6m "super DX"

At this time of year, E layer propagation brings in some extraordinary 6m DX. This season, I have spotted Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and North America. As yet, I have still not spotted South America. At this time of year Japan is worked from Western Europe. In 2017 13 Japanese 6m stations were spotted on JT65. For the last couple of seasons I have stuck with FT8, but yet to spot any Japanese stations on 6m.

Rainbow gold - NOT amateur radio

Tradition has it that there is a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. This one was photographed late yesterday from our front garden.

Well, I certainly spotted no gold! Darn! If I had found it I could have easily bought that new radio.

Grimeton VLF CW transmission - June 30th

Southgate News reports on an upcoming 17.2kHz CW transmission from the Grimeton TX in Sweden using the callsign SAQ. On my wall I have a QSL card from them for a transmission many years ago. This very old VLF transmitter uses an alternator to generate the signal. It is now a world heritage site.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/june/saq-grimeton-transmission.htm#.XQYyyPZFy00

That geosynchronous amateur satellite

At the moment I only monitor narrowband activity on Oscar 100 via the web SDR at Goonhilly. I checked activity again just now and activity levels seem similar to a few weeks ago. I think new stations come, but also old stations go once the fun has worn off. Many have fun getting the microwave gear assembled and the dish(es) aligned and are less interested thereafter.

Trump tweeting again - NOT amateur radio

As far as USA politics are concerned, I have few problems with tweets about the USA. After all, he was elected as the US president. No doubt some in the USA think he is fine.

Where I have issues is meddling where he seems to know little. I would prefer it if he tweeted less and read more, but if tweet he must then tweet about US murder rates and gun crimes, not about the London major. Re-tweeting Katie Hopkins of all people!

Some compare the current US president with a certain mid-European leader in the 1930s. Outside of the USA he comes across as rather ill informed.

My personal views and others are, of course, entitled to theirs. He is such a genius.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-48651131

Sunspots - Sunday June 16th 2019

Solar flux is just 66 and the SSN still zero. A=4 and K=2.

The spotless period continues. I expect my favourite source of solar data will be changing its forecast next month.

6m FT8 RX

Good 6m Es this morning with 130 stations spotted in the last 6 hours with the best DX on 6m FT8 RX being UN3GX (5522km) in Kazakhstan. It is only now 0826z.

UPDATE 0924z: Now 188 stations spotted this morning on 6m FT8 RX with best DX A45XR (5794km). Several stations are also being spotted that are not appearing on PSKreporter maps. This could be my internet connection or some other issue.

UPDATE 1457z: 347 stations spotted so far today on 6m FT8 RX. As yet, no super DX on 6m here today.

UPDATE 1733z: 386 stations spotted today so far on 6m FT8 RX. At the moment the Es seems to have dried up.

Rain! - NOT amateur radio

Don't let anyone tell you the UK weather is not changing. This June we have seen more rain in the last week than I can ever remember in June. Our best weather this year was in February! Crazy.

G4ILO referrals

Even though Julian Moss sadly died several years ago, I still get several visitors arriving here via his blog. This pleases me a lot.

See http://blog.g4ilo.com/

Poor propagation

Southgate News reports that we have been without sunspots now for a month.

See http://southgatearc.org/propagation/k7ra/index.htm#.XQU6mfZFy00

WRC 2023

The next WRC is later this year. One thing being discussed is a possible 50-54MHz amateur allocation in Region 1. At WRC 2023, France is expected to push for more aeronautical allocations around, or in, our 2m band.

See http://rsgb.org/main/files/2019/06/PTA19090R1-France_Proposal-on-non-safety-aeronautical-mobile-applications.pdf

Solar cycle 25 predictions

Already, I have mentioned the "expert predictions" for the next cycle. Based purely on my own views (often wrong!) I am beginning to side with the latest NOAA forecast which was published in April. This is forecasting a weak peak 2023-26 (similar to the last one) with the solar minimum between July 2019 and September 2020.

See https://earthsky.org/space/solar-cycle-25-likely-weak-according-to-predictions

Political leaders - NOT amateur radio

In the coming weeks, a few Conservative party members are voting to elect a new leader. As the ruling party, he will also be the new Prime Minister of the UK. On his shoulders will be the BREXIT negotiations.  People are banking on a strong leader who can negotiate strongly with the EU. Otherwise we crash out without agreement.

Politically, the UK is at a critical point.

New rig - still thinking

Even without cash discounts and with 100 euros cashback I can buy Yaesu rigs with the full 3 year warranty and VAT in Europe far cheaper than in the UK. The same price difference applies on other rigs too.

It begs the question why?

Cooked breakfast - NOT amateur radio

When away, I enjoy a cooked breakfast. This week, in Cheshire, was no exception. This was the breakfast at the Bear's Head in Brereton. Some will say it is unhealthy, but it fills you up for the day.

Life - NOT amateur radio

This is my "take" on things. Others may well see things differently.

