Croatian 60m 100mW beacon

This may be worth listening for.   9A5ADI/B is a beacon on 5288.8MHz sending 100mW CW from Croatia (JN95).

2m FT8 QRP overnight and daytime December 24th

By accident, I left my 2m FT8 QRP station running overnight. I meant to turn it off. No more spots since last night of my QRP signal.  Staying on overnight is not worth it.  When we go for a walk shortly, I shall be RX only on 2m FT8. As usual, still using 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna.

UPDATE 1520z:  Since before lunch I have been on TX as well as RX. So far today I have been spotted by 14 stations with the furthermost being a spot by DF0MU (475km). If you want DX at any time, try 2m FT8.  Interestingly, 13 stations in just 2 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX. I get the impression more people are monitoring and not transmitting.

Birthday breakfast yesterday - NOT amateur radio

As reported, my birthday was yesterday. The photo shows me having breakfast yesterday.

It was a cooked breakfast with fruit.

Austria gets 60m and 630m

Southgate News reports that Austrian amateurs will have access to these bands.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/december/austria-receives-60m-and-630m-christmas-present.htm#.X-RRHNGTLrc

Sunspots - Thursday December 24th 2020

Solar flux is 86 and the SSN 27. A=12 and K=3.

2m FT8 QRP (Wednesday)

As 15m has been quiet for a while I QSYed to 2m FT8 QRP at 1800z using the usual 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna.  At the moment (1805z) 4 stations have spotted me on TX and I have spotted nobody yet on RX.

UPDATE 1945z: 7 stations in 2 countries have spotted my QRP on TX and I have spotted 3 stations in 2 countries on RX.

15m FT8

It is now 1005z and I have just turned on 15m FT8 RX. So far,  5 stations spotted on RX with the indoor loop and FT817ND.

UPDATE 1207z:  37 stations spotted so far with the furthermost 9K2OW (4639km) in Kuwait.

UPDATE 1352z: 76 stations in 5 continents spotted so far on 15m FT8 RX today. Furthermost is HC1DAZ (9256km) in South America.

UPDATE 1651z:  Now 136 stations spotted.

Birthday - NOT amateur radio

Today is my birthday. Unlike previous years, this will be very quiet. 

The photo shows me opening my present from our younger son.

Sunspots - Wednesday December 23rd 2020

 Solar flux is 86 and the SSN 11. A=12 and K=3.

ICOM (UK) warranty?

One UK dealer is selling the ICOM IC-705 with a 5 year warranty at extra cost. At one time (still?) these were "grey" imports that would not be serviced (I understand) by ICOM (UK) but by ICOM (Europe) if the dealer could not fix the issue.

Another UK dealer is making a "thing" about the IC-705s it is selling being "genuine" UK versions with 5MHz enabled.

My question is what is the standard ICOM (UK) warranty?

Should I buy one, I want to be assured the product could be repaired by ICOM (UK) should the dealer leave the market or go bust.  In these troubled times these things could happen.

UPDATE 1847z:   A quick check on the ICOM (UK) webpage suggests it is 2 years for amateur gear. See https://icomuk.co.uk/Icom-UK-Warranty.