JT65 lead

I heard this evening that W&S has dispatched my SignaLink to FT817 lead. I hope this fixes the TX issue. In the meantime I am still on 10m WSPR TX and 6m JT65 RX.

6m JT65 today (RX only)

Hot day - NOT amateur radio

We have had the hottest day of the year so far with a temperature of 32 deg C, so we spent some of the afternoon in the garden. We had tea outside. There was a gentle breeze.

Here are a few images in our garden. The first is our Crocosomia "Lucifer" and the second a cobweb on our birdbath. The birdbath was being well used by the wasps today. There was a sparrowhawk chasing the young swifts high above us. The last but one picture is of a goldfinch on our neighbour's TV antenna.  The frog (?) appeared when we started watering.

JT65 issue

I "think" I may have a faulty cable from my SignaLink unit to my FT817. I shall get a new one to see if this makes it better. The PC sees the SignaLink unit, I have TX enabled, and the FT817 works fine on USB so the FT817 PA is OK. In days gone by I'd have tried to fix the lead, but not these days as I am still unable to manage fine motor skills as a result of my stroke. I do not think this is a Windows 10 issue as I can hear the TX if I select the PC's own speakers.

Luckily I am still able to be on 10m WSPR with the stand alone beacon.

Knowing my luck 6m will be wide open across the Atlantic these next few days!

UPDATE 0948z: New lead ordered from W and S. Should be here later this week.

Sunspots and 10m - Tues July 19th 2016

Solar flux is 107 today and sunspot number 68 (K=1). The forecast for 10m F2 propagation continues to be "poor".

I need to sort out my JT65 issue next! I shall be on 10m WSPR in a few minutes. This is "stand alone", so will work once synced to internet time.

JT65 issue?

My shack PC did a Windows 10 update this evening. Whether this was coincidental or not I cannot tell, but neither WSJT-X or JT65-HF software now work: my FT817 refuses to go on TX. I need to check this out in the morning. It could be something tivial. I hope so. I shall look tomorrow with a clear head.

Ickworth (National Trust) - NOT amateur radio

Today, we went for a walk at the National Trust grounds at Ickworth near Bury St Edmunds. It was very hot, for a change. In the car coming home it touched 30 degrees Celsius. There were several dragon flies and damsel flies about.

Trident Vote - NOT amateur radio

This evening, the UK Parliament votes on whether or not to renew the Trident submarines which carry our "independent" nuclear deterrent.  I personally think this is a TOTAL waste of money. Most nations don't have this. Are we really any safer? Personally I'd rather spend the money (£100 billion?) on things that help us with 21st century threats such as terrorism.

What amazes me is why so many in the UK parliament think this is "a good idea". Sorry, but we are in NATO and are very very unlikely to fire nuclear weapons. In my view, Trident should be phased out as soon as possible.

Sorry if this is political, but I hate the whole idea of the UK having nuclear weapons at all. Were these ever to be used, it would be the end of civilisation. We should be setting an example for others to follow. Please don't tell me Trident is a deterrent. It certainly is no deterrence against terrorism and never has been. If we are short of money then we should spend what we have prudently.

Es

Both on 6m JT65 and 10m WSPR I am being spotted in Spain by Es early. This bodes well for the rest of the day.

Sunspots and 10m - Monday July 18th 2016

Solar flux is 112 today and the sunspot number 51 (K=1). The forecast for 10m F2 propagation remains "poor".

Local Museum Summer Fete - NOT amateur radio

Today, in the sunshine and warmth, our local museum and windmill is holding its summer fete with free entry for all. It is good the sun is shining. The windmill and museum are well worth a visit at any time. There is always so much to see and do.

See http://www.burwellmuseum.org.uk/ .