OFCOM annual plan

OFCOM has just released its annual plan.

See https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/annual-reports-and-plans .

QRP Marathon

From Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,
just  inform  about  annually  QRP  Marathon "Look In the Horizon" in
April.  See rules on the Club "72" web page (club72.su) Registration
page  will  be open in 00.01 UTC April 1'st. Add your QRP QSOs on the
on-line  form daily and  collect  "luk" points depend of distance and
both stations power. Memorable certificates for all Marathon'ers.

72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"

This is a periodic Newsletter of the Club 72. Don't reply to Newsletter address! Send any requests or news to mr72@club72.su please.

60m (5MHz)

It seems that several administrations have reduced the total 5MHz spectrum available and the power limits permitted when making available the 5MHz WRC15 15 kHz allocation. The RSGB, working with OFCOM and the UK military, has been trying to avoid this (see the GB2RS news last week).

Really I'd like to see the WRC15 allocation released in the UK too as soon as possible, but with the other "channels" still available. As a seasoned QRPer the power levels really don't bother me. 5W would be fine!

Many times we (I) take for granted the work done on our behalf by volunteers at the RSGB. A quiet thank you. You know who you are, HI.

6m MSK144 RX yet again

As you can tell, I love this mode. I was on 6m MSK144 RX overnight again. In the last 12 hours I have spotted 9 stations in 6 countries on 6m MSK144 RX. In the last day I have spotted 13 stations in 7 countries on this band/mode.

UPDATE 1308z: Now 12 stations in 9 countries spotted on 6m MSK144 RX in the last 12 hours. Best DX today is SM0NKZ (1404km).

UPDATE 1528z: Now the totals on 6m MSK144 RX are 15 stations in 10 countries in the last 12 hours.

Sunspots and 10m - Thursday March 30th 2017

Solar flux is 83 today. Sunspot count is 53. A=21 and K=5

2.97kHz amateur DX

By careful analysis over 9 days in 25uHz bandwidths, Paul Nicholson has proved beyond doubt that DK7FC was copied in Todmorden, UK on 2.97kHz. This is with amateur powers and amateur (i.e. small) antennas.

Article 50 and leaving the EU - NOT amateur radio

Article 50, the trigger to leave the EU, has now been invoked, with 2 years ahead to negotiate our exit from the "club".  Although we have some tough decisions and negotiations ahead, the UK pound has not collapsed. If anything it is a little stronger against the euro. Although I voted to remain in the EU, I am pretty sure we'll be fine in the UK.  The rest of the EU faces quite difficult times ahead. In truth, Europe needs us as much as we need them.

At Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio

As we are having some new windows fitted, I took my brother for a walk at Anglesey Abbey this morning. Although cloudy, it was quite mild. Many of the daffodils there are dying now.

More nations get the WRC 5MHz band

The Netherlands is joining the growing list of nations gaining access to the 15kHz wide international WRC15 amateur allocation at 5MHz (60m) although, you will have read, the UK will not be joining the list anytime soon. We have non-contiguous bands at 5MHz that allow access to more spectrum with higher power. Personally, I'd prefer a contiguous allocation and the power limits do not bother me.

Solar storm

It looks like we are in a solar storm. Although this will pass, HF conditions will have been affected. Luckily modes like MSK144 on 6m are little impacted. I guess the chances of lower latitude auroras improves, but I am no expert.

See http://spaceweather.com/