Sunspots - Wednesday February 6th 2019

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=5 and K=1.

2m UKAC activity contest

Just 5 stations worked last night on 2m SSB with the best DX G4CLA (105km). F, ON and GD heard, but not worked. A station in IO90 was lost. As before, running 5W to the omni antenna.

Stations worked on 2m SSB last evening in the UKAC

Dayton - advanced warning

This is (I think) the biggest amateur gathering in the world.

For your diaries the dates are May 17-19th 2019. This is often the venue when the major companies announce new products. Sometimes the products are very early models. You can imagine the development departments at ICOM, Yaesu and others working overtime to meet the dates! Fail by a few days and I can see sackings.

I have never been there, and probably never will,  but can imagine it is quite something.

Granddaughter - NOT amateur radio

Last weekend we visited one of our sons and family.

This is one of our granddaughters with her cartoon drawings. She loves reading and drawing.

So, HOW do they do it?

Recently, I looked on Amazon and saw 2 rechargeable 446MHz handsets with base chargers for just £20.39 a pair with free earphones and free delivery. That is just over £10 each with free rechargeable battery, charger and earpiece for a UHF handheld. I did not look, but there are probably less expensive ones available. These probably retune to 70cms.>

When I started designing UHF portables in the 1970s, I seem to recall they retailed at about £700 each without the chargers and earphones. I know that the level of integration must be far higher nowadays, but I am amazed anyone is able to make profits at these prices and sent them half way around the world for free!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07M68Q7YM/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07M68Q7YM&pd_rd_w=yfquf&pf_rd_p=454d2892-a6d1-488a-b5c1-57058b38bc92&pd_rd_wg=SgLOd&pf_rd_r=JAD48SBY9377XPHQHBVJ&pd_rd_r=eba820a8-294f-11e9-a4d6-bbce9bcb58e6

OFCOM - latest

OFCOM has updated it Communications Monthly for January 2019.

See https://ofcom.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/i/8AF8E03C104BEE0A2540EF23F30FEDED/952AB8F022CBFC94BA4AF9908B8D85ED

6m digital frequencies in Europe?

During the Es season last year, I was on 6m FT8 a great deal. Since then and "out of season" I have been on 2m, 10m and 160m FT8 mainly and 630m WSPR in the main.

For a change, I might try 6m tomorrow, but I was wondering what the best mode and frequency to try in the quieter months. I guess the best I can hope for is some random MS and aircraft reflections with some chance of tropo.

If you know where I should look on 6m and on what mode, please let me know as soon as possible. Please note EU/UK not North America, which might be different.

2m FT8 today

It is just 1054z, but already 15 stations in 5 countries have been spotted on 2m FT8 RX with best DX DL6BF (479km). As far as I know these are flat conditions.

Stations spotted here on 2m FT8 RX today so far (to 1312z).

UPDATE 1542z: 45 stations in 7 countries with best DX on 2m FT8 RX F6APE (551km).

2m FT8 RX yesterday

2m FT8 never fails to amaze me.

Even with just a big-wheel omni antenna (about 3dB gain horizontal) I was able to copy 64 stations on 2m FT8 RX yesterday in 7 countries with best DX over 800km. Some are aircraft reflections, but many are tropo.

Even calling CQ with 2.5W I get spotted every time at great range. Most of these are tropo. What was once impossible is possible.

Even this morning I am spotting a station in Germany!

Sunspots - Tuesday February 5th 2019

Solar flux is 70 today and the sunspot number 0. A=7 and K=3.