2m FT8

After I finished the 2m UKAC, I switched to 2m FT8, calling CQ initially. I was called (after I had finished) by a station in IO70. It's a pity people don't call me when I am actually calling CQ! In all, 9 stations spotted me with best DX EI2FG (565km).

2m activity contest this evening at 1900z

Stations worked this evening 

on 2m QRP SSB

On the first Tuesday of the month, the RSGB organises a 2m activity contest (UKAC). Last month I was on holiday, so I missed it.

Activity on SSB is usually high and the contests are friendly. Although I usually submit an entry (normally far from the top!) there is absolutely no compulsion to do so. I usually stop on less than an hour as my voice is poor, although the contest runs for 2.5 hours.

My range, even with 5W and a big-wheel omni antenna is often 200km.

Personally, I find these sessions great fun. It is more about the fun of working stations and maybe new squares than a contest as such.

Chickens - NOT amateur radio

Our younger grandson loves his chickens and chicks. This is him at the weekend.

As you can tell, the bald one is me.

BREXIT and UK Pound v. Euro - NOT amateur radio

It seems unlikely the UK's latest BREXIT offer will be acceptable to the EU. The UK Pound has continued to fall in value against the Euro.

As I see it, we have several possible outcomes: the UK leaves the EU without a deal (unlikely), there is last minute deal, or there is another extension. The EU wants a deal. Of the 3 options (there may be others) I suspect the last one will be the outcome, although I am frequently wrong!

Personally, I favour staying within the EU until a better trade deal is negotiated. In the end, that is surely what is sought.

Solar forecast update

My favourite resource for solar data usually updates very early in the month. This usually happens on the first or second day of each month.

The last time I looked they were forecasting solar minimum to have occurred earlier in the year.

The next sunspot cluster looks as if it is just coming in to view.

See http://www.solen.info/solar/

UPDATE 1830z: Pages have now been updated. It is still showing that we have now (just) passed the minimum. I do hope they are correct. It will be interesting to see if there are more sunspots this month.

Storm risk passed?

As you know, I look at the risks of storms quite often and disconnect things if they look near. At the moment, the risk locally seems to be decreasing. At the first sign, everything at risk will be disconnected.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortung/europe/index.php?bo_page=map&bo_showmap=uk&bo_period=2&lang=en

UPDATE 1348z: Did I speak too soon?  Just heard a loud clap of thunder, so everything in the shack disconnected!

OFCOM monthly update

As usual, OFCOM has updated its "Communications Monthly" on its website. It does this every month.

6m FT8

Just before midday I called CQ briefly on 6m FT8. I have now gone back to RX. No QSOs resulted, but I was spotted by one G station G4SWY (83km). Nothing yet spotted on 6m FT8 RX today.

UPDATE 1344z: Still nothing yet spotted today on 6m FT8 RX. A recent FT8 CQ was again spotted by G4SWY (83km) and no-one else.

UPDATE 1352z: Storm risk, so all disconnected.

UPDATE 1822z:  It looks like there will be no 6m FT8 spots here today, unless things change soon.  I'll stay on a little while longer, but things look mighty quiet on 6m FT8 today.

BREXIT deal? - NOT amateur radio

The UK Prime Minister was on TV earlier. During the interview he talked about the Irish backstop. The EU has rejected what has been informally tabled. Unless the PM has something really new, I suspect we remain deadlocked.

Up a tree - NOT amateur radio

This is our younger granddaughter up a tree in Kent at the weekend.