Sunspots - Sunday June 9th 2019

Solar flux is 68 and the SSN still zero. A=18 and K=4.

Angry sky

Today is our church fete. Traditionally, it never rained on this June Saturday, so much so that people used to ring up the vicar and ask him the date of the church fete and book that day for a wedding!

In recent years we have had a few wet days and today they had most of the stalls inside the church.

The rain held off, but the sky looked angry. The photos show an angry sky behind my antennas (V2000 vertical omni and 2m big-wheel horizontal omni).

6m FT8

Although it is only 1001z, already good Es on 6m FT8 with  43 stations in 14 countries spotted on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1212z: Now 78 stations in 23 countries so far today on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1438z: Now 174 stations spotted including Egypt and Israel on 6m FT8 RX today.

Stations spotted today on 

6m FT8 RX to 1448z

UPDATE 1453z: Current total is 180 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX today. With loads of Europeans and 3 continents logged on 6m today things are pretty good. Just need some "real DX" to round things off. 😏

UPDATE 1920z: 218 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX. Still no "real DX" spotted here.

Sunspots - Saturday June 8th 2019

Still the pits I am afraid.

Solar flux is 68 and the sunspot number still 0. A=4 and K=1.

Storms moving our way?

At the moment we are storm free, but it looks like there are storms moving up from the west of the UK. They may miss us by miles, but I have turned things off and unplugged things as a precaution.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortung/europe/index.php?bo_page=map&bo_showmap=6

HF antenna

A few weeks ago my HF wire antenna fell down. At some point soon I need to re-erect it or a suitable alternative. There are several possibilities. Unfortunately, since my 2013 stroke I am always giddy on my feet, so even climbing a few feet up a ladder to my flat garage roof is now a real challenge. Darn!

UK pound against the euro - NOT amateur radio

We live in turbulent economic times. In recent weeks the UK pound has lost value against the euro and could lose more the longer the BREXIT uncertainty continues. It is hard to predict the future.

Buying a new radio

For some time now, I have been thinking of investing in a new radio. I was really after a real FT817 replacement (not the FT818) with a built-in auto ATU, speech processor and better batteries amongst other things. Sadly no such rig was announced at Dayton, so it is on to plan B.

Several rigs are being considered:

• FT991A - includes 2m and 70cm, temperature controlled fan, 3:1 internal ATU.
• IC7300 - probably best radio in price range. Has 4m, but not 2m and 70cm. SDR based. Good ATU inside.
• FT891 -  small, inexpensive. No 4m, 2m or 70cm. No ATU.
• FT450D - old radio. Inexpensive. Internal 3:1 ATU. No 4m, 2m, 70cm.
• IC7100 - recommended by friend. Remote head if need be.

In the UK Elecraft radios are expensive once things like the internal ATU are added. These are good.

All new Yaesu transceivers have a 3 year warranty and some models have a cash-back deal. At the moment I am leaning towards the FT991A, although there are some reports of poor TX phase noise. As I shall be operating QRP mainly, I have no idea if this is better at lower power.

Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio

We go to nearby Anglesey Abbey quite often. It is about 4-5 miles away. At the moment the flowers in the herbaceous borders are at their best.

A walk around the grounds is about 1.2 miles. The photo shows some of the pastel coloured flowers.

UK politics - NOT amateur radio

The UK Labour Party managed to win a byelection in Peterborough. It already held the seat.

At the moment UK politics is in a right mess. I cannot foresee the future and have no idea about how the BREXIT "thing" will be resolved. Clearly, a large number of people are fed up with the EU. Equally, quite a large minority see what the EU can do for us. If only the EU had been more flexible.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48532869

6m FT8

So far this morning 7 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX with best DX DM2DXA (892km).

UPDATE 1022z:  Now 25 stations in 7 countries spotted on 6m FT8 RX today. Evidence of Es again.

