Sunspots - Friday February 23rd 2018

Solar flux is 70 today. Sunspot number remains zero. A=11 and K=2.

Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio

This afternoon, as it was sunny, we did a walk at nearby Anglesey Abbey. We did the winter walk which is just over a mile. There were lots of snowdrops and hellebores out, but very few daffodils. Half way around, the National Trust had placed a coffee van. Next week could be very cold.

Guns for teachers - NOT amateur radio

So the ever modest President has met pupils from Florida who managed to escape the latest mass school shooting. That is good of him.  We seem to hear about these shootings every week in the USA.

His answer? Allegedly, arm the teachers. Why not ask the basic questions about USA gun crimes instead? The USA seems to have more school mass killings by far than anywhere else. Does no-one want to understand why this is? Could it be something to do with the ease of obtaining deadly weapons perhaps? Better checks, yes. Why sell automatic weapons in the first place? Why sell guns?

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-43149694

DXpedition to the Spraty Islands now March

According to the ARRL, the DXpedition to the Spratly Islands is to go ahead in March. You may recall the sovereignty of these was disputed by China. More than likely this is about oil, mineral or fishing rights.

See http://www.arrl.org/news/postponed-dxpedition-to-disputed-spratlys-reset-for-march

10m WSPR TX again

As the antenna is available, my 10m WSPR TX beacon (100% TX, randomised TX frequency, 500mW) is active.  This does not need the PC.

It is not much of a surprise that no spots received! If I get spotted even once I'll be pleased.

UPDATE 1328z: Still no 10m WSPR spots today.

UPDATE 2244z: No 10m WSPR spots all day.

2m FT8 RX

OK, I am amazed.

I stayed on 2m FT8 (144.174MHz) overnight and checked internet time was in sync earlier.

Just in the last 6 hours 13 unique stations in 4 countries spotted with best DX GW6TEO (371km) in west Wales in IO71 square. All this with just a big-wheel omni antenna.

UPDATE 1030z: 14 uniques in 5 countries spotted in the last 6 hours alone!

UPDATE 1310z: Now 20 unique stations spotted in the last 6 hours. Incredible.

UPDATE 1322z: Best DX currently is PD0HCV (420km).

UPDATE 2058z: Well the last day has been extremely good on 2m FT8 (see below).

Sunspots - Thursday February 22nd 2018

Solar flux is 67 (very low) and the sunspot number zero. A=4 and K=2.

144MHz FT8 RX

Someone suggested I try this, so I have! Impressive. 3 countries spotted in first few minutes. 144.174MHz seems to be the place to set your USB dial. The GW spotted did not get uploaded to PSK Reporter Maps. All I have is a big-wheel omni.

UPDATE 1821z: Currently 8 unique stations in 4 countries on 2m FT8 so far.  My thanks to Mike G8ALS for suggesting I try 2m FT8. Best DX is G4ALY (376km).

UPDATE 1907z: Now 9 uniques in 5 countries with best DX DF1JC (486km).

UPDATE 2224z: Now 22 unique stations in 6 countries spotted on 2m FT8 with best DX DJ6AG (689km) in central Germany. Quite amazing.

More "Grumpy Old Man" - NOT amateur radio

Today, I continued my very unscientific survey of mobile device usage by young people in Cambridge. I did 2 very unscientific surveys about 90 minutes apart counting the usage of mobile devices by unattached young people in Cambridge.

All users, I guess, are under 30 years of age. Firstly, by a considerable number, young users outnumber older users and young, single women outnumber men. In the first survey I counted 13 female users and 11 male. In the second survey I counted 9 female users and 4 male. My conclusion is still that mobile devices are used more by young women (leave me alone) than men, although the ratios are much lower than I'd previously seen. I would guess that mobile devices were used by less than 20% of young people. Although "face to face" talking is down, perhaps I should be charitable as at least some of these people were texting their friends, like.

Now for a moan: seen in the T.K.Maxx window "Always up to 60% less". What the heck does that mean? Nothing! It could mean a 1% reduction compared with the most expensive shop in 2000 or 60% reductions on John Lewis prices today. Basically it is marketing drivel and meaningless.

Moaning over.

Overnight on 630m WSPR RX

Last night I was on 630m WSPR RX. In all, 14 unique stations spotted, all European. Not brilliant.