Sweet peas still growing in the garden - NOT amateur radio

It is now the second half of November and we still have sweet peas growing in the garden!

My wife cut some for the kitchen table only today. Normally, these have long gone. We have already had a couple of frosts, but they seem to have survived them. Quite remarkable. I wonder how long they will last outside?

Declining solar activity - don't give up!

There is now little doubt that we are on the slide downwards towards the next solar minimum. If the experts in solar science are to be believed, the next maximum may well be poor.

This is not the end of amateur radio on the higher bands. I have said before that I have worked some real DX on QRP SSB on 10m in years at previous minima and we now have weak signal modes like WSPR and JT65 to catch even the briefest of openings.

Certainly, bands like 10m are nothing like as easy as a few years ago, but there is often propagation when people assume the band is "dead". Also, don't forget Es is good at any point in the solar cycle. It is rare to find a day without some 10m propagation, even in the quiet years. Es tends to peak in the summer months but can (and does) appear at any point in the year as is proved with regular JT65 use on 10m.

Return to 10m JT65

Although I was on 2m JT65 last evening and overnight, I shall shortly return to 10m JT65 and do a manual resync to internet time "just in case". As we have a risk of storms this afternoon, I shall probably go QRT later this morning.

UPDATE 0932z: I have now returned to 10m JT65 and realised I was on JT65A on 2m - doh!!

UPDATE 0948z: EU7FBB (1931km) already spotted on 10m JT65 - promising.

UPDATE 1026z: My 2W QRP 10m JT65 is being spotted in Germany and Denmark.

UPDATE 1128z:  My 2W QRP 10m JT65 is getting spotted widely in northern and central Europe and I am spotting quite a few countries here too.

UPDATE 1328z: South Africa spotted on 10m JT65, but I have now gone QRT.

Sunspots and 10m - Thursday November 17th 2016

Solar flux is 79 today. Sunspot number is 18 and K=1. 10m propagation today? Anyone's guess!

UPDATE 1135z: Well there certainly has been decent European propagation on 10m JT65 this morning.

Now on 2m JT65

As I think the DX opportunities have now closed for the day on 10m, I am about to switch to 144.165Mz (USB dial) on 2m JT65. I shall stay on 2m this evening and overnight.

UPDATE 1847z: Now active on 2m JT65. Any reports would be much appreciated. Please upload to PSK Reporter Maps if possible.

Long-tail Tits - NOT amateur radio

There are fewer small birds around these days in our garden and generally, but some have become more common in recent years. Great tits seem more plentiful and here in East Anglia the long-tail tit is the most common tit to see and hear. Only just a few moments ago when I was sweeping up leaves there was a flock of long-tail tits on the lilac in the garden next door.

See http://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bird-and-wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/l/longtailedtit/ .

Among the larger birds there are more magpies locally. Going to work, I saw not one in nearly 40 years, although now they are plentiful. Little egrets can be seen all over the place but they were rare before the late 1980s. Buzzards are now widespread in East Anglia whereas they were once a sign we'd reached Devon. Since their reintroduction, red kites can be widely seen again.

There is no doubt that we see different birds these days.

2m JT65 tonight and overnight

As I think the DX opportunities have now closed for the day on 10m, I am about to switch to 144.165Mz (USB dial) on 2m JT65. I shall stay on 2m this evening and overnight.

UPDATE 1847z: Now active on 2m JT65. Any reports would be much appreciated. Please upload to PSK Reporter Maps if possible.

No South Americans (yet) on 10m JT65

It is now 1440z and, as yet, nothing coming through from South America on 10m JT65. I am confident that there will be South American 10m JT65 spots shortly.

UPDATE  1616z: Still nothing from South America surprisingly. It is getting late in the day and it will soon be dark here.

UPDATE 1818z:  It looks like no South Americans today. Maybe this is TEP and there was no propagation to northern Europe? I shall go into the shack just in case there are stations received  on WSJT-X who did not report to PSK reporter. No, everything seems to be in order - internet time sync, software and rig all correct, just no propagation here.

