10m - no USA (yet) again but more Europeans by Es?

On 10m WSPR EA8BVP (2986km) has spotted me a few times.  In addition, spots from SA5 and OZ suggest more Es.  Still no sign of spots from the USA, well not as yet. I have doubts the 10m band will open to the USA at all today.

UPDATE 1926z:    Although the better stations in Europe are spotting USA stations on 10m, no-one has spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon today in the USA. Time is running out.

6m - all quiet so far

It is about a day now since I was last spotted by anyone on 6m. I am still active (vertical omni V2000 and 1W ERP) but the level of activity is very low and Es has still to really get going this season on 6m. I am on 6m TX 20% and RX 80%.  I will be on 6m all day and this evening.  So far, a few days ago, I was still only being spotted by G stations by tropo and aircraft reflection.

Stroke - small steps

Recovery progress is painfully slow these days.  For the last week I have had more energy in the mornings after breakfast. Until about a week ago I'd have breakfast  and then be totally exhausted. For about a week now I have managed to do a few household tasks before resting. The progress is small, but this is progress and I am grateful for it. I still get exhausted but not quite as badly. I seem to require rest, but I am not totally "done in".

All I want is my old self back. Energy to do things I always enjoyed!  To be able to drink a cup of tea or coffee or a glass of water without choking most times - life's simple pleasures you don't realise until they are no longer possible.

Sunspots and 10m propagation - Mon April 13th 2015

Sunspot number today is a respectable 64 (K=2) and 10m propagation is expected to be "fair". So far this morning on 10m WSPR, my 500mW beacon has been spotted by local G4IKZ (18km) only, although it is still early. 

If the 10m band is in "fair" condition, I'd expect a few real DX spots, as long as there are active stations! At the moment (0934z) there are only 29 stations active on 10m WSPR in the whole world according to WSPRnet.  I really do hope people stick with 10m when the going gets tough. On 6m lack of WSPR activity has been a real killer. I am sure WSPR will be an excellent tool for finding short 10m openings.

As I have said before, even at the depths of the solar minimum I have worked South Americans (greater than 11000km away) with real QRP SSB. If there are to be 10m openings then WSPR will find them.

UPDATE 1114z:  Still only local G4IKZ (18km) spotting me on 10m WSPR this morning. I think we are seeing the effects of fewer active stations on 10m now and the end of springtime conditions. I have serious doubts we'll see any USA spots today on 10m WSPR. However this is 10m and anything is possible!

Cambridge Concert Reminder - NOT amateur radio

A reminder that there is a very fine concert on in Cambridge, UK, on the night of April 25th 2015, 7.30pm, at the West Road Concert Hall. This is a great venue with excellent acoustics. If you can come you will not be disappointed. Details are on the attached poster (click to enlarge). You can get tickets before the day (see website www.cambschoral.org.uk for details) or on the door.

10m Es already?

This lunchtime my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon was being spotted by stations in Austria and Italy.  As this is classic Es time (around lunch and teatime) I am wondering if this is Es (sporadic-E) propagation?

UPDATE 1448z:  I see that my 10m 500mW WSPR beacon has,also been copied by F5OWL (1110km) a couple of times. This make me thing we did have some 10m Es around lunchtime. Still no reports received today from outside Europe.

UPDATE 1734z:  Still no sign at all of any spots of me by USA stations. It is getting late now so the possibility is reducing. I was expecting to be copied in the USA today, but this is 10m and anything is possible!

6m WSPR this morning

Only local spots so far today, but some excellent reports from G4KPX (14km). Still hoping for some DX outside G soon. None yet seen.

6m WSPR (1W ERP) this morning

Another quiet start on 10m WSPR

All morning it has been pretty quiet on 10m WSPR with just a single spot from 4X4TAU (3564km) at 0958z. The remainder of spots have been from a local G. Certainly quieter than I expected today.

Sunspots and 10m - Sunday April 12th 2015

Sunspot number has climbed again to 74 (K=1) and 10m propagation is expected to be "fair" today. Early 10m spots were from local G's - G4IKZ (18km) and G4KPX (14km). I have the feeling 10m will open to the USA this afternoon.

US Masters (Augusta) - NOT amateur radio

As a teenager I played golf regularly (16 handicap at best) although it is many years since I played. My brother still plays regularly. Both my parents were keen golfers. Now, with my cerebellum brain bleed, these golfing days are probably gone forever.

This does not stop me enjoying the US Masters from Augusta on the BBC each April. The course is always perfect and the flowers around the course are a real joy. As I write this Justin Rose, England,  if he holds his nerve, is in 2nd place and still in with a real chance.

The final round is tomorrow - I shall be staying up to watch it.   The US Masters is one of the TV highlights of the year. I know my younger son, currently on holiday in Australia with his in-laws, will be watching it too, but over breakfast!

See http://www.masters.com/index.html .