Sunspots - Saturday July 25th 2020

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 11. A=11 and K=2

Eating out - NOT amateur radio

We ate out tonight for the first time since March. Everything seemed totally normal. Food was excellent as was the service. In all, 4 tables were occupied.

OFCOM and WiFi

Today, OFCOM announced it is allocating more spectrum for wi-fi. See the OFCOM website for more details.

What a difference! - NOT amateur radio

A year ago our local museum had its fete (see photo). Until August 6th this year it has remained closed. They are reopening Thursdays only for a few hours with donations only. Normally they open Thursdays, Sundays and bank holidays. It is staffed largely by volunteers.

10m WSPR TX (500mW to indoor loop)

As the WSPR beacon by W5OLF is totally independent of the PC, I can TX on 10m WSPR at any time. I keep forgetting!

For about 10 minutes the WSPR beacon has been on. It is now 0755z. No spots.

6m FT8

It is now 0745z. A few moments ago, the 6m FT8 gear was turned on (10W and the V2000 vertical omni antenna). 3 G spots received on TX, but no RX spots yet. No QSOs.

UPDATE 0830z:  3 stations spotted so far on 6m FT8 RX with best DX SV6GIM (2101km). Some Es evident.

UPDATE 0937z: 7 stations have now spotted me and 19 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX this morning.

8m allocations

John, EI7GL, seems to have the best information on 8m allocations. I have asked John if he is aware of other countries/stations that have been granted access to this interesting band. You may be aware that Eire has granted access and a few other stations in other countries have asked for special permission to carry out tests.

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/p/40-mhz.html

Sunspots - Friday July 24th 2020

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 11. A=4 and K=1. Still waiting for that upturn!

OFCOM and emerging techologies

OFCOM is asking for inputs on the impact of emerging technologies. See their website.

6m FT8 today

It is now 0658z. A few moments ago I turned on my 6m FT8 gear on with 10W and the V2000 vertical omni. So far just a couple of UK stations have spotted me and nothing on RX.  I guess it's a bit early for Es.

UPDATE 1611z: So far today, my 10W on 6m FT8 has been spotted by 27 stations and I have spotted 118 stations.  Just 1 QSO. The impression I am getting is there is still Es around, but less of it.

UPDATE  2110z:  Going QRT shortly. Today, 37 stations spotted my 10W. On RX 140 stations spotted on 6m FT8.