Sunspots - Friday April 12th 2019

Solar flux is 79 and the SSN 13. A=7 and K=1.

6m FT8

This evening is the 6m leg of the RSGB organised activity contest. So I QSYed from 10m FT8 RX to 6m SSB. With my vertical antenna, I heard nothing at all in the short time I was on, so I QSYed to 50.313MHz FT8 RX. It must be nearly a 9 months since I was on this mode on 6m. Although I shall remain on all night and tomorrow, it is quite possible nothing will be spotted.

UPDATE 2037z: Although not uploaded to PSKreporter (don't ask me why) I see that G4FKA (207km) has been spotted. I am calling him, but doubt this station will copy me. G4FKA is now on PSKreporter.

UPDATE 2117z: Now 6m FT8 RX only.

Lancasters - NOT amateur radio

In WW2 my dad (he died in 1987) was a flight engineer in a Pathfinder Squadron flying Lancasters. He rarely wanted to talk about his war, but looking back he must have been so brave and so scared.

Today my wife took our younger son and one of our grandsons to see the Lancaster, and other planes, at Duxford. The photo shows 3 generations: my dad, our son, and one of our grandsons.

UK Rallies this Sunday

Sunday 14 APRIL : WEST LONDON RADIO & ELECTRONICS SHOW (Kempton Rally)

Kempton Park Racecourse, Staines Road East, Sunbury on Thames, TW16 5AQ. A talk-in station will be on air. Car parking is free and doors open at 10am with df disabled visitors gaining access 10 minutes earlier. There will be trade stands and a Bring & Buy as well as special interest groups and lectures. Catering is available on site. More details from Paul, M0CJX on 08451 650 351, info@radiofairs.co.uk. www.radiofairs.co.uk.


Sunday 14 APRIL : HACK GREEN BUNKER RALLY

Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker, French Lane, Hack Green, Nr Nantwich, Baddington, Cheshire CW5 8AL. Sale of electronic equipment, amateur gear, components, military radio items and vehicle spares. Doors open 10am, there will be refreshments available onsite. Contact 01270 623 353, coldwar@hackgreen.co.uk www.hackgreen.co.uk.


Sunday 14 APRIL : RIPON RADIO RALLY

Hugh Ripley Hall, Ripon, HG4 2PT. Doors open 10am. Refreshments will be available on site. Information and table booking form on the website www.ripon.org.uk Contact rally@ripon.org.uk for further information.


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

Return to 10m FT8

A few minutes ago I returned to 10m FT8, calling CQ (2.5W) initially, then RX only. No spots!

UPDATE 1157z: 9 stations in 6 EU countries spotted so far today on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1437z: 10m FT8 RX springs back to life! So far today, 53 stations spotted including 3 South Americans . There was also a 6W (Senegal) that did not get uploaded to PSKreporter. Certainly the best day here this year already.

UPDATE 1619z: Now 57 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX. 10m seems to be returning to life. The photo shows the stations spotted so far today on 10m FT8 RX (to 1619z). Not sure if the South Americans are F2 or F2+Es. There was reasonable Es in the right direction at the time.

Sunspots - Thursday April 11th 2019

Solar flux is 77 and the SSN 13. A=14 and K=3.

Night off

For the first time in several days, I was not on last night. We have family here , so they take priority. Usually I go on 160m FT8 RX or 630m WSPR transceive evenings and overnight. Shortly, I shall be on 10m FT8.

Garden bench - NOT amateur radio

Our garden bench is very old, so we bought a new one that was delivered today. Of course it came flat packed, so we had the "joy" of assembling it. It actually was quite easy to assemble and looks good. The photo show the partially assembled bench.

10m FT8

There are tentative signs that 10m is returning to better times. The Es season in the northern hemisphere is just starting and there are some N-S "real DX" paths opening more often. Even poorer stations like mine are catching N-S "real DX".

I have been back on 10m FT8 RX since about 0805z, although no spots as yet.

UPDATE 1415z: So far today, 17 stations spotted in 8 EU countries. Es seems to be back.

160m FT8 RX overnight

Not a bad night with 4 North Americans and 1 South American spotted with best DX spotted PY7RP (7457km).

Stations spotted here on 160m FT8 RX overnight 

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