Sunspots - Sunday February 2nd 2020

Solar flux is 73 and the SSN 11.  A=6 and K=1.

Hackers? - NOT amateur radio

At the start of every month, visits to my blogs peak. These correspond to visits from a certain country in Eastern Europe. It looks like regular visits from hackers looking for vulnerabilities.

Usually, things return to normal next day. I guess if they found they were able to, they would implant links to dodgy sites or malicious software. Usually I change passwords frequently to avoid a problem.

Up to now, I have had no problems, but if you see anything unusual, that is why.

Outside the record shop - NOT amateur radio

Earlier today I mentioned that vinyl records seem to be making a comeback. This is our friend outside the record shop in Letchworth yesterday. The shop is also a cafe.

Solar forecast update

My favourite solar forecasting page has been updated today (Feb 1st 2020). It still shows the forecast that we have already passed the solar minimum and are starting the climb to the next solar peak. This is slow at first, but, if correct, it means better times are ahead. Fingers crossed.

See https://www.solen.info/solar/

BREXIT round 1 - NOT amateur radio

So the UK has left the EU. Several months of difficult trade negotiations now take place. We were staying with old friends (see photo).

As I have said many times before, there is a lot wrong with the EU and I would have preferred us to work for change from within the EU. I just hope we continue to work with the EU in a positive way.

2m FT8

Having just returned from a night away with friends, I am again on 2m FT8. My 10W FT8 CQ was spotted by 19 stations in 3 countries and on 2m FT8 RX 12 stations spotted in 3 countries. Typical 2m FT8 results.

UPDATE 1744z: Now 28 stations spotted in 7 countries.

UPDATE 2136z: Now 50 stations in 8 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX since returning home this afternoon.

Vinyl records - NOT amateur radio

Old fashioned vinyl records are back again as witnessed by this shop in Letchworth yesterday.

Sunspots - Saturday February 1st 2020

Solar flux is 74 and the SSN 11. A=8 and K=1.

Overnight on 160m FT8 RX

Quite a decent night on 160m FT8 RX with 763 stations spotted including 16 North American stations and 2 South Americans.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX overnight 

UK Rallies

The following UK rallies are occurring this weekend:

Saturday 1 FEBRUARY : BARRY ARS TABLE TOP RALLY

The Wilton Lounge, Sully Sports & Leisure Club, South Road, Sully CF64 5SP. Doors open 10am to 2pm. Entry £2 under 18s free, single pitch £10, traders £25 (tables included). There will be 2nd hand radio, computer and electronics and there is a close unloading point for traders and ample parking. Catering and a bar will be available. Nigel, GW1CUQ, gw1cuq@gmail.com.


Sunday 2 FEBRUARY : SOUTH ESSEX ARS 36th CANVEY RADIO & ELECTRONICS RALLY

Cornelius Vermuyden School, Dinant Avenue, Canvey Island, Essex SS8 9QS. Talk in on 145.550MHz. Free car parking and easy level ground floor access to two large halls. Doors open at 10am, disabled visitors 9.45am. Admission is £3, children under 10 free. Tea, coffee and soft drinks will be available, as well as bacon butties. There will be radio, computing and electronics traders. More details from Tony, G0JYI, via tony@tonystreet.net.


A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/