Where I come from - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows where I come from in South Devon. We had some land hereabouts in 1427!! 

Sunspots - Friday July 30th 2021

 Solar flux is 76 and the SSN 0. A=8 and K=1

Es - keep monitoring

We appear to have the best of the Es season behind us in the northern hemisphere. However, Es can occur at any time, so it is worth monitoring 10m FT8 and WSPR if you can. With lots of people active, it would not surprise if we see some Es propagation on 10m most days. Of course F2 openings will become more frequent as cycle 25 gathers pace.

With the grandchildren - NOT amateur radio

 

This photo shows us with all the grandchildren yesterday in our back garden.

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

For the last few hours I have been on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW. So far, just 3 spots from Germany. Yesterday, there were several spots by FY5KE (7110km) in South America. Maybe later?

UPDATE 1335z:  Spots by 12 different stations on 10m WSPR TX so far today, many multiple times.

UPDATE 2035z:  16 different stations have spotted my beacon  so far today. The furthermost was again FY5KE (7110km).

6m FT8 (Thursday)

After a very brief period on TX with 2.5W and the V2000 vertical omni I am on 6m FT8 RX only. It is now 1058z and just 6 G stations spotted. No Es evident here yet. 

UPDATE 1444z:  42 stations spotted so far with the furthermost K4PI (6802km) in Georgia, USA.

Sunspots - Thursday July 29th 2021

 Solar flux is 79 and the SSN 0. A=13 and K=3.

Covid-19 England - NOT amateur radio

My dad, who died in 1987, had some colourful language. One phrase he used was "they could not organise a piss up in a brewery". He would probably have said this now over the pingdemic, which is seeing many key workers having to self isolate.

I am sure intentions are good, but like much English government policy in the last 18 months this seems reactive rather than proactive and made up on the go. 

10m WSPR TX beacon using 500mW (Wednesday)

Most of the morning I've been on 10m WSPR TX using 500mW. As of 1015z 6 stations have spotted me. 

UPDATE 1117z:   Still 6 unique stations have spotted me with the furthermost EA8BFK (2880km).

6m FT8 QRP

 After a very brief TX period (2.5W) I am on 6m FT8 RX only with the V2000 omni antenna. It is now 0812z and 3 stations spotted with the furthermost EA7L (1739km). Early Es which is promising. My brief TX period resulted in 5 UK spots.

UPDATE 1113z:  35 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX.