October snowdrops - NOT amateur radio

I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw these snowdrops at Anglesey Abbey this morning. This is October isn't it? 

BREXIT - NOT amateur radio

If you turn on the news on the UK TV or radio, you will almost certainly hear something about Covid-19. It is almost like BREXIT is not happening. 

Behind the scenes, both sides actually want a deal, despite this actually not looking like this. Those in the EU are holding out for the best deal. 

In the very end we can expect some face-saving deal that will be appear good for both sides. A no deal outcome would not be good for either the UK or EU nations.

2m FT8 (2.5W to the big-wheel omni antenna)

Since about 0820z I have been on 2m FT8. So far (it is now 0830z) 8 stations have already spotted me with the furthermost being G4RRA (333km).  2 stations spotted on RX. No QSOs.

UPDATE 1927z:  After a period on 20m FT8, I have returned to 2m FT8 with QRP.  So far, 5 stations have spotted me - all Gs. Nothing spotted yet this evening on 2m FT8. 18 stations in 4 countries have spotted me so far today. The furthermost was GD3YEO (384km).

Sunspots - Friday October 16th 2020

Solar flux is 74 and the SSN 12. A=3 and K=1. 

2m FT8 (2.5W to the big-wheel omni)

At about 1840z, I tried a few CQ calls on 2m FT8. Not a single station was spotted in the first 15 minutes, which is very unusual. My own QRP signal was spotted by 4 stations with the furthermost being G8TIC (170km). At the moment I am RX only.

UPDATE 1900z:  Going back on TX.

UPDATE 1910z: 5 spots of me and 2 spots on RX. No QSOs. G0LRD is copying a few more stations than me, possibly as his antenna is further above ground than mine. He is 26km from me on the other side of Cambridge.   See http://82.71.9.63:8080/cap/

Angry sky - NOT amateur radio

This was the sky behind our windmill a few minutes ago. Angry. 

QRP VLF earth-mode

8 years ago I was experimenting at VLF with earth-mode signals through the ground getting 6km with 5W as the photo shows. 

Another cancelled rally

I have just heard about another cancelled rally. Let us hope next year is better! This time next year we should have a vaccine and things should feel more normal. This year has been odd for most. 

The Hornsea Amateur Radio Rally was due to be held Oct 18th in Driffield, but this is now cancelled.

2m AM QSO - 100 miles - 10mW - halfwave whip

My  XYL was looking in our loft for some pictures and came across my mobile logbook that I had not seen for over 7 years. I have never managed to get in our loft since my 2013 stroke. 

In the logbook is my Fredbox QSO across the Channel with 10mW and a halfwave whip on 2m AM in 1976. This was one of my all-time best ever QSOs. See logbook page photo below.

Years later the Fredbox was revived and used for some local QSOs again.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/fredbox .

6m FT8 (2.5W and the V2000 vertical omni)

In a few minutes I hope to turn on 6m FT8.  It is now 0647z.  If I spot anyone or anyone spots me, I shall be pleased and amazed. 

However, they do call it the "magic band" as from time to time strange things happen. 

The most probable outcome is white noise, followed by the odd G spot (from dedicated people who like punishment) and possibly the odd European by aircraft or Es.

UPDATE 0723z:  6m FT8 now turned on. No spots given or received.

UPDATE 1025z: Just a spot from G0PQO (50km). No spots on RX and no QSOs.

UPDATE 1806z:  Now QRT. With no spots at all on RX and just 1 spot of me on TX, today has been a poor day.