BREXIT - NOT amateur radio

At the moment, BREXIT, i.e the UK leaving the EU looks like a pigs dinner. By this I mean a right mess. I think all we ever wanted is the right to decide who can live and work here and free trade. Why has this to be so complicated?

The EU does a lot of trade with the UK and they are likely to want further concessions if we want to delay leaving. They want to prevent others leaving the EU. As I feel at the moment I feel like saying leave without a deal - and I actually voted to remain!

Personally, I think Theresa May, the UK Prime Minister, has made a right "pigs ear" of negotiating our exit. She has wasted 2 years and "fallen on her sword" The EU must think the UK is a soft touch. There is a big vote on the deal next Tuesday, which is likely to be rejected. What happens next is anyone's guess.

Yorkshire Pudding - NOT amateur radio

Traditionally Yorkshire Pudding was eaten as a separate savoury course before the main meal. It was designed to fill you up so less meat was needed at the main course. Our 7 year old granddaughter is now an expert and makes good Yorkshire Puddings! I love Yorkshire Pudding, especially with some gravy!

On 10m FT8 for the day

For about 30 minutes so far, I have been on 10m FT8. After an initial CQ call, I am now RX only. No spots yet.

UPDATE 1230z:  SM0MLZ (1381km) spotted.

UPDATE 1502z: No further spots. I think I'll QSY to 160m before it gets dark here.

160m FT8 overnight

Late yesterday evening, I QSYed to 160m FT8 RX. It was quite a decent night with 21 North Americans and 2 Caribbean stations spotted. Best DX spotted was AD5A (8002km) in Texas.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 overnight 

with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

Left 10m FT8 too soon?

It appears 10m was open to Brazil and even North America from Eire after I QSYed yesterday according to John, EI7GL's blog. 10m is a band of surprises, and openings to the USA at sunspot minimum just show how good the band can be when we least expect it. I don't know what antennas John uses on 10m, but I would be surprised if they are not at least 6dB better than mine!

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/2019/01/opening-to-usa-on-28-mhz-fri-11th-jan.html

Sunspots - Saturday January 12th 2019

Solar flux is 68 (lowest for a while) and the SSN 0.  A=6 and K=1.

We definitely are experiencing sunspot minimum conditions. It is usually some time after the minimum that we can be sure the minimum has been gone through. This because the solar numbers are smoothed and it can be bumpy with short-term ups and downs.

Back on 160m FT8 RX

After the evening on 630m (472kHz) WSPR, I have now returned to 160m FT8 RX for the overnight period. It turns out that staying on 630m WSPR overnight adds very few new stations. Already the first North American has been spotted on 160m FT8: WW1WW (5239km) in New Hampshire, USA and all over Europe.

Stations spotted here on 160m FT8 RX within 30 minutes!

QSY to 472kHz WSPR RX

About 20 minutes ago, I QSYed to 472kHz WSPR. It is still just light here, but obviously dark now in mainland Europe. So far this evening spots of 3 stations spotted with best DX DL7NN (873km). As before, using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

UPDATE 2300z: I have now QSYed to 160m FT8, but 14 unique stations spotted mon 472kHz WSPR this evening with best DX spotted being LA8AV (1035km).

Stations spotted on 472kHz WSPR this evening.

China Moon probes - NOT amateur radio

Apparently a couple of probes on the far side of the Moon have taken photos of each other. Being on the Moon's far side, all images have to be relayed by lunar orbiting satellites.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46836047

David Lammy MP on BREXIT - NOT amateur radio

Often we do not realise when we are being manipulated.

On Channel 4 News (a TV news) last night David Lammy MP made a lot of sense. You may not agree with his politics, but he spoke a great deal of sense in my view. If you are in the UK, I urge you to take a look. We desperately need political leaders there for the common good, and not there to "feather their own nests". Sadly, there is a dearth.