Last night on 472kHz WSPR RX

With 20 unique stations spotted last night, it was an average night. Again, all EU stations.

UK Rally

18 FEBRUARY 2018 : RADIOACTIVE RALLY

Nantwich Civic Hall, Cheshire CW5 5DG. There is free car parking available and the doors open at 10.30am. There will be a Bring and Buy, as well as traders and an RSGB book stall. A single raffle ticket is included with the entrance programme, additional tickets can be purchased. Catering is available on site. Contact Stuart Jackson on 07880 732 534.

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

10m FT8 RX

I have been on this band and mode most of the day. A couple of Gs spotted plus 9A7JCY (1424km). Pretty quiet really.

Sunspots - Friday February 16th 2018

Solar flux is 72 today and the sunspot number 15. A-10 and K=2.

OFCOM and Diversity

More from OFCOM on their policy on diversity.

See https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-3/diversity-inclusion-programme-2018-2022?utm_source=updates&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dip

Some pearls:

• build a diverse and inclusive workforce to better reflect the UK population we serve;
• ensure diversity and inclusion are central to our work practices and culture so everyone understands, supports and is accountable for diversity; and
• ensure the different needs and interests of all individuals are considered when carrying out our regulatory work.

Blah, blah, blah...

So, if you are black with one leg, OFCOM loves you too.

Yes, diversity is important but so is actual work and enforcement. Please, stop, twatting around and do some real work! My views. Others are quite likely to hold different views.

Chippenham Park - NOT amateur radio

We were here earlier in the week with our other grandchildren. Here is a photo of the "London" grandchildren next to 2 frog statues and one of the lakes.

Last year's - NOT amateur radio

Our amaryllis plant from last year has now really started to grow, with a bud appearing yesterday. The photo was taken this morning. Barring disasters, it should be quite big next week. This was a total surprise as we thought it wasn't going to grow! I just love watching these grow.

Aurora?

The BBC was forecasting aurora sightings possible in the north of Scotland tonight and Southgate News talks about a CME event hitting the earth.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/february/sunspot-explodes-hurls-cme-at-earth.htm#.WoVcdkx2vIU

10m FT8 RX

During the day today, I am monitoring 10m FT8 RX. No spots as yet, although I have not been on long.

UPDATE 1606z: Just 2 Gs spotted today so far on 10m FT8. Best DX G0OYQ (177km).

Good night on 472kHz WSPR RX

Last night was the best yet on 472kHz WSPR with 24 unique stations spotted plus one false decode. In all, 4 unique Norwegian stations spotted, but again nothing outside of Europe.

Sunspots - Thursday February 15th 2018

Solar flux is 75 today and the sunspot number is 18. A=3 and K=0.

Now back on 472kHz WSPR RX

A few minutes ago, I returned to 472kHz WSPR RX. The shack PC is again on battery power. I'll recharge the batteries later so I can be on RX throughout the night.

UPDATE 1926z: Plenty of unique spots already this evening. Promising.

UPDATE 2005z: I seem to have got one false decode. The distance, locator, and power look all wrong.

2018-02-14 19:46

DH1WVK

0.475672

-28

0

LR02

200

G3XBM

JO02dg

3596

228

With the grandchildren earlier - NOT amateur radio

Today was "changeover day".  Some went home and some others arrived.

For a period in this mad house they were all here. This picture captures them now - growing up all too fast.

Amaryllis - NOT amateur radio

We have several amaryllis plants this winter including one from last year which was in the garden which seems to be growing again. It is now in the kitchen. There are no buds yet.

The one in the lounge is now doing really well with plenty of flowers on it, as the photo shows.

These are amazing plants and great fun in the winter.

UPDATE 1935z: There appears to be a bud on last year's plant.

70cm UKAC last evening

For the first time in a while, I did not go on 70cms in the activity contest. We had guests and I thought it best not to disturb them. Usually I only stay on for about 30 minutes and I come way down the scores because of my QRP and totally unsuitable antenna (a 2m halo!).

10m FT8 RX

I stayed on 10m FT8 all night rather than disturbing guests. So far, no spots since yesterday. I have recently checked clock is synced to internet time.

UPDATE 1032z: No spots yet today on 10m FT8.

UPDATE 1152z: Just a couple of Gs spotted so far today on 10m FT8.

Sunspots - Wednesday February 14th 2018

Solar flux is 75 today and the sunspot number 20. A=3 and K=0.

70cm UKAC activity contest

Although it is unlikely I'll be able to operate because of having people staying, tonight is the February 2018 leg of the 70cm activity contest. This started at 2000z and goes on until 2230z.

Going, going, gone!

Reading Southgate News today I see that Sony is getting out of shortwave radios. As far as I know, Sony is the first Japanese manufacturer to leave HF. Sadly, I am sure others will follow including some of the big players in the Amateur Radio market.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/february/sony-likely-to-cease-production-of-shortwave-radios.htm#.WoLtvUx2vIU

10m FT8

As conditions look promising today, I am on 10m FT8 RX. Of course, we need activity as well as conditions.

UPDATE 1033z: Just G4HZW (210km) spotted so far.

UPDATE 1249z: G4CJC (74km) spotted. Only G spots today so far. No F layer, No Es.

