Oscar 100 (geosynchronous) update

Every few weeks I try to give an update on activity levels on Oscar 100. I do this by checking the online SDR at Goonhilly Down in Cornwall.

My latest look suggests that activity levels are still quite low. To be honest activity levels look lower than the last time I looked. This is not scientific, more of a quick look to see how things are going.

It seems to me that people enjoy the challenge of getting a signal through the device then lose interest.

UPDATE 0856z:  On the narrowband section there were only 2 active stations just now!  I am quite surprised how quiet things are. I bet if there was a "black box" ŧhere would be far more activity. These days there are few real experimenters sadly.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/

Even more ICOM IC-705 videos

Looking on YouTube I see there are loads of videos appearing about the IC-705. This is now on sale in Japan, so I can only look at the pictures as I speak no Japanese. Although I intended to give some links, I think it is better you look yourselves.

Passed the minimum?

My favourite solar forecast site still thinks we have passed the solar minimum and are on the up towards solar peak 25. It shows the minimum as most likely having occurred at the end of last year. They expect sunspot numbers to be approaching 20 by the end of the year. I hope they are right.

I have yet to see revised forecasts for the size of the next peak. A little while ago they were predicting the next peak would be of similar size to the last one. Normally, these predictions are revised once the next cycle starts.

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

Windmill sails in action - NOT amateur radio

For some reason, my G3XBM video channel has this video "unlisted". I shall change this. It shows the windmill next door with the sails turning.

For safety reasons both the local museum and windmill are currently closed.

2m activity contest (UKAC)

Stations worked last night on 2m SSB

Last night I managed 8 contacts in the low power section using 10W and the big-wheel omni antenna. After an hour I had had enough, although several workable stations were missed. Usually an hour leaves me exhausted. Several ONs and PA0s were heard plus one F.

Interesting that these are hard work in the UKAC sessions on SSB but easily worked on FT8.

Sunspots - Wednesday July 8th 2020

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=0.

10m FT8

A few moments ago I went on 10m FT8 instead of 6m FT8. The time is now 1423z. No Es evident and I am only being spotted by local M0HOJ (14km). I am running 10W to the indoor loop.

UPDATE 1430z:  Now some Es.  4 spots so far of me with 3 from southern Germany.

UPDATE 1737z:  9 stations have spotted my 10W to the indoor loop. Best DX was a spot by EA7D (1781km).

OFCOM updates

Every month OFCOM updates its Communications Monthly with the latest information. See the OFCOM website for more information.

BBC weather forecast - NOT amateur radio

Last Friday my wife booked for us to visit our nearby National Trust property. When she booked the BBC weather forecast full sun. When we left home it had already changed to light cloud. Now we are home it has changed again with a strong likelihood of rain soon. Honestly they really haven't a clue. Unless there is a big high pressure system it would appear their super computers do little good. Frankly they are a joke.

Fir Cones - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows some fir cones seen on our walk earlier.