Sunspots - Wednesday June 19th 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=1.

Rough night ahead?

Until now, we have been storm free here today, but in the last few hours it has been raining and there are thunderstorms to the east and approaching across the English Channel. At the moment it is hard to know what we face by the end of the night. As a precaution, all antennas and mains plugs in the shack have been unplugged.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortung/europe/index.php?bo_page=map&bo_showmap=6

Mending the HF antenna

As long as I can get up the ladder to my flat garage roof, I intend to mend my Par 10/20/40m end-fed antenna next week. This is not the best antenna in the world, but I know how it works. It can handle QRP power levels (actually up to 35W). The wire fatigued at a joint (after nearly 6 years), so it should be easy to fix. We have guests this week, so it can wait. The biggest challenge will be getting on and off the ladder!

Storms?

We have thunderstorms forecast for later. At the moment the nearest storm is about 150 miles away. If they get close my normal routine is to disconnect everything including the mains plugs "just in case".

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortung/europe/index.php?bo_page=map&bo_showmap=6

UPDATE 1315z: In the UK the thunderstorms seem to have fizzled out. They were supposed to be moving up from Iberia, but no signs even there. Maybe later?

6m FT8 RX

In the last 3 hours 57 stations have been spotted on 6m FT8 RX. Most of these are EU stations via Es.

UPDATE 0957z: 120 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX in the last 3 hours with best DX 9K2NO (4639km) in Kuwait. Apparently 6m was 56zopen from the UK to India on SSB/CW/FT8 yesterday. Sadly I spotted no Indian stations here!

UPDATE 1156z: So far today 170 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX this morning. Most were Europeans by Es.

UPDATE 1600z: 405 stations spotted here on 6m FT8 RX today so far.

472kHz WSPR overnight

Surprisingly, not a bad night for mid-summer. I think stations are having far more trouble finding my QRPP signal at this time of year, but I am still copying loads of stations on the band as the table shows. In fact, there are almost as many stations as in the winter being spotted, although I suspect some will be gone until autumn.

Overnight here on 472kHz WSPR

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