300W Class D on 472kHz

www.g0mrf.com/630m.htm

G0MRF has produced a design and PCB for a 300W class D PA for the MF band. It needs a low level drive at twice frequency. For WSPR it needs the experimental software from K1JT that produces tones at twice frequency so they are right when driving this PA. Although kits of some parts are available, I do not think a complete kit is available. Using such a PA would increase my 630m ERP by several "S" points, even without antenna and ground changes.

See http://www.g0mrf.com/630m.htm

IC7300 and FT991 prices

The price of the FT991 from Yaesu has dropped below £1000, but the IC7300 is still £1049. At the moment Yaesu is working on an FT991A, having seen the real-time spectrum display in the IC7300. There is plenty of margin in the price of the IC7300 but I guess dealers are presently holding the current price and not reducing it, despite the weaker pound, because people are buying at the high price. At less than £1000 I might be tempted by the IC7300. There is no doubt it is a good radio but please get it below £1000. Note that the FT450D retails at £599. The IC7300 should be comparable - it has a simpler RX architecture. No, despite the weaker pound against the dollar and the yen, I am convinced the dealers can afford to drop the IC7300 price and still make good margins. In the meantime, I shall wait.

UPDATE 1616z:  I see ICOM has announced a firmware update for the IC7300. See http://www.icom.co.jp/world/support/download/firm . Each firmware update improves functionality or fixes bugs.

10m DX

With 6 South Americans and ZS5LEE spotted on 10m JT65 so far, it has been quite promising. My own signal has been spotted in Europe, but not outside Europe yet.

UPDATE 1435z:  More South Americans spotted (Uruguay and Northern Brazil) so 8 South Americans spotted so far. Canary Is, EA8CYL (2988km), is the best DX yet on 10m JT65 TX. I think the European spots may be Es.

UPDATE 1446z:  No signs of the USA on 10m JT65 as yet. It is about this time I'd expect this path to briefly open. Maybe later in the month?

UPDATE 1504z: Another South African spotted on 10m JT65. ZS1ALJ (9697km) around Cape Town spotted. BTW, Cape Town is a beautiful city. South Africa is a beautiful country, although we get more insects in our bedroom in 1 night than we saw in the whole of South Africa in several weeks!  Seeing "the big 5" animals wild in the Kruger National Park was splendid though. South Africa surprised us. It was far greener than we expected and the scenery was so different depending where you were: some places were like Scotland, other parts like the Med, and other parts wild open plains. It is not a place I'd like to live, but it is well worth a visit if you get a chance. We went a few years ago.

 https://pskreporter.info/pskmap.html

UPDATE 1600z:  Now 3B8CW in Mauritius has been spotted on 10m JT65. This is the best day on 10m for a while. Many Europeans either spotting me or being spotted on 10m JT65.

UPDATE 1645z:  ZS1CM in Western Cape has also been spotted on 10m JT65. Currently 13 different South American stations spotted on 10m JT65.

10m JT65

So, I have now been on 10m JT65 for a few hours. So far just G0VUH (157km) spotted.

I am still awaiting North America on 10m JT65 this season. I have been unlucky so far, but with declining solar conditions this might be the last chance on F2 for several years on 10m, although summertime Es does bring North America in reach on 10m (even 6m) on a few days.

UPDATE 1112z:  No further reports on 10m JT65. Was G0VUH aircraft reflection?

QRP, Linears and BIG stations

A great thing about our hobby are the various ways in which we can enjoy it. For some it is satellites, some microwaves, some balloons, some ATV, some VHF, some QRP, some just talking. I am not one to criticise  how others enjoy the hobby. How you choose to enjoy it is your decision. Also, how much you choose to spend will depend on your own circumstances.

In my own case, I prefer to run QRP (currently WSPR and JT65) and simple wire antennas. I appreciate this is not everyone's idea of fun. Someone once suggested I tie my hands behind my back too! However, try 5W or less occasionally - you may be surprised.

My first 15m QSO was with a station in Chicago who was on SSB. I was using a simple homebrew transceiver that cost me well below £20 to make (see https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/15m_pipit ), even if I had bought all parts new. I was using 800mW CW and I almost fell off the chair when he replied to my CW call. Many many QRP contacts later and I knew this was not a one-off.  By the way, the antenna was a low wire dipole.

