Baking - NOT amateur radio

Today, we had all 4 grandchildren (all 9 and under) here for lunch. Here is our elder granddaughter busy baking in the kitchen.

SAQ transmission cancelled

Southgate News reports that the upcoming SAQ CW transmission on 17.2kHz VLF CW has been cancelled due to ongoing maintenance work.  This signal is often a good one to try if testing your VLF system. It is much harder receiving amateur VLF signals.

Often these transmissions result in a QSL card for reports. I have one from years ago.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2017/may/saq-transmission-cancelled.htm#.WS2KmrpFzIU

Sunspots and 10m - Tuesday May 30th 2017

Solar flux is 74 today and the sunspot number 16. A=10 and K=4.

10m JT65

This morning, I am on 10m JT65. As yet, no spots.

UPDATE 0848z: My 10m JT65 is being spotted in Switzerland and Austria  (Es) and the best DX on RX is the Canary Is.

UPDATE 1000z: Spots so far this morning on 10m JT65.

UPDATE 1614z: Best DX on RX was RA9N (4608km) in Omsk, Asiatic Russia. This is a long way for Es, if indeed this is the mode.

UPDATE 1715z: PY2FA (9580km) and another 3 Brazilians are now being spotted. Could be Es linking with TEP?

UPDATE 1957z: Now 8 South Americans spotted on 10m JT65 plus a couple of stations in the UAE at the far end of the Gulf. Still no spots of my own QRP 10m JT65 outside of Europe. Definitely a good Es day on 10m.

UPDATE 1725z: So far, 5 different Brazilians spotted on 10m JT65 today.

G7 meeting - NOT amateur radio

This photo was widely shared on Facebook. I have no idea where it was first made. Sadly, this is how much of the world sees the president of the USA. He needs not to be a joke.

6m JT65

Last night, as a precaution, I went QRT and disconnected plugs and antennas. We had thunder and lightning overnight (I'm told) but I slept through it!

At the moment I am on 6m JT65 (1W ERP). Best DX on TX is 9A2DI (1532km). There have been G spots, ON (tropo or aircraft?) and Es on 6m. On 6m JT65 RX the best DX is EA8JK (3021km).

UPDATE 1112z:  As well as the Es, I have been spotted in Cornwall by G8BCG (372km) in IO70 square. If this was tropo, it was a long way.

UPDATE 1604z: Plenty of Es from/to Europe on 6m JT65 today. What would be really good would be if we got Es to the Caribbean or South America on 6m JT65. Although it feels quite humid here, there are no thunderstorms shown in the UK. Unless thing change I intend to stay on 6m JT65 until late this evening.

UPDATE 2040z: Although the Es spots seem to have stopped, there are still plenty of G spots. As the thunderstorms seem to be mainly in Belgium and Germany I am remaining on the air.

UPDATE 2140: Today, my QRP 1W ERP 6m JT65 was spotted by 9 UK stations and I spotted 23 stations in the UK.

QRP and QRP Club

As usual, Oleg's report:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous Report (May, 28, 2017)
Visitors  of  the  week:  F6EAZ, DK1HW, SM7RYR, DL6UNF, RV3GM, UR0ET,
UR5EFD, UA1CEG/p, RA1M/mm, RU3NJC, US5ERQ, OH6NPV, US3EN, UF6V/UA1CEX,
R1CAF
Congrats!
DL6UNF became Honor Frequenter (regular visitor)
See full Visitors and Frequenters lists on the Club 72 page, please.
Comments...
see  full version of the WQR Report with comments and pictures on the
blog page - http://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/
See you on next QRP Rendez-Vous round tables! Schedule on Club 72 page

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.

Sunspots and 10m - Monday May 29th 2017

Solar flux is 77 today and the sunspot number is 20. A=51 and K=1.

10m JT65

At the moment the sun is shining at there is no risk of storms until much later. I am on 10m JT65 and am likely to be using this band/mode most of the day. I am not expecting "real" DX, but there could be some Es around Europe. No spots so far today.

UPDATE 1115z: So far today just spots from G6SSN (75km) on 10m JT65. No Es. There are storms over the English Channel, moving our way. I need to keep an eye on these. but it is likely to be OK for several hours yet.

UPDATE 2112z: Widespread 10m Es with lots of spots of my 10m JT65. About to go QRT. Es still great!

Sunspots and 10m - Sunday May 28th 2017

Solar flux is 79 today and the sunspot number 21. A=14 and K=7. With disturbed conditions I am not expecting great things of 10m today, although Es may well help.