Sunspots - Wednesday June 4th

 Solar flux is 135 and the SSN 95.  A=58 and K=3.

6m QRPP

Yesterday as an experiment I was on 10mW to the vertical omni antenna until about 1900z being spotted by over 80 stations. It proved beyond doubt that very little ERP is needed if there is a decent 6m Es opening. I went back to 6W after 1930z last evening.

A photo of my QRPP setup is attached.

It was a very worthwhile experiment.

6m to the USA and Canada

Yesterday was the first time this summer I have experienced a widespread opening on 6m to North  America. 

I suspect this was E layer but whether it was multi hop Es or some kind of chordal E layer I can’t tell. 

Certainly Es was very good in Europe last evening with about 700+ spots of my 6W FT8 from all over Europe. 

My 6W FT8 was spotted by 6 stations in the USA  using the vertical omni and I spotted multiple stations on RX. See map showing the stations spotted here on the omni - quite a few!!

10m 500mW WSPR (Tuesday)

My W5OLF beacon was turned at 0756z. 

UPDATE 0857z:  Just one spot by HB9TMC (905km) presumably by Es.

Es reminder

In the northern hemisphere, we are now in the peak Es season. If you want a quick look at how well Es is doing in Europe look at the Es map. 

Lightning risk

At this time of year and throughout the summer there is an increased risk of lightning in the UK. I usually check the risk using the lightning map. 

Although the chances of a direct strike are (thankfully) low I usually disconnect antennas, PSUs, PC etc until the danger has passed. Even surges in the mains supply or antenna lead when a storm is near can cause damage.

If the storm is within 20 miles I usually disconnect.

Trying 6m FT8 at 10mW (Tuesday)

At the moment I am trying 6m FT8 at 10mW using my IC-705 with an attenuator right on the output of the IC-705 and setting the 6m power at an appropriate level.

UPDATE 0900z:  Now on 6m FT8 with 10mW FT8. No spots!

UPDATE 1422z:  Even with just 10mW, via poor coax to a V2000 vertical omni, 6 stations have spotted me on 6m FT8, some very strongly. As I keep saying, 10mW ERP is enough to be spotted across Europe. If it works on 6m it will work on 8m without a licence for anyone using ISM rules.

UPDATE 1500z:  It gets even better!  Now spotted by 14 stations across Europe with just 10mW 6m FT8.   Who needs much power when Es is good!

UPDATE 1837z:  Superbly better! Now spotted by 79 stations. today.  Amazing for just 10mW! See map.

Sunspots - Tuesday June 3rd

 Solar flux is 140 and the SSN 103. A=69 and K=5.

Philosophical questions - NOT amateur radio

It is impossible (I think) to know if there is a world outside of what we experience, or if this is all just for me and no-one else experiences what I experience.

All our experiences suggest a world and universe beyond, yet we die and everything we used to experience this dies with our body (or does it?).

We always assume we live just one life. It is possible that everything is possible and every fork is explored yet we are only aware of one path.

This is a philosophical stuff.

A good job we are all different

 This is video by a man with my views. Some in the USA love the new FTX-1, whereas I feel, like this man, that it is overpriced and lacks some features.