2m FT8

 At the moment, I am on 2m FT8 using 2.5W and the big wheel antenna. I have been spotted by 5 stations and I have spotted 2 with the furthermost on RX PE1EZU (315km).

UPDATE 2002z: 12 stations spotted on 2m FT8 RX with the furthermost DK1FG (815km).

Rally postponed and new venue

The Dartmoor Radio Rally with a new date (was July 4th) is now at a new venue at the Yelverton War Memorial Hall on August 15th. The postcode is PL20 6AL for those with GPS. 

Admission is £2.50 and Roger on 07854 088882 or email 2e0rph@gmail.com has more details.

Butterfly - NOT amateur radio

 

This very kind butterfly kept very still so I could take a photo. 

Usually they fly away just as I am about to shoot! 

The Shetland Isles - NOT amateur radio

Although a distant part of Scotland nowadays, the Shetland Isles once belonged to Norway. There are still strong links with Norway.

There are few trees on Shetland and often gales and poor weather. Summer days are long as are winter nights. 

Occasionally the weather is good as in this photo posted on 365project by a friend today.

Solar data

As far as I know, we do not yet have accurate forecasts for the size of the next solar peak. Forecasts are getting better as we understand more of the mechanisms of the sun.  Many were expecting it to be much the same as the last peak.  Actually, the forecasts vary from almost no peak at all (wrong) to a big peak! 

My money (based on a wet finger!) is much the same as the last peak.

One of the sites I regularly look at is https://www.solen.info/solar/. The last time I looked the data had not yet been updated, although it usually is early in the month. It is probably worth checking over the next few days.

Orchids - NOT amateur radio

I have mentioned before that my wife seems to have a way with orchids. We have had some for many years. 

The trick seems to be not to over-water them. A thimble of water a week seems to be correct.

10m FT8 RX

At 0715z, my 10m FT8 RX gear with the tiny indoor loop was turned on. No spots yet.

UPDATE 1218z:  36 stations spotted on RX this morning. 

UPDATE 1552z: 46 stations spotted.

UPDATE 1738z: 51 stations spotted. Certainly not as good as yesterday.

Sunspots - Thursday July 1st 2021

Solar flux is 94 and the SSN 53. A=14 and K=3.

Cosy - NOT amateur radio

Every year we make a poster to help us remember the year past. We put this in our kitchen so we can enjoy it every day.  Our kitchen is cosy rather than "posh".

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 .