2 Nov 2018
UK Pound v. Euro - NOT amateur radio
Volatility. This best sums up the situation. Recently, the Pound has been clawing back some of its recent losses against the Euro, although until BREXIT is sorted we can expect big swings up and down.
Solar conditions
Every month I look out for the solar numbers for the last month and the latest forecasts for solar cycle 25, especially to see the latest "expert" views on the timing of the minimum and the size of the next peak. The best place I find is http://www.solen.info/solar/.
Although the "experts" are saying we are already at, or very near, solar minimum, the graphs could be interpreted as the minimum continuing for another year or so. If you know of better predictions, please let us know.
According to http://www.solen.info/solar/cycle25_spots.html the minimum is expected to be between August 2018 and February 2019 i.e. now.
"As of September 2018 the strength of the polar fields hints at a cycle 25 with a magnitude slightly stronger than that of cycle 24." This is a quote from the above website.
Although the "experts" are saying we are already at, or very near, solar minimum, the graphs could be interpreted as the minimum continuing for another year or so. If you know of better predictions, please let us know.
According to http://www.solen.info/solar/cycle25_spots.html the minimum is expected to be between August 2018 and February 2019 i.e. now.
"As of September 2018 the strength of the polar fields hints at a cycle 25 with a magnitude slightly stronger than that of cycle 24." This is a quote from the above website.
472kHz WSPR
Overnight was only average.
On 472kHz WSPR RX 16 stations spotted with LA1TN (1269km) as the best DX. On TX just 6 stations (all in England) spotted my 10mW ERP.
On 472kHz WSPR RX 16 stations spotted with LA1TN (1269km) as the best DX. On TX just 6 stations (all in England) spotted my 10mW ERP.
Young swans - NOT amateur radio
10m FT8
An earlier CQ (2.5W) was spotted by no-one and just a single spot, so far, on FT8 RX of PA2RG (318km). I suspect this was aircraft reflection although it could be tropo.
UPDATE 1642z: Just 3 stations spotted in 3 countries on 10m FT8 today with best DX 9A7JCY (1424km) in Croatia. Dire! For me at least, this has been a bad 10m day.
UPDATE 1642z: Just 3 stations spotted in 3 countries on 10m FT8 today with best DX 9A7JCY (1424km) in Croatia. Dire! For me at least, this has been a bad 10m day.
Sunspots - Friday November 2nd 2018
The pits!
I cannot recall when solar conditions have been this bad since the last solar minimum around 2008. Solar flux is just 66 and the sunspot number zero. A=5 and K=2. Hopefully we will soon see the start of cycle 25 and somewhat better numbers.
I cannot recall when solar conditions have been this bad since the last solar minimum around 2008. Solar flux is just 66 and the sunspot number zero. A=5 and K=2. Hopefully we will soon see the start of cycle 25 and somewhat better numbers.
1 Nov 2018
472kHz WSPR
Last night was probably the best here this season with 20 stations spotted and my own 10mW ERP signal was spotted by 11 stations.
As 10m FT8 was dire today, I have already decided to QSY to 472kHz WSPR.
UPDATE 2200z: In the last 2 weeks, 30 different stations in 6 countries have been spotted with EA7HPM (1726km) as the best DX. My own 10mW ERP has been spotted by 20 different stations with the most distant being LA3EQ (769km). My only "antenna" is the earth-electrodes about 10m apart with just a low wire running back to the shack. At the old QTH running the wire on the ground made very little difference. In my view this acts as a loop in the ground at MF.
As 10m FT8 was dire today, I have already decided to QSY to 472kHz WSPR.
UPDATE 2200z: In the last 2 weeks, 30 different stations in 6 countries have been spotted with EA7HPM (1726km) as the best DX. My own 10mW ERP has been spotted by 20 different stations with the most distant being LA3EQ (769km). My only "antenna" is the earth-electrodes about 10m apart with just a low wire running back to the shack. At the old QTH running the wire on the ground made very little difference. In my view this acts as a loop in the ground at MF.
Rallies
Saturday 3 NOVEMBER : VERON Ham Radio Convention (Dag voor de RadioAmateur 2018)
IJsselhallen, Rieteweg 4, 8011 AB, Zwolle, Netherlands. 9.30am to 5pm, €9.00 entry fee, free to Under 16s. Tickets available on the door from 9am. On-site Car Parking €5.00. The organising committee of the Dutch Radio Society (VERON) created an attractive programme. Besides the official part, the 'Radio Amateur of 2017' will be announced, and several lectures will be given. There will be a homebrew exhibition, demonstrations and measuring facilities, the AMRATO (Amateur radio equipment sales), and the VERON Components market (flea market). Several commissions, working groups & associated societies are also presenting, and there will be a Youth Zone to inform youngsters about techniques and the many aspects of our hobby.
4 NOVEMBER 2018 CANCELLED : WEST LONDON RADIO & ELECTRONICS SHOW (Kempton Rally)
Sunday 4 NOVEMBER : BUSHVALLEY ARC ANNUAL RADIO RALLY
United Services Club, 8 Roe Mill Road, Limavady, Co Londonderry BT49 9DF. Doors open from 11am to 4pm with disabled visitors gaining access at 10.50am. Admittance is £3. There will be an auction, trade stands, a Bring & Buy, RSGB Book Stall and Special Interest Groups. A Talk-In station will be on the air. Catering is available on site. Contact Jason Smyth, MI3UIW, 07793 314 313, jason.smyth@pepsico.com.
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rall
IJsselhallen, Rieteweg 4, 8011 AB, Zwolle, Netherlands. 9.30am to 5pm, €9.00 entry fee, free to Under 16s. Tickets available on the door from 9am. On-site Car Parking €5.00. The organising committee of the Dutch Radio Society (VERON) created an attractive programme. Besides the official part, the 'Radio Amateur of 2017' will be announced, and several lectures will be given. There will be a homebrew exhibition, demonstrations and measuring facilities, the AMRATO (Amateur radio equipment sales), and the VERON Components market (flea market). Several commissions, working groups & associated societies are also presenting, and there will be a Youth Zone to inform youngsters about techniques and the many aspects of our hobby.
4 NOVEMBER 2018 CANCELLED : WEST LONDON RADIO & ELECTRONICS SHOW (Kempton Rally)
Sunday 4 NOVEMBER : BUSHVALLEY ARC ANNUAL RADIO RALLY
United Services Club, 8 Roe Mill Road, Limavady, Co Londonderry BT49 9DF. Doors open from 11am to 4pm with disabled visitors gaining access at 10.50am. Admittance is £3. There will be an auction, trade stands, a Bring & Buy, RSGB Book Stall and Special Interest Groups. A Talk-In station will be on the air. Catering is available on site. Contact Jason Smyth, MI3UIW, 07793 314 313, jason.smyth@pepsico.com.
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rall
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