Front lawn - NOT amateur radio

In the heatwave last summer, part of our front lawn died and never recovered.

The rear lawn went brown, but fully recovered. It has, arguably, a bit more shade.

In the last few weeks I de-thatched the front lawn and reseeded it. Much to my surprise the seeds germinated (some in just 6 days) and the lawn already looks much better. Give it a few weeks and a grass cut and it should look quite good again.

The photo shows as it was and as it is now.

2m opening

2m has been wide open and could be good again this weekend. The map show the 2m FT8 RX DX spotted in the last 12 hours. Not bad for an omni antenna on a bungalow!

6m FT8

For about 30 minutes now I have been on 6m FT8. Initially I was on TX calling CQ with my 2.5W to the vertical omni V2000 (just G spots). I see that JA was being worked from EA8 on 6m FT8, although no JAs spotted here (again).

There is already Es on 6m with I , DL and EA8 spotted.

UPDATE 1252z: So far today 39 stations in 8 countries spotted on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1403z: Now 61 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX. Mostly EU by Es.

UPDATE 1514z: 4 North Americans now coming through on 6m FT8 RX with W2TT (5651km) currently the best DX. In total, 80 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX here.

UPDATE 1644z: Now 102 stations (8 North Americans) spotted on 6m FT8 RX today with best DX WA5ZFP (7455km) in Louisiana, USA.

UPDATE 2148z: 173 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX.

Sunspots - Saturday June 29th 2019

Solar flux is 65 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=1.

2m wide open

Stations spotting me on 

2m FT8 in the last hour.

A local friend in the village Richard G3TFX alerted me that 2m is wide open. He tells me he just worked a station in Windermere who was using a handheld and 2.5W. I decided to call CQ at 2.5W to the big-wheel with FT8. No QSOs yet (apart from 1 G), but reports from several European countries with the best report being by OZ1BEF (721km). I shall stay on RX when I go to bed. On RX best DX is SM7MMQ (930km).

UPDATE 1055z: My best report (me on TX FT8 at 2.5W to the big-wheel) is SQ6POM (1059km). 3 QSOs so far, all Gs). Off to bed so time to switch to RX only.

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/