10m 200mW WSPR TX (Friday)

 My beacon was turned on at 0817z.

UPDATE 1902z: 78 stations in Europe spotting me.

qFT8 app

My attention to this was drawn by Steve G1KQH,  

My PC has been playing up so I can only use my Chromebook. 

The FT8/4 app worked immediately on RX when connected to my IC-705. On TX it uses VOX and there must be insufficient level to trigger TX with my current IC705 settings.

8m band in the UK

In the UK 8m is unavailable to the amateur radio service. Instead people have to apply for an I&T  licence which costs £50 every year. 

To my knowledge 5 EU countries plus South Africa have granted amateurs access to this band, usually with some restrictions. There may well be more. Many more have given experimental access outside of the amateur radio service

Judging by the ease that OFCOM have issued I&T licences, often with high power, all modes and wide frequency coverage and zero traceability (no callsigns needed), they do not seem to be the block. It looks like the RSGB is dead against it!

This is very very sad when, especially in the years around solar maximum, so much research and experimentation would have been possible.

Earlier this week I wrote to the spectrum committee and the general manager asking them to try and get behind the push.

Sunspots - Friday August 21st

 Solar flux is 125 and the SSN 72.  A=11 and K=3.

Crash coming?

Both the US debt and the UK debt is in our own currencies, so in the last resort we can always pay our debts. So the USA and the UK cannot go bust, but stock markets can (and will) crash. This can lead to recessions or even depressions. It could be extremely painful for everyone.

10m 200mW WSPR (Thursday)

As the thunderstorm risk is low this morning, shall turn my beacon on shortly. 

UPDATE 1705z: 17 stations spotting me.

Thunder threat?

 As there is an increasing risk of thunderstorms I may give operation a miss today.

Sunspots - Thursday August 20th

 Solar flux is 126 and the SSN 78. A=20 and K=2.

Lord Howe Island

 Since a child I have been fascinated by small remote islands. 

In my advanced years it is highly unlikely I will ever get to these. However, thanks to YouTube videos I am able to dream.

10m 200mW WSPR TX (Wednesday)

 My beacon was turned on earlier this  morning.

 UPDATE 1243z: 16 stations have spotted me.