Mini-whip E-field probe

There is little doubt that I shall have to try one of these on LF and MF and possibly other bands next autumn. I have the time from now until then to find the best spot to mount one. I may buy one from PA0RDT, although I have had success in the past with my own.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/efp

10m FT8 RX

Since just before breakfast, I have been monitoring 10m FT8 again. No spots at all so far this morning. Mind you, this is hardly surprising looking at the solar numbers. It is also quite early. This was posted at 0940z.

UPDATE 1348z: Still no 10m FT8 spots here. Not even a G.

UPDATE 1417z: Just G4CJC (74km) so far today on 10m FT8.

Sunspots - Monday February 19th 2018

Solar flux is 69 and the sunspot number back at zero. A=14 and K=5. Yes, we are back to deteriorating solar conditions.

472kHz WSPR RX last night

17 uniques spotted last night. All EU stations and none from the USA again.

It seems I am destined not to spot USA stations with my earth-electrode "antenna" on 472kHz. This is odd, as I am hearing plenty of EU stations well off the best directions. I would have thought I'd have spotted USA stations as they are off the end of the "loop", so in the best direction.

Perhaps I should revert to my compromise Marconi, which is less good than the earth-electrode "antenna" with most stations. Mind you, the only time this season I have copied the USA on 472kHz was with the Marconi. Honestly, this is a very bad antenna!

Back on 472kHz WSPR RX

At the moment, I am back on 472kHz WSPR RX. So far, 4 unique stations spotted.

UPDATE 1908z:  Best DX is currently LA8AV (1035km).

UPDATE 2051z: Now 5 uniques. Slow start.

UPDATE 2126z:  EA7HPM (1726km) now the best DX with 9 uniques spotted.

UPDATE 2207z: Now 11 uniques. Soon be time to go QRT temporarily whilst the shack PC battery charges.

UPDATE 2220z: Now charging the shack PC battery, so temporarily OFF. It says it will be fully charged in 47 minutes, so I'll probably go back on battery power around 2300z. My intention is to go back on battery power overnight.

Sunspot Cycle 25

Sunspots with the correct polarity for cycle 25 (the next cycle) are already starting to appear. The next minimum is likely to be 2018-2020 and the forecasts for the next maximum are not great.

See http://www.solen.info/solar/cycles1_to_present.html

Painted pebbles - NOT amateur radio

Certainly in our village, this craze has really taken off. The idea is you hide a painted stone which others search for and find. They take a photo and post it on social media (we have our own village Facebook group) and hide the stone in a different place. This is great fun for the children. We found one yesterday outside a local church.

10m FT8 RX

Since breakfast, I have been on 10m FT8 RX. So far 1 G and 2 LAs spotted.

UPDATE 1320z: 9 stations in 4 EU countries so far today. Aircraft reflections? Best DX still LA1KUA (1182km).

UPDATE 1815z:  Now 11 stations spotted on 10m FT8 today. No new spots for ages, so soon be time to QSY to 472kHz WSPR RX.

Churches blog updated - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday I updated the churches blog at https://eachurches.blogspot.co.uk/ .  Snailwell church dates from the 11th century. There are only 2 churches with round towers in Cambridgeshire , but lots in Norfolk.

Sunspots - Sunday February 18th 2018

Solar flux is 72 today and the sunspot number 12. A=12 and K=2.

472kHz WSPR RX

Last night, I was on 472kHz WSPR RX again. In all, 14 unique stations spotted, which was the same as the night before, so rather disappointing. All EU only.

February 2018 2m UKAC results published

In my very short entry I made a silly error and had points deducted. In future, I must be more careful!

See http://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/vhfresults.pl?Contest=144MHz%20UKAC&year=2018

With the grandchildren - NOT amateur radio

Earlier today we did a trip around a few local churches.

This is me with two of our grandchildren outside Snailwell Church near Newmarket.

A promise of spring? - NOT amateur radio

There are now plenty of daffodils around now including these, which were outside Snailwell Church, near Newmarket today.

iPad App - NOT amateur radio

My wife has a new app on her iPad that makes globes and other shapes of different kinds. I think there are several different apps that will do this. You choose the pictures to use.

See http://funny.pho.to/globe/ for one example.

472kHz WSPR RX last night

With 14 unique stations (all EU) spotted on 472kHz WSPR last night, it was a slightly disappointing session. I'll try again tonight.

Sunspots - Saturday February 17th 2018

Solar flux is 71 today and the sunspot number 15.  A=11 and K=2.

10m FT8 RX

This band and mode are quite promising today. Already several EU stations spotted plus ZS6BUN (9130km).

UPDATE 1345z:  Lots of DX today on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1622z: No further DX spotted. I am beginning to think this was Es linking up with F2.

UPDATE 1907z:  No South Americans spotted. I suspect this was Es linking into F2 further south. If it was just F2, South America would have been spotted this afternoon.

MLS bargains

Martin Lynch and Sons has some big discounts.

See  https://www.hamradio.co.uk/ .

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 +/-