Where is the sun? - NOT amateur radio

All of this month we have had a big high pressure system with "anticyclonic gloom". 

Basically we have had cloud, mist and fog with no sun at all.  NE Scotland has had good weather by contrast. 

As this photo from a friend on 365project shows, they have had better weather in the Faroe Islands.

Oscar 100 (lack of) activity

As you know I try to take a very unscientific peek at narrowband activity on this geosynchronous satellite. My last peek was about 0950z today, which is a Saturday. Activity levels remain disappointingly low.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

10m QRP WSPR (Saturday)

My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon has been on since about 0730z. So far, multiple spots by EA8BFK (2880km) as usual, but nobody else.

6m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

My QMX+ to the vertical omni V2000 was turned on at about 0730z. So far (at 1325z), 32 stations have spotted me. See map.

Sunspots - Saturday November 9th

 Solar flux is 231 and the SSN 167. A=11 and K=4.

10m 500mW WSPR (Friday)

As I am on 6m FT8, I put my QRP W5OLF 10m WSPR beacon on. Plenty of spots from North and South America received. See table.

UPDATE 1718z:  50 stations have spotted me today.

6m QRP FT8 (Friday)

My QMX+ is initialising. 

Someone kindly suggested it might be due to slow charging of capacitors in my PSU. I tried simply plugging in the power lead to the QMX+ with my PSU well and truly at the correct voltage, but this made no difference. After a time it just initialised. I suspect it is something to do with the way the microprocessor initialises, but I am no expert.

Anyway, the QMX+ in now on 6m FT8 and, so far, just 17 English stations are spotting me at 1540z.

UPDATE 2231z:  The map shows where I have been spotted on 6m QRP FT8 today.

ISM bands

It surprises me that more use of some ISM bands is not utilised for beacons. In many countries around the world this is licence free with a very low ERP, yet we know worldwide coverage is possible. 

Some countries require the use of type approved equipment, although I am unsure if in some countries you can type approve by yourself that you comply.

It seems an easy route for many. Certainly a few have done this on the 13m and 8m ISM bands with great success. 

When my 8m TX permit expires next year, this is the route I propose to take here in the UK, where OFCOM has indicated its approval.

President Trump - NOT amateur radio

In January, Mr Trump becomes US president for the second time. 

He has won the popular vote and the Electoral College. There is little doubt he has gained a mandate from most in the USA. Clearly the majority in the USA back him. For those in the USA his policies and promises "ring a bell".

Yet the odd thing is I have met not one (really not one in hundreds) outside of the USA that likes him. Most say he is unpredictable, a liar and thinks only of himself. 

I remain puzzled why he is so popular. Perhaps his promise of "the American dream" rings true with the majority in the USA? It is the American people that choose their leader by democratic means, not me. 

However, there are issues on a global scale that need his input as the most powerful man on the planet. No longer can the USA live in isolation. The world is very much interconnected.

Amaryllis - NOT amateur radio

These are fun plants to grow at this time of year. 

They start as bulbs, but can grow very big with lovely, large flowers after about 6 weeks. 

You are left wondering how such huge flowers and stalks can come from that bulb! 

We grow several each year, slightly staggered so they are not out at the same time. 

Often, if the leaves are left to dry and die, they are good for more than one season.