More UK Rallies

Saturday 19 OCTOBER : CARRICKFERGUS AMATEUR RADIO GROUP RADIO RALLY

Downshire Secondary School, Downshire Road, Carrickfergus. Doors will open at 12 noon for the public and 9.30am for traders. All proceeds from the sale of the food and beverages will go to Belfast Samaritans, a very worthy charity. More information from Elizabeth Forde, 0785 544 2839, elizabethforde64@yahoo.com.


Saturday 19 OCTOBER : CW CONVENTION AND CW BOOT CAMP

3rd Witham Scout & Guide HQ, Rear of Spring Lodge Community Centre, Powers Hall End, Witham, Essex CM8 2HE. Registration is at 8.30am for a 9am start. The event is due to finish at around 4.30pm. Pre-register as places are limited to G0IBN: g0ibn1@yahoo.com or 0745 342 60 87 Previous events have welcomed visitors from all over the UK.


Sunday 20 OCTOBER : GALASHIELS RALLY

Volunteer Hall, St Johns Street, Galashiels, Scottish Borders TD1 3JX. Doors open 11am for disabled visitor and 11.15am for general public. There will be traders and a Bring & Buy. Refreshments will be available on site. Admission price TBC Plymouth Radio Club would like to inform people that this year's rally in November, will not be held due to falling numbers of members and helpers this year. The club would like to thank all those who have supported them over the years.


A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

BREXIT and the DUP

At the moment the latest deal done with the EU by Boris Johnson may not get through the UK House of Commons without the support of the Northern Ireland DUP party.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlene_Foster

Another great night on 472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP)

Overnight was another great session on 472kHz WSPR TX. In the last day alone, 22 different stations have spotted me with a station in Norway yet again spotting me. Those spotting me are shown in the table below.

So far this season, I have been spotted by 43 different stations on 472kHz WSPR, which is far more than last season.

Stations spotting my 472kHz 10mW ERP WSPR in the last day. 

As usual, still using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

Sunspots - Friday October 18th 2019

Solar flux is 66 and the sunspot number 0. A=6 and K=0. We really are in the pits with sunspot minimum conditions. Surely, soon, conditions must get a bit better?

SAQ (17.2kHz CW) transmission on Oct 24th

Southgate News reports that there will be a special CW transmission from SAQ to commemorate UN day on October 24th.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/october/saq-to-transmit-on-un-day.htm

Autumn garden - NOT amateur radio

Already our garden is looking autumnal. Dew is now appearing on the grass and trees are starting to lose their leaves.

Last summer we lost a fair bit of the grass due to the heat. After reseeding (as you can see) the grass is recovering well.

Even better on 472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP)

Overnight, I was spotted by 16 stations in 5 countries including 3 different stations in Norway!  The pleasing thing is I was spotted multiple times in Norway, and not that marginally! As usual, still using the unchanged earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, so really nothing special at all. 12 stations spotted here on 472kHz WSPR RX.

I think this is the first time I have been spotted in Norway by 3 stations on 472kHz WSPR ever. The chart is arranged in distance order and shows where I was spotted and how many times.

Spots received overnight 

(10mW ERP) on 472kHz SWPR

BREXIT - DUP no

Whatever your views on BREXIT, the latest statement by the DUP is a bodyblow for those seeking a deal.

Sunspots - Thursday October 17th 2019

Solar flux is 66 and the SSN 0. A=6 and K=2.

Yahoo Groups closing

It has been on the cards for ages, but Yahoo is closing its groups. Some have migrated to .io although this is not free ($110 for Premier Membership in first year?). I created several amateur radio related Yahoo groups and I propose to close these. Some groups have migrated, although none that I host.