When is Es'hail2 satellite operational?

At least one local ATV enthusiast is gearing up for Es'hail2, the geosynchronous Qatari satellite that has linear amateur radio transponders for ATV and modes like SSB/CW. Already the beacon is being received well. What I am not sure about is when it will be ready for use. I should check their website. I am pretty sure there will be an internet feed so one can see what is coming through. I think there are SDR receivers being set up at Goonhilly Down in Cornwall, UK.

The prospects of QSOs any time between Brazil, India, Europe and even Thailand are amazing. Even more so are the prospects of ATV exchanges at these distances on microwave frequencies with fixed antennas.

10m FT8 RX

Since about 0915z I have been on 10m FT8 RX here. No spots yet.

UPDATE 1236z: OE6VHF (1217km) spotted.

160m FT8 RX overnight

Again using the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, plenty of Europeans spotted plus 7 North Americans and 1 Caribbean.

160m FT8 spots here overnight.

Sunspots - Sunday January 13th 2019

Solar flux is 69 and the sunspot number 0. A=3 and K=0.

Football - NOT amateur radio

It is years since I attended a game. However I watch the position of my old local team in the league tables.

So far this year Plymouth Argyle has had a bad season in League Division One. At present the team is in the relegation zone and could be relegated at the end of the soccer season unless it improves.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/plymouth-argyle  .

Guess what? They actually won away from home!

160m FT8 RX

As 10m was dire here, I have now QSYed to 160m FT8 RX. This occurred at 1505z. Already G8BCG (394km) has been spotted on 160m.

UPDATE 1525z: Already 5 stations in 5 countries with best DX spotted UX1UA (2065km) in Ukraine.

UPDATE 1600z: So far this afternoon, 19 stations in 9 countries spotted on 160m FT8 RX. All Europeans.

UPDATE 1754z: As before, lots of Europeans being spotted with best DX currently being R6FCU (3082km).

UPDATE 2100z: The first North American spotted this evening was WU1ITU (4831km) again at 2047z

UPDATE 2300z:  WA2TP (5509km) in New York just spotted.

BREXIT - NOT amateur radio

At the moment, BREXIT, i.e the UK leaving the EU looks like a pigs dinner. By this I mean a right mess. I think all we ever wanted is the right to decide who can live and work here and free trade. Why has this to be so complicated?

The EU does a lot of trade with the UK and they are likely to want further concessions if we want to delay leaving. They want to prevent others leaving the EU. As I feel at the moment I feel like saying leave without a deal - and I actually voted to remain!

Personally, I think Theresa May, the UK Prime Minister, has made a right "pigs ear" of negotiating our exit. She has wasted 2 years and "fallen on her sword" The EU must think the UK is a soft touch. There is a big vote on the deal next Tuesday, which is likely to be rejected. What happens next is anyone's guess.

Yorkshire Pudding - NOT amateur radio

Traditionally Yorkshire Pudding was eaten as a separate savoury course before the main meal. It was designed to fill you up so less meat was needed at the main course. Our 7 year old granddaughter is now an expert and makes good Yorkshire Puddings! I love Yorkshire Pudding, especially with some gravy!

On 10m FT8 for the day

For about 30 minutes so far, I have been on 10m FT8. After an initial CQ call, I am now RX only. No spots yet.

UPDATE 1230z:  SM0MLZ (1381km) spotted.

UPDATE 1502z: No further spots. I think I'll QSY to 160m before it gets dark here.

160m FT8 overnight

Late yesterday evening, I QSYed to 160m FT8 RX. It was quite a decent night with 21 North Americans and 2 Caribbean stations spotted. Best DX spotted was AD5A (8002km) in Texas.

Stations spotted on 160m FT8 overnight 

with the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.