At one time I had quite a strong Christian faith. These days I am far from certain about anything! Speaking purely for myself, I find all religions "too small" to encompass how I feel. All I am aware of is how little we know. Somehow, this particular human (i.e. me) finds the idea of non-existence hard to grasp. We remember nothing of before we were born, so why should we be bothered about what happens when we die? And yet.....

Perhaps we just cease to be. Perhaps somehow our consciousness lives on, however this world view seems odd when our cells cease to be.

The only thing we can say with any certainty is we just do not, and cannot, know. Any person who claims differently is telling him or her self delusions.

6m FT8

In the last 3 hours, 41 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX, many by Es. Best DX spotted on 6m FT8 RX was TA7OM (3092km).  My own CQ call earlier (2.5W)  was spotted by 7 G stations.

UPDATE 1106z: Now 130 stations in 19 countries spotted on 6m FT8 RX this morning as the map shows.

Stations spotted here on 6m 

FT8 RX to 1555z

UPDATE 1347z: Now 249 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX today with best DX spotted EK7DX (3590km).

UPDATE 1856z: Now 323 different stations spotted in the last day on 6m FT8 RX so far with best DX ZF1EJ (7761km) in the Cayman Is, Caribbean. Another good 6m day.  On a good Es day 6m can look like 20m.

Sunspots - Saturday June 15th 2019

Another spotless day.

Solar flus is 68 and the SSN 0. A=10 and K=3. Unless things dramatically change, we are still on the downwards slope I think.

Gilbert and Sullivan

For those outside the UK, Gilbert and Sullivan created some famous comic operas in the late 19th century. A local village puts on a G&S production in a barn every year. It is invariably good. This year they did "The Grand Duke" a work I was not familiar with.

Oranges - NOT amateur radio

As some may recall, we went to Portugal last month. One of the joys was seeing oranges and lemons growing on trees. These, which may have been on before, were in Obidos.  As it has been raining in much of the UK for the last week, it helps to cheer us up!

Lime SDR and Oscar 100

Southgate News reports on the use of a Lime SDR as the basis for an Oscar 100 ground station.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/june/limesdr-mini-satellite-ground-station.htm#.XQNaGPZFy00

Sunspots - Friday June 14th 2019

Solar flux is 69 and the sunspot number still zero. This is, I think, the longest spotless period this minimum. A=7 and K=1.

Good night on 6m FT8 RX

The last 24 hours were the best (for me) this season with lots of EU stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX by Es. As well as these, 2 Caribbean stations and 6 North Americans were logged on 6m FT8 RX with just the V2000 omni vertical (see map of stations logged on 6m FT8 RX in the last day). In all 246 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX in the last day.

UPDATE 0948z: 14 EU stations so far spotted on 6m FT8 RX in the last 3 hours, many Es.

UPDATE 1712z: 58 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX in the last 12 hours.

6m FT8 RX spots here overnight

Sibling reunion - NOT amateur radio

Another picture from our recent sibling reunion in Cheshire. This was a meal out in Knutsford. As mentioned yesterday, we have these get-togethers every year taking it in turns to act as hosts.

Rallies

Saturday 15 JUNE : ROCHDALE AND DISTRICT ARS SUMMER RALLY

Proceeds from this rally ensure the continued operation of DMR repeater GB7MR. St Vincent de Paul's, Caldershaw Road, off Edenfield Road (A680), Norden, Rochdale OL12 7QR. Doors open to the public at 10.15am with disabled visitors gaining access 15 minutes earlier. Admission is £2.50 with those under 12 years free. £5 per pitch (for traders with own tables) or £10 for a pitch with table provided. Refreshments available including bacon and sausage butties. Further details: Robert, M0NVQ m0nvq@outlook.com or 07778113333.


Sunday 16 JUNE : 16th WEST OF ENGLAND RADIO RALLY

Cheese & Grain venue, Market Yard, Bridge Street, Frome, Somerset BA11 1BE. Doors open 10am to 2pm. The event will feature inside & outside trade stands, RSGB book stall, cafe, disabled access & facilities, car parking. Further information from Shaun, G8VPG, on 01225 873 098, or email: rallymanager@westrally.org.uk www.westrally.org.uk.


Sunday 16 JUNE : SCOTTISH AMATEUR RADIO AND ELECTRONICS RALLY

INTU Braehead Centre, Glasgow. Doors open at 10 a.m. There are Traders, Radio Clubs and a Bring & Buy. Areas for clubs to operate from and talks and presentations will be running throughout the day. On-line exams are also available subject to prior notification. Refreshments and disabled facilities are available on-site. Contact info@asrarally.com or visit the website at www.asrarally.com. For more information call Tony Miles on 07702 134 188.

6m FT8 - Es!

Although I have only been on for about 20 minutes I am already getting Es reports from Portugal despite running 2.5W to an omni vertical antenna. On 6m FT8 RX 41 stations in 17 countries already logged from all across Europe. No "real DX" here though.