My point is you do not need to spend a lot to enjoy amateur radio. Some choose to spend thousands and thousands on rigs, linears, rotators, towers and beams. If this is for you, then fine. All I am saying is you can spend very little and still have a ball. Second hand CB gear covering 10m can be bought cheaply. In the summer months this and a small wire antenna will work 1000 miles or more most days. Maybe you can build a kit instead? There are several inexpensive kits for 40m or 20m SSB.

Each to their own but you do not have to break the bank.

Sunspots and 10m - Sunday October 9th 2016

Solar flux is 103 (quite good) today and the sunspot number 62 (not bad seeing where we are in the solar cycle). K=1. Yet again, the 10m F2 forecast remains  "poor".

Panoramio - NOT amateur radio

From Google earlier:

As a born cynic, I do not like it when things are "retired". Usually what replaces it is less good.

Back in 2014, we announced our intention to retire Panoramio in order to invest our efforts into improving photo-sharing experiences directly inside Google Maps.  In response to your feedback, we postponed these plans and worked to add features to Maps that better support the level of engagement that you have enjoyed with Panoramio. Today, with photo upload tools in Google Maps and our Local Guides program, we are providing easy options for you to share your photos with an active and growing community. As such, we’ve decided to now close down Panoramio. To make this transition easier, we’ll provide several options to continue sharing photos through other services. If you choose, you can also export all your data and take it somewhere else.

Because you have linked your Panoramio profile with a Google account, all your Panoramio photos will be copied to the Google Album Archive at full resolution after Panoramio goes away. These copied photos will not use any of your Google storage quota.  However, unless you upgrade to a Google+ account, your Panoramio photos will stop appearing in Google Maps.  This is because Panoramio nicknames will no longer be supported, and all other photos in Maps are attributed to Google+ user names.

After November 4, 2016, you’ll continue to have access to your photos in Panoramio for a year, but you will no longer be able to add new photos, likes, or comments.  Below, we’ve included resources to help you manage or export your data.  You can visit your Panoramio profile to see what photos you've added.  If you have already linked your profile with a Google account, your Panoramio data will automatically be saved.

1) Keep your photos in Album Archive

Because you have a Google account linked with your Panoramio account, we will automatically copy your Panoramio photos to the Google Album Archive when Panoramio is retired in November 2017.

• Copied photos will not use any of your Google storage quota.
• If you activate Google+ on your account, then eligible images and your View Counts will be transferred into Google Maps and will be visible when you sign in to Maps and access the Contributions screen from the main menu.

2) Export your photos to a local zip file

Visit takeout.google.com and follow the instructions there.

3) Become a Local Guide to keep contributing 

To keep adding photos to Google Maps and engage with a growing community of photographers, join the Local Guides program. You can earn points and unlock rewards for photos submitted with a Google account when they are linked to a point of interest or business. Many of your Panoramio photos may already be counted.

If you prefer to no longer share your photos with Google Maps, you can delete your Panoramio photos or your entire account at any time.  

• You can delete your Panoramio account (and photos) immediately by logging in, opening "Settings", and clicking the "Delete your account" option.  You can also navigate to this page directly by using this link.
• If you delete any photos (or delete your entire account) before Panoramio is retired in November 2017, that content will not be automatically copied to the Google Album Archive and will stop appearing in Google Maps.

Please see our Help Center article for more information and the various options you have to save, transfer, or delete your content. We’ve appreciated your contributions over the years and hope you will continue to share amazing photos with the world.

Thank you,

The Panoramio team

Stamford - NOT amateur radio

As you may have noticed, I was away for a time, so the blog had no posts for a while. We visited Stamford, Lincs, UK and visited Burghley House where these deer were spotted.  The pictures are mine but my wife made the collage.

This was our hotel room. They gave us the bridal suite, despite being married for 45 years! We even had our own garden and 4 poster bed.

OFCOM

More from OFCOM about the 3.6 to 3.8GHz band:

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-1/future-use-at-3.6-3.8-ghz?utm_source=updates&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Future%20use%20at%203.6%E2%80%933.8%20GHz%20band&utm_term=Consultation%2C%20Fixed%20links%2C%20Satellite%2C%205G%2C%203.6%E2%80%933.8%20GHz%20band

QRP and QRP Club

Having been away for a couple of nights, I have not posted news from Oleg (and others), so this is a catch-up. There have been many more emails but I have not included them all here.

There was discussion about Indian radio amateurs launching a "Sputnik" piggyback. On the QRP Club website is more news of the recent "Sputnik" activities.


Dear Space friends,

Today I went to the Fort as said before.
I worked on 40 and 30 meters.

