They go home today and left us a lovely set of plants that they potted.
As old friends, we just pick up as if they had never left.
14 Dec 2019
Old friends - NOT amateur radio
They go home today and left us a lovely set of plants that they potted.
As old friends, we just pick up as if they had never left.
2m FT8 Saturday
Being a weekend, there may be a little more activity today than in the week when many are working. As of 1010z 8 stations in 3 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX with best DX IK2OLD (976km) near Milan. Again using the big-wheel omni.
UPDATE 1233z: So far today 13 stations in 5 countries spotted on 2 FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1819z: Now 59 stations spotted on 2m FT8 RX today.
UPDATE 1233z: So far today 13 stations in 5 countries spotted on 2 FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1819z: Now 59 stations spotted on 2m FT8 RX today.
Sunspots - Saturday December 14th 2019
Solar flux is 69 (i.e. less than 70) and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=0.
13 Dec 2019
Wallet - NOT amateur radio
2m FT8
At the moment I am still on 2m FT8, mainly RX. So far today, 3 stations spotted with best DX on 2m FT8 RX with the big-wheel antenna DJ9IE (515km).
UPDATE 1100z: A recent 2.5W FT8 CQ was copied by 1 G only. On RX 6 stations in 3 countries spotted so far.
UPDATE 2115z: Now 31 stations in 7 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1100z: A recent 2.5W FT8 CQ was copied by 1 G only. On RX 6 stations in 3 countries spotted so far.
UPDATE 2115z: Now 31 stations in 7 countries spotted today on 2m FT8 RX.
UK General Election - NOT amateur radio
So the Conservative party has decisively won the UK General Election. I cannot deny they won a big majority although I feel this is as much about stopping the paralysis over BREXIT as anything else. I now expect the leader of the opposition to leave soon. His left wing policies were not liked.
12 Dec 2019
4m website
Although I have not been on 4m for some years there are more and more rigs with 4m coverage and more countries than ever with 4m access.
One place with lots of data is the 4m website. Assuming the price is sensible I expect to buy an IC-705. In Europe, this rig covers 4m. 4m should be a useful band for inter-G contacts and Es in to Europe. On FT8 I would expect most of the UK to be within range at any time irrespective of conditions.
One place with lots of data is the 4m website. Assuming the price is sensible I expect to buy an IC-705. In Europe, this rig covers 4m. 4m should be a useful band for inter-G contacts and Es in to Europe. On FT8 I would expect most of the UK to be within range at any time irrespective of conditions.
Solar doldrums
It is now some while since we saw sunspots, with none even with the more active region of the Sun swinging in to view. The solar flux has been in the low 70s, as far as I remember, for some weeks and it has not dipped in to the 60s for some time. This, at least, is slightly encouraging.
It very much looks to me as if we are right at the bottom of the solar minimum. Only time will tell. If we are at the bottom, we can expect improving conditions for the next few years. Let's hope so!
It very much looks to me as if we are right at the bottom of the solar minimum. Only time will tell. If we are at the bottom, we can expect improving conditions for the next few years. Let's hope so!
2m FT8
A few moments ago I QSYed to 2m FT8 calling CQ (2.5W) initially. Nothing yet copied on RX, but 3 spots on TX with the best being M0NPT (125km) in Nottingham. I am using the big-wheel omni antenna. It is a truly miserable day with rain.
UPDATE 1243z: 6 stations in 3 countries so far this morning on 2m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 2142z: In the last day 69 stations in 7 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1243z: 6 stations in 3 countries so far this morning on 2m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 2142z: In the last day 69 stations in 7 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX.
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