Sunspots - Saturday March 30th 2019

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN 0. A=7 and K=2. Still pits!

2m FT8

For about an hour I have been in 2m FT8. After first calling CQ (2.5W) 6 spots with best DX GI6ATZ (478km). Yet again my QRP was spotted in Northern Ireland and Cornwall. On RX the best DX is DF6PW (673km). 2m FT8 is amazing.

UPDATE 1950z: 23 stations in 5 countries so far this evening on 2m FT8 RX.

Norwich - NOT amateur radio

Today we went by car to Ely and then by train to Norwich. Norwich is a fine city with a great Norman cathedral and a good market. It is place we like a lot.

OFCOM and gender pay gap

OFCOM has published details of its survey of the gender pay gap.

See https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/what-is-ofcom/corporate-responsibility/diversity-and-equality . It is narrowing, but still there.

472kHz WSPR

Last night, I was again on 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP). I think the season is drawing to a close. In the end I spotted 6 stations and 6 stations spotted me.

472kHz WSPR overnight

10m FT8 RX

Despite the poor solar numbers, I am on 10m FT8 RX after a brief CQ call (no spots).

UPDATE 1740z: Just a couple of G spots today on 10m FT8. Dire!

Sunspots - Friday March 29th 2019

Solar flux is a poor 67 and the sunspot number 0. A=11 and K=2.

472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP)

With nothing at all on FT8, I have QSYed to 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP). G8LCO (58km) has already spotted me.

UPDATE 2300: 4 spots so far of me with best DX PA0O (440km). Interesting again that more stations are copying me that I am copying others. This was the same the last time I was on 472kHz WSPR. It suggests many are leaving the band now that we are in spring. Most DX possible has already be worked, so people are turning to new challenges perhaps?

Stations that have spotted my 10mW ERP 

so far this evening on 472kHz WSPR

, 

472kHz FT8 (not WSPR)

As an experiment, I am on 472kHz FT8 (10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground). If I spot anyone at all I shall be amazed and if I have a QSO I shall be doubly amazed!

UPDATE 1940z: No 472kHz FT8 spots at all. Assuming nothing changes, I shall move to WSPR at 2000z.

Mother's Day - NOT amateur radio

It seems that our local Waitrose is gearing up for Mother's Day on Sunday. I guess (being a cynic) they see a quick profit.