On 40 meters (7030 kHz):
G4OJF Gerry at 08:38 UTC S569-R539
F55NJF Michel at 08:58 UTC S559-R589
DL7KB Dieter at 09:07 UTC S549-R559 He used 150mW from Berlin!
DK1RT/P Bernd at 09:26 UTC S439-R559 He used 1 watt FT817 from Sebnitz
GM0GCO Brian at 09:51 UTC S579-R559 used 50 watts at start later reduced to 5 watts.
ON6WJ Jos at 10:27 UTC S569-R589 This was the first Inter-Sputnik QSO! Both xtals on different QRGs but still close enough.

Then I lunched and afterwards switched to 30 meters (10116 kHz and worked:
F6ENI Bruno at 11:43 UTC S599-R599 He used 100 Watts and was stunned about my 1 Watt 1 tube TX.

Then I helped a friend at the Fort with some work on a fence to keep the sheep out of a certain area and saw that the GP still stands. Hopefully the sheep will leave it alone.

About yesterday's 4 QSO's, the log is as follows:
40 meters:
I/DL9FI Horst at 08:25 UTC S569-R539. he used 1 watt from his car
HB9BIN/p SOTA at 12:05 UTC S599-R559
Then on 30 meters:
OH0GG Gey at 12:28 UTC S559-R559 Very pleasant QSO with Aland Island!
IZ3PYE Max at 12:42 UTC  S569-R539

@ Oleg: Sorry about the wrong callsigns in my previous mail.

Coming Saturday and Sunday I will be at the Fort also and hopefully no crowded band. At least I then escape to 30 meters...
Beep beep to you all from PA6FBE The "Fort Bij Edam".

72/73 Peter PA0PJE


Dear Space Friends,
the  2016  totals, comments, pictures page opened on the Club 72 site
today. There is a 1'st QSO in the log today - RV3GM/S to G3XJS.
Preferably, to send me results daily.

72! beep-beep-beep...
Deep Space Communications Center
operator on duty -
Oleg ("Mr. 72") RV3GM / KH6OB 

10m JT65 again

This morning, I returned to 10m JT65 TX and RX. Apart from  CT1GVN (1798km) who was spotted at 1154z, all is quiet.

Last evening I spotted loads of South Americans on 10m JT65.

I don't think a day has passed in the last few weeks when somewhere in Europe has not been spotted on 10m JT65.

UPDATE 1640z:  2 South Americans spotted on 10m JT65 here so far.

UPDATE 1745z:  5 South Americans so far spotted on 10m JT65 this evening.Best RX DX is LU7ECO (11207km) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. There were a couple of stations "in line" that could have been E layer. I wonder if this was TEP with E layer to get within TEP range?

UPDATE 1928z: No further South Americans spotted on 10m JT65. I am surprised, as on paper I expected better.

UPDATE 2050z: 8 South Americans spotted on 10m JT65 this evening. I expected more.

Sunspots and 10m - Saturday October 8th 2016

Solar flux is 105 today and the sunspot number 50. K=2. The forecast for 10m F2 propagation remains "poor".

Rallies

Sunday 9 OCTOBER : HORNSEA AMATEUR RADIO RALLY
Floral Hall, 7 The Esplanade, Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire HU18 1NQ. The venue has car parking on site and the doors open at 10am. There will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy, special interest groups and an RSGB bookstall. A raffle will be held on the day. There will be catering on site. Details from Rick, M0CZR, on 01964 533 712, or email R106221@aol.com.

Sunday 9 OCTOBER : HACK GREEN BUNKER RALLY
Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 8AL. Sale of electronic equipment, amateur gear, components, military radio sets and vehicle spares. Doors open 10am, there will trade stand and catering is available on site. Further details from Lucy on 01270 623 353 or by email to Lucy@hackgreen.co.uk. www.hackgreen.co.uk.

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

10m JT65

Since returning home this morning I have been active on 10m JT65. 4Z5ML (3571km) is the best DX so far. He spotted me well over an hour ago. Several other Europeans have spotted me, so the Israeli might have been E layer or F2.

Sunspots and 10m - Friday October 7th 2016

Solar flux is 102 (respectable) and the sunspot number is 55. K=1. The forecast for 10m F2 propagation is "poor".

As I was away, there was no solar forecast yesterday.

Back Home - NOT amateur radio

We had a couple of nights in Stamford, Lincs, UK (no blogging!) and visited Burghley House. Our hotel backed directly onto the estate so we walked the 1 mile to the house and then back again. There were plenty of deer in the park and we saw a kite fly over. These birds are now quite common but they were once rare outside a small area of Wales. They are very distinctive with their forked tail. We also saw this dragonfly  and several sweet chestnuts.

