Stroke update - NOT amateur radio

It is 5 years since my stroke. Although compared with many I am quite lucky, I still feel far from right. Outwardly I look well and few realise how I really am. Some would call this a hidden disability. I feel sorry for others who look well on the outside, but inside feel very different.

The latest thing is clumsiness. Now this may be my stroke or just getting older, but I feel more clumsy than I did. This last few months have been particularly hard. Driving has always been harder, but now I avoid driving whenever I can.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/stroke .

QRPclub Vestnik magazine

The latest online magazine of the QRPclub is now available. Although mostly in Russian, you may be able to translate it using Google Translate or similar. The schematic will still be understandable as will the tables.

See http://club72.su/vestnik/qv15.pdf

Latest solar data

The latest solar numbers have been published and these still think we are at the minimum. Time will tell. If we are at the minimum, conditions should be not as bad this time next year. It usually takes several years to climb to the next peak.

See www.solen.info/solar .

"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."  From the site linked above. We live in hope!

Another site (NOAA) seems to suggest we have a lot longer to endure! Maybe all of 2019 at least.

See https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/predicted-sunspot-number-and-radio-flux

Sunspots - Sunday December 2nd 2018

Solar flux is 69 today and the SSN zero. A=8 and K=2.

Now on 160m FT8

As 10m FT8 was dire, I have QSYed to 160m FT8. As I was using an old "rc" version of WSJT-X 2.0 I have upgraded to rc5. Until others do so, I expect to copy many stations that don't decode.

UPDATE 1553z:  No decodes although plenty of stations. I guess few have upgraded yet!

UPDATE 2235z:  Just a couple of decodes, probably as few have upgraded. Plenty of stations on the screen. Will leave the RX on overnight "just in case", although until many more upgrade I doubt I'll get any more spots.

New version of FT8

Older "release candidate" versions of WSJT-X 2.0 ceased to work as from today. The latest version is "rc5" which is expected to be very close to the released version due soon.

With "rc5" a new protocol has been introduced. If people are using older "rc" versions FT8 signals will be treated as noise and will not decode. On 160m I have seen several signals already that have not decoded.

So, it is important that FT8 users upgrade right away to WSJT-X 2.0 rc5. Do it now!!

See http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/wsjtx.html

The Moon and Mars - NOT amateur radio

It seems amazing that man first went to the Moon in 1969, even before I had started work. Whether I will ever again see man on the Moon, or even Mars, in my lifetime is uncertain. It would not surprise me if the Chinese did it first!

I see the USA is looking for commercial companies to get involved, presumably to save money.

See https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-announces-new-partnerships-for-commercial-lunar-payload-delivery-services

2m DXing

Amateur Radio Weekly has a piece this week about a recent tropo opening in the UK. Apparently most were using FT8 with very few stations on SSB. This is a sad reflection of how things are today. I am as guilty as any, sticking on FT8 most days because activity is concentrated and FT8 works with weak signals.

What is happening with FT8 is similar to the demise of traditional shops and banks. Many find shopping on-line is easier and better.

Christmas Fayre - NOT amateur radio

Every year, there is a Christmas Fayre in our village hall. As usual, there were lots of stalls and lots of people. Local things. As we are now in December, this is fine. If they held this in October, I would boycott it!

All quiet again - NOT amateur radio

The old friends that were staying here have now left, so the house is quiet again. It's funny how some people are "easy" guests who just make themselves at home. These old friends are like that. If they wasn't a cup of tea they will just make one. We like that.