Sunspots - Thursday December 8th 2022

Solar flux is 148 and the SSN 107. A=18 and K=3.

Geminids meteor shower

This normally peaks in mid December. Usually, the ionised trails result in enhanced VHF propagation during short bursts. MSK144 is often a good mode as signals may be strong, but short lived. Better equipped stations experience better bursts for longer. 

This time, I may try 8m MSK144 during the shower.

See https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/everything-you-need-to-know-geminid-meteor-shower/ .

KST chat

Personally, I find this very useful. 

When I remember, I share my current 8m activity so people know where to watch for me. 8m activity is on the 50 and 70 MHz chats.

I see others use it to arrange skeds.

See http://www.on4kst.info/chat/index.php .

8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

Later I hope to go on 8m QRP FT8. No spots on 8m yesterday. If the MUF goes high enough today, I am in with a chance of reaching the USA again. 

Chances of a tiny 8m UK amateur band look slim, even by NoV.

UPDATE 1242z:  On 40.680 MHz QRP FT8. No spots.

8m FT8 spots
of me today

UPDATE 1807z:  2 spots of me today and I have spotted a single station on 8m FT8 RX. Sadly, it looks like I did not reach the USA on 8m today.

UPDATE 1833z:  I asked the RSGB about a tiny 8m amateur band. Reading the email reply this is very unlikely in the UK. Those in the UK who want to continue with 8m propagation research will have to get T&I licences. These cost £50 for a year. Many might be able to use ISM regulations that allow 10mW ERP without a licence. I have asked OFCOM for clarification on the ISM rules.

Crab prize - NOT amateur radio

Ten years ago I was staying in Devon with my brother. We attended the local history society where I won this huge dressed crab as a raffle prize. It was too large to take home, but my sister-in-law made some excellent crab sandwiches!

10m QRP WSPR TX (Wednesday)

Shortly I'll be on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW from the W5OLF beacon. 

UPDATE 1113z:  Just spots of me from the Canary Isles so far today.

St John's College, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows the main entrance to St John's College, Cambridge on Monday. 

Sunspots - Wednesday December 7th 2022

Solar flux is 144 and the SSN 123. A=4 and K =0.

OFCOM and mobile data

OFCOM has consulted on spectrum for mobile data. See the OFCOM website for details. 

8m amateur band?

Recently I approached the RSGB to enquire about their position on a very tiny 8m amateur band (just 5 kHz wide) by NoV. The response from the VHF manager was to point me to the RSGB's statement back in March. At this rate experimenters will again have to pay to do research on 8m in 2023 in the UK. It sounds like both the RSGB and OFCOM are dead against even a tiny 8m amateur band. To me, this is illogical. 

By some means I intend to continue my 8m propagation research in 2023.

Also sought was clarification on research in the ISM bands in the UK from OFCOM. Their reply on this is awaited.

It would be really good if true researchers could gain access to 8m without having to pay, especially around solar maximum when there is so much to be explored.

It would be really good if many more stations and countries were permitted access to the 8m band, ideally FT8 with 40.680 USB dial. More stations would certainly make research more interesting.

Once again, this is about research and self training, which is surely what our hobby is really about? 

Personally, I am not particularly interested in 2-way communications at 8m. What interests me is radio science, particularly propagation.