Sunspots - Tuesday July 15th

 Solar flux is 128 and the SSN 139. A=16 and K=2.

Gaza - NOT amateur radio

Apparently the BBC has removed a documentary on iPlayer as it breached editorial guidelines. 

Meanwhile in response to the horrific events of October 7th by Hamas against Israel, Israel is trying to destroy Hamas as a fighting force. It does not allow journalists into Gaza to see the destruction and over 50000 people have died. 

I am sure that the response is totally unjustified by any measure. The hate that must have built up against Israel has probably put peace back 50 years. Surely Israel 🇮🇱 must see this.

My wishes are an immediate ceasefire, a long term peace , the UK to stop all arms sales to Israel and no dealings with Israel until there is a just peaceful including IDF training.

10m QRP WSPR (Monday) - plenty of Es

My 500mW beacon was turned on mid morning. It looks like there is widespread Es .

UPDATE  2005z:  Spotted by 37 stations. Now QRT.

6m 5W FT8 (Monday)

My gear was turned on mid morning using the V2000 vertical omni antenna. 

UPDATE 2004z:  409 stations have spotted me mostly, I presume, by Es. See map. This includes 5 in the USA. Now QRT.

Thoughts on 8m

As many know, I decided not to renew my 8m TX permit. This was costing me £50 every year! 

I was hoping that OFCOM was going to issue a Notice of Variation to my amateur licence for a limited time around sunspot maximum. 

It would appear the RSGB was not prepared to support this, which I personally found extremely sad. In all my dealings with the RSGB I found them very against, not even neutral!! If ever there was a case for an NoV, this was surely it around sunspot maximum. I was hoping the RSGB would have been supportive of real research - not so.

In the event, and without the backing of the RSGB and OFCOM my 2.5W FT8 to a low wire dipole was spotted in Europe, South Africa, the USA, Canada, Caribbean and Asia . Continuing as the MUF declines would probably contribute less, hence my decision.

Instead I have concentrated on 6m, where my 5W FT8 to the V2000 omni has reached the Far East, Europe, South Africa, the USA, the Caribbean, Canada and Argentina probably by E layer, TEP and scatter. 

My outings on 8m have left me with a very bitter taste: if you want real experimentation in the true spirit of amateur radio do not expect to be supported in the UK by the RSGB and OFCOM sadly.

Monday plans

Where my 6m 5W FT8 was spotted on Sunday

After being spotted in Argentina 🇦🇷 yesterday with my  5W FT8 on 6m, I plan to go on QRP 6m FT8 and 10m WSPR today. 

Sunspots - Monday July 14th

 Solar flux is 128 and the SSN 102. A=23 and K=2.

40s day at museum - NOT amateur radio

 

Today was the 1940s day at the local museum . It is very popular.

Family meal - NOT amateur radio

After seeing our granddaughter doing her ballet 🩰 on stage at the Royal Opera House in London we shared a lovely meal together. 

SSTV from the International Space Station (ISS)

Amateur radio Weekly reminds us that there will be SSTV from the ISS this week. I guess you have to know when it will be in range in your location. In the past I have not tried. Perhaps I should.

See https://amsat-uk.org/2025/07/11/sstv-from-the-iss-in-july .