6 Apr 2019
Sunspots - Saturday April 6th 2019
Solar flux is 72 today, but the sunspot number is again 0. A=14 and K=3
5 Apr 2019
472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP)
OK, I am a masochist! Overnight I am again on 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground). Within a few minutes I have been spotted by 3 stations and spotted 1. I doubt there will be many more!
UPDATE 1927z: Now 4 stations spotting me with best DX PA0O (440km).
UPDATE 1927z: Now 4 stations spotting me with best DX PA0O (440km).
Tan House - NOT amateur radio
This is probably the loveliest house and garden in our village. Before we came to the village it was the home of the Right Honourable Sir Francis Pym who was UK Foreign Secretary at some point.
I remember seeing him in his office at the Houses of Parliament and was surprised to see a model cruise missile on his desk. In person, he was a very approachable person, although politically we were poles apart.
6m FT8 - soon
With the Es season just a few weeks away, I shall have to start monitoring 6m FT8 again. Last year a surprising array of countries and continents was spotted.
Last year I just sat the RX on 50.313MHz USB. Unless the frequencies have changed, I shall do the same this year, probably starting next week.
It means the HF antenna is free for 10m WSPR, or 10m SSB or CW QSOs.
Last year I just sat the RX on 50.313MHz USB. Unless the frequencies have changed, I shall do the same this year, probably starting next week.
It means the HF antenna is free for 10m WSPR, or 10m SSB or CW QSOs.
10m FT8
For about 15 minutes I have been on 10m FT8 calling CQ (2.5W) initially, then RX only. Guess what? No spots given or received.
UPDATE 1019z: Still no spots, although I see that a couple of Gs were spotted earlier that did not get uploaded to PSKreporter, perhaps as a result of losing internet connection?
UPDATE 1242z: Just a single G spot so far - G8UBJ (108km).
UPDATE 1609z: Just 3 Gs spotted all day on 10m FT8.
UPDATE 1908z: Real DX at last! VP8LP (12773km) spotted on 10m FT8 earlier.
UPDATE 1019z: Still no spots, although I see that a couple of Gs were spotted earlier that did not get uploaded to PSKreporter, perhaps as a result of losing internet connection?
UPDATE 1242z: Just a single G spot so far - G8UBJ (108km).
UPDATE 1609z: Just 3 Gs spotted all day on 10m FT8.
UPDATE 1908z: Real DX at last! VP8LP (12773km) spotted on 10m FT8 earlier.
472kHz WSPR overnight
I was going to give up on 472kHz now the "season" is drawing to a close, but I weakened and went on 472kHz WSPR overnight. Again, more spotted me than I spotted. suggesting some are leaving the band now.
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472kHz WSPR here in the last day on
the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.
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Hackers back - NOT amateur radio
Usually early in the month visits to my blogs suddenly shoot up. It would be good to think people were suddenly interested in my blogs and this accounts for why I have already had more visitors than all day yesterday.
Sadly this not the case, and, like many bloggers, I get the occasional "probe" by hackers looking for vulnerabilities so some malicious code can be installed to steal bank details or similar from vulnerable people who click the links. Hopefully they will decide to look elsewhere soon.
I change passwords regularly to avoid these issues, but if you suddenly see odd things, you know why. As a rule never ever click links if you are unsure where it takes you. Hover over the link to see what the URL is. If it is odd, go away.
Sadly this not the case, and, like many bloggers, I get the occasional "probe" by hackers looking for vulnerabilities so some malicious code can be installed to steal bank details or similar from vulnerable people who click the links. Hopefully they will decide to look elsewhere soon.
I change passwords regularly to avoid these issues, but if you suddenly see odd things, you know why. As a rule never ever click links if you are unsure where it takes you. Hover over the link to see what the URL is. If it is odd, go away.
4 Apr 2019
Return to 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP)
As usual, I am on 472kHz WSPR with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Within a few minutes of switch-on a couple of stations were spotting me. I have not spotted anyone else as yet.
UPDATE 2120z: So far this evening I have been spotted by 5 stations with best DX a spot by PA0O (440km). I have spotted 3 stations with best DX LA8AV (1035km).
UPDATE 2120z: So far this evening I have been spotted by 5 stations with best DX a spot by PA0O (440km). I have spotted 3 stations with best DX LA8AV (1035km).
BREXIT - NOT amateur radio
However you voted in the 2016 referendum on leaving the EU we can all agree on something. The last few years have been very badly handled by the UK and EU politicians.
In the UK, surely we should have agreed our position (across all shades of opinion) before triggering Article 50 to signal our intention to leave the EU. In my view, the UK Prime Minister has lost a great deal of credibility over BREXIT. Yes, she has a hard job, but she should learn to listen!
Surely the EU would realise the Irish border would be a sticking point and they should have done far more to assuage fears over being trapped in the EU for years and years. Clearly there is an element of sour grapes and punishment involved. Mind you, I can well understand that the EU is frustrated with the UK.
No, overall I am not at all impressed.
In the UK, surely we should have agreed our position (across all shades of opinion) before triggering Article 50 to signal our intention to leave the EU. In my view, the UK Prime Minister has lost a great deal of credibility over BREXIT. Yes, she has a hard job, but she should learn to listen!
Surely the EU would realise the Irish border would be a sticking point and they should have done far more to assuage fears over being trapped in the EU for years and years. Clearly there is an element of sour grapes and punishment involved. Mind you, I can well understand that the EU is frustrated with the UK.
No, overall I am not at all impressed.
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