Sunspots and 10m - Friday July 15th 2016

Solar flux is 95 today. Sunspot number is 54 (K=3) and the forecast for 10m F2 propagation is yet again "poor".

Despite this, my 10m 500mW WSPR has been spotted over 10000km on 2 days recently.

Even when 10m seems "poor" it is often a lack of activity rather than poor conditions. Just check the CB bands just LF of 10m: if these are "humming" the chances are 10m could be too. Try a few long CQs or use a digital mode like PSK31, JT65, JT9-1 or WSPR. You could well get a nice surprise.

ZP4KFX copies me again on 10m WSPR

Just one spot by ZP4KFX (10277km) in Paraguay earlier this evening of my 500mW WSPR on 10m. Again, I am unsure of the propagation mode, but it was possibly a combination of F2 (or spread F) and Es. This is the second day he has copied me on 10m recently.

IC7300 Reviews

Both PW and the August RadCom have reviews of the ICOM IC7300. RadCom's is by Peter Hart and is the more "heavyweight" review.  Both rave it with Peter Hart saying it is "a superb radio" and "outstanding value" at £1050.

Rally reminder (2017)

14-16 JULY 2017: HAMTRONIC SHOW, FRIEDRICHSHAFEN
Messe, Friedrichshafen, Germany Trade stands, special interest groups and IARU Member Society's all have stands in the main hall. Large flea market. Lectures take place each day, some in English. There will be a large RSGB book stall. www.hamradio-friedrichshafen.de.

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

This is a big event. Some have compared it with Dayton in the USA.Get it in your diaries well in advance!

See www.hamradio-friedrichshafen.de/ham-en/  for details in English.

Mr Bean sacked - NOT amateur radio

The man, allegedly, who stabbed Boris Johnson - a possible UK Prime Minister candidate - in the back (metaphorically) has been sacked from the new UK Cabinet. I for one, although not a Conservative, agree with this. There is no place in the UK government for such people. I am told Mr Gove was a bright man. His recent behaviour has left me speechless.

10m WSPR and 6m JT65

Recently I resynced the 10m WSPR beacon and PC. The PC probably closed overnight whilst installing updates. Anyway, I am now definitely on both bands.

UPDATE 1145z: A few 6m JT65 spots including an Es spot from Austria.  My 500mW 10m WSPR beacon has not been spotted by anyone yet. It looks like there is less Es about.

UPDATE 1620z: Although I have received, and given, a few more 6m JT65 spots, there is still just the one Es spot on 6m here so far today.#

UPDATE 1625z:  With just a couple of Es spots by EA1FAQ (1249km), it has been pretty quiet on 10m WSPR here too.

UPDATE 1750z:  On 6m JT65 receive the best DX so far is OH7RJ (2001km) a few moments ago.

OFCOM

See http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/call-for-inputs-fixed-wireless-spectrum-strategy/?utm_source=updates&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=call-for-inputs-fixed-wireless-spectrum-strategy.

OFCOM is asking for inputs on a consultation.

10m WSPR DX analysis by PA1B

Bert PA1B has done some analysis of my recent 10m WSPR spots in Paraguay. At times, much lower power than my 500mW would probably have been enough to be spotted by ZP4KFX.

Dunham Massey - NOT amateur radio

Since Monday, we have been in Cheshire for our annual sibling reunion. As my wife and her two brothers were getting older, we thought it a good idea to meet up annually for a few days. This is a tradition we've now done for 13 years. Traditionally we go somewhere on the second day and the hosts are treated to a nice meal out. Each year we go to a different home. This year we visited Dunham Massey in Cheshire for our day out. This rose was in the Rose Garden there. Next year, we are the hosts.

Sunspots and 10m - Thurs July 14th 2016

Solar flux is 94 today. Sunspot number 54 (K=3) but the forecast for 10m F2 propagation remains "poor".  I suspect this will be the case now until the autumn. At least there is summertime Es to liven things up from time to time.

Return to 10m WSPR and 6m JT65

Since returning home I have reactivated my 10m WSPR and 6m JT65 transmissions. Not having been home long, I have yet to check how things are going but there was a strong Austrian calling CQ on 6m so there is definitely Es around.

Sunspots and 10m - Wed July 13th 2016

As mentioned, we were away for a couple of nights, so there were no postings yesterday.

