160m FT8

For the last 30 minutes or so, I have been calling CQ on 160m FT8 with 2.5W to the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Not a single spot of me and no-one else yet spotted. Probably things will change after dark. At the moment I am RX only on 160m FT8.

The other night, as well as lot of Europeans on 160m FT8 RX I (supposedly) spotted a PY in Brazil. This could be genuine, but all spots of this station were in Europe. None in South America, none in the Caribbean, none in North America. I get the feeling this was someone in Eastern Europe playing little children's games.

UPDATE 1947z: Just 3 stations spotted so far on 160m FT8 RX with best DX OM5CM (1350km).

UPDATE 2130z: Now 32 stations in 12 countries so far spotted on 160m FT8 RX this evening.

Oscar 100 web SDR down for maintenance

At the moment, I monitor activity on Oscar 100 by listening to the Goonhilly web SDR. This is down for maintenance until Thursday. This is quite a useful tool.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/

UK dealers

This afternoon, I rang the main UK suppliers requesting the best price with free delivery for cash on a major amateur transceiver. I get the feeling they are being muzzled. Even with no trade-ins, no finance and upfront cash they do not seem to understand. More fool them for a sale lost. I can wait.

Why do UK amateur radio dealers remind me of insurance companies, who don't understand the value of loyal customers? It really infuriates me when premiums go up each year even though it is years and years since I last made a claim. You would think they would want to keep loyal customers. No, they depend on mugs being too lazy and just paying up. Personally, I think insurance companies are immoral sharks.

Internet - NOT amateur radio.

The Virgin Media man came earlier and thinks he has found a fault with the cabinet. At the moment, things seem to be working. We shall see.

UPDATE 1947z: Internet still working!

6m FT8

All morning I was on 6m FT8, initially calling CQ (2.5W), then RX only. For some reason (probably flaky internet) spots did not upload to PSKreporter. I have now reset things.

UPDATE 1515z: Now 36 stations in 9 countries spotted on 6m FT8 RX today. Recently, I spotted my old friend G3WKW (134km) calling CQ, but no replies sadly, despite calling him for several minutes. My QRP CQ was spotted locally by G4KPX (12km).

UPDATE 1815z: Now 49 stations in 9 countries spotted on 6m FT8 RX today,

Sunspots - Monday June 3rd 2019

Solar flux is 69 today and the SSN 0. A=4 and  K=1.

That state visit - NOT amateur radio

This is my personal view and others are free to hold different views, but I have no desire to see the current US president afforded a state visit at OUR EXPENSE.

Kite - NOT amateur radio

On a walk today at Dalham we saw a kite (bird). At one time these would have been rare over here, but now they are quite common.

Solar minimum update

My usual source of data on the next solar cycle has been updated and still suggests that we have passed the solar minimum.

See http://www.solen.info/solar/

6m FT8

It looks like today was one of best days this season on 6m. As I said, the Internet is off most of the time so I have not been able to access PSKreporter or upload spots. I am now calling CQ.m

UPDATE 1847z: My CQ (2.5W) was spotted by several stations including some by Es.

UPDATE 1923z: PV8DX spotted. This is the first South American copied here this season on 6m.