Sunspots and 10m - Tues July 28th 2015

Sunspot number is 53 (K=3) but 10m propagation remains "poor".  There was early Es on 10m and 6m which bodes well for nearer DX.  4X1RF (3519km) was copying me on 6m WSPR before breakfast. I think this is some form of E layer propagation, although I have grave doubts it is classic multi-hop Es.

Back on 6m WSPR (daytime)

As there were no MF reports since last evening and there were Germans by Es early today on 10m, I have returned to 6m WSPR for the daytime. I shall probably switch back to MF later.  A reminder that I use 1W ERP on 6m and my 6m antenna is a V2000 vertical omni. On MF I use 5mW ERP to my earth electrode "antenna".

UPDATE 0850z:  The daytime move was worth it with very early (before breakfast) 6m spots by 4X1RF (3519km) as well as lots of spots of G0OQK (98km).

UPDATE 1350z:  No further DX spots at all on 6m WSPR.

UPDATE 1900z:   As there is still good Es on 6m WSPR, I am sticking on the 6m band for now. 4X1RF (3519km) again spotted me this afternoon. In recent minutes, OK1DX (994km) was spotted strongly on 6m WSPR. Several Scandinavian stations have spotted me on 6m WSPR. I may QSY to 630m (472kHz) later.

UPDATE 1922z:   Now being spotted in Germany on 6m WSPR. This opening is very good with strong reports.

G3XBM amateur radio history

Me - a VERY long time ago!

Since my cerebellum brain bleed nearly 2 years ago, I have managed very little experimental work such as fieldwork and building. At one time (and I hope again in the not too distant future) these aspects of the hobby gave me the most pleasure and fun.

For a potted history see:  https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/home/history .

EA8BVP (2986km) - first 10m DX WSPR spots for weeks

EA8BVP (2986km) was spotting me recently (1026z) on 10m WSPR weakly at -25dB S/N.  It is possible this was F2 propagation and not Es.  It will be interesting to see if he spots me again later. Certainly EA8 is quite possible by single hop F2. It is also in 2/3-hop Es range.

UPDATE 1147z:   F1VMV (947km) was spotting me on 10m by Es at 1134z.

Stroke update - NOT amateur radio

Although overall I get less tired (but some things still exhaust me), I still have poor speech and I feel giddy when walking, especially when turning. Thin liquid swallow is still not good - in fact I can only take sips of any liquids - but my taste is returning to normal. Real orange juice was a "no no" as was cheese and bread, but these are fine now.  In fact I enjoy orange and cheese again. Wine and whisky still taste odd (bitter) and I have yet to enjoy these again. Very very slowly things are improving, although I was expecting to be my old self a year ago! Overall, I still feel not right.

Others think I am fine. Indeed I look well, but inside I am not still. Climbing ladders is basically out of the question and anything over about 15-20 minutes of physical or mental effort really floors me. I really want to do some antenna work but this will require help unless things rapidly improve in the next few months.

I am able to drive, but this requires lots of concentration.

Sun? Surely not - NOT amateur radio

Is this really the sun in the sky? We have hardly had any sun for days now - just lots of rain. The sun has popped out from behind the clouds. I think I must be seeing things.

10m WSPR - just locals so far

I have remained on 10m overnight and this morning, but only local G4IKZ (18km)  has been spotting my 500mW beacon so far. Maybe there will be some Es later. There is no doubt that getting 10m WSPR spots is getting more difficult. This is a combination of summertime conditions, falling sunspots and fewer active WSPR stations. Undaunted, I shall carry on on 10m WSPR!

Sunspots and 10m - Mon July 27th 2015

Sunspot number today is 38 (K=2) and 10m propagation is expected to remain "poor". We will probably have to wait until the autumn for better 10m conditions, although some N-S F2 propagation can occur. 10m (or even 6m) openings to North America may occur by Es. Even QRP SSB can work the USA in the right Es conditions on 10m. I worked the USA in summer 2007 with real QRP (about 1W ERP) CW on 6m.

472kHz WSPR overnight

Overnight I was spotted by PA0RDT (243km) for my best DX on the band. Even though summer time, it is good that stations are still able to copy my weak 5mW ERP signal.

Blog post numbers

I never fail to be amazed by what is popular on my blogs. Today, nothing special (I thought) was posted yet we seem to be heading for a new record number of visits. I have no idea why.