Solar flux is 94 and the SSN 53. A=14 and K=3.
1 Jul 2021
30 Jun 2021
Cosy - NOT amateur radio
10m (my favourite band)
My favourite band is 10m (28MHz). This is getting good again after a few poorer years. Recent licencees may not realise just how good it can be.
Modes like FT8 may come into their own in solar cycle 25, although just a simple antenna and a few watts of SSB is all that may be needed to work the world.
On WSPR I have been spotted in every continent (including Antarctica) with 500mW and a low wire antenna on 10m in the last solar cycle.
Don't forget that 10m Es (to about 1500km) is often good from April-September at any point in the solar cycle. 10m can also be useful for local natters.
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/10m-operation .
10m FT8 RX
Since before breakfast, I have been on 10m FT8 RX with the tiny indoor loop. It is now 0828z and, so far today, 55 stations have been spotted.
UPDATE 0940z: 105 stations spotted on RX so far. As well as Es, I think there is some F2 propagation.
UPDATE 1305z: 255 stations spotted so far today on 10m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1530z: 348 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today (see map).
V2000 vertical omni issues
For several weeks I have had issues with my V2000 omni which I use on 6m, 2m and 70cm.
G3TFX has been investigating and it looks like the main issue is the coax. The antenna had some moisture in, but this has been removed. I need fresh coax.
In the interim I was hoping to use my VX2 handheld out portable for the Cambridge club net on 145.55MHz FM (2m) this evening. However I cannot find the charger!
Morning walk 2014 - NOT amateur radio
This photo from 2014 shows me just back. I look far thinner and the hedge that is now big and thick, looks tiny.
29 Jun 2021
England v. Germany (football) - NOT amateur radio
5T5PA Mauritania
This station in West Africa is always a consistent 10m signal, even with my indoor loop. I have no idea what power and antenna they use.