6m MSK144 RX

As I was told most European activity was still around 50.280MHz this is where I looked this morning. When I checked it said, "WSJT-X.exe has stopped working", so I'm not sure if my software has stopped or just that there were few stations! Anyway, I reset the software and have swapped to FT8 RX on 6m now.

OFCOM

OFCOM has just provided an update.

See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/CB0BC07AFD24C6FF2540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

Sunspots - Tuesday October 3rd 2017

Solar flux is 86 today. Sunspot number is 25. A=7 and K=3.

10m and 6m until this evening, then 630m WSPR RX

Even though both 10m and 6m have been poor here today, I'll probably stay on both until 1900z. At that time I join the East Cambs net on 144.575MHz FM. 10m WSPR uses a different antenna and rig, so could remain on longer.

At about 1930z, I shall probably switch from 6m FT8 RX to 630m WSPR RX.

There have been 12 unique 630m WSPR spots here in the last week.

UPDATE 1610z: Well unless things dramatically change in the next few hours, this is probably my worst day on 10m and 6m for some time. One station spotted all day and that was a G in SE London on 6m FT8. Absolutely no spots of my 10m WSPR 500mW beacon.

UPDATE 1800z: Lots of spots of my little beacon again by EA8BFK (2880km) at teatime. I think this is F2 as it seems to happen at the same time most evenings. At times, signals were very strong. Signals are still being spotted, but getting weaker in the Canary Is.. At the moment this opening has lasted over 2 hours. At 1810z I was still getting reports from EA8BFK.

UPDATE 2015z: The last spot of my 500mW WSPR beacon in the Canary Is. on 10m was at 1844z, so the opening was about 3 hours long! Since about 1900z I have been on 630m WSPR RX where the best DX is (again) LA8AV (1035km). So far this evening, no new stations on MF.

Hollyhocks - NOT amateur radio

Today I dug out our impatiens (busy Lizzy) in readiness to plant primroses there over the winter. Most of the impatiens were well past their best. Once the frosts come, that will be it. Primroses give colour all winter and need little attention.

Our hollyhocks did well this year and they are still flowering, so these will not be cut back just yet. Our tomatoes have done well too. Our sweet peas were disappointing.

Summer here in the UK started warm and dry. In later months it has been less great.

Slowly declining solar conditions

September was a bit of a surprise, with quite respectable solar flux and sunspots. Nonetheless, on average we are still very much on the downside of the solar cycle with some years before we hit the bottom.

It is some time since I last checked the predictions for the next peak, but they were disappointing, so we may not see much of a peak. Always remember these are averages and the odd day may be much better. The trouble is many desert the higher bands assuming they are no good, so DX gets missed.

See http://www.solen.info/solar/ .
See also http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-sten-odenwald/waiting-for-the-next-suns_b_11812282.html.

10m WSPR TX (500mW) and 6m FT8 RX

Although I have been active on these bands/modes since before breakfast, no spots on either band as yet.

UPDATE 1215z: Still no spots today.

UPDATE 1344z: Just 2E0CIT (94km) on 6m FT8 spotted today. Otherwise nothing.

Valves

Facebook regularly shows memories of years past. One popped up yesterday showing a CW valve TX that G6ALB build some years ago.

He did not feel confident on the key, so I operated.

On 15m this little 400mW rig got a response to the very first CQ call from a W. We nearly all fell off our seats.

I have to confess that I have never built a valve rig. Andrew G6ALB keeps trying to persuade me.

Autumn - NOT amateur radio

Well, I am not sure where the time is going. Already we are getting strong winds and there is definitely a chill in the air as we enter autumn.

Leaves have started to gather on the lawns. Blink and the days will be getting lighter. In the meantime let us all enjoy the now. Every season brings its own beauty.

Sunspots - Monday October 2nd 2017

Solar flux is 84 today and the sunspot number 34. A=11 and K=4.

630m WSPR RX overnight

Not a bad night with 10 unique spots and best DX LA8AV (1035km).

QSYed to 630m WSPR RX

As of about 10 minutes ago I have gone QRT on 10m and 6m. I am now on 630m WSPR RX. It is quite early and no-one spotted as yet.

UPDATE 1956z: 4 spots so far with LA8AV (1035km) as the best DX so far tonight.

IARU Region 1 Conference

Southgate News reports on the IARU Region 1 Conference in Germany last month. Sadly, the link does not work, so I have added it here. A reminder that the next WRC meeting is in 2019, so lobby your national society now.

See https://www.iaru-r1.org/index.php/downloads/func-startdown/977/

Chesterfield - NOT amateur radio

On the train to Liverpool last week, we went through Chesterfield, Derbyshire with its crooked church spire. This is clearly visible from the train.  just on the south side of the station.

I think the timbers warped after it was erected.

It makes quite a talking point. I don't think any other UK church has such a spire.

10m WSPR TX (500mW) and 6m FT8 RX

Since before breakfast I have been on these bands/modes.

Nothing spotted yet on 6m, but I see my little 10m WSPR beacon (500mW) was copied by G4KPX (14km) and IU1DZZ (973km) earlier. This beacon is totally stand-alone (does not need a PC) and is smaller than a pack of cards. It has been copied on every continent including Antarctica and Australia. Amazing.

UPDATE 1050z: M0SSK (75km) was the first station spotted on 6m FT8 today.

UPDATE 1246z: G1IDZ (182km) was the second station spotted on 6m FT8 earlier today.

UPDATE 1628z: PA5WT (294km) is the best spot today on 6m FT8. No further 10m WSPR spots since early this morning.

Sunspots - Sunday October 1st 2017

Solar flux is 88 today and the sunspot number 39. A=16 and K=3.

630m WSPR RX overnight

Not a bad night with 7 unique stations spotted with best DX being LA8AV (1035km). DH5RAE (995km) was spotted for the first time this season, I think.

Chinese UHF handhelds

So, how do they do it? You can now buy a pair of UHF handhelds with free airmail shipping for £13.86 a pair. Somehow, a profit is made too.

How long have ICOM, Yaesu and the other Japanese manufacturers got? Just a few years and the Chinese will wipe them out. The best I can see is they design in Japan, but make in China. The more likely scenario is they decide there is no longer money in amateur radio products and they just stop being in this market altogether. I can see this happening within a few years.

At the moment ICOM seem to be most likely to survive. The future does not look good.

Catalonia vote - NOT amateur radio

Although I am unclear about all the facts, the fact Catalonians in Spain are voting about independence says a lot. What is more disturbing is the heavy-handedness of the police. The outlook does not look great for Spain if this is how they want to be seen in the world.

Now on 630m WSPR RX

As of 2010z I went QRT on 10m WSPR TX and 6m FT8 RX and am now on 630m RX, G6AVK (78km) and DC0DX (467km) and PA0A (417km) have been spotted already within minutes of going on the band. As yet, no new stations spotted.

UPDATED 2045z: F1AFJ (607km) now the best DX this evening on MF.

Ploughing lonely furrows?

Although 10m WSPR has been quiet here so far today, I have copied 7 different stations on 6m FT8 including OZ6HQ (716km). There is life on these higher bands, although few seem to want to try.

UPDATE 1445z: Now spotting 4O6AH (1788km) in Montenegro on 6m FT8. Es? When he popped up he was very strong.

UPDATE 1715z: EA8BFK (2880km) is spotting my 10m WSPR strongly. I have spotted 9 stations in 4 countries on 6m FT8 today, so far.

UPDATE 1735z: now 10 stations in 5 countries today on 6m FT8.

UPDATE 1840z:  Now plenty of 10m WSPR spots today.

A Liverpool Street - NOT amateur radio

Apparently, this street, off Hope Street, is widely used when after old street scenes for TV and films.

10m WSPR and 6m FT8

No spots of my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon and just a couple of Gs spotted on 6m FT8 so far.

UPDATE 1035z: Still no 10m WSPR spots of my beacon. 4 G spots so far on 6m FT8.

UPDATE 1137z: Still nothing on 10m WSPR. 6 Gs spotted on 6m FT8, but no DX. Best G is G3OIL (196km).

UPDATE 1450z:  OZ6HQ (716km) spotted on 6m FT8, so there is some DX on 6m. No spots of my 10m WSPR beacon.

Sunspots - Saturday September 30th 2017

Where do the days go? It is already the end of the month! Someone once told me time appears to pass more quickly as you age - well I agree.

Solar flux is 88 and the sunspot number 39. A=12 and K=3.

630m WSPR RX overnight

8 unique MF spots last night with best DX IW4DXW (1190km). I've now returned to 10m WSPR TX (500mW) and 6m FT8 RX.

What attracts young people?

On my return from Liverpool, I see Southgate News has picked up on an address by the IARU president.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/september/traditional-ham-radio-no-longer-so-attractive.htm#.Wc6odrpFzIU

Liverpool - NOT amateur radio

We spent a few days in Liverpool for a reunion with old friends as it was 50 years since we were there as students! One of our friends does guiding for cruise ships now he is retired and he took us on a walking tour of some of the city's highlights.

One of the places visited was the docks area, which has been renovated in recent years. At one time the docks were abandoned and avoided. Now they are the centre of the city and very attractive with lots of museums and cafes.

