Sunspots - Tuesday June 27th 2023

Solar flux is 158 and the SSN 158. A=11 and K=2. 

8m QRP FT8 (Monday)

Much of the afternoon, I have been on 8m FT8. Quite a good session with spots of me from Eire and Poland. 

Plans for today (Monday)

After lunch, I expect to be on 10m QRP WSPR TX and 8m QRP FT8. At the moment, European Es does not look great.

Cockchafer beetle - NOT amateur radio

Last evening I saw what I think was a cockchafer beetle in the garden. I don't recall seeing one since the 1960s. 

See https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/how-to-identify-cockchafer-may-bug.html.

Sunspots - Monday June 26th 2023

 Solar flux is 155 and the SSN 180. A=15 and K=2. 

Last night's concert - NOT amateur radio

 

Last evening, we attended a concert by the Ely Consort in our local church. It was good, but very hot.

What happens next in Russia? - NOT amateur radio

This is being written on Sunday afternoon and a lot can change very fast. My own reading of the situation is this:

1. Apparently there was a half-hearted attempt at a coup by someone that at one time was close to Putin.
2. When this started Putin was worried about being overthrown. At the time there was talk of treason and backstabbing.
3. Very soon the leader of this coup backed down. He was promised no charges for him and his men if he went to Belarus, the leader of which sides with Putin.  This is all very odd.
4. It is unclear how this will pan out. We could see at least 3 outcomes: 
1. Putin becomes even more tight in his grip on power and purges those around him he sees as a threat.
2. Putin is overthrown either by someone who is even worse or more liberal.
3. There could be a lurch back towards communism by the people.

It is a brave man that predicts how this will end, but most think it has weakened Putin.  One thing is clear: this has not ended. It may appear to have for now, but what happens next?

In the meantime we just carry on.

European Es today (Sunday)

It is my impression (so far) that Es in Europe is average and could be much better.

See https://www.tvcomm.co.uk/g7izu/radio-propagation-maps/europe-sporadic-e/.    This site is excellent.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Sunday)

My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon was turned on at about 0830z.

UPDATE 0935z: Already spotted by 21 unique stations. Very promising. 

UPDATE 1238z: 22 unique stations have spotted me. Almost all look like Es (see map).

8m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

 After a poor day yesterday with no spots at all, I am again on 8m QRP FT8. No spots yet. 

UPDATE 0934z: No spots.

UPDATE 2032z : 3 stations have spotted me today on 8m FT8 QRP.