Shed cleaning - NOT amateur radio

Autumn and lots of leaves! Time to put the garden to bed until the spring and clean out the shed. All the spring/summer garden furniture will go away until the spring.

It is hard to believe I got 4 bags of leaves yesterday and 2 today before this picture was taken. And still the leaves fall.

Dalham - NOT amateur radio

On the whole, where we live has few hills. We are on the highest part of our village next to the windmill and museum. Go just a few miles south and east and you are in the rolling hills of Suffolk, with some delightful villages.

This collage shows nearby Dalham, a few miles from Newmarket, Suffolk, with some beautiful "chocolate box" cottages. The picture was taken a few years ago earlier in the year.

Sunspots and 10m - Wednesday November 16th 2016

Solar flux is 76 today and the sunspot number 29. K=1. Today could be a decent day on 10m JT65, although you never know!

ZS spotted on 10m JT65

In all my time I have rarely found 10m without some sort of propagation during the day. ZS6AI (9123km) has recently been spotted here and I expect there will be South Americans again later. OK, it is not as easy as a few years ago, but there is propagation

UPDATE 1230z: ZS6AI spotted my 2W QRP on 10m JT65 about 20 minutes ago.

10m JT65

A few moments ago I returned to 10m JT65 and checked the PC was synced to internet time OK. Yesterday was disappointing with no spots given or received on 10m, although I suspect my PC or software rather than conditions. Let us hope today is more successful!

UPDATE 1050z: My 10m JT65 spots of stations in Spain and Latvia are reaching PSK Reporter Maps this morning. There is clearly European propagation around on 10m today.

UPDATE 1212z: EA3GJO (1180km) spotted my 10m JT65 (2W QRP) about 14 minutes ago. Es?

Google confirm new London HQ - NOT amateur radio

So Google has confirmed its £1billion investment in a new HQ building in London. This is good news in a post-BREXIT UK.

Big companies still see the UK as a good place to do business. There is much right with the UK.

Personally, I think the EU will face difficult times ahead. OK the UK has to find its way in the new world order, but it will. With a political swing to the right (hopefully a blip) I can see other nations wishing to leave the EU. It would not totally surprise me if the Euro loses a lot of its value in 2017. A total collapse of the EU is possible too.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37988095 .

4m CB in Sweden

Until I read this in the Southgate News today, I had no idea that there is a 69MHz CB band in Sweden. Being just below our 4m band, this is interesting.

Weather today - NOT amateur radio

Today has been miserable. Although mild, it has been dull and "November" all day.  A week ago we visited the Botanic Gardens in Cambridge when it was sunny between the showers. November really can be a dull month.

The photo shows the Cambridge Botanic Garden early last week.

Autumnal garden - NOT amateur radio

In the last few weeks our garden has turned to autumn: leaves have fallen and now it looks autumnal or even wintery. I cannot believe how quickly things have changed. One moment it was summer and it will soon be Christmas again. The evenings start to get lighter in January, and February is short. In the meantime, I enjoy the changing seasons as "each has a beauty all of its own".

"Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own; and from morning to night, as from the cradle to the grave, it is but a succession of changes so gentle and easy that we can scarcely mark their progress."

Charles Dickens

See: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/c/charlesdic154061.html

Fuel going down in price - NOT amateur radio

Both Asda and Tesco (big UK supermarkets) have announced they are reducing fuel costs. The barrel price has dropped and this may be the reason. In recent months fuel prices have risen, but not in line with exchange rates worsening since the BREXIT vote. If you depend on your car for work, this is good news. It will help to reduce the inflation figures.

I guess this is a 2-edged sword as it means North Sea oil is worth less in exports. As a nation, we need to buy more UK goods and import less. We have become too reliant on imports.

Sunspots and 10m - Tuesday November 15th 2016

Solar flux is 77 today and sunspot number 26. K=1. 10m seems fine with some F2 propagation.

Back on 10m JT65

Since about 0745z I have been back on 10m JT65, but all quiet so far today with no spots yet given or received on the band. I have checked everything is working!

UPDATE 1035z: RN6 and ON spotted here in the last hour but these spots don't seem to have been uploaded to PSK reporter maps. Maybe I lost internet connectivity?

