Gooderstone, Norfolk - NOT amateur radio

As mentioned yesterday, we visited Gooderstone Water Gardens in Norfolk yesterday. It was the first time.

For some reason, this gem of a place had passed us by. We were both surprised that it had not been mentioned by a friend, even though I have been hereabouts since 1970! It really was great.

Far East again being worked from Western Europe on 6m FT8

As often happens in June, the very long 6m path from Western Europe to the Far East is again being worked, at least by the better equipped stations. It remains to be seen whether or not I spot any with my very basic set-up here! I use a V2000 omni vertical fed with CB coax. There are plenty of Europeans being copied her via Es on 6m.

UPDATE 1133z: 63 EUs spotted on 6m FT8 RX, but no Far East here again 😕

UPDATE 1246z: 74 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX. At the moment my impression is that "real DX" is not as good as last season. Yes, I have spotted Europe, Asia, Caribbean and North America on 6m FT8, but I think this year there were fewer stations. OK, it is still June and things could still get better.

UPDATE 1552z: 121 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX. No "real DX" on my modest set-up!

UPDATE 2238z: Some minutes ago I QSYed to 2m FT8 (see later post).

Sunspots - Friday June 28th 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the sunspot number 11 (just be thankful it is not zero!). A=4 and K=2.

Frog or Toad? - NOT amateur radio

Today we went to Oxburgh Hall (National Trust) and then on to Gooderstone Water Gardens where we saw this little fellow. Pretty sure it is a frog and not a toad, but I am hopeless! See https://www.gooderstonewatergardens.co.uk/

Both places are in Norfolk, UK.

Rally

Saturday 29 JUNE (Saturday) : HOUGHTON-LE-SPRING ARC FREE RADIO RALLY

Dubmire Royal British Legion Club, Britannia Terrace, Fencehouses, DH4 6LJ. Doors open 10.15am (10am for disabled). The rally is open to trade, clubs and private sellers/exhibitors. Table space is limited so it will be allocated on a first come first served. There is no charge for sellers and is free entry as well. Donations welcome to the Royal British Legion Club. Hot drinks available and a licenced bar will be open from 11am. Bookings/info: Amanda Weston, M6LXK, 0778 715 5745, westona1@tiscali.co.uk.

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

Bury St Edmunds - NOT amateur radio

Bury St Edmunds has a fine market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Often fruit and vegetables are as good as in the supermarkets and far cheaper.

There is a small museum in the market square (at the back of the photo) called Moyses Hall in what is, I think, the oldest building there.

6m FT8 RX

In the last few hours 10 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX. Some could be Es.

UPDATE 0848z: Now 25 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX in 7 countries so far today. Some are Es, but I suspect some nearer ones are aircraft reflections as they are very strong and too near for Es.

UPDATE 1547z:  Now 77 stations spotted in 15 countries today on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1915z: 170 stations spotted so far with best DX on 6m FT8 RX being 4X4DK (3580km)

The summit prowler QRP SSB/CW, 4 HF bands

Hot on the heels of the Peregrino is the Summit Prowler from Australia.

See https://vk3hn.wordpress.com/2019/05/01/summit-prowler-6-a-pocket-sized-ssb-cw-transceiver-for-80-40-30-and-20m/

Sunspots - Thursday June 27th 2019

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN 11. A=6 and K=1.

New Pixie Kit

Steve G1KQH has told me about a new Pixie kit from China which now comes with a case.

See https://www.aliexpress.com/i/32988482921.html