V2000 vertical

The photo shows the V2000 vertical omni antenna used on 6m, 2m and 70cm FM. For 2m and 70cm SSB and FT8 I use the big-wheel omni antenna.

The V2000 is also used on 6m FT8. On the same mast is a rarely used 2m halo antenna.

2m UKAC

Conditions seemed up last night for the 2m activity contest (UKAC). In 45 minutes, 8 stations were worked with 10W to the big-wheel omni antenna as the map shows.

After that time I had to stop because of my poor voice. As usual, these were SSB.

OFCOM updates

Every month, OFCOM publishes its Communications Monthly with its latest data. For example, the number of UK TV licences. See the OFCOM website for the latest data.

This month’s update covers:

• Office of the Telecommunications Adjudicator update
• Television broadcast licensing update
• Radio licensing monthly update
• Letters: Publication of our granting of consent for launch of Sky Arts on DTT
• Qualitative research study on declining calls and changing behaviour
• Cost models for consultation on BT’s commitment in Area 3
• Co-regulation of on-demand advertising

Riveting stuff I am sure you cannot wait for!

Sunspots - Wednesday September 2nd 2020

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=16 and K=3.

Updated solar data

My page for solar data has been updated. This is usually done in the early days of the new month.

At some point the more active side of the sun will turn into view. We have now had several days without sunspots. Assuming we are at the start of the next solar cycle, I expect sunspot numbers will increase.

See https://www.solen.info/solar/

6m FT8

At the moment I am on 6m FT8 with 10W and the V2000 vertical omni. As yet 9 stations have spotted me including 2 stations in Germany.

UPDATE 1419z: 14 stations have spotted my so far today. Some are probably brief patches of Es, although they could be scatter.

More grandchildren - NOT amateur radio

For several days now we have had the grandchildren.

This photo was taken at Anglesey Abbey yesterday.

2m activity contest tonight

Being the first Tuesday of the month, tonight is the RSGB organised 2m UKAC session. I come on SSB with 10W and the big-wheel omni antenna for about an hour. It starts at 1900z.

IC-705 firmware update

ICOM Japan has a firmware update for the IC-705 available on its website. In the coming months we can expect a few more as bugs are found and new features get added.

I have heard rumours that it could be available in Europe later this month.

Sunspots - Tuesday September 1st 2020

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=26 and K=3.