6m FT8

For the last few hours I switched to 6m FT8. My CQ was spotted by 19 stations in 3 countries with best DX being a spot by G4RAA (333km) in Devon. On 6m FT8 RX there seems to be no Es evident with MW0CSO (243km) being the best DX spotted here this afternoon.

UPDATE 1715z: Now 30 stations spotted in 10 countries spotted today on 6m FT8 RX with best DX spotted being EA7ARG (1746km).

UPDATE 2010z: Now 39 stations in 14 countries (all EU) spotted on 6m FT8 RX today.

2m and the IARU

Southgate News has a piece today about the IARU and 2m. Several national societies have expressed concern about the French WRC 2023 proposal to reallocate the band to aeronautical mobile services.

2m FT8 RX today

This morning I am on 2m FT8 RX. So far today, 32 stations spotted in 6 countries with the best DX DK1FG in Bavaria (815km). These could be tropo or aircraft reflections. There are probably some of each. Signal levels suggest most are tropo. Still using the big-wheel horizontal omni antenna.

House martin nests - NOT amateur radio

There were several nests over the bakers where we stayed in Brittany.  I am pretty sure these are house martins judging by the tail of the adult.

Our garden in Brittany - NOT amateur radio

This was our host's garden in Brittany. Vast!

Sunspots - Sunday July 14th 2019

Solar flux is just 66 and the sunspot number still 0. A=6 and K=2. Pathetic again.

Dinard airport - NOT amateur radio

We flew back from Brittany yesterday from Dinard. This is a very small airport. Getting through it was easy unlike London Stansted! Despite having only cabin bags we faced a HUGE queue for passport control. At one time years ago Stansted was a small and intimate airport.

OFCOM consulting on mobile repeaters

OFCOM is consulting on mobile phone repeaters.  Please see their website.

With our Brittany hosts - NOT amateur radio

We are now back home after a great few days in Brittany with our son's French mother and father-in-law. They live at Le Vivier-sur-Mer not far from Concale and St Malo.

The photo shows us with them a few days ago in St Malo.

2m FT8

Stations spotting me on 2m 

FT8 since I got home.

As I have just returned from Brittany, I have gone on 2m FT8. My initial CQ call was widely copied as far as Germany. Now I am RX only.

Sunspots - Saturday July 13th 2019

Solar flux is 66 and the SSN 0. A=8 and K =1.

Tiny snails - NOT amateur radio

We saw these snails near the sea on the north coast of Brittany today.

Brittany yesterday - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday we went for a walk with our hosts. This is the view. The coast is pretty good.

Rallies this Sunday

The following rallies are on this Sunday:

Sunday 14 JULY : CORNISH RADIO AMATEUR CLUB RALLY
Penair School, St Clements, Truro TR1 1TN. Doors open 10.30am until 4pm. There will be trade stands and a Bring & Buy. Catering is available on site. Contact Mike Halloway on ‪01209 211 069‬, email mike.g1nrf@hotmail.com.

Sunday 14 JULY : McMICHAEL RADIO RALLY AND BOOT SALE
Reading Rugby Football Club, Sonning Lane, Sonning on Thames. RG4 6ST. Doors open 9.30am to 3.30pm, admission £3. Car boot sale pitches £10 (setup from 7:30). There will be trade stands and exhibition displays. Catering is available on site as well as a bar. More from Min, G0JMS on ‪07917 830 410‬ or by email to G0JMS@RADARC.ORG. www.mcmichaelrally.org.uk

Sunday 14 JULY : 23rd RED ROSE QRP FESTIVAL
St Joseph's Hall, Mather Lane, Leigh, WN7 2PR. Free car parking, all on one level halls. Doors open 10.30am (traders 8am). Bring and Buy, RSGB bookstall, refreshments, bar. Details from Colin M0IQY on ‪07419363131‬ or on manchesterradiorally@gmail.com.

A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

Sunspots - Friday July 12th 2019

Solar flux is 67 today and the SSN 0. A=4 and K=0.

OFCOM Annual Report and Accounts

No doubt you will join me in being extatic over the OFCOM Annual Report and Accounts for last year now available on their website. I cannot contain my joy 😂!!

Sunspots - Thursday July 11th 2019

Solar flux is 67 today and the SSN 0.  A=4 and K=0.

St Malo, Brittany - NOT amateur radio

The picture shows some of the boats in the harbour this morning.

Sunspots - Wednesday July 10th 2019

Solar flux is 67 and the SSN 0. A=4 and K =0.

Brittany - NOT amateur radio

This is the house where we are staying for a few days with our son's in-laws.