Sunspots - Wednesday March 16th 2022

 Solar flux is 110 and the SSN 71.  A=6 and K=0.

Says it all? - NOT amateur radio

This waste bin expresses what many feel probably.

I can't understand how so much suffering can be inflicted on fellow Slavs who share so much history. 

It is hard to see how in the future there will be warm relations between the Ukraine and Russia.

Linkedin and contacts I do not know - NOT amateur radio

Every week I get asked if I would like to connect someone I do not know! I am not sure why these people ask. 

I only use Linkedin rarely and when I do it is usually to keep in touch with old work colleagues . 

If I don't know you I will not connect with you ever.

OFCOM and space spectrum

OFCOM is consulting on the use of spectrum in support of new space technology. See the OFCOM website for details.

St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds, UK - NOT amateur radio

The abbey here is centuries old (it is now in ruins), but the cathedral was only quite recently finished. 

We visited the Abbey Gardens earlier today. 

The photo shows the cathedral.

160m FT8 RX

About 5 minutes ago, I QSYed to 160m FT8  RX using the untuned 10m antenna. So far, 6 stations already spotted.

UPDATE 1925z: 15 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX so far.

UPDATE 2240z:   93 stations spotted.

Tame Robin - NOT amateur radio

When we were in the Abbey Gardens at Bury St Edmunds, we had a very friendly robin nearby.  If I had had some food, I am sure it would have taken it from my hand. 

As always, the Abbey Gardens looked a picture.

Bury St Edmunds - NOT amateur radio

As our car was in for a service and MOT, we went on the bus to Bury St Edmunds, about 17 miles away. 

It was a great, free (with our bus passes) trip with an excellent tapas lunch. It was a good trip out. On the way there we sat at the top front so we had a very good view. You can see so much more from the top of a double decker bus.

15m FT8 RX with the tiny indoor loop

Again I am on 15m FT8 RX with the tiny indoor loop antenna. This just sits on the shack windowsill and is about 50cm diameter. For the size, it is remarkable. 

UPDATE 1635z: 409 stations spotted on RX today. Unlike yesterday, there were plenty of stations from the USA.  Perhaps conditions were disturbed yesterday?

UPDATE 1840z:  473 stations spotted today. With very few additional ones, I may soon go QRT and QSY to a lower band.

UPDATE 1850z:  Although I am unsure when this happened, my tiny loop had fallen over. There was still plenty of DX coming through just now when I QSYed to 160m FT8 RX.

Really long distance 6m QSOs

In the last few days the EI7GL blog has been reporting some extremely long distance QSOs on 6m. 

These are eye watering distances and although TEP may explain some of this, it makes you wonder what propagation mechanisms were involved. 

No wonder they call it "the magic band".