Sunspots - Thursday December 19th 2019

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=13 and K=4.

Ely Cathedral - NOT amateur radio

We live just a few miles from Ely Cathedral, also known as "the ship of the fens". It is very old indeed.

The original central tower collapsed centuries ago and it was replaced in medieval times by the octagon, which is the magnificent wooden structure that we see today (see photo).

Hamvention 2020

The 2020 Hamvention has a focus of "The Future of Amateur Radio" according  to Southgate News. The Hamvention is one of the really big events in the amateur radio calendar.   Hamvention 2020 takes place from May 15-17 in Xenia, Ohio, USA. I have never been and am unlikely ever to go. Often new products are first showcased there.  As the years go by, I think more minds will be turned to the future of our hobby.

Another good session on 472kHz WSPR TX

In all, my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground was spotted by 23 stations including 2 in Norway last evening and overnight. There were fewer spots from Norway than the last time I was on the band. I still do not understand why I am getting so many more spots this season when nothing has changed.

Stations spotting me overnight on
472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP)

UPDATE 1508z: I decided to stick on 472kHz WSPR today.

Sunspots - Wednesday December 18th 2019

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 0 still. A=2 and K=2.  In a word - crap.

Red-legged partridge - NOT amateur radio

These handsome birds were introduced into the UK from continental Europe. They can become quite tame. We see them in our garden quite often. Quite often a number are seen together. I think they are after an easy meal!

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/red-legged-partridge/

472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP)

At about 1850z I QSYed to 472kHz WSPR TX. So far, a couple of G spots.

UPDATE 1917z:  Already I have received 9 unique spots with PA0EBC (433km) as best DX.

UPDATE 2130z: 15 stations so far spotted with best DX SWLJO43 (660km). The map shows the stations that have spotted me so far tonight (to 2140z).

UPDATE 2125z: 19 stations have spotted me this evening. For reasons I do not understand (unless it is simply conditions) I seem to be doing better this winter than last despite making absolutely no changes to my system! I am running the same transverter, the same ERP, the same earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. If anything, with root growth I would have expected worse results.

More Christmas cheer - NOT amateur radio

The crib was the central feature of the candlelit carol service at our local church on Sunday last.

I am not very religious these days, but there is something "outside time" about being in a church dating from Saxon times knowing that simple folk have done much the same of hundreds of years.

Christmas cheer - NOT amateur radio

Apart from Christmas, this can be a dark and gloomy time of year. In January we have the promise of lighter nights ahead, but as we head towards the shortest day things feel bleak. On the way back from the candlelit carol service on Sunday there was one house determined to cheer us up!

OFCOM strategic priorities

OFCOM has published its responses on strategic priorities. See the OFCOM website.