UPDATE 2100z: No further 10m spots.

QRP Club Rendezvous

As the QRP Club has its own group these days, I tend not to publicise these sessions.

RV

When:
Tuesday, 13 February 2018
12:00am to 1:00am
(GMT+00:00) Europe/London

Where:
14060 +/- 

Description:
12.00 UTC QRP Rendez-Vous
14060 +/-

Sunspots - Tuesday February 13th 2018

Solar flux is 78 today and the sunspot number 26.  A=4 and K=1.

Chippenham Park

Yesterday we took our son, his wife and their children to Chippenham Park, near Cambridge. There were loads of snowdrops out as well as aconites and just a few daffodils.  Our grandson was fascinated by the ice on the lakes: he spent much of his time finding sticks to throw on the frozen water.

472kHz WSPR RX overnight

The shack PC lasted on battery power until after 0500z this morning, which is impressive. In all, 21 unique stations spotted, again all EU and none from the USA.

472kHz WSPR RX

At about 2110z, I returned to 472kHz WSPR RX from 6m. The shack PC is on battery power which should be OK until breakfast. If there are any decent USA openings overnight, I have a reasonable chance.

UPDATE 2127z:  So far 11 uniques spotted, which is encouraging.

UPDATE 2208z:  Now 13 uniques.

Bouvet Island DXpedition - back on again?

According to Southgate News the plans to visit Bouvet Island may be resurrected.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/february/bouvet-dxpedition-rebooted.htm#.WoG4aUx2vIU .

6m FT8 RX

For about 15 minutes I have been on 6m FT8 RX. As yet, no spots.

UPDATE 1550z:  No spots since switch on.

UPDATE 2037z: Just a spot of G0JSV (54km) today. Still monitoring 6m FT8.

472kHz WSPR RX last night

My best night yet this season with 21 unique stations spotted. Again, all were EU and not a single USA station. I have yet to spot a single station outside of Europe with the earth-electrode "antenna" at this QTH. The shack PC was on batteries and this stopped just after 0300z.

Sunspots - Monday February 12th 2018

Solar flux is 77 today and the sunspot number 24. A=3 and K=2.

CSG Shop

This is Latvian online shop, but I have heard some good reports of it, although I have not (yet) used it myself. They do some good GPS kit as well as 2.4 and 5.8GHz ATV modules.

See http://www.csgshop.com/

Back to 472kHz WSPR RX

About an hour ago I returned to 472kHz WSPR RX. So far, 9 unique stations spotted. I shall remain on until the shack PC battery turns off, which should be in the early hours.

UPDATE 2115z: Now 12 uniques spotted.

They're back - NOT amateur radio

Most of my blogs have seen visits way up today. I am sure these are not people with a sudden all absorbing interest in the things I write about. Whatever, I hope they enjoy their visits and then head off to somewhere else. Most probably bots doing a regular trawl for vulnerable sites.

So far, I have had no problems, but if this or my other blogs disappear or suddenly behave oddly you will know why.

10m FT8 RX

Today, this should be quite good for this part of the solar cycle, but a lot will depend on 10m activity. So far, I have been active for about 30 minutes and spotted nothing at all.

UPDATE 1425z: Just a couple of Gs spotted so far today. Very disappointing.

UPDATE 1634z: Now 5 G stations and nothing else today.

Stock market jitters? - NOT amateur radio

Stock markets around the world seem to want to tumble.

This may be a correction (and relatively short lived) or the start of a prolonged downturn with interest rates rising after a very long period of historic lows.

Some of our children have no idea of the sorts of interest rates we paid on our mortgages. At one time (1992?) UK interest rates reached 15%. Today, it is borrow, borrow, borrow as money is cheap. These days may be ending.

Overnight on 472kHz WSPR RX

Last night, 20 unique stations spotted. This is quite a good number.  Again, all were EU stations with none from the USA.

Sunspots - Sunday February 11th 2018

Solar flux is 78 today and the sunspot number a respectable 35. A=6 and K=0.

472kHz WSPR RX

After a really disappointing day on 10m FT8 RX, I have returned to 630m WSPR RX. Already 8 unique stations spotted with best DX EA5DOM (1525km). I am still using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

UPDATE 2010z: Now 12 unique stations so far spotted this evening.

UPDATE 2306z: Now 18 uniques this evening.

The "real" FT818 FCC type approval

It appears the FT817nd replacement (the FT818) has been granted FCC approval. Details are sketchy and all my information so far is second-hand. It would be good to see information on the Yaesu site. Expect heavy discounting of the FT817nd to clear shelves in readiness for the FT818.

See http://radioaficion.com/news/yaesu-ft-818/

No mention of it on the Yaesu (Japan) site http://www.yaesu.com/jp/en/products/index.html#

10m FT8 RX

Have been on 10m FT8 RX for about an hour. DO1MBV (721km) is the only station spotted so far.

UPDATE 1750z: No further 10m FT8 spots here today. Soon be time to QSY to 630m WSPR RX. I'll wait until after tea time.

Freesias - NOT amateur radio

Freesias, with their fantastic scent, brighten up dull winter days. Even with the remnants of my cold, I can still smell these.