Weather forecasts (UK) - NOT amateur radio

Almost every day the Met Office and the BBC weather forecasts are different just a few hours from now. As an example, the BBC shows a 30% chance of rain here this afternoon and light cloud whereas the Met Office has dark clouds and an 80% chance of rain! The only certain forecast seems to be looking out of the window!

OK, I know the UK weather is hard to predict, but surely the BBC and Met Office should be in close agreement for a few hours' time? Often the forecast is wrong for the present time. They forecast sun and out the window it is raining.

If you don't like the look of one, you can always try the other!

Sunspots - Friday August 10th 2018

Solar flux is 70 today and the sunspot number 0. A=4 and K=1.

QRT time

In a few moments I am going QRT on all bands. Although there is still Es about, I get the feeling that we are now going to see Es less often than in May, June and July. Yesterday there was a good E layer opening to the USA on 6m FT8 RX. Today was relatively quiet here on 6m. 10m WSPR was dire.

Rain - NOT amateur radio

Apart from a couple of short, sharp thunder showers we have had no real rain since May. Temperatures have been over 30 deg C for most of the summer. It has be very hot for the UK.

Today we had real rain that lasted for about 5 hours. It feels cooler too. Tomorrow temperatures should be quite low compared with a few days ago.

Our lawns are parched brown. It will take weeks for the grass to recover, assuming it will. Today's rain will have helped but we need a lot more.

See https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/u121rkr90#?date=2018-08-09

Perseid Meteor Shower

In all my time, I have never had a QSO via MS. I have looked/spotted many times on VHF bands. This weekend is the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. Quite long pings can be expected late Saturday Aug 11th and early morning on August 12th.  Probably I'll stick with 6m FT8 RX to see what appears.

Probably I could have 2-way QSOs on 6m FT8 via MS in a good shower even with my QRP.

Italian Meal - NOT amateur radio

This lunchtime we went to a local Italian restaurant in a nearby village. It is very popular and at night you have to book weeks in advance.  The lunchtime fixed price menu is very good value (food and price). It was busy today. Service is excellent. They have obviously got a good reputation. There were 3 of us (wife, son and yours truly).

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

My 10m WSPR TX beacon has been on for about 10 minutes so far (1049z). No spots yet.

UPDATE 2012z: Still no spots today on 10m WSPR TX. I have the feeling there are going to be no spots at all today when I go QRT shortly.

6m FT8

So I was wondering why I was getting no spots at all on 6m FT8. Then I checked. It helps if you turn the rig on! I had the PC on, but the PSU was off!!

Now everything is on, so if there is activity I should catch it.  Several USA stations were spotted late last evening on 6m FT8.  Also spotted last night was C31MS in Andorra. For some reason this did not upload to PSKreporter, yet this station was widely copied in Europe and the USA. I seem to recall working Andorra years ago on 6m QRP SSB. Somewhere I must have the QSL card.

 Everything was resynced about 1015z.

UPDATE 1050z: A CQ call by EA3LL (1264km) was spotted. Then Dale G3XBY (146km).

UPDATE 1434z: Now 13 stations in 8 countries spotted so far on 6m FT8 RX today.

UPDATE 1826z: Now 18 stations in 9 countries so far today.

UPDATE 1848z: Best DX today is UX1UA (2065km) in Ukraine.

UPDATE 1904z: Now 21 stations in 9 countries spotted today on 6m FT8 RX. Es seems to be getting less frequent?

Sunspots - Thursday August 9th 2018

Solar flux is 69 today. The SSN is zero. A=5 and K=1.

Apple picking - NOT amateur radio

Some friends of ours have apple trees that are very heavily laden. We were given a bag to take home. We have been advised to cut them open first as they are sweet and the maggots like them too. Extra protein?

