Rear garden in late May - NOT amateur radio

This was our rear garden shortly after we got back home from Devon. Most blossom has now gone sadly. In the front, our laurels are growing and we have roses out.

Waitrose 1 is a CON - NOT amateur radio

They all try it to increase sales and market share. Call me a cynic but the latest marketing ploy from Waitrose is a new line called "Waitrose 1". We have received information through the post. This latest campaign will have cost them millions.  As far as I can tell it is just another way to try to persuade us to buy (yet more) over-priced food items. Even with their 25% off in early June these goods are still expensive. Con.

Sunspots and 10m - Tues May 24th 2016

Solar flux is 95 and sunspot number just 13.  K=2. The forecast for F2 propagation on 10m remains "poor" yet again.

Now on 6m WSPR and 10m WSPR

After overnight on 630m (472kHz) with very few active stations seen here, I QSYed to 10m WSPR (500mW 100% TX) and 6m WSPR (2W 20% TX, 80% RX, vertical) just before breakfast. No spots as yet but it is very early.

UPDATE 0930z:  One early spot on 10m WSPR from OZ7IT (853km) at 0840z at -19dB S/N.

Alibris ... again - NOT amateur radio

Just had this from Alibris UK. I just ignore these now as I know there will be more later in the week! They kid no-one with these daft Marketing gimmicks.

Today Only! 15% VOUCHER
 

630m and 10m WSPR

At the moment I am on both 10m and 630m WSPR. Overnight, my shack PC installed updates and closed the WSPR program.  

G8LCO (58km) has been spotting me on MF and there was very early Es on 10m WSPR with DK0SC (827km) spotting me as early as 0738z. Since then I have had further spots on 10m WSPR including from northern Spain in the form of EA1FAQ (1249km).

UPDATE 1406z: Spots on 10m WSPR from Germany all day.

Sunspots and 10m - Mon May 23rd 2016

Solar flux is 98 today. Sunspot number is 15 (K=2) and the forecast for 10m propagation remains "poor".

EU referendum - NOT amateur radio

The UK votes in a referendum on whether to remain in the EU or leave on June 23rd.

Like many, I am undecided.

The UK is not a world power with an empire - this went years ago. The EU is a gravy train for bureaucrats and is an unelected quango in the main creating so many laws that most small companies cannot keep up with them. At the same time, WW3 starting in Europe has not occurred and as long as there is an EU is unlikely. There is much wrong with the EU but much of it is a force for good. The EU needs to reform.

No I am still undecided. What I do know is this is a very important decision which will effect us for years to come. I think the vote will be very close. Should we vote to leave, I think others will follow too not many years down the line. My gut says leave but my logical self says stay in.

UPDATE 1400z:  I am really fed up with NEGATIVE messages and spin. 

Now on 10m WSPR (TX only 500mW) and 630m (5mW ERP TX, 80% RX)

With just a single spot all day on 6m from a station 33km away, I have left the 10m beacon still running (still Es about) and QSYed from 6m to 630m WSPR with the earth-electrode "antenna". In recent days 630m has not been brilliant.
 
UPDATE 1915z:  PA3ABK/2 (306km) being spotted on 630m (472kHz) WSPR.

UPDATE  2256z: On 10m WSPR I have been reported at incredible strength (+4dB) by DF4UE (758km) when running 500mW. This implies he would copy me at uW levels!

Dad's Army Van - NOT amateur radio

Our local village museum held a "Classic Car" day today.  Among the exhibits was the original Jones the butcher van used in the filming of "Dad's Army" back in the late 1960s and 1970s. This was a classic comedy about the Home Guard. It is still funny even now. Also at the museum was G6ALB (Andrew) and his wife, his father-in-law and Andrew's boys.