All quiet again - NOT amateur radio

My mother-in-law had an expression, "nice to see you, nice to see you go". Having had the grandchildren for a week, lovely though this is, I am exhausted! Totally. I guess we are older and have less energy these days. We love having them, but is also nice to be tidy again, and quiet.

Sunspots - Saturday October 27th 2018

Solar flux is 69 today and the SSN zero. A=6 and K=2. 

QSYed to 472kHz WSPR

All day, I have been on 2m FT8 with lots of stations spotted.

A few minutes ago I QSYed to MF WSPR (10mW ERP, 20% TX). M0FMT (51km) and PA0A (417km) were immediately spotted. My own signal was spotted by G4HPW (93km).

Parliamentary privilage - NOT amateur radio

In the UK members of parliament are able to name people under an ancient thing called "parliamentary privilege". Yesterday in the House of Lords a member named a person accused of sexual harassment.  This is dangerous. The person named may be innocent, yet his or her name is damned. Personally, I think this is wrong. Even if guilty, the facts should come out in a court of law and not before guilt is proved.

Bike time - NOT amateur radio

We are lucky to live at the end of a quiet close with few cars. When our grandchildren come they like to go on their bikes.

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.