UPDATE 1918z:  Several South Americans were spotted on 10m JT65 but these spots were not uploaded to PSK Reporter Maps. Maybe there was a bug in the software? I cannot believe this was an internet connectivity issue as the other PCs worked fine. I am using WSJT-X V1.6.  I'll be on 10m JT65 again in the morning.

Doh!

At 2000z I went on 144.575MHz FM in the East Cambridgeshire net. At this time I noticed that I was not on 10m JT65 as the rig had turned off! I should have checked earlier as I may have been off much of the day. It was my fault for not checking sooner. I was looking at PSK Reporter Maps on a different PC.

I have now gone QRT.

Granddaughter's note - NOT amateur radio

Last weekend was our elder grandson's birthday. His sister stared at him and she wrote him this note!

10m JT65

At just before 0730z, I returned to 10m JT65 with 2W QRP. As yet no spots.

UPDATE 1236z: Still no spots given or received on 10m JT65.

UPDATE 1900z: No spots (given or received) all day on 10m JT65. This has been one of the worst days on 10m JT65 this autumn. Mind you, it seems to confirm that if the South Americans are coming through by TEP, you need some means of extending this to northern Europe.

Sunspots and 10m - Monday November 14th 2016

Solar flux is 79. Sunspot number is 13. K=3. Yesterday, quite a few South Americans were spotted here on 10m JT65. Conditions today look broadly similar, albeit the sunspot count is lower.

Beginnings - NOT amateur radio

Flete House, where I was born. Always impresses! Actually it was a nursing home after WW2 for many years. Now posh flats. I like to say I was born in a stately home - well I was! If I bought one of the flats I could die where I was born.

Trump's Wall - NOT amateur radio

Partly a fence now. Mr Trump changing his mind or influenced by his peers? It will be interesting to see his policies when he is in charge.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-us-2016-37969112

New Zealand Earthquake - NOT amateur radio

It was interesting that the BBC News this lunchtime on Radio 4 did not even mention the latest earthquake in New Zealand. We are fed what they think we should hear. Some reports say it was stronger than the earthquake that so badly damaged Christchurch a few years ago.

We were in Christchurch exactly 2 years before this happened. New Zealand is a beautiful country with a small population. When an earthquake strikes, it can be a real burden to cope financially. Of all the places I have been fortunate enough to visit, this was the loveliest, followed by Iceland. Iceland we assumed would be barren but it was beautiful with lupins in flower all over the place. Both in New Zealand and Iceland the people were kind and welcoming.

Rallies - no news

If you want me to publicise your local rally just contact me. I am happy to push your rally. The blog has a worldwide readership, so whether Telford or Timbuktu, it matters not: just let me know.

At this time of year, things on the rally front are quiet in the UK as the weather is "dull November".

10m JT65

I returned to 10m JT65 (2W QRP)  just over 1 hour ago. So far, spots given and received from Europe, but nothing further as yet.

UPDATE 1230z:  Best DX on 10m JT65 are spots (given and received) in the Canary Is. and Russia. As conditions seem quite decent, I think South America should be in reach on 10m JT65 this afternoon. USA? This remains to be seen.

UPDATE 1515z: As yet, no evidence here of South Americans on 10m JT65, which is surprising.

UPDATE 1530z: Did someone say 10m was dead? This is my log so far today. I run 2W QRP to a very average, and low, wire antenna. No beams! I am sure others can do much better.

UPDATE 1554z: LU5CQC (11211km) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is the first South American spotted on 10m JT65 this afternoon.

UPDATE 1635z: 4 South Americans spotted on 10m JT65 so far this afternoon: Argentina (2), Brazil and Uruguay.

Sunspots and 10m - Sunday November 13th 2016

Solar flux is 79 today and the sunspot number has gone up to 51 (not bad at this part of the solar cycle). However K=4.

UPDATE 1534z: The K index seems to be improving. K=3 now.