Southgate News Back

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/ .

I am glad to see this back after the holiday. On the link that I used there was no indication of holidays although I agree with "anonymous" that this was made clear on their homepage, which I usually bypass.

Sunspots and 10m - Wednesday October 5th 2016

Solar flux is 93 today (not bad). Sunspot number is 33 and K=4. The forecast for 10m F2 propagation remains "poor".

2m UKAC contest this evening

As it is the first Tuesday of the month, tonight is the October 2m leg of the RSGB's UKAC activity contest. The contest runs from 1900z to 2130z. I shall take part for under an hour because of my poor voice. I shall be using 5W QRP and my big-wheel omni antenna.

As I have said many times, this is a friendly affair and there is no compulsion to send in an entry. Go on, enjoy the activity and maybe work a few new squares.

UPDATE 2030z: I had to stop because of my voice, but worked some decent distances with real QRP. Best DX was a station on the Welsh border G1YBB/P, well over 200km.

Stations worked tonight on 2m with 5W and omni antenna

QRP - yet more on Sputniks

This just came in from Oleg:

Dear Space Friends,
the  2016  totals, comments, pictures page opened on the Club 72 site
today. There is a 1'st QSO in the log today - RV3GM/S to G3XJS.
Preferably, to send me results daily.
72! beep-beep-beep...
Deep Space Communications Center
operator on duty -
Oleg ("Mr. 72") RV3GM / KH6OB


Dear Space Friends,
thanks  to  Peter  PA0PJE  for report and picture. I add photo on the
results  page  on www.club72.su  I only ask you to send me details of
today's "sputnik" QSOs to add in the totals log, please.

2'nd  picture  of  Yuri's UA1CEG "Vanguard" tcvr is on the page also.
Yuri informed he operated from the forest "wigwam" position today, but
no success for sorry.

Evening I CQed on 200 mW TX on 14060 but no one RBN copied my signals,
sorry.  For  TX I use VXO and PA, both transistors are GT320B Ge pnp.
Ant is 42 m Delta at 6 m AGL.

72! beep-beep-beep...
Deep Space Communications Center
operator on duty -
Oleg ("Mr. 72") RV3GM / KH6OB

Sepura Takeover Rumours - NOT amateur radio

Shares in my old company Sepura (SEPU) have tumbled in recent months. The LSE listed company was started in 2002. They are now rumoured to be a takeover target. Time will tell, but with TETRA likely to take off in the USA, someone should do well. Since retiring in 2008, I watch fro  the sidelines. I want them to do well. Their main market is TETRA - digital radio for professional users.

UK Stock Markets post BREXIT - NOT amateur radio

Both the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 UK share indexes are currently at record high levels. I am sure the weaker pound helps exports, but these levels are high. Of course, being shares, they could tumble tomorrow! At the moment, the stock markets are not phased by BREXIT.

UPDATE 1216z: FTSE 100 at 7110.43 (up 1.82%). FTSE 250 at 7110.43 (up 2.2%).

QRP - now on 10m JT65

As of 1135z, I have gone QRT on 6m JT65 and 10m WSPR and am now on 10m JT65.

UPDATE 1155z: Nothing yet spotted, or spotting me, on 10m JT65.

UPDATE 1800z: Nothing still on 10m JT65. Plenty of South Americans on 10m JT65, but no luck yet this evening.

UPDATE 1820z: My first Argentinian tonight spotted on 10m JT65 a few moments ago in Buenos Aires. 10m JT65 has "come good" again! These spots are so regular. I am sure we are seeing TEP (trans equatorial propagation).

UPDATE 2102z: Only 3 South Americans copied this evening on 10m JT65.

Lunchtime Es (again) on 10m WSPR

EA1FAQ (1249km) has been consistently spotting my 10m WSPR strongly,  even though well outside of the main Es season and my little WSPR beacon runs just 500mW to a very average, low,  wire antenna. Virtually every day I am spotted by someone. I assume this is Es. Backscatter is unlikely and the distance too short for F2.

I shall soon be moving over to JT65 on 10m only.