Political correctness - NOT amateur radio

These days it is hard to say anything without it being labelled "politically incorrect". A recent case was the UK's ex foreign secretary Boris Johnson saying Muslim women in burkas look like letter boxes allegedly.  Now, as a politician he should have chosen his words better, but these days people are too afraid to say anything in case it offends someone. Personally, I think it was deliberate on his part to get noticed.

I am no fan of this man, but I think we are all getting very stupid. Speak what you think. If we get offended occasionally, so be it. In the past I have been offended by remarks made against me, but I prefer to take them "on the chin" than live in a nanny state in which we are told how to breath.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-45114368 .

UK Rally

I have to admit I don't have a clue where this is! Since writing this I have found out it is East Lothian, Scotland.

10 AUGUST 2018 : 25th COCKENZIE & PORT SETON MINI RALLY NIGHT

Community Centre, Main Hall, Port Seton. Bring along your own junk and sell it yourself. Tables on a first come first served basis. Entry £2. Doors open from 6pm to 9pm.

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

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockenzie_and_Port_Seton

SETI - NOT amateur radio

SETI = Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence

We have probably been searching of extra-terrestrial life now for about 50 years. Years ago, the famous Drake equation predicted the chances of finding intelligent life as quite high. All these years later we have still not found any signs! No sign of any extra-terrestrial life, let alone intelligent life.

Perhaps we are truly alone in the universe? Perhaps we are looking in the wrong way?

Should we succeed, it could be transformative. However, I am beginning to have my doubts.

Years ago I recall reading "We are not alone" by Carl Sagan. Perhaps we are alone?

Personally, I think we should keep looking, but I am quite surprised that we have found nothing at all.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Search_for_extraterrestrial_intelligence

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

Although on since before breakfast, no spots.  DK6UG spotted me yesterday. Earlier I though this was today. Ho hum...

UPDATE 1014z: Still no spots today.

UPDATE 1248z: Several spots from OY1OF (1164km) in the Faroe Is. So far, this is the only person spotting me.

UPDATE 1810z: Early evening brought spots from DK6UG (633km) and IZ3LCH (1149km).

6m FT8

A fairly quiet start today.

So far (0900z), just 6 different stations in 3 countries spotted. Some of these could be Es or possibly aircraft reflections.

An earlier TX period (2.5W) was spotted by 2 stations (in Brittany and the UK). No QSOs.

Certainly not promising currently.

UPDATE 0950z: Best DX spotted on 6m FT8 RX is LA7DFA (1311km). Currently 8 different stations in 4 countries spotted so far today on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1304z: Now 32 different stations spotted in 16 countries.

Sunspots - Wednesday August 8th 2018

Solar flux today is 69 and the sunspot number, unsurprisingly, zero. A=10 and K=1.

Rain! - NOT amateur radio

We have had a long, hot summer with just a couple of thunder showers a few weeks ago. Tonight we had rain and more is forecast overnight  After weeks of temperatures in the 30 deg C plus region, rain is welcomed. Our lawns are parched and badly in need of rain. Usually they recover, eventually. Normally we complain we get too much rain!

Storms? 2m UKAC OK?

As you know, I keep a close watch on storms and disconnect everything if there is a threat nearby. At the moment most of the storms seem to be over northern Brittany and just north of Paris. They are many hours away and we may miss them altogether.

Tonight is the August 2m leg of the activity contest (UKAC) organised by the RSGB. Assuming there is no storm threat, I'll put in an appearance for 30 minutes or so starting around 1900z on SSB. If there are storms nearby, I'll give it a miss. Last month, conditions were very good.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/#m=oss;t=2;s=0;o=0;b=;ts=0;

UPDATE  1849z: The storms have crossed the channel and seem to be approaching Kent. At the moment, I think we should miss most of the storms, at least until late tonight.

UPDATE 1957z: 6 SSB contacts in the 2m UKAC, with best DX 229km.  Not bad for 5W, big-wheel omni, useless voice and just 37 minutes of operating.

