OK, I know forecasting the weather in the UK can be hard as several weather systems interact, but I find the UK's BBC weather forecasts poor unless we have a big high pressure overhead and very settled conditions. At least they show a percentage likelihood of rain nowadays. Considering the vast amounts spent on super-computers to better forecast, I can see little advance in forecasting accuracy.
Many is the time I have looked out the window at rain when at the very same time the BBC says it is full sun. As a guide to weather coming, these BBC forecasts are poor in my experience and there are better guides to upcoming weather available.
If you use BBC weather as a guide to what is going to happen, you are on our own. Personally, I find looking out of the window a better guide.
Cynic me? Surely not!
See https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/
See https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather
2 Jan 2020
New EU 2m tropo record
Southgate News reports that there is a new tropo record in Europe with a contact between Scotland and the Cape Verde Is off Africa thanks to sea ducting.
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2020/january/region-1-144-mhz-tropo-record-now-extended-to-4776-kms.htm
See http://southgatearc.org/news/2020/january/region-1-144-mhz-tropo-record-now-extended-to-4776-kms.htm
6m FT8
At 0945z, I QSYed to 6m FT8 calling CQ (10W to the V2000 vertical) initially. Just a single G spot by G0LGS (171km). On 6m FT8 RX nothing yet spotted.
UPDATE 1420z: 4 stations spotted so far on 6m FT8 RX with best DX spotted being OH4ZS (2005km).
UPDATE 1510z: A recent 6m FT8 CQ was spotted by 3 G stations, but no QSOs resulted.
UPDATE 1632z: Now 6 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1703z: My 3 sets of 6m FT8 CQs have been spotted by just 3 G stations, but no QSOs.
UPDATE 1420z: 4 stations spotted so far on 6m FT8 RX with best DX spotted being OH4ZS (2005km).
UPDATE 1510z: A recent 6m FT8 CQ was spotted by 3 G stations, but no QSOs resulted.
UPDATE 1632z: Now 6 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1703z: My 3 sets of 6m FT8 CQs have been spotted by just 3 G stations, but no QSOs.
Grandchildren - NOT amateur radio
2m FT8
The last day has been remarkable on 2m FT8. Plenty of stations spotted (225 at the last count) .
UPDATE 1002z: 239 stations in 13 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX in the last day from Spain to Gotland in Sweden!
UPDATE 1002z: 239 stations in 13 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX in the last day from Spain to Gotland in Sweden!
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| Stations spotted on 2m FT8 in the last 24 hours to 0845z using the big-wheel omni antenna |
New Year's Day football - NOT amateur radio
Yesterday we went to see Cambridge United playing Mansfield. Cambridge lost 2-3. It was our grandson's first football match. He enjoyed it. The photo shows our son and his son.
1 Jan 2020
Earthing
Southgate News has a piece reporting on the new RSGB leaflet on grounding.
See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/january/earthing-and-the-radio-amateur-leaflet-updated.htm#.XgyIZuiTLnE
See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/january/earthing-and-the-radio-amateur-leaflet-updated.htm#.XgyIZuiTLnE
QSY to 2m FT8
At about 1200z I QSYed to 2m FT8 with 10W to the big-wheel omni antenna. A quick CQ was answered by no-one, but was spotted by 31 stations in 4 countries with best DX being OZ4VV (771km). On 2m FT8 RX 55 stations spotted this morning in 8 countries.
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| Stations spotting me this morning on 2m FT8 TX (10W to the omni antenna) |
Happy New Year
To all readers of this blog may I wish you all a very Happy New Year and all the best for 2020.
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