France and 60m

According to Southgate News, France will soon grant access to the WRC 60m allocation. At some point I hope the UK gets access.  Oh look, there goes another flying pig!! OFCOM - say no more.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/october/france-ham-radio-exams-and-60m-band.htm#.W9Mbq_ZFy00

Overnight on 472kHz WSPR

Not a bad night with several new spots this season. In all, 13 stations spotted on 472kHz WSPR RX. My best spot (of my 10mW ERP) was by GM4OAS (653km).

472kHz WSPR TX last night

472kHz WSPR RX last night

Sunspots - Friday October 26th 2018

Solar flux is 69 today and the sunspot number zero. A=6 and K=2. It feels like sunspot minimum!

2m FT8

Inspired by G8OFA, I am today on 2m FT8. An earlier, brief, CQ (2.5W to the omni) was spotted in northern France and by some UK stations.

So far today, 20 stations spotted in 6 countries with best DX OK1FD (857km).

UPDATE 1137z: On 2m FT8 RX so far today, 34 stations in 7 countries spotted.

UPDATE 1400z: Now 40 stations spotted in 7 countries on 2m FT8 RX.

472kHz WSPR

Today, 10m was dire here, so I QSYed to 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP, 20%) earlier than normal.  M0FMT (51km) is a new one for this season on 472kHz WSPR RX.

Early Halloween party - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday I mentioned that school starts again before Halloween, so an early party at Granny and Grampy was called for. We had this tonight along with silly games. They still love it, although we know these days will soon pass.

Rally

Saturday 27 OCTOBER : ESSEX CW ARC CW BOOT CAMP

3rd Witham Scout & Guide HQ, Rear of Spring Lodge Community Centre, Powers Hall End, Witham, Essex CM8 2HE. Doors open at 8.30am for registration and the event runs from 9am to 4.30pm. Parking is free. Entry £10 with free sausage rolls, drinks, cakes. Contact Andy, G0IBN 0745 342 6087 g0ibn1@yahoo.com.

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

10m FT8 again

After a night on 472kHz (630m) WSPR, I have again gone on 10m FT8 but no spots on RX or TX as yet.

UPDATE 1551z: No spots still.

Sunspots - Thursday October 25th 2018

Solar flux is 69 and the sunspot number zero. A=3 and K=0.

Now on 472kHz WSPR

All the DX on 10m seems to have stopped, so I have QSYed to 472kHz WSPR. All being well, I shall be on until breakfast (20% TX, 10mW ERP, earth-electrode "antenna"). As of now, just a couple of spots of me and none of others.

UPDATE 2107z:  5 unique spots of others with best DX IW4DXW (1190km).