Who is looking? - NOT amateur radio

For some time now, the map on my monitoring page for this blog has not been working, at least not on this browser. It now seems to be working again, although the number of visits shown on the map seems to bare no resemblance to the number of visits shown elsewhere.

160m FT8

At about 2012z I QSYed to 160m FT8. My 2.5W CQ was spotted by no-one at all and on 160m FT8 RX 8 stations in 7 countries spotted so far, all EU. As before, using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. This seems to match and work well at 160m. In the "DX season" plenty of transatlantic DX has been spotted on 160m FT8. Best DX this evening, so far, is UT9EZ (2471km).

UPDATE 2149z: Now 38 stations in 12 countries spotted tonight on 160m FT8 RX. All EU. Best DX remains the UT9.

6m FT8

Just before lunch, I QSYed to 6m FT8. My 2.5W CQ was spotted by 4 Gs, although no QSOs resulted. So far, 106 stations spotted this afternoon on 6 FT8 RX, many by Es.

6m FT8 spots today to 1523z

UPDATE 1523z: Now 125 stations spotted this afternoon on 6m FT8 RX with the best DX being SV2JL (2150km). Clearly lots of Es.

UPDATE 1952z: Now 179 spots on 6m FT8 RX with best DX EA8ZT (2983km) in the Canary Is.

Chelsea Flower Show - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday I mentioned how brilliant the flowers were. This is another photo taken yesterday.

BREXIT - NOT amateur radio

Whatever your views on BREXIT are we can all agree on one thing: we have made a right mess of it!  The UK people and main parties are deeply divided over this and the UK is more "broken" now than for years. The Prime Minister is going soon, but I cannot see a good replacement.

I have the feeling that we are on the verge of a new time in UK politics as both the Conservative and Labour parties are deeply divided over BREXIT.

What is needed is something to unite the UK. Short of war, I do not know would fit the bill - maybe we will all "get real" about climate change. Remember how public opinion suddenly changed on plastics?

Rally

Sunday 26 MAY : DURHAM DISTRICT ARS RADIO RALLY

Bowburn Community Association, Durham Road, Bowburn, Co. Durham DH6 5AT. Doors open 10.10am to 2.30am with disabled visitors gaining access at 10am. Admittance is £2. There will be traders, a Bring & Buy as well as an RSGB bookstall and Special Interest Groups. Catering and a licensed bar is on site. Contact Michael Wright, G7TWX, 07826 924 1192, g7twx@mickwright.f9.co.uk.

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

2m FT8

Overnight, I remained on 2m FT8 RX.

This morning, so far (last 6 hours), 11 stations in 6 countries spotted so far.

UPDATE 1056z: Now 16 stations in 6 countries spotted this morning on 2m FT8 RX. Think I shall QSY to 6m shortly.

Sunspots - Thursday May 23rd 2019

Solar flux is a dire 67 and the sunspot number 0. A=4 and K=1.

2m FT8

Shortly before 1900z, I switched to 2m FT8 RX. So far this evening 17 stations in 3 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX.

Chelsea Flower Show - NOT amateur radio

For our 70th birthdays, my brother-in-law bought us tickets to the Chelsea Flower Show.This is the most famous flower show in the UK. We went by train and tube. It was surprisingly busy. The flowers were amazing.