Windows 10 updates - NOT amateur radio

Windows 10 is supposed to be wonderful and safe. Yet again I have waited about 30 minutes whilst updates were installed. If it is so wonderful why are these massive updates needed? To say I am not impressed is an understatement. A good job I wasn't in a hurry.

Caught out! Heavy storms

Whilst out at my U3AC course in Cambridge we had a heavy storm this afternoon. There was lots of hail and thunder. Everything was connected. Yet again, our weather forecast was hopeless as there was nothing of the storms forecast for here.

Luckily, all seems to be well and everything, as far as I can tell, is working at normal sensitivity. The next time I go out, I shall ignore the weather forecasts and disconnect everything.

When we return later (everything is currently disconnected) I shall try 2m FT8 with the FT817 at 2.5W.

New .io groups formed

As I hosted several Yahoo groups (that are closing) new groups have been on groups.io . Transferring groups involves money whereas creating new ones does not (I hope!).  Notices have been posted in the Yahoo groups encouraging people to join and transfer across any files and photos which should be kept. At the moment, these new groups are awaiting approval. One thing that will not be saved is old messages.

Below are the old and new groups.

miraclewhip                                miracleantennas
sub9kHzamateurradio                  sub9khz
vhfam                                         vhfam

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