Sunspots and 10m - Sun Aug 23rd 2015

Sunspot number is 72 today (K=3) and 10m propagation remains "poor". Es will again be the main hope on 10m and possibly 6m WSPR.  We are still in summertime conditions and at the back end of the Es season in the northern hemisphere.

10m Es but no Es here on 6m WSPR

10m WSPR has been humming with spots from central Europe, but nothing on 6m WSPR by Es. Spots exchanged on 6m WSPR (again) with G0OQK (98km) but no sign of Es on that band. 

I have not correlated spots exchanges on 6m WSPR with G0OQK and aircraft movements, but I am sure there is a correlation.

ICOM IC7300

At this stage I don't yet have any details, but ICOM launched the IC-7300 at the Japanese Ham Fair. It looks a bit like a Yaesu FT991 on steroids!

At this stage I don't know price, power, bands or availability outside of Japan, but I expect these will soon be known. I wonder why this was released so soon after the IC7100? Perhaps people did not like it? Maybe this will force a price cut for the FT991?

In Japan there will be 50W and 10W versions. I hope the 10W version is available in Europe as this might be a good replacement for the IC703.  10W pep SSB is a useful power level.

And we are STILL awaiting the FT817 replacement or a competitive offering from Kenwood or ICOM. After all these years I find this barely credible.

See http://qrznow.com/new-icom-ic-7300-toyko-hamfair-2015/

Sunspots and 10m - Sat Aug 22nd 2015

Sunspot number has risen to 78 (K=3) but 10m is again "poor". So far we have had lunchtime Es on 10m WSPR but nothing yet spottedon 6m WSPR Es.

Chinese radio imports

With the devaluation of the Chinese currency this week, all Chinese radios and imports should be less expensive. I wonder if our nice UK dealers will simply pass this saving on to the end customer? That would be honest and nice.

Watch this space!

Sunspots and 10m - Fri Aug 21st 2015

Sunspot numbers are rising again. Today it stands at 68 (K=2) but 10m is expected to remain "poor". K=2 is quite low disturbance and in the past "poor" 10m conditions have surprised me with some good DX. This is another "magic band" so go for it and expect to be surprised!

Overnight on 10m and 630m

I went on 10m WSPR late last night and see that a couple of Italians were spotting me around midnight local time by Es. No other spots received since on 10m. On 630m (472kHz) WSPR overnight on the earth-electrode "antenna" was a total blank with no stations spotted or spotting me. I think the band is too noisy still?

UPDATE 0834z:  At the present time I am on 10m and 6m WSPR. On 10m 100% TX 500mW (frequency randomised) and on 6m 20% TX (1W ERP) and 80% RX using the V2000 vertical. As usual, G0OQK (98km) is being spotted on 6m WSPR (he has spotted me once so far) by a combination of tropo and aircraft reflection.

UPDATE 0940z:  I wonder if G0OQK spots me less on 6m WSPR (than I spot him) because he has a noisier RX set-up or because my ERP is lower than his?

472kHz WSPR

Overnight I am on 472kHz WSPR. I have not been on 10m or 6m for some time.  I hope the PC does not close down to install updates! This is rare but happened last time I was on MF. Yes I know I can change the PC settings so that the uploads are downloaded but not actually installed.

Thank you David

A near local has very kindly offered to erect my 2m big wheel.  I hate having to ask for help, as a few years ago this would have been trivial. These days I am just so grateful. It should mean I'll be back on 2m sometime in September.

Autumn/winter priorities

My overriding priority is to get back to full health again with my poor speech,swallow and giddiness being the largest remaining issues. I am now eating most foods and drinking more liquids of different sorts. Although I still get tired I seem to recover more quickly.

My priorities for the coming autumn and winter centre on operation from home rather than field work. This autumn/winter I want to have a few more SSB QSOs if my voice improves. I want to use 2-way digital modes like JT65 and JT9 more and possibly PSK31. I'd like to keep a regular log of all the 2m beacons I can copy and of course take part in the 2m UKAC sessions each month.

Overall, all I really want is good health. Until you don't have it, you don't realise how important this is to so much that one does. I do so miss my good health.