QRP and QRP Club

More from Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

WQR Report (November 12, 2016)
see full report with comments and pictures -http://qrp-club72.blogspot.ru/

Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous report
Visitors of the week:
RW3AA,  UA1CEG,  R1OA,  DK1HW,  OH6NPV,  RV3GM, UA0SBQ, US7IB, US3EN,
UW5EKR,  UR0ET, ON6KZ, RU3NJC, R1CAF, UR5EFD, RV3DSA/0, DL4HG, G3XJS,
UA1CEG,  UR7VT,  SM2FIJ,  IK2RGV, DL3XZ, SM2BYW, RA1M, UA1CEX, UA4NU,
DM5JL, SM7RYR, HA7NE, R2FAE, SP1CVP, RN4W, SA7BOA, UA4Z, RZ3QS, US5ERQ

Congrats!
US7IB,  IK2RGV,  DL3XZ,  HA7NE,  RN4W entered in the Frequenters list
(regular visitors)
See full Frequenters and Visitors lists on the Club72 web page

72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"

47GHz Beacon

47GHz beacon reception. I wonder if this person is professionally involved in microwave work? If not, I am very impressed. Lack of access to microwave test gear has always put me off. Optical test gear and optical gear was easy.

Still life on 10m

Every time I've been on 10m recently, I have found JT65 activity and DX. My antenna is just a low wire and definitely nothing special. I have never had a tower or an HF beam!  People assume 10m is "dead" and QSY down the bands. OK, it is not as easy as a few years ago, but change modes and use the band.  Don't assume it is useless, as it is still a DX band.

Autumn - NOT amateur radio

Autumn

This has nothing to do with amateur radio but shows the season with the berries and leaves in our garden. It seems to have suddenly changed. I heard recently that a local town has already had more frosts this autumn than all last winter. Are we in for a very cold winter? It does feel colder although we have had fewer gales than normal. Usually October and early November can be windy.

Sunspots and 10m - Saturday November 12th 2016

Solar flux is 78 today and the sunspot number 26. K=2. Already I am spotting Israel and European Russia on 10m JT65. I have the feeling this is going to be a reasonably good day on 10m JT65. This is more than can be said for the weather here at the moment: it is cold and wet!

10m JT65 again today

I switched bands and am now back on 10m JT65 again after a day on 2m JT65. Already I have spotted several stations who are not sending spots to PSK Reporter Maps and RA9CNF (3812km) has been spotted. I am sure this is F2 propagation. As yet, my 2W QRP has still to be spotted.

UPDATE 1134z: 4Z5ML (3571km) in Israel and TA1BM (2899km) in Turkey have been spotted on 10m JT65 this morning.

UPDATE 1234z: RU4H (3294km) spotted my 2W QRP 10m JT65 about half an hour ago.

UPDATE 1546z: 5 South Americans spotted on 10m JT65 so far today.

UPDATE 1912z:  14 South Americans spotted on 10m JT65 so far today.

Lunch out (again) - NOT amateur radio

For the second time this week, we ate lunch out with old friends. This time not as far (38 miles round trip). We  have known these friends since the early 1970s.

QRP and QRP Club

More from Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,
keep in your diaries -
Club 72 events Calendar 2017 year

February, 4 and 5 - "Snowman" QRP Field Game (two tours)
April - "Look In the Horizon" QRP Marathon (over a month)
June, 17 - World QRP activity day
October 4 to 17 - "Sputnik" QRPp Activity Days
see details on the club72.su page
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.

2m JT65 again

It seems that 144.165MHz is being adopted as the 2m JT65B  frequency in Europe. This morning, starting shortly, I shall be beaconing sending on that frequency (USB dial). Any reports would be appreciated. Best to upload your spots to PSK  Reporter Maps. My actual transmission will, of course, be slightly HF of the dial setting.

UPDATE 1040z: Within minutes of starting I copied DL1BEC (487km) on 2m JT65B in Lower Saxony, Germany. This was totally unexpected! No spots of my 2W QRP as yet.

UPDATE 1904z: Several spots from G6AVK (77km) - thank you.

Sunspots and 10m - Friday November 11th 2016

Solar flux is 79 today and the sunspot number 13 (was zero yesterday). K=2. On the face of it, similar to Thursday, albeit a little more disturbed.