Rallies

Rallies this weekend:

1 OCTOBER 2017 : HACK GREEN HANGAR SALE
Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker, French Lane, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 8AL Doors open 10am. Sale of amateur gear, electronic equipment, comps, military radio sets and vehicle spares. Refreshments are available on site. More details from Lucy Siebert on 01270 623 353 or by email to lucy@hackgreen.co.uk

1 OCTOBER 2017 : YEOVIL ARC 71 ANNIVERSARY
Sparkford Village Hall, Sparkford, Nr Yeovil, Somerset BA22 7ED Free admission and light refreshments. Displays, computer controlled radio, SDR, Morse, Spy sets. Ex Members welcome. Bob on 01963 440 167 A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

630m WSPR RX

We returned home from 2 nights away at a university reunion in Liverpool earlier. Some I'd not seen since 1970!

For the last hour or so I have been on 630m WSPR RX, but no spots yet.

UPDATE 2053z: Mind you, it helps if you connect the antenna! Doh! Guess who forgot? As of now, the rig has an antenna, so I might now get some spots.

Sputnik Days

News from Oleg:

Dear Space Friends,
Sputnik  Days 2017 will be soon (October 4 to 17). See details on the
Club 72 page, please. The categories:
- Sputnik's (valves)
- Vanguard's (transistors)
- Beacons
- SWLs
As  no  reason to have special e-mail reflector for Sputnik Days, I'm
strongly  recommend  to  subscribe  to  new  "72"  mail  group on the
groups.io
You can do it on the Club 72 start page (fill the form) or by the link
- https://groups.io/g/72 or ask me to add your e-mail in the list.
This "sputnik" reflector will be closed soon.

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

Sunspots - Friday September 29th 2017

Solar flux is 90 today and the sunspot number 40. A=55 and K=2.

Sunspots - Thursday September 28th 2017

Solar flux is 89 today and the sunspot number 35. A=37 and K=6.

National Hamfest reminder

29-30 SEPTEMBER 2017 : NATIONAL HAMFEST
Newark & Nottinghamshire Showground, Lincoln Road, Winthorpe, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG24 2NY. Brought to you by the RSGB in association with the Lincoln Short Wave Club. The venue has free car parking and has disabled facilities. There will be trade stands, a Bring & Buy, car boot area, flea market, special interest groups and RSGB bookstall. There will also be representatives from the RSGB Services and committees. Morse proficiency test will be available. The venue has catering outlets and a seating area. www.nationalhamfest.org.uk.

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

Second largest diamond sold - NOT amateur radio

One of the biggest diamonds in the world has been sold privately. I would not want to be person who shapes this. Just imagine slipping!  To think, someone has this sort of money.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-41398871 .

ICOM RX IC-R8600

One of the things drawn to my attention by the return of Southgate News are YouTube videos of the new ICOM receiver, the IC-R8600.

At a sensible price, this might have been on my wish list. Early indications are that this will be very expensive, so I am unlikely to fork out.

This is a pity, but yet again prices are set at what people are prepared to pay. Inside, I expect the cost of the bits is much lower, just like the IC7300.

Sunspots - Wednesday September 27th 2017

Solar flux is 90 today and sunspot number 40.  A=4 and K=3.

Women drivers in Saudi - NOT amateur radio

At last Saudi women will be allowed driving licences.

This is a nation we trade with. One could be forgiven for believing this is a backward, primitive nation. At last a step towards the 21st century. Saudi Arabia is, allegedly, the only place on the planet where women are not allowed to drive.

How can the UK see the Saudi nation as a beacon in the Middle East? Some of their laws and customs are barbaric. OK, we should not judge other nations when we are far from perfect ourselves, but surely we expect certain minimum standards. All that matters, it seems, is money. Sad.

I have my worries about places like China, where there is a suspicion of very low wages and poor working conditions for some. Some prices for amateur radio gear from China beggar belief.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-41408195 .

Overnight on 630m WSPR RX

Not a bad night. Best DX was IW4DXW (1190km) in Italy.

630m WSPR RX

Much earlier than previous evenings, I have switched from 6m FT8 RX to 630m WSPR RX. I am still on 10m WSPR TX (500mW).

UPDATE 1904z: So far this evening, 4 unique spots on MF with the earliest being DC0DX (467km) at 1800z.

A blip? - NOT amateur radio

In the last few weeks to UK pound has appreciated by around 6 Eurocents against the Euro. This may, of course, just be a blip. In the long-term, especially once the uncertainty over Brexit is over, I think the UK Pound will strengthen against the Euro considerably. This is my view, and I am no expert.

Fundamentally, I believe the Euro is flawed and there is really no resolution in sight for it main structural issues. Once the UK leaves the EU they will have fewer rich nations to fund the EU coffers. No, the EU is a bit like the curate's egg i.e. "good in parts". If only the members of the EU had given the UK more ground on controlling free movement we'd probably still be inside. Hoisted by their own petard?

I think a lot of the EU's stance is "sour grapes". The UK will be fine outside of the EU and they know it.