Amateur DX soundbites

Some days ago I put link to broadcast interval signals. Here is a page with links to amateur DX sound bites.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/soundbites13

More on WRC-19

Southgate News has a further piece relaying the RSGB's blog about WRC-19 meeting on spectrum issues. This meeting is in Egypt.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2019/november/wrc-19-day-15--a-long-weekend.htm#.XdJjFu2TLnE

Still on 10m FT8

As you may know, I have been on 10m FT8 RX overnight. Not unexpectedly, no overnight spots.

UPDATE 0930z:  Just 2 spots so far of MM3NRX (516km) and a G.

UPDATE 1402z:  6 stations in 4 countries spotted this morning.

UPDATE 1840z:  No further spots today. In the end today was disappointing. Soon be time to go QRT.

UPDATE 1850z:  QRT.

Sunspots - Monday November 18th 2019

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

Sunspots - Sunday November 17th 2019

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

10m FT8

Things seem better on 10m FT8 today. Even my 2.5W 10m FT8 CQ was copied by GI4OWA (586km) and OZ9QV (861km). Sadly, no QSOs resulted.  On 10m FT8 RX, 9 stations (all in Europe) already copied.

UPDATE 1236z: Now 24 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today with best DX 5R8VX (8612km).

UPDATE 2240z: As my son is fast asleep in the next bedroom, I cannot turn off my PC and rig set up on 10m FT8 RX. So, I shall be monitoring overnight. It will be a miracle if anyone is spotted.

Salcombe lifeboat - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows the Salcombe lifeboat on station. Years ago the crew had to run on foot to a place called South Sands, about 1.5 miles from the centre of town. Just over a 100 years ago there was a tragedy when the lifeboat overturned and most of the crew were drowned. One of my aunts remembered this as a young child.

Talking about childhood, I recall watching my dad play water polo more or less where the lifeboat is now. As a young child I was brought up in Salcombe, Devon.

Out of season Salcombe is quiet. In the summer it is filled with visitors and boats. The estuary behind the lifeboat is teaming with boats.

10m FT8

Since 0910z, I have been on 10m FT8 calling CQ with 2.5W initially. As yet no spots given or received on 10m.

I stayed on 2m FT8 RX overnight, but nothing copied until breakfast time when a few nearer Europeans were coming through. Actually 2m FT8 is a waste of time (and electricity) overnight.

UPDATE 1800z: Just 3 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX in 3 countries all day with best DX spotted MM3RDX (516km). So far, very disappointing. I guess this is to be expected around sunspot minimum: some days may be quite reasonable, especially N-S, whereas other days can be very poor. Low activity cannot help either.

UPDATE 1826z: QRT.

MLS "something for the weekend" deals

Every week I get an email from MLS (a UK dealer) with some special deals for the weekend. Rarely are these worthwhile in my view (as a cynic) and most times I am not impressed.

See their website for details.

Sunspots - Saturday November 16th 2019

Solar  flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=2.