Sunspots - Sunday May 26th 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the SSN 0. A=6 and K=1.

Solar cycle 25

At the moment experts seem to have differing views on the next cycle. Some people think we have passed solar minimum whilst others think we are still falling. At the moment it is hard to judge.

See https://www.weather.gov

Early 6m Es again

When I looked earlier there was widespread Es on 6m at 0845z, which is early. I can't wait until the band really opens up to long distance E layer DX.

Most July JAs come through to western Europe on 6m. I have a theory this is due to mesospheric E layer ionisation due to noctilucent clouds that form at this time of the year.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/noctilucent

Sunspots - Saturday May 25th 2019

Still rubbish!

Solar flux is just 66 and the sunspot number 0. A=5 and K=1.

6m Es

At the moment I am on 6m FT8 RX and, even though it is very early (0830z), there is widespread Es. My best DX on 6m FT8 RX is TA9J (3463km) among the 95 stations already spotted. At the moment this looks like the best day this spring.

UPDATE 0953z: Now 176 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX with the best DX still the Turkish station.

UPDATE 1142z: Now 236 stations spotted with best DX EK7DX (3590km) in Armenia.

UPDATE 1702z:  Now 380 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX with best DX still the Armenian.

160m FT8 RX

Overnight, I was on 160m FT8 RX and was pleased to see one transatlantic station in the log along with hosts of Europeans.

Talk - NOT amateur radio

We are fortunate to live right next door to a 200 year old windmill and local museum, which is one of the best in the UK.

Every spring and autumn they hold talks of local interest. The photo shows the presenter in free flow. It was a good, interesting and well attended talk.

Sunspots - Friday May 24th 2019

Solar flux is 66 (I think this is the lowest I have seen this minimum) and the SSN 0. A=5 and K=2.

OpenStreetMaps contributors and OpenMapTiles

Most of my maps showing FT8 results are cut down copies of PSKreporter maps. It goes without saying that the copyright is theirs.

EU elections - NOT amateur radio

Because of our delayed departure, the UK has had to take part in EU elections, The results will be known on Sunday when all EU member countries have voted.

In the UK these elections are quite odd. Unless by some late change of circumstances we vote to stay EU members, those elected will only sit for a few months.

It seem likely that the 2 major UK parties will do badly to either right wing or parties favouring staying members of the EU community. In the UK, this will be more of a protest vote. My wife and I have already voted Lib-Dem which is the party wishing to stay members. If I am honest none of the main UK political parties have policies which totally reflect my views, although the Lib-Dems are closest.

As a result of these elections, it would not surprise me if the EU made changes. With right wing parties on the rise, I suspect we will hear more about nations and less about a federal Europe in future. Assuming we do leave, I suspect the EU we leave will be much different within 5 years and we will wish we'd stayed.