Bully? - NOT amateur radio

So President Trump is on the warpath again, now allegedly saying anyone doing business with Iran will not do business with the USA. Sadly, he lives on our planet.

Biased  - me? No, just reflecting the views of EVERYONE I have spoken with, honestly EVERYONE, all who think he is an ignorant bigot and a menace. Honestly, I have not met one single person outside the USA who has a good word to say about him. Everyone!! Yes everyone. Most are amazed he was voted in.

Now, I know we are entitled to our own views, and I respect you for holding yours, but I am truly amazed by the level of support in the USA for the current president.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-45098031

OFCOM "Communications Monthly"

OFCOM's July report is now available. It seems no time at all since the last one!

See http://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/E162000517E813DA2540EF23F30FEDED/59D1BD3EA2F08127C67FD2F38AC4859C

Young birds - NOT amateur radio

It gladdens the heart to see young birds in our garden. There are young swifts overhead, young blackbirds and starlings, and today and yesterday, a young goldfinch (see photo).

6m FT8 RX

Well. there are so many spots already that I cannot say how many stations have been spotted, but lots! Best DX so far on 6m FT8 RX is A92HK (5058km) in Bahrain. Briefly, before breakfast I was on TX calling CQ and was spotted in southern Italy. No QSOs though.

Good Es today on 10m

My car had to go for an annual service today, so I was up early. I have been on 10m WSPR TX (500mW) since way before breakfast and already there are 65 spots in the log. Today looks promising.

UPDATE 1152z: It was quiet for much of the morning, but there are spots from Germany again now. So far 75 spots on 10m WSPR of my 500mW beacon. 6 different stations spotting me.

UPDATE 1257z: Best DX today is a spot from IZ3LCH (1149km).

Eureka moment? - NOT amateur radio

For the last 5 years I have been fighting to get better from my stroke. Now I think this is how I am going to be.  It is pointless fighting it and myself. As I am now is probably how I shall always be: giddy, tired and with a poor voice.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/stroke

If I make further improvements so well and good, but my energies are better spent trying to cope with the "new me" rather than fighting. This may seem trivial to others, but to me it marks a turning point.

Empathy - NOT amateur radio

Although not sure how the dictionary defines this, to me it means to see the world as others see it. Each of us is different (we are all quirky in some way!), but some people make the effort to see the world from the perspective of others, whilst some cannot.

In my friends, those who make good, empathetic listeners stand out a mile: some really try to see the world as others see it, whilst some don't even try. I am not sure if this is innate or something one can work on.

It is difficult not to judge others by our standards. We are all unique. In some cases, people have been dealt a poor hand. We can all start by treating everyone the same. As someone once reminded me, even the queen has to go to the toilet!

Whether rich or poor, we are all the same inside.

Sunspots - Tuesday August 7th 2018

Solar flux is 69 today and the SSN still zero. A=4 and K=2.

The next few years

We are entering the sunspot minimum. Some expect this to happen in 2020. What is certain is the higher HF bands will seem very quiet as people look to lower frequencies to work DX.

Even at the quietest of times 10m can open on N-S paths, so never give up. With FT8 it is even more probable that openings will be found. Es is good in the spring and summer (northern hemisphere) and often real DX can be spotted. FT8 will be invaluable.

As for the next peak, this is anyone's guess. Some say it will be similar to the last cycle. Earlier predictions talked about a very weak cycle with no real peak. Conditions rapidly improve after the minimum, but just what will happen is hard to know.

My recommendation is stick with 10m FT8 and put out the odd CQ. Someone, somewhere may spot you!

Cape Verde Is worked on 2m from Eire!

It had to happen, but this is a mighty long way! Southgate News reports on this record breaking IARU region 1 contact.

At some point it will happen on 432 and 1296MHz. Even 10GHz would not be out of the question. Hawaii to California has been spanned many times on bands up to 1296MHz, I believe.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/august/ei3kd-sets-new-144-mhz-dx-record.htm#.W2hHq_ZFzIU

Es season ending?

