reports that the software to remotely control the IC-R30 scanner can now be obtained free of charge.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/october/rs-r30-remote-control-software.htm#.W8Rn1vZFy00

Repeater Activity

Some while ago, I bought a network radio, which means I can access lots of repeaters via Echolink.

Now, I am not a great repeater user, but it is noticeable how quiet these are compared with 20-30 years ago. This seems to be worldwide issue.

I guess these days there are other ways to communicate if at home and there are fewer amateurs driving to work than 30 odd years ago. I also think roads are busier, so people have to concentrate on the traffic more.

10m FT8

Yet again, I have decided to go on 10m FT8 for the day. An earlier 2.5W CQ was spotted by no-one!

On RX just one station copied so far, probably by aircraft reflection (but it could be tropo) F8NHF (297km).

UPDATE 1515z: 26 Europeans spotted so far on 10m FT8 RX, but no South Americans.

UPDATE 1518z: The first South American has just been spotted on 10m FT8 RX! PY1VOY (9365km).

UPDATE 1620z: Loads of South Americans plus St Helena spotted on 10m FT8 RX with best DX LU7XZ (13366km).

10m FT8 RX today to 1620z

UPDATE 1740z: 28 South Americans spotted already on 10m FT8 RX!!

Overnight on 472kHz WSPR

Not a bad night, but not brilliant either. In all, 11 others spotted and my 10mW ERP was spotted by 6 stations.

Homework Time - NOT amateur radio

One of our grandchildren busy doing maths homework yesterday in our kitchen.

Sunspots - Monday October 15th 2018

Solar flux is 71 today and the sunspot number 22. A=6 and K=2.

472kHz WSPR

After, yet another, great day on 10m FT8 RX, I have QSYed to 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP). So far, average.

The spots on 472kHz WSPR with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground up to 2032z this evening are shown below.

Grandchildren - NOT amateur radio

We have had two of our grandchildren here this weekend.

This is one of my granddaughters having a cuddle on the settee in the lounge. It is wet outside.

They are growing up all too fast. In a few years she will not want to do this.

10m FT8

Although I am on 10m FT8 for the day, so far only 1 G spotted, although it is early.

UPDATE  1400z: Several Europeans now plus South America and Newfoundland amazingly!

UPDATE 1458z: No further South Americans spotted yet on 10m FT8 RX. I suppose the reception of VO1HP (3744km) earlier only proves the band was "open" in that direction briefly, perhaps just 15 seconds, but at least this proves there was propagation. Without FT8 this would probably not have been possible. FT8 works with weak signals, is widely monitored and all activity is concentrated in a few kilohertz of the band.

UPDATE 1502z: 4 continents spotted today already on 10m FT8 RX at close to the sunspot minimum. Imagine the next maximum on 10m FT8!

UPDATE 1845z: Lots and lots of South Americans now coming through with LU8XAF (13414km) as the best DX on 10m FT8 RX.

472kHz WSPR overnight

Not a bad night. I was spotted by 8 stations (10mW ERP) and I spotted 10 stations.