QRP Sputnik days reminder

More from Oleg:

Dear Space Friends,
I only wish all sputniks and Vanguards happy flight!
All  comments,  reports,  pictures are appreciate here in the list or
direct  to  my  e-mail. All info's will be published on the "Sputnik"
results page - www.club72.su - totals log, soapbox, pictures etc.
SWLs are welcome also.
My  "Sputnik"  is  old  valves trcvr called "UW3DI" (14 valves) power
reduced  less  than  a  1 watt. My "Vanguard" trcvr is "Micro-80-pnp"
(only  Ge pnp 5 transistors on board) VXO 14060 kc 200 mW. Helping RX
is  "UA1FA" (home made in 70-80-th not mine hands). Antennas: 20 m GP
and Delta 42 m, both 6 m AGL.
72! beep-beep-beep...
Deep Space Communications Center
operator on duty -
Oleg ("Mr. 72") RV3GM / KH6OB

QRP this morning: 10m WSPR and 6m JT65

Today I started out on 10m WSPR (no reports yet) and 6m JT65 (just G0LRD at 25km spotting me). Later, I'll probably move to 10m JT65. On both bands I am QRP with 500mW WSPR and 2W JT65.

Sunspots and 10m - Tuesday October 4th 2016

Solar flux is 89 today and the sunspot number 32. However K=5 and the 10m F2 propagation forecast remains "poor".

Yet again - South America on 10m

This evening, South Americans stations, lots, were received on 10m JT65. The conditions did not look that promising, but yet again 10m using JT65 has proved to be "open". There were quite a few Europeans copied and copying me today. I love 10m and JT65.

QRP News - Sputnik days

From Oleg earlier:

Some years ago, G6ALB and I made a simple QRP CW rig, using Sputnik valves, for 21MHz and we worked a stateside station who replied to my CQ call.

Dates: October 4 to 18 annually
Mode - CW, output power less than 5 watts
Bands  -  all,  including  WARC  (it's  not  a  contest),  around QRP
frequencies recommend
Categories:
"Sputniks"
-  use old type valves(50'th)  TX, output power recommend less than 1
watt.  To  identification  add series of "dit" (beep-beep-beep...) in
start or/and finish of transmission
"Vanguards"
-  use  old  type  Ge (germanium, 50'th) transistors TX, output power
recommend  less  than  100 mW. To identification add series of "V" in
start or/and finish of transmission
SWLs
- copy time and freq of Sputniks and Vanguards (CQs or QSOs). Use main
callsign as SWL.
Each  operator  may  take  a  part in any categories sending separate
reports/logs for each category. Any QSOs in account. Same station may
operate on other bands or in other category on the same band.
Reports/logs  must be send daily (preferably) to the "Center of Space
Communications" :-) to - mr72@club72.su
Add  photos  of equipment, antennas including any comments. Dead-line
for reports/logs before October 25. Memorably certificate will be sent
to each station/SWL.
See totals log/comments/pictures since October 4 on the Club 72 page - www.club72.su
Ask  "Mr  72"  to add your e-mail in the special "Sputnik" discussion
group (reflector)
72! Deep Space Communications Center
Operator in duty -
Oleg "Mr. 72" RV3GM / KH6OB beep...beep...beep...

BREXIT - NOT amateur radio

It is now 4.40pm local time and both the UK FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 share indexes are well up. The pound has weakened somewhat making UK goods even better value overseas. BREXIT will mean a break from the EU, but I do not think we will see the "melt down" many were expecting. If anything, this is an opportunity to forge our destiny in the world.

The next few years will be bumpy, but it is ours, and ours alone, to make successful. I honestly think the EU is in deep trouble: it would not surprise me if radical changes were to be made in the years ahead within the EU. They have the Euro, Greece, high youth unemployment, migration and stagnation to deal with. One of the most important players - the UK - will be gone by 2019.

SPRAT and GQRP Club

Today SPRAT 168 arrived. This is the quarterly magazine of the GQRP Club. Every one is excellent and full of ideas. As I have said in the past, if all other mags had to go, this is the one I'd keep.

By the way all SPRATS 1-160 are available to GQRP Club members on a DVD for £5 plus postage - a real bargain.

See http://www.gqrp.com/ .

Weak signal modes

This has been said here many times, but weak signal modes like WSPR and JT65 are ideal running  "in the background" modes for bands that seem dead but that may not be. At the moment and for the coming years 10m is in this category for many months of the year.

If it is SSB contacts you are after, then move down a few bands. If, like me, you are interested in "pushing the boundaries" then I recommend JT65 or WSPR is left running in the background on 10m. Both modes are ideal for beaconing and there are usually plenty of monitors. On JT65 I send "B callsign locator" when busy or not looking for 2-way QSOs and this then shows up on PSKreporter if I am copied. On WSPR the standard format is used. Both modes only need low power. JT65 seems to get more results than WSPR,even though not quite as good theoretically. The 1 minute TX period may also help.

