Gmail issues - NOT amateur radio

For years I have used Gmail. It has been very good.  A couple of times recently emails or whole folders have disappeared, only to re-appear later. I cannot believe I am alone. Have others had this occur?

Recently a very kind person in Stamford offered to help me with antenna erection. His email was there and I was about to reply. When I looked I could not find it! Recently, a whole folder just disappeared only to be there later. One of my PCs uses Chrome OS, so this is not a Windows issue.

Mystery.

How fast they grow up! - NOT amateur radio

Our younger grandson (see photo) is 11 in February. This photo was taken when he was just 2. You blink and they grow up. I guess in a few years we'll look back and think how young they looked now in 2019!

Christmas Day walk - NOT amateur radio

Although we have had a busy few days, much of today and the next few days are quiet. Then, from Monday, the grandchildren descend and it is busy again! This morning as it was a cold, crisp morning we did a brief village walk. About now, the first snowdrops start to appear. We saw a few about to come out (see photo) but none actually out.

Sunspots still going down?

I just looked at the latest solar numbers predicted for the next few years. These make depressing readings.

They show sunspot numbers still falling until 2022 at least.  I very much hope they are wrong, although looking at the similarities with certain previous cycles on the Solan site they could be correct and we may well have a way down still to go despite the encouraging numbers earlier today.

See https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/predicted-sunspot-number-and-radio-flux

Overall, not encouraging. Elsewhere, I read we may have already passed the solar minimum.

See https://www.solen.info/solar/images/cycles23_24.png

QSYed to 2m FT8

About an hour ago I QSYed to 2m FT8.  Initially I called CQ (2.5W) although nobody spotted me.  On RX 14 stations spotted in 6 countries with the best DX being GM0EWX (716km). Signal strength suggests aircraft reflection.

UPDATE 1841: At the moment, 29 stations in 6 countries spotted. A recent 2m FT8 CQ (2.5W to the big-whee omni) was spotted by 4 stations in 2 countries.

Christmas presents - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows our son opening his Christmas present this morning. He is a professional jazz pianist and is playing in Oxford today. We had Christmas dinner last night and are having bubble and squeak later.

UPDATE 1436z: The bubble and squeak was great. I actually prefer this to Christmas dinner. Although I enjoy meat, I could quite happily live without meat.

Another good session on 472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP)

Overnight was another good session on 472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground). 28 stations have spotted me in the last day on the band with quite a few spots from Norway and Poland.

Stations spotting my 10mW ERP
472kHz WSPR TX in the last day

Christmas good wishes - NOT amateur radio

This time of year can be stressful for many: it is the season of goodwill and we are supposed to be happy although for many it can be hard. Emotions seem to be more intense: often good things seem better and sad things sadder. For those preparing Christmas dinners and getting presents for children it can be hard.

Whatever your situation - on your own, totally alone or surrounded by those you love have a good day. I recall one couple from work days who went camping in a tent in Scotland on Christmas Day!

Whatever, all the very best.

Sunspots (at last!) - Wednesday December 25th 2019

Solar flux is 73 and the SSN 24.  A=2 and K=0.

It just gets better and better on 472kHz WSPR TX (10mW ERP)

Last night was even better than the night before on 472kHz WSPR TX! As I write (0708z) Jan in Norway is still copying me!