Solar flux is 99 and the SSN 65. A=8 and K=2.
1 Mar 2022
28 Feb 2022
Mandarin ducks
See https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/birds/waterfowl/mandarin-duck .
The new world order - NOT amateur radio
Peace and harmony have always been my wish. We in the west are far from perfect, but I think recent actions by Russia are counter-productive with many countries being appalled by Putin's heavy handedness against fellow slavs.
In the end we all want peace. Let's hope good sense will prevail.
OFCOM and the upper 6GHz band
OFCOM is consulting on the indoor use of this band. See the OFCOM website for details.
8m TX permit
OFCOM has assured me that it has granted all I asked for, but seem unable to tell me exactly what I am getting before I pay £50!
As I do not know several things, I have asked them to clarify these before I shell out. I think this is reasonable. My wish is to go ahead.
Assuming all is OK, I hope to start TXing FT8 before the Es season and all reports will be appreciated. I suspect this summer could be most interesting on 8m regarding propagation studies.
UPDATE 1239z: OFCOM has clarified things. It has granted me 40-42MHz and I can use my own amateur callsign. It is soon to invoice me. The permit is for a year starting April 2nd 2022. I must not cause interference!
10m FT8
After a very brief TX period with 2.5W FT8 (3 DX spots), I am now RX only. 49 spots so far with the furthermost YB2IQ (11988km).
UPDATE 1154z: 114 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX.
27 Feb 2022
10m FT8 RX
Once again, 10m is becoming a great DX band.
Most days, DX from across the globe has been copied on 10m FT8.
If you are after a simple RX to monitor 10m FT8, then my 10FT8R RX may be the answer. You may be able to make yours better or simpler!
See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/10ft8r-rx .