Windose Defender Crappery - NOT amateur radio

Recently Windose 10 did a big update. When I tried to log into Windows Defender all appears to have changed. It is no longer clear if Windows Defender is trying to protect things or not. In the past this was very clear and it told me that my other anti-virus program was providing protection.

This was sneaked in without my knowledge. I am getting more "big brother" conscious than ever.

Microsoft, just what are you playing at? If you intend to make things worse, just tell us!! We are grown up!  When it works, Windows 10 is good, but if it is so darn good why is it forever changing?

Licking the bowl - NOT amateur radio

After baking a cake earlier, 2 of our grandchildren busy licking the bowl!

2m FT8

Just before 1000z, I switched on 2m FT8 again using 2.5W to the big-wheel omni. Already 6 stations in 4 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX. My own CQ call on FT8 was spotted by 4 stations in 2 countries with my best DX on 2m FT8 TX being GI6ATZ (479km).

UPDATE 1545z: Currently 37 stations in 7 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2151z: Now 65 stations in 9 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX today. Off to bed now, but still monitoring 2m FT8 RX.

Sunspots - Tuesday October 22nd 2019

Solar flux is 64 and the SSN 0. A=5 and K=0. As far as I am aware this is the lowest solar flux this solar minimum.

BREXIT deal near? - NOT amateur radio

The UK pound continues to appreciate in value against the euro. It seems the currency markets have already assumed a deal will be done, even if there are delays. I am not sure if this is or is not good for the UK, but many will prefer certainty.

Orionid meteors

We are reaching the peak of the Orionid meteor shower. These are the result of Halley's comet. I have no idea how good this shower is at enhancing 2m propagation.

Making parkin - NOT amateur radio

Our younger grandson making parkin in our kitchen with my wife earlier. He loves it! Eating and making I mean.

Breakfast - NOT amateur radio

One of our sons is staying with us for a few days. Here he is at breakfast with his two children.

Oscar 100 geostationary satellite

As regular blog readers know, every few weeks I look at activity levels on this satellite. At the moment activity looks similar to a month ago. I am certainly still seeing plenty of space on the narrowband transponder.

It would appear many people enjoy the challenge of getting a signal through the satellite, then lose interest. If all those who had gear were on, it could get quite busy considering the footprint. By now, I was expecting it to be very busy, although the lack of black boxes may keep numbers moderate.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/

Yet again on 2m FT8

At the moment I am on 2m FT8 RX.

In the last 6 hours 9 station in 4 countries spotted including the Isle of Man and Germany. Best DX so far today on 2m FT8 RX is DJ9IE (515km). 2m FT8 never fails!

UPDATE 1929z: Today, 26 stations in 7 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX. For some reason my time server (not the internet) is not working so nothing spotted in recent minutes.