No, I am convinced that 10m is "open" far more often than was previously thought. It is just we have not had such effective weak signal modes in the past. As we go down cycle 24 and into cycle 25 modes like JT65 and WSPR will really "come good" on 10m.

Join those of us out to prove the experts wrong!

UPDATE 1704z:  In the last week alone 19 countries have been spotted here on 10m JT65. Sunspot count is low or very low and South America as been copied most days, as have stations in Europe. There is still life on 10m for those prepared to look, even with very simple gear and antennas.

UPDATE 1836z: Best DX on 10m JT65 RX is LU3VCC (12470km).  So far this evening, 4 South American stations spotted here as well as Canary Is and several Europeans.

Sunspots and 10m - Monday October 3rd 2016

Solar flux is 84 today and the sunspot number 13. K=4. The forecast for 10m F2 propagation remains "poor".

10m JT65 this morning

This morning, I decided to give 6m a miss and started on 10m JT65 before breakfast. I am only active on 10m JT65. At 0650z I checked the PC was aligned to internet time.

So far just G4KPX (14km) spotting me.

UPDATE 1217z: DO5GLM (833km) in north east Germany was spotted on 10m JT65 in the last 30 minutes. Es? Nearly every time I go on 10m JT65 I spot, or get spotted, by stations in Europe. I remain convinced that modes like JT65 and WSPR are ideal to "smoke out" openings than otherwise would be missed.

10m Es "out of season"

As if to prove a point, there has been some E layer propagation just about every day I have tried in recent weeks on 10m. 10m is certainly far from dead out of the Es seasonal months. My recommended mode is JT65 which can be used for 2-way QSOs or beaconing. WSPR should be better, but activity seems lower.

UPDATE 1544z: Plenty of Es on 10m JT65 today. I think the spots of Holland and Belgium were probably by aircraft reflection. No South Americans yet.

UPDATE 1705z: 2 South Americans (near Rio) have been copied on 10m JT65. Sunspots? Who needs them?

UPDATE 1826z:   12 South Americans spotted on 10m JT65 so far this evening (best DX Chile and Argentina), although no-one has spotted my 2W yet. Is this TEP?

UPDATE 1915z:  20 South Americans spotted on 10m JT65. This is very high, when the sunspot count is zero! Nothing today from the Caribbean or North America.

Just QSYed to 10m JT65 (QRP)

With just local spots on 6m and nothing at all on 10m WSPR, I have just moved to 10m JT65 only. I am hoping to catch some F layer DX later, but with a sunspot number of zero, I may be unlucky today. I am now QRT on other bands and modes. I changed to 10m JT65 at 1308z.

UPDATE 1322z: SP5UAF (1424km) has already spotted my 10m JT65, so there must be Es about again. I also spotted SP4TKR at a similar distance.

UPDATE 1330z: G0LRD (25km) is also copying me, but much weaker than on 6m. I think my antenna is far less efficient on 10m, at least in David's direction. Our antennas are cross-polarised, which will not help on 10m.

UPDATE 1335z: The nearest storms are in Denmark, so I think I should be OK on 10m JT65 this afternoon and evening.

MDT40 kit

Steve, G1KQH is building a kit from Australia - the MDT40. Because of family commitments, this is going slower than he'd like. The kit is 84 Australian dollars complete if buying outside Australia. It is a DSB rig for 40m available in 2 frequency ranges.

See http://g1kqh.blogspot.co.uk/ .

Southgate News - holiday?

I often check Southgate Amateur Radio News but there have been no updates for a week. Perhaps someone is away? Usually this is a good place to look.

UPDATE 1440z  Oct 3rd 2016: This is what I see when I link.

UPDATE 1815z Oct 3rd 2016: As "anonymous" said this was on their HOME page, where I don't normally look! Back tomorrow.

QRP on 10m and 6m

After the storms yesterday, I have returned to 10m WSPR and 6m JT65. After waiting for the PC to configure Windows updates, I turned on JT65 software and resynced to internet time.

UPDATE 0900z:  Nothing so far on 10m WSPR and just G0LRD (25km) spotting me on 6m JT65. No Es or F2.

Sunspots and 10m - Sunday Oct 2nd 2016

Solar flux is 79 today but the sunspot number is zero! K=3. The forecast for 10m F2 propagation remains "poor".