Sunspots and 10m - Fri April 22nd 2016

Solar flux has reached a new low at 76 today. Sunspot number is 35 (K=2) and the forecast for 10m propagation remains "poor".

UPDATE 1000z:  Although I have been active on 10m WSPR TX for several hours, no spots as yet. I am also on 6m WSP where G8VDQ (93km) is regularly being spotted here.

Cambridge rally

Sunday 24 APRIL : CAMBRIDGE REPEATER GROUP RALLY
 
Foxton Village Hall, Hardman Road, Foxton, Cambridge, Cambs, CB22 6RN.

Car parking is free at the venue, which also has disabled facilities. The doors open at 9.30am with traders gaining access from 7am. Admission is £2. A talk-in station will be on air to assist visitors. There will be trade stands, a car boot area, a Bring & Buy and an RSGB bookstall. Catering will be available on site and this year sees new caterers booked.

Contact Lawrence, M0LCM on 0794 197 2724 for more information or email rally2016@cambridgerepeaters.net.
www.cambridgerepeaters.net.

Railway Talk - NOT amateur radio

Just been to an excellent talk at Burwell Museum on "Railways in Burwell" by Steve Crane. It was well attended.

More talks - see the Museum's website at http://www.burwellmuseum.org.uk/ .

RSGB AGM - in Glasgow

Saturday 23 APRIL : RSGB AGM

Glasgow City Hotel, 36 Cambridge St, Glasgow G2 3HN.

A number of Board and Regional positions will be voted and announced. Various trophies and awards will be presented. www.rsgb.org.

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

10m and 6m WSPR overnight

Yours truly remained active on these bands overnight for a change. OK, I admit it - I forgot to turn them off and did not QSY to MF! There were no spots on 10m, but on 6m WSPR G8VDQ (93km) was spotted lots of times through the evening and night.

UPDATE 1024z: Still no spots on 10m WSPR.

Sunspots and 10m - Thurs April 21st 2016

Solar flux has fallen further to 82 today. Sunspot number is 24 (K=2) and the 10m propagation forecast again is "poor". We are now entering the Es season so short-skip may liven up 10m and 6m fro time to time. Es tends to peak around lunchtime and teatime, but can occur at any time and in any month.

Talk today - NOT amateur radio

A final reminder for a talk at our local museum today....

Thursday 21 April 2.00 Steve Crane, Burwell Museum’s Collection Manager "Railways in Burwell", near Cambridge.

Talks are followed by tea and biscuits. Free with museum admission. No admission charge for season ticket holders, Friends and museum volunteers.

See http://www.burwellmuseum.org.uk/ .

2m UKAC results so far

Out of 125 entrants in the AL section of the 2m UKAC I see I am 83rd so far. This is not bad considering my 5W, omni antenna and very limited operating time in each session. I shall enter most months if I am around.

RadCom arrived today

The May 2016 RadCom arrived in the post today.

On the outside rear cover was an advert by MLS showing a £223000 Rolls Royce and a Yaesu FTdx9000NP for £8399. Do people really need their egos stroking so badly that they fork out this sort of money on what is supposed to be a hobby? Each to their own, but I could never spend this sort of money. Add a linear, HF beam and a big rotator and you are talking really serious silly money.

All I can say is I think this is very very sad. It is not for me to say how others spend their money, but I think this is about egos and not about amateur radio. I don't recognise this "cheque book radio" as being my hobby any more.

Swallows - NOT amateur radio

Only yesterday I was that I'd seen no swallows (birds) in East Anglia. Today I saw two! I still think they are less numerous but at least I have now seen some this season.