Although in the past I have worked 6m Es with QRP SSB way into September, we are reaching the point now when Es openings start be become less frequent. FT8 may be transformative and it is worth using FT8 to probe for those elusive openings. Nonetheless, it is probable that Es openings will become less frequent in the northern hemisphere. For reasons I don't know there is a smaller peak near Christmas.

6m FT8 RX

There seems to be Es about with spots mainly from a south west direction so far. I was on TX very briefly before breakfast on 6m FT8 (2.5W), but only G spots.

UPDATE 1042z: Es seems to have moved with plenty of Balkan stations now being spotted on 6m FT8.

UPDATE 1220z: Best DX today on 6m FT8 RX remains S01WS (3075km) in Western Sahara. Funny, I'd have thought Ukraine was further, but it isn't. Must be the map projection.

UPDATE 1233z: 13 countries spotted so far today on 6m FT8 RX. Too many stations to count!

UPDATE 2100z: QRT. Quite a decent day on 6m FT8 RX although no "real" DX spotted here. I guess Es is going to become less frequent. Also, the level of activity is likely to drop off too.

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

Since before breakfast I have been on 10m WSPR TX. No spots so far today.

UPDATE 1731z: Still no spots yet today.

UPDATE 2005z: 10m WSPR sprung into life after tea, with more northerly stations favoured. 7 unique stations spotted with best DX OY1OF (1164km) in the Faroe Is..

UPDATE 2100z: Now QRT. OK in the end, although I had to wait!

Old windmill - NOT amateur radio

At one time there were several windmills in our village. The "intact" one is next door. The base of another one still exists, but a thatched roof now replaces the mill body.

More network radio

Up to now I have just used my Inrico T320 network radio on Wi-Fi. Somewhere I have a Virgin "pay as you go" SIM with some credit, I think. Maybe I should put this in. If I remember correctly this lasts until the credit expires, which could be some while in my case! I need to check what Virgin charge for data on "pay as you go".

Harvest home - NOT amateur radio

Generally farmers in the UK have been busy cutting the corn making the most of the dry, hot weather. This is a field not far from me in our village.

Sunspots - Monday August 6th 2018

Solar flux is 68 today and the sunspot number zero. A=4 and K=1.

Tomorrow

All being well, I think I'll go back to 10m WSPR TX (500mW) and 6m FT8 RX tomorrow. The last time I was on 10m WSPR TX, 17 different stations spotted me. Today I was on 10m FT8 RX and there was Es but no "real" DX spotted here. The furthest spotted was Bahrain.

Mackerel Sky - NOT amateur radio

Today has been another hot day, but there was a cooler breeze this evening when this sky was visible over "our" windmill next door.

Dry, dry, dry - NOT amateur radio

Most of Europe has had a very hot and dry summer. Oh, sorry, climate change is a Chinese plot - I forgot those wise words.

I have never seen our garden so parched.  It was the same at Ickworth, Suffolk yesterday with a pond there drying up. Normally it has plenty of water. We had a very wet winter. It would not surprise me if the USA soon experiences "dust bowl" conditions again. Climate change is a reality. The world is warming.

The photo shows the sky, and parched grass, at Ickworth yesterday.

Es'hail 2 - will it succeed?

Assuming this is successfully put into orbit (due Q4 2018), this Qatar satellite will open up a new era in amateur radio. Southgate News has a piece on this today. 2.4GHz uplink and 10GHz downlink. Fixed dish, modest powers, band always open. Predicted 15 year life.

There is another satellite due to cover the Americans as E'hail does not cover the Americas.

See http://www.amsat-dl.org/index.php/es-hail-2-p4a

and

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2018/august/coordinated-frequencies-for-p4a-es%27hail-2.htm#.W2bCMfZFzIU

Sunspots - Sunday August 5th 2018

Solar flux is 70 today and the SSN has returned to zero. A=5 and K=1.