Sunspots - Monday November 18th

 Solar flux is 146 and the SSN 117.  A=8 and K=2.

Vandalism - NOT amateur radio

Back in the 1500s in the Reformation many statues were destroyed as being "idols". Looking back, this was pure vandalism. 

The example shown in the photo is the Lady Chapel in Ely Cathedral.  

We are still doing this in the world! These are part of our history. We may not agree with our forefathers but we have absolutely no right to destroy it.

6m MSK144 (Sunday)

Having confirmed that most 6m MS activity is around 50.280MHz in Europe, I am again monitoring this overnight.

10m DX in 2012

One of my Facebook memories today was of a report from the USA 🇺🇸 when I was using my ultra-simple CW transceiver on 10m.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/10m-lesser-chirpy .

OFCOM news

OFCOM is to auction off chunks of mm wave spectrum near 25GHz and 40GHz. It also updates the information it holds on licences etc.. See the OFCOM website.

Awareness of speed - NOT amateur radio

For many years, I have been aware that my perception of speed is "different". When I drive (locally only) it is as if I am doing 20 mph faster than I am. I glance down at my speedometer and it feels like I am doing about 65mph whereas I am doing about 45mph only and there is a stream of traffic behind me! 

Earlier in the week I was a passenger in a car with a friend. He seemed to be going fast, but was only doing about 50mph.

In the past I put this down to my 2013 stroke, but perhaps it is old age. It is getting worse.

6m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

My QRP 6m FT8 has been on since just after breakfast. So far, spotted by 20 stations. See map.

UPDATE  1417z:   24 stations (all in Europe) have spotted me.

10m 500mW WSPR (Sunday)

 My QRP beacon has been on most of the morning. So far, 13 stations have spotted me. 

UPDATE 1420z:  26 stations have spotted me.

Unusual view - NOT amateur radio

 The windmill next door has been on the blog many times but this is an unusual view over the allotment gardens .

Leonid meteor shower

This peaks on November 17th. 

Usually meteor showers result in VHF reflections. Although some manage QSOs with random meteors, the duration of reflections is usually longer in showers, so QSOs tend to be easier. 

Pings tend to be strong, but of short duration. MSK144 is a popular mode.

UPDATE 0942z:  No spots overnight. I hope I am on the correct frequency.