Sunspots - Tuesday May 15th 2018

Solar flux is 70 today and the sunspot number 0. A=5 and K=1.

Alibris book hunt - NOT amateur radio

After a week in South Devon, I wanted to buy a book on the village where we were staying. I read the book at our holiday place. It was printed in 1993 and is now out of print. I tried Alibris, but they could not point me to a second hand copy. I'll keep checking back.  Alibris keep telling me about special deals and can usually locate most books. I was surprised not to be able to find it.

Many years ago my uncle walked to school, rain or shine, a round-trip of about 14 miles every day. What looks like his father or grandfather is in the book cutting hair with sheep shears! There is also a photo (very old) of where we stayed when it was still a farm barn.

New QRPclub member

This just came from Oleg:

"Dear Club 72 members and friends,

new Club member SV7CUD op. Panagiotis (Panos)
certificate # 108

72! Oleg RX3G / 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."

Unknown flower - NOT amateur radio

This flower self-seeded in our front garden. We did not plant it. The flowers are about 3cms across. It is probably quite a common sort, but this is the first year we have seen it. We have been here almost 5 years now. It is May flowering. Some have died and just this one is in flower.

UPDATE 1340z: Someone told me it is "Star of Bethlehem".

Small world - NOT amateur radio

This old photo shows the Crowder Café in Salcombe, Devon many years ago. It replaced a cottage in which lived a chimney sweep who apparently could not tell the time. I was told he would sometimes arrive at an ungodly hour in the early morning!

Back in WW2 Montgomery and Eisenhower came to Salcombe to inspect D-day troops. My aunt served Eisenhower (later US president) at this café. Small world.

Thurlestone,Devon - NOT amateur radio

At the weekend, we returned from a period in South Devon, where I come from. We met my brother and some of his family, but stayed in Thurlestone, not far from the cliffs. This is a very unspoilt part with stunning views (see photo and video).

6m FT8

After a brief period 3 hours ago calling others with 2.5W FT8 (2 reports with best DX 181km), I am now RX only. So far (0916z), 23 unique stations spotted in 6 countries, mostly by Es on 6m FT8.

UPDATE 1335z: So far today, 13 countries spotted on 6m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1756z: Currently 22 countries spotted on 6m FT8 today. As for unique stations, I have lost count! Best DX SV9CVY (2675km) on Crete.

Stations spotted on
6m FT8 to 1915z

UPDATE 1918z: Lots of Es on 6m FT8 today. I briefly called CQ on 6m FT8 and my 2.5W was spotted all over including southern Spain.

UPDATE 2104: QRT at 2045z.

Blown finals?

Here I have two FT817s. The first was bought (I think) in 2001. I was wondering why I was getting no reports of my 2.5W FT8 CQs on 6m, so I checked the power out - nothing. On the other FT817 (an ND) bought about 3 years ago - plenty. So, after about 17 years, my first failure! I guess the finals have gone. This old FT817 is mainly used on RX, so the PAs probably won't be mended in a hurry. After all this time I can hardly complain. The FT817 is a great radio.

Sunspots - Monday May 14th 2018

Solar flux is 70 and the sunspot number 12. A=8 and K=2.

6m REAL DX

Today has been brilliant on 6m FT8. Stations from all over western Europe, North Africa and the Canaries have been spotted, some very strongly. This looks like Es. What I am now looking for is some real DX.

Last year, in June, Japan was spotted on 6m JT65 as well as the USA, South America, Africa and the Carribean. With so many stations active on 6m FT8 this season, this is clearly the mode to try.

My 6m system is pretty basic! Just a V2000 vertical omni and the FT817.

I see that EA8YV has been copied today in Michigan, USA on 6m FT8.