Sunspots - Saturday June 15th 2019

Another spotless day.

Solar flus is 68 and the SSN 0. A=10 and K=3. Unless things dramatically change, we are still on the downwards slope I think.

Gilbert and Sullivan

For those outside the UK, Gilbert and Sullivan created some famous comic operas in the late 19th century. A local village puts on a G&S production in a barn every year. It is invariably good. This year they did "The Grand Duke" a work I was not familiar with.

Oranges - NOT amateur radio

As some may recall, we went to Portugal last month. One of the joys was seeing oranges and lemons growing on trees. These, which may have been on before, were in Obidos.  As it has been raining in much of the UK for the last week, it helps to cheer us up!

Lime SDR and Oscar 100

Southgate News reports on the use of a Lime SDR as the basis for an Oscar 100 ground station.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/june/limesdr-mini-satellite-ground-station.htm#.XQNaGPZFy00

Sunspots - Friday June 14th 2019

Solar flux is 69 and the sunspot number still zero. This is, I think, the longest spotless period this minimum. A=7 and K=1.

Good night on 6m FT8 RX

The last 24 hours were the best (for me) this season with lots of EU stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX by Es. As well as these, 2 Caribbean stations and 6 North Americans were logged on 6m FT8 RX with just the V2000 omni vertical (see map of stations logged on 6m FT8 RX in the last day). In all 246 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX in the last day.

UPDATE 0948z: 14 EU stations so far spotted on 6m FT8 RX in the last 3 hours, many Es.

UPDATE 1712z: 58 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX in the last 12 hours.

6m FT8 RX spots here overnight

Sibling reunion - NOT amateur radio

Another picture from our recent sibling reunion in Cheshire. This was a meal out in Knutsford. As mentioned yesterday, we have these get-togethers every year taking it in turns to act as hosts.

Rallies

Saturday 15 JUNE : ROCHDALE AND DISTRICT ARS SUMMER RALLY

Proceeds from this rally ensure the continued operation of DMR repeater GB7MR. St Vincent de Paul's, Caldershaw Road, off Edenfield Road (A680), Norden, Rochdale OL12 7QR. Doors open to the public at 10.15am with disabled visitors gaining access 15 minutes earlier. Admission is £2.50 with those under 12 years free. £5 per pitch (for traders with own tables) or £10 for a pitch with table provided. Refreshments available including bacon and sausage butties. Further details: Robert, M0NVQ m0nvq@outlook.com or 07778113333.


Sunday 16 JUNE : 16th WEST OF ENGLAND RADIO RALLY

Cheese & Grain venue, Market Yard, Bridge Street, Frome, Somerset BA11 1BE. Doors open 10am to 2pm. The event will feature inside & outside trade stands, RSGB book stall, cafe, disabled access & facilities, car parking. Further information from Shaun, G8VPG, on 01225 873 098, or email: rallymanager@westrally.org.uk www.westrally.org.uk.


Sunday 16 JUNE : SCOTTISH AMATEUR RADIO AND ELECTRONICS RALLY

INTU Braehead Centre, Glasgow. Doors open at 10 a.m. There are Traders, Radio Clubs and a Bring & Buy. Areas for clubs to operate from and talks and presentations will be running throughout the day. On-line exams are also available subject to prior notification. Refreshments and disabled facilities are available on-site. Contact info@asrarally.com or visit the website at www.asrarally.com. For more information call Tony Miles on 07702 134 188.

6m FT8 - Es!

Although I have only been on for about 20 minutes I am already getting Es reports from Portugal despite running 2.5W to an omni vertical antenna. On 6m FT8 RX 41 stations in 17 countries already logged from all across Europe. No "real DX" here though.

UPDATE 1227z:  137 stations already spotted on 6m FT8 RX including 2 Caribbean stations

UPDATE 1956z: Now 239 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX in the last 12 hours.

UPDATE 2147z: KD3CQ (5919km) in Maryland and VZ2ZM (4445km) in Price Edward Is. now coming through.

472kHz WSPR overnight

The phrase must be, "not quite dead yet". Overnight I remained on 472kHz WSPR with 10mW ERP. There are now far fewer stations active, but the band is still producing results.

472kHz WSPR here overnight