Yet more houses - NOT amateur radio

It seems that every spare space in our village is used to build new homes. There are very few homes that "ordinary" folks can afford. This is a common story in many parts of the UK. Most being built are "executive" homes i.e. those that give the highest profits for the developers.

"Our" windmill - NOT amateur radio

This video was taken from our lounge window earlier.

6m FT8 Es DX

At the moment (simply as it is convenient) I continue to monitor 6m FT8 RX. Already at 0800z there is plenty of Es DX coming through from southern Europe. So far, in the last 6 hours, 15 stations spotted.

UPDATE 0840z: A single 15 second CQ brought 8 spots with the best being CT1ILT (1436km).

UPDATE 1043z: Now 45 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX in the last 6 hours, many by Es. All Europeans.

UPDATE 1525z: Supposedly TU2EZ (5209km) spotted. This could be genuine, but most of his spots were in the UK, so I am suspicious.

6m FT8 RX 

spots here today

UPDATE 1852z: A recent CQ resulted in spots from all over southern Europe. My best spot was by CU2GI (2575km) in the Azores. So far today, 193 stations spotted, mostly Europeans by Es. Now QRT as we may have lightning later.

Es (sporadic E) propagation

Although in the northern hemisphere this tends to be best around May-August, it can occur at any time of the year bringing huge ranges on the VHF bands.  There tends to be a smaller peak around December-January.

Southgate News has a link to a piece on Es. In my view, despite having experience of Es since (at least) the 1930s, the world still has much to learn about it.

See https://www.electronics-notes.com/articles/antennas-propagation/ionospheric/sporadic-e-es.php

Sunspots - Tuesday July 23rd 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the SSN 11. A=8 and K=1.

Swifts - NOT amateur radio

Swifts are gathering in great numbers. This evening there must have been 50 or more on the wing eating insects on the wing over our heads. Many must be this year's youngsters. In about a month most will be gone. The screaming will stop one day and we will realise the great migration has happened. It amazes me that these birds fly so far every year. Then we will have to wait until next April to see them again.

French animal deaths - NOT amateur radio

It seems (according to the BBC) that animals in France are dying in numbers far higher than expected for unknown reasons. Some of these deaths are near wind farms and mobile phone masts. Research has so far been inconclusive. It is odd and unexplained.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/video_and_audio/headlines/49045742/mystery-surrounds-animal-deaths-on-france-s-farms

The next US president? - NOT amateur radio

Here is a puzzle. Enough people in the USA loved President Trump to get him elected whereas almost everywhere outside the USA he is viewed as a fool and incompetent.

It is honestly true that I have interacted with not a single person outside the USA that has a good word for him. Truly. Perhaps his "make America great again" mantra finds favour in the USA. Perhaps he will even get a second term in office.

There seems a great lack of real leaders in the world currently. Most seem to seek power for their own good rather than because they seek a greater good and are great statesmen. Given time, I hope this will change.

We need leaders with vision to see beyond their own self interest to the greater good of their nations and the world.

Great Es on 6m

Currently I am on 6m FT8 RX and there is a great Es opening, if not the best this summer. Although it is only 0853z 113 stations from all over Europe already copied.

Sunspots - Monday July 22nd 2019

Solar flux remains stubbornly at 67 and the sunspot number still 0. A=8 and K=2.

This feels, very much like sunspot minimum. At least we can look forward to better times, if not the great times of 60-70 years ago.