Sunspots and 10m - Friday May 19th 2017

Solar flux is 72 today. Sunspot number is 24.  A=11 and K=2.

Swifts nest - NOT amateur radio

There is a swift's nest on the adjoining hotel balcony in Corfu. Despite waiting over 15 minutes I was not able to take a photo of the bird which I saw return once.

Rallies

MAY 20th 2017 : RADARS FLEA MARKET INDOOR SALE

St Vincent de Paul's, Caldershaw Rd., off Edenfield Rd (A680), Norden, Rochdale OL12 7QR Doors open at 10.30am with disabled visitors gaining access 15 minutes earlier. Admission is £2.50 with those under 12 years free. There will be a Bring & Buy as well as commercial traders, a junk stall and amateur radio sellers. Traders can set up from 8am. Pitches must be booked at least 2 weeks beforehand with prices starting at £5. There will be refreshments available including bacon and sausage butties. Dave, G3RIK by email to rally@radars.me.uk www.radars.me.uk

MAY 20th 2017 : MORAY FIRTH ARS SURPLUS EQUIPMENT SALE

Forces Reserve Centre, Edgar Road, Elgin IV30 6YQ Doors open 12 noon and entry is £2 for buyers. Tables cost £3 and access is available at 10am for set up. Refreshments are available on site. A raffle will be held. Details from Victor, 2M0JVR on 01343 820 489 or by email to jvr911@yahoo.co.uk A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

Pedestrian HF Portable

We are in a period of good Es conditions on 10m and 6m. This usually lasts through May, June, July and August. It happens at other times too, but less often. Under such conditions just a few watts SSB can work DX even with a whip antenna. When F2 is good, DX to very far away is possible with QRP SSB.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/pedestrian

New ICOM and Yaesu products at Dayton?

Dayton is often the place where ICOM and Yaesu announce new products. I'd like to see a replacement to the FT817 from Yaesu, but have all but given up hope. Certainly a few years ago they would have released at a time of sunspot peak. As it is, we have years of falling conditions, so not the best "window of opportunity".

Lizards - NOT amateur radio

There were two large lizards watching us have lunch in the hotel garden earlier as the photo shows. We have seen quite a few smaller ones this week.

Sunspots and 10m - Thursday May 18th 2017

Solar flux is 71 today and the sunspot number 13. A=8 and K=4.

Northern Corfu - NOT amateur radio

Thunderstorms later today in Corfu, but some great skies as in this view at Kassiopi in north east Corfu. Albania is in the background.

Dayton (USA)

MAY 19-21st 2017 : DAYTON HAMVENTION® (new venue)

Greene County Fair & Exposition Center, Xenia, Dayton, Ohio, USA. Doors open at 8am. There will be trade stands and a huge flea market as well as special interest groups and an RSGB bookstall. A lecture programme will take place each day. There are multiple catering outlets and family attractions on site. US exams are available and there is a raffle. Details by email to international@hamvention.org. www.hamvention.org.

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

This is "the big one" in the USA and is often used by big companies to launch new products, often way ahead of them being on sale. I suspect rivals also see what their competition is up to. Maybe Yaesu created the FT991A after seeing the ICOM IC7300 at Dayton?

Sunspots and 10m - Wednesday May 17th 2017

Solar flux is 70 today. Sunspot number is 23.  A=8 and K=2.