Pound to Euro exchange rate - NOT amateur radio

Some time ago I predicted that the UK Pound would strengthen against the Euro before then end of the year. At the moment it is weaker. Only time will tell.

My assumption was the Euro still has problems especially with Greece and fewer "rich" contributors once the UK leaves the EU. As I said before, I am no financial expert and may be totally wrong.

Most of the burden will be on France and Germany, both of whom want the EU to succeed. If Greece defaults Germany will be most hurt.

6m JT65 - now RX only

For a while now, I have been on 6m JT65 but RX only. Earlier, I was also on TX and reached Austria and the UK.

Sunspots - Wednesday July 19th 2017

Solar flux is 78 today (down) and the sunspot number has returned to zero again. A=7 and K=1.

Storms over - for now

We had thunder, lightning and rain overnight, so I do hope my brown patched lawn starts to improve! I turned on 10m WSPR TX (500mW) and 6m JT65 at breakfast time. There seems to be plenty of Es to Eastern Europe on 6m. Plenty of early Es spots of my little beacon on 10m WSPR too (Italy and Germany).

Storms coming

Looking at the weather, it seems likely we'll have thunder and lightning later, so everything will be turned off and disconnected later this evening. I am resisting as conditions on both 10m and 6m are so good currently.

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortung/europe/index.php?lang=en .

UPDATE 1937z: Most of the storms are still SW of London, so I think I'll leave things connected until dark. Most or all of the 10m WSPR spots stopped an hour ago here.

UPDATE 2015z: The storms are now reaching London. I reckon they will reach here in about 2-3 hours.

UPDATE 2125z: QRT and everything disconnected.

Spectrum Pollution

Southgate News reports on Don Beattie's speech at Friedrichshafen in which he drew attention to the extreme pressures of noise pollution (getting worse) in many areas. It is no use having spectrum allocated to the Amateur Radio service if the spectrum is unusable.

See http://iaru-r1.org/images/PR_Communications/FHN-opening-address---G3BJ.pdf

Electric cars: the future? - NOT amateur radio

I like the idea of electric cars. Less pollution, economic, quiet. However, I am still concerned about range between charges.

Some models now claim ranges of up to 300 miles. I wonder if this is like mpg claimed figures which rarely match "real world" conditions. I expect these figures are in summer, new battery, no lights on, no air-conditioning, just a driver, no luggage. I also expect replacement batteries will be very expensive.

Unless there is a major breakthrough in battery technology that comfortably does 300 miles in real world driving, I do not think electric cars will really take off.

For some time I have wondered if the answer might be smaller batteries and power charging from a buried cable in main roads. The battery would only be used "on its own" on minor roads.

There is lots of research into batteries and lots of money invested.

QRP and QRP Club

More from Oleg:

"Dear Club 72 members and friends, Today our friend Victor RU3NJC have an operation with his heart in the clinic. All Russian Club 72 members organized QRP Marathon for support Victor today. Keep your activity on QRP freq's over a day, not only in the  "rendezvous"  period. We hope, each QRP QSO will be transform to smiles of doctors and medical sisters near Victor. Since heart operation is enough risk and long time procedure, Russian club  members  collect some money for Victor's family. We are welcome all  QRPers  and  friends  to  connect  to our "Mercy Marathon". Only voluntary  donations  will  be  appreciated  today. Club 72 financial manager UA1CEX is keeper of donations with his PayPal account - ua1cex@mail.ru   All  totals  incomes  will  be published here in "72 Newsletter"  tomorrow.  No  personal  names,  calls,  amounts  not be published, only totals. Keep your heart open and kind! Thanks for your help in advance! P.S. Exactly today, July 18, is Victor's Birthday 39'th. On behalf of all you there I wish Victor good health and the best of all! On   the   picture  is  Victor  RU3NJC  with xyl Tanya on the Club 72 QRP-Fest 2015 near Saint Petersburg, 2 years ago. Sincerely youth  - 72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72" This is a periodic Newsletter of the Club 72. Don't reply to Newsletter address! Send any requests or news to mr72@club72.su please"

EURAO

Until I saw a posting on the Southgate News page I had never heard of this organisation. I had to resort to Google to find out who they were! Apparently there is a meeting with the IARU late this year.

See http://www.eurao.org/en/welcome

10m WSPR TX - early spots

My little 10m WSPR beacon (500mW) is being widely spotted around Europe by Es this morning. It looks like today is going to be a good day both on 10m and 6m.

With good Es so early I am wondering if 4m or even 2m will be open for Es?