UPDATE 1227z:  137 stations already spotted on 6m FT8 RX including 2 Caribbean stations

UPDATE 1956z: Now 239 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX in the last 12 hours.

UPDATE 2147z: KD3CQ (5919km) in Maryland and VZ2ZM (4445km) in Price Edward Is. now coming through.

472kHz WSPR overnight

The phrase must be, "not quite dead yet". Overnight I remained on 472kHz WSPR with 10mW ERP. There are now far fewer stations active, but the band is still producing results.

472kHz WSPR here overnight

Sunspots - Thursday June 13th 2019

Solar flux is 69 and the SSN 0 still. A=7 and K=1.

Sibling reunion

Every year my wife gets together with her brothers for a few nights. We have been doing this (with spouses) now for 17 years. We take it in turns to act as hosts. This year we were in Goostrey in Cheshire. Apart from the rain, we had a great time again. It is good to get together for occasions other than funerals! Next year it is our turn.

472kHz WSPR

After a couple of nights at a sibling reunion in Cheshire, I am now home again. I decided to give 472kHz WSPR a try again. Already 2 stations have spotted my 10mW ERP with the best being a report by G4ZFQ (203km).

OFCOM and 5G

OFCOM has announced moves to defragment 3.6GHz spectrum for 5G.

Real DX on 2m FT8

Southgate News reports on Es between the Cape Verde Islands and Austria on 2m FT8 over a distance of 5102km.

Sunspots - Wednesday June 12th 2019

Solar flux is 68 today and the SSN is 0 still. A=3 and K=1.

Noctilucent Clouds

Southgate News passes on a Spaceweather report that noctilucent cloud formations are probably the best for years. Just about every June the path from Europe to Japan opens briefly on 6m VHF. This is thought linked to ionised mesospheric clouds. The openings are usually short lived and weak, but regular. The image is by creative commons user Novokaiin.

See http://southgatearc.org/clouds.htm#.XP4F7PZFy00

See also https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/vuhf/noctilucent

See also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noctilucent_cloud

6m FT8 RX

At the moment just G and nearer Europeans being spotted. These could be tropo and almost certainly not Es.

Sunspots - Monday June 10th 2019

Still spotless.

Solar flux is 68 and the sunspot number 0. A=6 and K=1.

x80 antenna

A few days ago I mentioned that my HF antenna (a Par end-fed) had blown down. Sadly these days I need help with antennas as my ladder skills (even on to a flat garage roof) are probably beyond me safely.

In the garage I have an almost mint x80 antenna fed with a 9:1 un-un. Reports of these vary with some saying they can break in winds. For now, when I have got a suitable support, I shall probably erect one as it should give reasonable performance on the higher HF bands. At the old QTH, albeit higher, it worked quite well.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/x80

That solar minimum - or is it?

We have had several weeks now with no sunspots. As I mentioned before the "experts" seem divided about when the solar minimum will be. One forecast thinks we have already passed the minimum whereas another thinks we have several years to go still! Only time will tell. In another year we will be able to discern a trend. Luckily bands like 10m are being livened up with Es propagation.

Frustration - NOT amateur radio

"Mustn't grumble".

Since my 2013 stroke physically most people think I am fully recovered. On the whole this is a good thing and I am grateful: things could have been so much worse. My main disabilities are my poor voice and feeling giddy all the time when on my feet.

The poor voice is a real drawback. Often I have to repeat myself several times and this is exhausting. I get really frustrated when I need to explain myself, but know the energy to be expended is too much. In casual conversations it is easier to remain quiet. I miss just joining in to casual chats.

What few understand is how much energy I use just to appear normal. Walking and driving are exhausting. To most I look just fine, yet I am clumsy and nearly always exhausted. Life is tougher than it once was, but "mustn't grumble".

As I have said before, do not judge a book by its cover. Often people who look or behave "normally" may be suffering in silence.

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

6m FT8

There is Es about already on 6m FT8 RX with 10 stations spotted including 2 from Spain even though it is just 0820z. Yesterday there were loads of stations on 6m FT8, although nothing exotic.

UPDATE 1620z: Now 56 stations in 12 countries on 6m FT8 RX today.  At the moment things don't look as good as yesterday on 6m.

UPDATE 1646z:  Now 81 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX with CU3AK (2585km) in the Azores spotted just now.

UPDATE 1825z: "Real 6m DX!!" with KP4EIT (6834km) in Puerto Rico copied. As he has been

6m FT8 RX spots this here to 1825z

widely reported in North America and Europe I am pretty sure he is genuine. Also spotted was Israel and right across Europe on 6m FT8 RX with 135 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX so far today.

UPDATE 1945z: Now 147 stations in 30 countries on 6m FT8 RX. It seems it has got better later in the day.

UPDATE 2010z: Now FG8OJ (6834km) on Guadaloupe coming through on 6m FT8 RX. This is the second Caribbean station spotted on 6m this evening. 149 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX today so far.

UPDATE 2053z: Now 4 Caribbean stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX this evening. 153 stations now spotted.