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.

Iceland - NOT amateur radio

Nine years ago we went to Iceland. We had a great time. Our abiding memories were the lupins everywhere and the pretty churches. The photo shows the one at Vik.

6m FT8

It is now 0710z.  My 6m FT8 gear has just been turned on with the usual 10W to the V2000 vertical omni antenna. So far just 8 G spots of me with no Es.

UPDATE 1100z: 40 stations spotted me on 6m FT8 TX this morning but no QSOs.

10m WSPR TX beacon

In a few moments I hope to turn on my 10m WSPR TX beacon using 500mW to the tiny indoor loop antenna.

UPDATE 1204z: 3 different stations have spotted me today so far.

UPDATE 1427z: Now trying 10m FT8 with 10W and the indoor loop.

Covid-19 teaparty - NOT amateur radio

Last Sunday before we clapped for the NHS we had a socially distanced teaparty on the green in our close. We all brought our own chairs and drinks.

Sunspots - Tuesday July 7th 2020

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN 0. A=5 and K=2.