Sunspots - Wednesday October 4th 2023

Solar flux is 154 and the SSN 150. A=8 and K=2. 

2m activity contest (UKAC)

Tonight is the 2m monthly activity contest (UKAC) organised by the RSGB. After 4 QSOs with my 10W and omni (and poor voice!) I gave up! Conditions seemed up, but with my QRP it was too hard.

630m WSPR RX (Tuesday)

Once again I am on 630m (472 kHz) WSPR RX with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. So far, just the usual stations spotted.

UPDATE 2015z:  In the last 2 weeks 13 stations have been spotted as the table shows.

Anglesey Abbey earlier - NOT amateur radio

This place looks good in all seasons. Today was bright, but not too hot.

Promising HF conditions today

It looks like the MUF today could be the highest this sunspot cycle according to the charts I have seen. It is always worth checking these.

See https://prop.kc2g.com/

UK high speed trains - NOT amateur radio

What a shambles!!  

In the UK we started a new infrastructure rail project (HS2) to connect the capital London with Manchester and Leeds. Over time, this project costing billions of pounds was way over budget. 

Officially, the UK government has still to make a final decision, but, after cancelling the extension to Leeds from Birmingham, it now looks like the line from Birmingham to Manchester will also be cancelled or shelved. 

The high speed line from Birmingham to London terminates on the edge of the city and it will actually take longer to get from Birmingham to central London using the high speed line costing billions than on existing trains!! What a cock up!!

Several questions are begged. Why did they not start in the north where the need was greatest? If they knew it was going to be over budget why do it at all? Why stop the Birmingham to London leg where it does at the London end?

For a very long time the current government has refused to say it is going to cancel the northern extension. I guess they are trying to think of some good words to say.

In my view, this has done serious, long-term, damage to the UK and the ruling Conservative party.

8m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

 My 2.5W FT8 was turned on at 0804z.  So far, just a spot of me by local G4WSZ (12km). Although I spotted ZR1ADI (9777km) yesterday, he was not able to copy my QRP. I live in hope!

UPDATE 1042z: G3WCS  (223km) spotted.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Tuesday)

 My QRP 10m WSPR TX beacon was turned on at 0804z this morning. No spots yet. I guess the stations in the Canaries have not yet fired up.

UPDATE  0820z: Spots from ODESSA and EA8/DF4UE.

UPDATE 1518z: 34 spots of me with many from North America. Also spotting me was J41PAN a special call from Greece to celebrate operation from Paneio Mountain.

UPDATE 1941z:  47 stations spotted me today including 2 spots from Antarctica. 

Ely Cathedral - NOT amateur radio

Ely is about 20 minutes away from us by car. The cathedral, which is very old, dominates.

See https://www.elycathedral.org/

Plans for Tuesday

I shall try 8m FT8 QRP again and 10m QRP WSPR TX as the antenna is free with the beacon.