900 MHz band in the USA

Apparently, the main user of this band over there is proposing a major change of use that could negatively impact secondary users like amateur radio. 

ARRL is trying to oppose the changes. 

Not being in the USA I have no idea how active the band is.

Lightning risk

One thing that could disrupt amateur radio today and tomorrow is the risk of storms and lightning. If there is a risk I shall disconnect things and go QRT. A useful guide is the lightning map. I am pretty sure this is available for all parts of the world. One can zoom in and out.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org .

Sunset - NOT amateur radio

Although "our" windmill was on yesterday, I think this sunset photo, taken by my wife last evening,  is too good not to share. It's our laurel hedge in the foreground and this was taken through the lounge window.

10m 500mW WSPR TX (Saturday)

 Although my QRP beacon has been on since about 0820z, no spots.

UPDATE 0926z:  No spots.

UPDATE  1520z:  Spotted by 3 stations today. See table.

UPDATE 2000z:  QRT.

6m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

My 2.5W  to the V2000 vertical omni antenna was turned on about 0820z. So far  (at 0846z) spotted by 8 UK stations. See map.

UPDATE 0955z: Still just 8 people spotting me this morning.

UPDATE  1524z:  16 stations spotting me today. Mostly UK, but a couple of more distant stations. See map.

UPDATE 2003z:  QRT.

We tried - NOT amateur radio

We tried to grow some peppers, but failed!!

The moral seems to be “stick to the day job “ and next year buy them from the supermarket.

Saturday plans

 Assuming the thunder stays away, I plan to go on 10m QRP WSPR and 6m QRP FT8.

Sunspots - Saturday August 31st

 Solar flux is 214 and the SSN 143. A=23 and K=4.

Italy legally on 8m

It has come to my attention that Italian amateurs (for a limited time) have amateur access to 40.66-40.70MHz. 

This will be interesting when F2 propagation really kicks in. They are far enough south to catch some TEP and I expect they will have QSOs with the Caribbean.

What I do not know is do other administrations allow similar access? 

As I keep saying, just 5kHz, a low ERP, no SSB, narrow digital modes only, limited time, strictly no interference, by NoV or equivalent, would allow widespread free propagation research. Personally I cannot see the issue when 40.66-40.70 MHz is already allocated to ISM, licence free gadgets. 

Is the problem that people in many PTTs are ignorant and stupid? Or is it just the military trying to keep the spectrum as clear as they can "just in case". Also most PTTs see only hassle and no money.

Now and the coming months are the best times for 8m propagation research.

Ely Cathedral - NOT amateur radio

 

This is probably our favourite cathedral known as the “ship of the fens”. It can be seen from miles away standing proudly on a hill . As locals we get free entry.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ely_Cathedral .