BREXIT - NOT amateur radio

It is true that I have mixed feelings about BREXIT, the UK's departure from the EU at the end of the month (maybe).

There is no doubt being in the EU is good for trade. Also, the EU exports more to the UK than we export to the EU. There is little doubt in my mind that the EU is bureaucratic. The EU will miss our money in the pot. There is a danger the EU will fall apart.

Nonetheless, I voted "remain" in the referendum. It was a close thing though. What appalled me was the information on both sides leading up to the referendum and the time it has taken to not reach an agreement that suits the EU and the UK.  Personally, I think the UK and the EU have made a right "dog's dinner"  of the negotiations.  The EU is scared of the UK being better off outside the club and the UK Prime Minister is afraid of fragmenting her party.

Personally I have little time for President Trump and I had little time for Mrs Thatcher, but I bet both would have given Mr Junker a run for his money.

The UK wants to leave the EU honourably.  It seems, to me at least, that the EU is running scared and wants to punish the UK for having the audacity to leave. What would have been far far better would have been for the UK to have had a loose link with the EU, but still be master of its own fate.

Anniversary - NOT amateur radio

My wife and I met 51 years ago at university. Men had still to land on the moon! This was 1968 and we wonder where the years have flown.

Milk every moment.

This was at an Italian restaurant in a nearby village that does an excellent fixed price menu. As always, the service was perfect.

See http://www.ilpiccolomondo.co.uk/

Solar report - still awaiting update

As mentioned yesterday (I think) I am awaiting the latest solar forecast updates with interest. The one below is usually updated within a couple of days of the start of a new month, so accurate February data should be available imminently.

When I last looked (March 1st 1115z) it had not been updated. It will be interesting to see what Jan makes of the solar minimum data.

See http://www.solen.info/solar/ .

Earth-electrode "antennas"

As you may know, I have had great success on VLF to beyond 160m with this structure. DK7FC has used such antennas down to ELF! A copy of my blog, which shows quite a bit about my experiments, is available as a .pdf. I think you have to join this Facebook group first, although the blog is also available here.

These experiments were at the old QTH, although I use this here too on 472kHz and 1.84MHz. At 137kHz it worked pretty well last year here. It has even been used on higher frequencies, although if my "loop" theory is correct it should be far less effective as the frequency is increased.

Sunspots - Friday March 1st 2019

Solar flux is 70 today and the SSN 0 still. A=26 and K=5.

10m FT8 RX

Not yet checked the solar conditions, but I am not expecting much on 10m today! Since breakfast time, I have been on 10m FT8 RX. As yet, no spots.

UPDATE 1122z: Absolutely no 10m FT8 RX spots here so far.

UPDATE 1435z: Just EA7KR (1804km) spotted today on 10m FT8 so far. Pretty dire!

UPDATE 1821z:  2E1RDX (139km) also spotted. Just 2 spots all day. 😕 Time to QSY to 1.84MHz.

SSTV on Oscar 100

Last night I got an e-mail from David G0LRD, who has been getting some good SSTV signals back from Oscar 100, the geosynchronous satellite. I reproduce his letter and photos here. Thank you David.

"Hi Roger

Here are a few images I captured from the satellite (80cm dish, GPS-locked LNB, SDRPlay).

The two test cards were analogue SSTV, the other two were digital SSTV  (KG-STC software, Info here: http://www.g0hwc.com/kg-stv-english.html) 

Feel free to re-use if you wish.

73 David G0LRD "

Rally on Sunday

Sunday 3 MARCH : EXETER RADIO & ELECTRONICS RALLY

America Hall, De la Rue Way, Pinhoe, Exeter EX4 8PW. Doors open at 10.30am (10.15am for disabled visitors). Admission £2 (under 16s free). There will be trade stands, Bring & Buy (book in from 10.15am), and catering will be available. Details from Pete, G3ZVI on 07714 198374 or g3zvi@yahoo.co.uk.

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

Still on 2m FT8 RX

Overnight and this morning, I am still on 2m FT8 RX with the best DX this morning being DG2BCP (597km) on RX. So far today, 19 stations in 7 countries already spotted on 2m FT8 with the big-wheel omni antenna.

UPDATE 1800z: 47 stations spotted today on 2m with best DX DK1FG (815km).

Sunspots - Thursday February 28th 2019

Unless I am mistaken, this was a spotless month. Solar flux is 70 and the SSN still zero. A=10 and K=2.

I shall be interested to see the latest predictions for solar minimum. To me, it looks like we are just bouncing along the minimum, so it will be interesting to read what the experts think.