Sunspots - Thursday August 15th 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the SSN 0. A=7 and K=1.

Out to old neighbours - NOT amateur radio

This afternoon, we visited our old neighbours for a cup of tea, so everything was turned off and disconnected fearing a thunderstorm. Although the power went off for a few minutes, we had no storms locally, so I have reconnected my radio gear and PC.

Nora Quoirin - NOT amateur radio

My heart bleeds for this girl's family. She had learning difficulties and was on holiday in Malaysia when she disappeared from her room. She was found dead a mile away in dense jungle. At the time of writing they are carrying out a post mortem. The family must be in a living hell.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-49340903

6m FT8

At the moment I am on 6m FT8 (RX mainly), but may go QRT later if there is any storm risk. On 6m FT8 TX 7 spots, mostly Gs with best DX HB9CQK (819km). On RX 5 stations spotted with the best being F1HMR (977km).

UPDATE 1112z: Now 23 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX, presumably many are via Es.

UPDATE 1641z: Gear was disconnected this afternoon, but now reconnected. 3 spots (all Gs) and 7 spots on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1912z: A recent 6m FT8 TX CQ call was spotted by 5 G stations, but no QSOs resulted. In total, 53 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX. As the Es seems to have stopped, I shall be going QRT shortly.

Thunder risk

We have a Met Office warning for possible thunderstorms later. At the moment I am on 6m FT8.

See https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?id=09df0131-989b-4f56-98fa-b14775c4344e&date=2019-08-14

Sunspots - Wednesday August 14th 2019

Solar flux is 66 and the sunspot number still 0. A=7 and K=2. Still poor.

UPDATE 1915z:  Latest K=1.

70cm activity contest

After about 30 minutes I (well my voice!) had had enough. With 10W pep SSB 4 stations were worked with G4CLA (105km) as my best DX.  Antenna is just the 2m big-wheel omni.

6m FT8

Since returning from Norwich, I have been on 6m FT8. On RX, 44 stations spotted in about 1 hour. On TX, 12 stations spotted me (no QSOs) with best DX report being from EA5BB (1505km).

UPDATE 2032z: Earlier CQ calls on 6m FT8 were spotted by 25 stations with the best being SV1DH (2430km). 2 QSOs resulted. On 6m FT8 RX 112 stations spotted.

UPDATE 2045z: QRT.

Norwich - NOT amateur radio

As the sun was shining, we decided to go by train to Norwich for the day. It has a fine Norman cathedral and is one of the most delightful cities in the UK. We always enjoy going there. This was the train back home.

Chinese lunar orbiter satellite

According to Southgate News, one of the aims of a Chinese lunar orbiting satellite was to map the interference in the HF spectrum on Earth as seen at the Moon.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/august/chinese-satellite-gives-rf-spectrum-of-earth-seen-from-moon.htm