UPDATE 1144z: Now 32 stations in 7 countries spotted this morning on 6m FT8 RX.
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UPDATE 1347z: Now 44 stations in 10 countries spotted on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1543z: 60 stations in 15 countries so far spotted today on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1902z: 70 stations in 15 countries spotted in the last day on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1940z: Now QRT.

Sunspots - Friday June 7th 2019

Solar flux is 68 and the sun is still spotless. By now I was hoping we'd see a few sunspots. A=3 and K=1.

Rallies

Sunday 9 JUNE : JUNCTION 28 RADIO RALLY

Alfreton Leisure Centre, Alfreton, Derbyshire. Doors open 10.15am (traders' setup from 7.30am). Admission £3. Run by South Normanton & Alfreton & District ARC. There will be full disabled facilities and a bar selling alcoholic, hot and cold beverages, and a selection of cobs on the day. Hot food also available in the on-site café. Free parking on the day. Over 100 tables all indoors with dealers & private traders, RSGB, local & national clubs. New rigs and accessories to vintage, spares and components. For further details contact Alan Jones, snadarcsec@gmail.com or 01332 679 913.


Sunday 9 JUNE : EAST SUFFOLK WIRELESS REVIVAL (Ipswich Radio Rally)

Kirton Recreation Ground, Back Road, Kirton IP10 0PW (just off the A14). Doors open at 9.30am and the entry fee for visitors is £2. The venue has free car parking. Trade tables are from £10. There will be trade stands, a car boot sale, a Bring & Buy, special interests groups, GB4SWR HF station and an RSGB bookstall. Catering is available on site. Contact Kevin G8MXV, 07710 046 846. www.eswr.org.uk.

Amaryllis - NOT amateur radio

Some time ago our French daughter-in-law gave us a bulb. We planted it in the garden and forgot about it.

Today it is in full flower and looking splendid. It was recently moved onto our patio by a friend (Richard) who looked after some plants when we were on holiday. According to the RHS website we have been using the wrong name! These are magical plants with huge flowers. You can almost see them growing.

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

OFCOM chief executive to stand down

No, I did not know who she was either.

Apparently the current chief executive of OFCOM is to leave for a job with John Lewis and Partners. I am sure she will be greatly missed.

See https://ofcom.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/E4E859444D2787B12540EF23F30FEDED/952AB8F022CBFC94BA4AF9908B8D85ED

6m FT8

At the moment there is good Es on 6m, even though it is only 0832z. In all, 22 stations have been spotted already and even my 2.5W CQ call was spotted by a couple of stations with M0CGL (107km) being the best so far. On RX, the best DX is Portugal.

UPDATE 0930z: Already 47 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX with best DX EA8DBM (3016km).

UPDATE 1458z: Now 133 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX with best DX being 9K2HS (4634km) in Kuwait.

UPDATE 1905z: Now 167 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX.

Kite (bird) - NOT amateur radio

Over breakfast I spotted an unusual bird overhead, so I grabbed my glasses. It was a kite, the second seen from our home. Years ago, this would have been exceedingly rare, but not so any longer. If I had been quicker I could have got a great picture with the blue sky and windmill. I was too slow!

472kHz overnight

We are definitely seeing summertime activity and conditions. Only 2 stations spotted here on 472kHz WSPR overnight, and these were actually spotted first in the early evening yesterday. Until the autumn, I suspect I am rather wasting my time.

472kHz WSPR here overnight - disappointing

Sunspots - Thursday June 6th 2019

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN still 0. As the more active side swings into view I hope we see some spots. A=4 and K=1

472kHz WSPR

The last time I was on 472kHz WSPR, not a single station spotted me, despite being on overnight. At about 1810z, I went back on 472kHz WSPR (20% TX, 10mW ERP, remainder on RX) hoping for better luck!

I guess the summer QRN is higher now and there are far fewer active stations on the band. Both factors make copying a weak QRPP signal much harder. Using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, I still have a low noise floor.

Amazingly, I have already been spotted today on 472kHz WSPR by G4GIR (53km) who was also spotted here.