Sunspots - Wednesday October 2nd

 Solar flux is 245 and the SSN 196. A=6 and K=2.

2m activity contest (UKAC)

This evening was the 2m activity contest organised by the RSGB. 

As usual, I was running 10W PEP to my big-wheel omni antenna. 

Because of my poor voice I was only on for 30 minutes. 4 QSOs were made. See map.

Middle East - NOT amateur radio

The only long-term solution to the long-running situation over Israel seems to me to be a political solution that allows Israel and the people of Palestine to live in peace. 

This endless cycle of violence may achieve something in the short-term, but just increases bitterness. Everyone has to compromise for the long-term good.

10m antenna

 

At the moment 10m is excellent and there are some 10m only rigs at bargain prices. Many will have a go on 10m only where antennas are small and they do not have to be far off the ground to be effective. 

I know this has been on several times before, but it is worth reminding folks of my 10m antenna that can be made from easily obtainable material, is small and really works. If you are after a simple 10m antenna, this may "fit the bill".  It was in Practical Wireless many years ago and is on my website.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/antennas/homebase10-10m-halo .

8m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

My 8m 2.5W FT8 is on again.

UPDATE 0948z: 

Stations
monitoring
8m FT8

 No spots. The map shows the stations currently monitoring 8m FT8 - quite a few!

UPDATE 1249z:   5 stations have spotted my 8m QRP FT8 and I have spotted 2 and had a QSO with 1 station in Spain.

Stations spotting
my QRP 8m FT8

UPDATE  1420z:   9 stations have spotted my 2.5W 8m FT8 with the furthermost ZR1ADI (9777km).

UPDATE 1745z:  3 QSOs, 9 stations have spotted me and I have spotted 17 stations.

Fuchsias - NOT amateur radio

 

October is often a wet and windy month so it is good to be cheered up by flowers in the garden.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Tuesday)

 As well as spots of me by G4KPX (14km) and EA8BFK (2880km) I am getting spots from YO3BN (2083km). I assume the latter is via F2.

UPDATE 1546z:  USA and Canada coming through with 56 spots of my 500mW WSPR from "across the pond".

UPDATE 1809z: 75 stations have spotted me today. See Phil VK7JJ 's WSPRrocks website.

UPDATE 2056z:  80 spots of me today.

Sunspots - Tuesday October 1st

 Solar flux is 214 and the SSN 150. A=11 and K=2.

Openings to Eastern Europe?

It looks like there are openings to Eastern Europe on 10m and 6m from Western Europe. I am hoping there is some activity on 8m and that it spreads further west.

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

10m 500mW WSPR (Monday)

 So far, just G4KPX (14km) and EA8BFK (2880km) spotting me.

UPDATE 1402z:  USA and Canada coming through now with 17 stations spotting me. See table.

UPDATE 1646z:  28 stations have spotted me.