472kHz WSPR

Although the "season" is really well over, I decided to give 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP, 20% TX) with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground a go overnight. So far only G1GKN (99km) has been spotted.

FT4

Although release candidate versions of WSJT-X have been released including FT4, I think I shall now wait for the fully released version before installing. FT4 sounds like a useful Es mode with its shorter periods. It is not quite as sensitive, but with Es signals are often strong even with QRP.

See http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html

8m Es QSOs

Southgate News relays EI7BL's blog about some exiting news of cross band Es QSOs on the new (in EI) 8m band.

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/2019/05/first-sporadic-e-crossband-contacts.html

Colourful Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

Well, the centre of Cambridge is certainly entertaining! As well as the float in the photo we had buskers singing classical opera, which was very good (people applauded).

The downside is there are more homeless people now in the city. Some are definitely genuine (often with mental health issues) and some see Cambridge as a good hunting ground with plenty of visitors. These days we prefer to give directly to a homeless charity so we know the money will not be squandered on drugs.

No early 6m Es today

So far on 6m FT8 RX just a single station spotted HB9SJE (795km). Little sign yet of Es on the band.

UPDATE  1819z: Just 3 stations spotted all day today on 6m FT8 RX. Pathetic!

Sunspots - Friday May 31st 2019

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN 0. A=8 and K=2.

Grandchildren - NOT amateur radio

Over the half-term holiday we have seen all 4 of our young grandchildren.

Today, our "London" grandchildren arrived for a few days. The photo shows them with my wife in our garden room.

Mess, but clean mess  😊

Currency oscillations - NOT amateur radio

At the moment the UK pound is up and down against major currencies. With BREXIT uncertainties and the likelihood of a new Prime Minister in the next month or so, this is hardly surprising. I guess the fact the UK pound has not tumbled dramatically is good news.

The UK must be the laughing stock of the world! How can we be so divided? I am struggling to see how rifts created in the last few years will be healed. Healed they must be.

Rally

Sunday 2 JUNE : SPALDING DARS ANNUAL RALLY

Holbeach Community Sports Academy, Pennyhill Lane, Holbeach PE12 7PR. Doors open at 9.30am and admittance is £3. The venue offers easy access from the A17, large area for boot traders and modern hall for indoor traders. There will be a Car Boot Sale, RSGB Book Stall, Special Interest Groups and trade stands. Catering is available on site and there will be a prize draw/raffle. Contact Graham Boor, G8NWC, 07754 619 701, rallysecretary@sdars.org.uk.

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

FT991A fan

Nobody gave me the answer I needed! Is the FT991A fan temperature controlled? Does it only come on when the rig gets hot? I think the IC7300 fan is always on when on TX. If I was to buy an FT991A it would mostly be used at QRP powers.