Now Australia (nearly) on the 60m band

Southgate News reports that Australia is about be granted the new WRC15 15kHz wide 60m band. It seems that many countries are gaining access.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2016/december/new-60-metre-amateur-band.htm#.WGg3AYXXL4g

10m JT65 all day

I have been on 10m JT65 since early yesterday, but without internet I was unsure of my PC clock sync until this morning. Also, updates to PSKreporter maps will not have occurred yesterday and overnight.

As in recent days, no DX with the best spot being of 2E0NEP (123km). G4NUA (12km) was the best DX (!) on TX.

Solar data

My source is 2 days behind, so either the site maintainer is unwell or away. So, I am again unable to pass on this information. This week, I shall look for a new source, as the one I use is not reliable any more.

In the meantime check out http://www.solen.info/solar/ .

No internet

My apologies for the few postings this last day. My internet packed up Friday morning and I was only able to get on again late today. We also have young grandchildren staying, so I have had no time today until now.

10m JT65

I have now QSYed from MF to 10m JT65. Let us hope we see more winter Es on 10m, or even some real DX from outside Europe. The latter will depend on conditions but southern Africa is certainly possible on 10m JT65.

Tropo DX on 2m

Here in the UK there has been some good VHF tropo of late, not that I have tried! Martin Cranage in Salisbury has been copying European beacons at great range and he has worked quite a bit of DX on 2m via tropo.

See http://www.dxinfocentre.com/tropo.html .

Solar data

As my source is still showing yesterday's data, I shall update the solar data later, assuming it is available.

Overnight on 472kHz WSPR - disappointing

Although I was on 472kHz WSPR overnight, it was disappointing. Best TX DX (5mW ERP) was Holland and no new spotters on the band. I was expecting better.

QSYed to 472kHz WSPR

Initial 472kHz WSPR spots this evening

Much later than normal, I QSYed from 10m JT65 to 472kHz WSPR (5mW ERP). This was about 2250z. I'll leave the WSPR running overnight.

Facebook "deaths" that aren't - NOT amateur radio

There must be plenty of us on Facebook these days. I am appalled by the ads I see on the RHS which purport to give notice of deaths of famous people. In my experience these are all untrue. How can people do this? If I believed all I read there would be hardly anyone left! I guess these are designed to grab attention so you click the links. Don't.

Welcome to the post-truth world?