Switzerland - NOT amateur radio

Switzerland is a beautiful mountainous country as this image that was on 365project earlier shows. 

I have been there a few times for work and holidays. Slovakia, which is very similar, is about half as expensive.

2m FT8 yesterday

Most of the time yesterday evening I was on 2m FT8 RX using the big-wheel omni antenna. At the start I was on TX and was spotted by 5 stations when I was using 2.5W. Most of the time I was on RX. I spotted 23 stations on 2m FT8 RX as the map shows. 

Sunspots - Friday July 2nd 2021

 Solar flux is 94 and the SSN 56. A=7 and K=1. 

Norfolk churches - NOT amateur radio

Whatever your views on religion, we have more churches with round towers in this area than anywhere in the world. The church in the photo is in Norfolk. 

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.