5 Dec 2016

Soar Mill Cove, Devon - NOT amateur radio

This photo was taken 4 years ago in South Devon, UK where I was born.  The cliff walk from Hope Cove to Salcombe is perhaps one of the most beautiful in the world, although I am biased!

Winter sun - NOT amateur radio

We seem to have moved very rapidly from warm summer days to winter. Already we have had more frosts than in all of last winter and it is still December.

Yesterday we did a walk at nearby Anglesey Abbey, where the trees are now bare and the herbaceous borders "sleeping". Another month and the snowdrops and some daffodils will be out.

10m JT65

For about 10 minutes now I have been QRT on 630m WSPR and I am now again on 10m JT65. As yet, no spots given or received.

UPDATE 1648z: LU5MT (11576km) has been spotted on 10m JT65 near the border with Chile. This is very early at 1616z.

Sunspots and 10m - Monday December 5th 2016

Solar flux is 82 today. Sunspot number is 37. A=2 and K=0 .

QRP and QRP Club

More from Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous Report (December 4, 2016)
Visitors  of  the  week:  ON6KZ,  R1OA,  UR7VT, SM7RYR, RV3GM, R1CAF,
UA1CEG,  DK1HW,  EA6BB,  RA1M,  UA1ADF, UR0ET, UA0SBQ, RA7RA, RX3DIT,
US3EN,  G3XJS, OH6NPV, OK1DNZ, SM2FIJ, YO6AHR, EA5EQ, US5ERQ, DL8BCJ,
IT9IFI, F4WBY, UR5LEH
Congrats!
EA5EQ entered in the Honor Frequenters list (regular visitor)
See full Visitors and Frequenters lists on the Club 72 web page.
Comments...
Read full report here -
http://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/

72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"

Overnight on 472kHz (630m) WSPR

Last night and overnight I was on 472kHz WSPR. Results were disappointing. Are there fewer on than last year? Only 6 unique spots with 5mW ERP and best DX just 250km.

4 Dec 2016

10m JT65 since breakfast

Overnight I was on 630m (472kHz) WSPR. It was rather disappointing with the same stations spotting me. Since breakfast I have been on 10m JT65, although no spots as yet. It was teatime yesterday before I spotted South America on 10m. Unless there are active stations in South Africa or short skip to Europe, I might have a similar wait today.

Sunspots and 10m - Sunday December 4th 2016

Solar flux is 84 today and the sunspot number a respectable 62. A=3 and K=0. As the last few days have shown, 10m does open for DX.

3 Dec 2016

More digging on HF needed!

The DX on the higher HF bands is getting harder to find now. I have been on 10m JT65 all day but not a single spot. Although conditions are not as good as they were, I am sure one of the issues is people take a casual look and give up. A major contest brings the higher HF bands alive, proving it is activity (or lack of it) and not conditions. Switch to weak signal modes and stick at it.

10m remains good far more often than is realised. This is a great opportunity for JT65 to prove its usefulness. WSPR should be even better, but sadly activity on 10m WSPR seems much lower than JT65.

UPDATE 1830z: As if to prove the point, LU1AMH (11207km) in Argentina was spotted at 1702z on 10m JT65. There is definitely life still on 10m.

South Hams trains again - NOT amateur radio

Once again, after many years, Kingsbridge in Devon has trains again. The light railway is again running along the side of the water delighting children and adults alike. I wish them all the best.

See https://www.facebook.com/kdlr.co.uk/ .