Today solar flux is 93 and sunspot number 63 (K=2). The forecast for 10m F2 propagation remains "poor".
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Away - NOT amateur radio

As you may have guessed, we have been away for a couple of nights so there were no blog updates yesterday. Normal service should soon be resumed.

Alibris UK - NOT amateur radio

"15% everything today only". Yet another offer! They must think we are all totally stupid. Is it 3 a week or more?

6m and 10m - early Es

Both on 6m JT65 and 10m WSPR, I have been receiving early spots from Europeans. This is Es.

UKAC - 70cm leg tomorrow evening

A reminder than the RSGB's 70cm UKAC activity contest is on Tuesday evening this week from 1900-2130z. Last month was very quiet, but usually there is quite a bit of activity. Even with my 5W pep and an omni antenna for 2m I can usually work moderate distances.

Sunspots and 10m - Mon July 11th 2016

Solar flux is 94 and sunspot number 46 (K=3). The forecast for 10m F2 propagation remains "poor".

Paraguay on 10m WSPR - F2 at last

10m WSPR this evening

ZP4KFX (10277km) in Paraguay has copied my 500mW 10m WSPR this evening several times. I assume this is F2 although it could be Es and F2.

UPDATE 1758z: So far, he has copied me 8 times and as strong as -15dB S/N.

UPDATE 1844z:  So far, ZP4KFX (10277km) has spotted me 23 times on 10m WSPR at up to -8dB S/N. We almost have a pipe!

6m Es all day

Well it is only 1745z but already there have been extensive 6m Es openings right across Europe with my 1W ERP signal being widely reported. So far, I have not been spotted outside of Europe, although I remain ever hopeful!

BBQ weather? - NOT amateur radio

Sunset

Last evening we went to some friends for a BBQ. In all, there were 8 people there. This was the sunset over their back garden. It stayed dry, but like the rest of our summer here in the UK, the weather was mixed. Although the BBQ was cooked outside, we ate indoors.

Early Es

Both on 10m WSPR and 6m JT65, I am seeing evidence of early Es. This is a good sign. It is good to see I am being spotted already in Spain and Portugal on 6m JT65 and in northern Spain on 10m WSPR.

Sunspots and 10m - Sun July 10th 2016

Solar flux is 92 and sunspot number 63 (K=2). The forecast for 10m F2 propagation remains "poor". Despite the forecast this is an improving solar situation in the short-term. Overall, things are still sliding, but we are seeing improving short-term conditions due to the sun's rotation bringing more active regions into view.

QRP and QRP Club

More from Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,
72 QRP Net (Rendez-Vous) weekly report (July 4 to July 10, 2016)
Visitors of the week: R1OA, UT8NR, UF6V/RX3PR, RV3GM, UA1ADF, RA1M/mm, US3EN, UR5EFD, UR0ET, Z35M, UA1CEG, LA8BGA, UR7VT, RX3DIT, RU3NJC, US5ERQ
RX3DIT entered in the Honor Frequenters list
see full Visitors and Frequenters lists - www.club72.su
72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"

Stroke - NOT amateur radio

Every now and then, I like to update readers on the after-effects of my stroke. After nearly 3 years I seem to be on a plateau now feeling giddy most of the time, my voice is poor, getting tired very quickly and feeling sick (slightly) nearly all the time. Drinking liquids is still hard. On the positive side, most things work and I can drive. Life carries on.

After all this time, I was expecting to be better. Sadly, I now have to learn to accept these disabilities are permanent. Things may still improve, but progress is likely to be very slow.

PA0RDT mini-whip

Several people use this very compact antenna on LF and MF for RX. It is an active antenna for receive only. I am thinking of buying one. There was an interesting article on http://www.amateurradio.com/ about optimum height mounting.

6m JT65 and 10m WSPR early today

There were several spots by OZ7IT (853km) on 10m WSPR late last night and one German spot, but so far today (Saturday) both 10m and 6m have been quiet with just a couple of Gs spotting me on 6m JT65. I hope things improve later.

UPDATE 1046z:  OK, it is early I know, but there is no early Es about here.  In past seasons I have noticed more northerly stations later in the Es season. This pattern seems to be there again on 10m and 6m.

Declining solar conditions

We have yet more evidence of the slide in solar conditions. We have had several days without any sunspots in recent days.  Next autumn when the Es is rare and 10m propagation depends on F2 propagation, we will see E-W propagation more rarely than last year on 10m.

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

BREXIT again - NOT amateur radio

We voted in a referendum to leave the EU. Although the pound has fallen, the UK stock markets (FTSE 100 and FTSE 250) seem to have shrugged it off.

