Sagrada Familia, Barcelona - NOT amateur radio

Last week we visited Gaudi's famous basilica in Barcelona which was started in 1882 and supposedly has another 30 years of work still to do. Perhaps they have very long tea breaks or siestas!

When we last visited in 2003 it was a dusty building site. Now it is a wonderful place bathed in coloured light via the stained glass windows.

We bought tickets in advance to avoid the long queues.

The photo shows part of the internal roof. If you are in Barcelona it is well worth a visit.

2m FT8 RX

Overnight I stayed on 2m FT8 RX. In the last few hours 2 stations spotted with the best DX being DL6YBF (471km).

UPDATE 0853z: Now 9 stations spotted so far in 4 countries on 2m FT8 RX this morning.

UPDATE 1312z: When I QSYed to 6m FT8 38 stations in 6 countries logged on 2m FT8 RX with best DX being F6APE (551km).

Sunspots - NOT amateur radio

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN is still zero. A=5 and K=1.

Cadaques - NOT amateur radio

One of our trips was a boat ride around the coast from our base in Roses, Catalonia to Cadaques. The sea was quite rough with the boat making heavy weather at times. As you can tell from the photo Cadaques is great place.

Nearly the last holiday photo - NOT amateur radio

Pretty sure I posted a photo of our hotel buffet a few days ago. This was a  small part of the dinner buffet in our hotel last night. The food and choice was very good for a 3 star hotel in a great location.

We were very lucky with the weather that was warm and sunny most days. There was quite a wind on some days, although this was generally warm.

2m FT8

Since arriving home, I have been on 2m FT8 RX. So far, 18 stations spotted in 6 countries with best DX spotted on 2m FT8 RX being  GI6ATZ (479km).

UPDATE 2016z: Currently 20 stations spotted this evening.

UPDATE 2045z: A brief CQ resulted in a couple of QSOs and 12 spots with best DX GI6ATZ (479km). Not bad for 10W and an omni-antenna.

Going home - NOT amateur radio

Later today we should be home after our holiday in Catalonia.

UPDATE 1932z: Safely home again.

Sunspots - Wednesday September 11th 2019

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=1.

BREXIT - NOT amateur radio

So the UK Parliament has been prorogued (suspended) for 5 weeks. My own view has always been to remain and reform the EU from the inside. It badly needs to be reformed. If a General Election comes like many I shall vote Lib Dem. They are far from perfect but they are closest to my values. To say we are in a mess is an understatement.

2m SSB handheld

Many years ago I used an MX2 handheld on 2m and worked some impressive DX handheld. This small rig was also used with several transverters. It is several years now since I used it.

See my website for more details.