Sunspots - Wednesday June 3rd 2020

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=7 and K=1.

Short range devices (SRDs)

I am very ignorant of the rules in the UK and EU around SRDs. OFCOM has announced making bands at 800 and 900MHz license free. I am not sure what other bands are available for SRDs or whether type approvals are needed or the ERP limits. Can these bands be available to radio amateurs for modes like WSPR or FT8? We might have a legal way to access other parts of the spectrum.

6m FT8

About an hour ago, I turned on 6m FT8 with my usual 10W and the V2000 vertical.  It is now 0800z. So far, 223 stations have copied me. On 6m FT8 RX 114 stations spotted.

Yesterday I was spotted in the mainland USA on 6m FT8 by K4MVL (4360 miles).

Spots of my 10W
to 1730z today

UPDATE 1737z: So far today 548 stations have spotted me on 6m FT8 TX. Most were EU stations by Es with a small number of Africans and near Asia.

10m WSPR TX

As yesterday, I am on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW and the indoor loop. Quite a few spots already. It is now 0859z.

ICOM response on lack of 4m on IC-705

I wrote to ICOM UK about 4m not being included and asked if it would be in a letter firmware update. I got a reply that looks like it was generated by a computer. BTW, I did not ask about previous models!

"Thank you for taking time to write to us regarding the 4mtr band on the new IC-705 as well as your comments on previous Icom models.

We apologise for the news released recently regarding the band not being included in our new radio. As passionate Radio Hams and keen users of the band, we share your disappointment.

We are passing all messages back to the sales, production and design teams at our HQ in Japan

We remain at your service and any news regarding this subject or other information will be transmitted via our web and social media channels

Kind Regards

ICOM UK LIMITED.
HAM RADIO DEPT."

Sunspots - Tuesday June 2nd 2020

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN 11. A =6 and K=2.  Clearly sunspots are back and the active side of the sun is coming in to view.

Solar data page updated

My favourite page for solar data has been updated and this now includes the data for May as well as the latest thoughts on the date of solar minimum which is showing December 2019 as a possible date.

It still shows a pickup in sunspots this year. Hope this is correct!

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

See also https://www.solen.info/solar/

Online jazz gig - NOT amateur radio

My son is a professional jazz pianist. He has been on the BBC and other radio stations and usually plays at the very best jazz venues in London and around the country. He has had gigs abroad several times. He is very good.

As these venues are closed, he gets no income. Instead he is trying to sell tickets for an online gig this Wednesday. Even if you cannot listen, please consider buying a ticket.

To buy tickets go to:
https://www.facebook.com/events/307363236932197

To see the gig go to:

See https://www.tickettailor.com/events/greensandjazz/378245/o/c5ddfb5

10m WSPR TX (500mW to the indoor loop)

An encouraging start today.  After just a few minutes, 7 unique stations spotting me with most Europeans via Es.

UPDATE 1213z: So far today 15 unique stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 1627z: 39 10m WSPR spots of me today.

6m FT8

Although I have still to get to the bottom of my internet time sync issue I think I have reset the PC clock and synchronised it to internet time resyncing every 500 seconds. It looks like it is better at first, then off later. If anyone has my timing now (i.e. early Monday - it is now 0754z) I'd be grateful.

So far, 96 stations have spotted me. There is plenty of Es from Europe and some in Western Europe are working Japan again. So far, nothing from Japan or the Far East here on 6m FT8 RX or TX.

UPDATE 1800z: So far today 1081 stations have spotted me. This includes 1 station in mainland USA. Not bad for 10W and the V2000 vertical omni.