There is bound to be a period of uncertainty, but I think the EU is worried about its very survival. In the end the UK will be OK, although the "European Project" i.e. the move to a federal Europe is in grave danger. As I have said before, we want a common market but not a federal Europe. We want peace in Europe, but disagree on how best to keep the peace.

In summary, I think BREXIT is more about the future of the EU than the future of the UK.

Sunspots and 10m - Sat July 9th 2016

Solar flux is 86 today. Sunspot number is 55 (K=2) and the forecast for 10m F2 propagation remains "poor".

Bury St Edmunds - NOT amateur radio

Last Tuesday when our "London" grandchildren were off school because of a strike we had a great time in the Abbey Gardens, Bury St Edmunds having a picnic and playing crazy golf. The picture shows them before our picnic.

Yes you see right! Our granddaughter (always an individual) chose to wear 2 right shoes, with one being a winter boot! We love them just as they are.

Grass - NOT amateur radio

Only on Monday I cut the rear lawn but it already needs cutting again! At this time of year grass grows and I guess the combination of dampness and warmth create ideal growing conditions.

UPDATE 1138z:  Grass cut, but I feel knackered!

6m JT65

So far this morning I have spotted a few G stations on this band (best DX 182km) but no Es seen here yet. I have had reports (from locals) of spurious signals about 700Hz away from my main signal. They say this is not RX overload.  This is puzzling as the FT817ND is not being over-driven. Later, I shall swap to JT65-HF software (I need to load it first!) to see if that makes any difference. Currently I am using WSJT-X V1.6.0.

UPDATE 1140z:  Just G spots so far (TX and RX) on 6m JT65 today.

UPDATE 2120z:  Es on 6m from Scandinavia and Spain. I have now swapped to JT65-HF to see if the "ghost" signal goes with the change of software.

10m WSPR disappointment

Just a couple of 10m WSPR spots from Europe overnight. Although probably a blip of Es these could be tropo or aircraft reflections. So far this morning, not a single 10m WSPR spot since the early hours.

Sunspots and 10m - Fri July 8th 2016

Solar flux is 84 today (up a little). Sunspot number is 25 (K=3) and the forecast for 10m F2 propagation remains "poor". It is a long time now since I have been spotted a long way away on 10m by F2.

Newmarket - NOT amateur radio

This pedestrianised shopping area in Newmarket was once called "The Rookery" but it is now called "The Guineas". There are horses everywhere! Newmarket is the home of horseracing. We do most of our food shopping here.

No Es here?

This is the first day this season when I have seen no European spots at all here on 10m WSPR or 6m JT65. There may have been Es around, but not here. Things can still change and the kit is still running on both bands. 10m WSPR has been particularly disappointing.

UPDATE 1930z:  Just one 10m WSPR spot by GM4WJA (624km) may have been Es. This was at 1700z today.

An OFCOM report prepared by an old work colleague

See http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/market-data-research/other/technology-research/2015-reports/assessment-effects-of-repeaters-mobile-networks/.  This report for OFCOM (dated Nov 2015) was prepared by PA Consulting. My old work colleague, Simon Tonks, was involved according to LinkedIn.

UK Conservative Party Election - NOT amateur radio

I have never voted Conservative in more than 40 years but I am very pleased that Michael Gove has been eliminated. In the last few weeks he has, in my view, acted really badly and he has been hosted by his own petard. In my view he deserved all he got. Let us hope he is not in the new Cabinet.

Although not a great supporter of Theresa May, I think she is the best choice for Prime Minister of the UK as we move to leave the EU. She voted to remain in the EU, but is likely to unite the Conservatives.

Interesting times.

AES closes

A large USA dealer has closed according to a message from Steve G1KQH. As I have said many times, we are (in the main) an ageing population of radio amateurs and it is quite likely other dealers will close within the next few years. I fear for some UK dealers and some magazines. Unless more young people are attracted, the dealers will go, the magazines will get less revenue from adverts and the magazines will shrink and go too.

What attracted many of my generation into the hobby does not hold true today. To young people today video messaging around the world is commonplace. Young people get "turned on" by different things.

Our hobby will be very different in 20 years.

10m WSPR

As yet, no spots of my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon, although it is very early. Certainly no Es spots on 10m as yet. No G spots either. It is a pity I cannot use JT65 on both 10m and 6m at the same time.