Grandchildren - NOT amateur radio

We are fortunate to have 4 young grandchildren. When they get together they enjoy eachother's company.

This photo shows us (top left) with all the grandchildren. The eldest is 11 years old.

Even worse! - Sunspots Tuesday June 18th 2019

Just when you thought things were bad they get even worse!

Solar flux is 65 and the SSN still zero. A=3 and K=1.

472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP)

Although I'm not sure why (masochistic?) I decided to try 472kHz WSPR overnight tonight. On previous summer nights results were pretty poor. I am running the usual 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Surprisingly DL7NN (873km) already spotted.

Calm before the storm? - NOT amateur radio

At the moment the FT100 UK stock index is holding up OK. With the growing tensions between Iran and the USA why do I have the feeling this is the calm before the storm?

It would not surprise me if we are on the verge of a huge recession.  The world is still far too dependent on middle eastern oil. That and BREXIT and we have interesting times ahead.

Sadly, I do not trust the statesmanship of Trump. Kennedy in the 1962 Cuba crisis, yes.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-48661843

Historic transatlantic 2m QSO

Martin G8OFA reports a 2m QSO between the Caribbean and the Cape Verde Is yesterday. I am pretty sure this is the first transatlantic 2m QSO. If confirmed, this is an historic first.

South Hams, Devon - NOT amateur radio

For at least 500 years my family has lived in the South Hams of Devon. We have probably lived hereabouts for thousands of years. At Bolt Tail is an Iron Age fort. It is humbling to think one of my ancestors may well have manned this thousands of years ago.

Museum duty - NOT amateur radio

Several times a year my wife and I volunteer to help at our excellent local museum. Usually we help in the tearoom or entry kiosk. There is free Wi-Fi so no-one can be bored. In both the kiosk and the tearoom there are items for sale. The photo shows some of these.

See http://burwellmuseum.org.uk/

New VHF and up only licence?

According to Southgate News the IARU is considering a new VHF and up only licence in the hope of encouraging activity. I guess many these days head to HF as contacts tend to be over longer distances. In the past quite some fun could be had on 144MHz and 432MHz. Often tropo was better on 432MHz.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/june/could-a-new-licence-counter-threats-at-vhf-and-above.htm#.XQd_SPZFy00

6m FT8 RX again

With 173 stations (mostly European) spotted by 0907z this looks promising on 6m. Best DX is again A45XR (5794km) in Oman. No Far East again today here.

Still using the V2000 vertical omni antenna fed with cheap CB coax.

UPDATE 1150z: 409 stations spotted this morning on 6m FT8 RX with best DX A41ZZ (5854km). 3 Gulf stations spotted this morning.

UPDATE 1313z: 473 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX including 4 stations from the Persian Gulf area. Nothing yet from the Americas or Caribbean areas.

Stations spotted on 6m 

FT8 RX here to 1548z

UPDATE 1746z: Now 553 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX, but nothing from "across the pond" today, well not yet at least.

UPDATE 1951z: Still nothing transatlantic on 6m here today.

Sunspots - Monday June 17th 2019

Solar flux is again 66 and the sunspot number still 0. A=4 and K=1. The pits!!