Sunspots - Monday July 20th 2020

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=1.

Bird count - NOT amateur radio

Every month my brother does part of the bird count on the Kingsbridge Estuary in Devon. This photo shows Blanksmill Creek earlier. Looks a bit overcast.

6m FT8 today

Since about 1025z I have been on 6m FT8 with 10W and the V2000 vertical omni.

UPDATE 1045z:  Spotted by 20 stations so far today.

Stations spotted
so far today

UPDATE 1707z: The map shows the stations spotted by me so far today - 77. All within Europe apart from the Canary Islands.

UPDATE 2005z:  QRT. I expect the main Es season will be ending soon, although with FT8 I am sure we will see some Es until much later. I recall on SSB QRP 6m working SMs way into September, so with FT8 we can expect this at least. If people stick with 6m FT8, it would not surprise me if we see some Es every day at some point. OK, I suspect the days with widespread openings will end, but some brief openings are still likely.

Breakfast chat - NOT amateur radio

The was one of our grandchildren chatting to my wife at the breakfast table earlier.

Yesterday's party - NOT amateur radio

The collage shows more views of our party on the green near us yesterday.

6m FT8 yesterday

On TX 142 stations in Europe spotted me and 303 stations spotted here.

Sunspots - Sunday July 19th 2020

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

Party - NOT amateur radio

As it was someone's special birthday we had a socially distanced party on our green as the photo shows.

10m FT8 (500mW and the indoor loop)

Until about 1130z, I am on 10m WSPR. Using the indoor loop, I shall turn things off to prevent the risk of RF burns to the grandchildren who are arriving this afternoon.  As yet, no spots received. It has been on for about an hour. It is now 1037z.

New ICOM IC-705 video

Southgate News has a piece linking to the new ICOM video about the SDR based ICOM IC-705 QRP rig.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/july/introducing-the-ic-705-qrp-sdr-transceiver.htm#.XxK49YjYq00

See also https://icomuk.co.uk/IC-705-HF-VHF-UHF-Mobile-Transceiver/3977/1338/14/