Mending the HF antenna

As long as I can get up the ladder to my flat garage roof, I intend to mend my Par 10/20/40m end-fed antenna next week. This is not the best antenna in the world, but I know how it works. It can handle QRP power levels (actually up to 35W). The wire fatigued at a joint (after nearly 6 years), so it should be easy to fix. We have guests this week, so it can wait. The biggest challenge will be getting on and off the ladder!

Storms?

We have thunderstorms forecast for later. At the moment the nearest storm is about 150 miles away. If they get close my normal routine is to disconnect everything including the mains plugs "just in case".

See https://www.lightningmaps.org/blitzortung/europe/index.php?bo_page=map&bo_showmap=6

UPDATE 1315z: In the UK the thunderstorms seem to have fizzled out. They were supposed to be moving up from Iberia, but no signs even there. Maybe later?

6m FT8 RX

In the last 3 hours 57 stations have been spotted on 6m FT8 RX. Most of these are EU stations via Es.

UPDATE 0957z: 120 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX in the last 3 hours with best DX 9K2NO (4639km) in Kuwait. Apparently 6m was 56zopen from the UK to India on SSB/CW/FT8 yesterday. Sadly I spotted no Indian stations here!

UPDATE 1156z: So far today 170 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX this morning. Most were Europeans by Es.

UPDATE 1600z: 405 stations spotted here on 6m FT8 RX today so far.

472kHz WSPR overnight

Surprisingly, not a bad night for mid-summer. I think stations are having far more trouble finding my QRPP signal at this time of year, but I am still copying loads of stations on the band as the table shows. In fact, there are almost as many stations as in the winter being spotted, although I suspect some will be gone until autumn.

Overnight here on 472kHz WSPR

Grandchildren - NOT amateur radio

We are fortunate to have 4 young grandchildren. When they get together they enjoy eachother's company.

This photo shows us (top left) with all the grandchildren. The eldest is 11 years old.

Even worse! - Sunspots Tuesday June 18th 2019

Just when you thought things were bad they get even worse!

Solar flux is 65 and the SSN still zero. A=3 and K=1.

472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP)

Although I'm not sure why (masochistic?) I decided to try 472kHz WSPR overnight tonight. On previous summer nights results were pretty poor. I am running the usual 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. Surprisingly DL7NN (873km) already spotted.

Calm before the storm? - NOT amateur radio

At the moment the FT100 UK stock index is holding up OK. With the growing tensions between Iran and the USA why do I have the feeling this is the calm before the storm?

It would not surprise me if we are on the verge of a huge recession.  The world is still far too dependent on middle eastern oil. That and BREXIT and we have interesting times ahead.

Sadly, I do not trust the statesmanship of Trump. Kennedy in the 1962 Cuba crisis, yes.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-48661843

Historic transatlantic 2m QSO

Martin G8OFA reports a 2m QSO between the Caribbean and the Cape Verde Is yesterday. I am pretty sure this is the first transatlantic 2m QSO. If confirmed, this is an historic first.

South Hams, Devon - NOT amateur radio

For at least 500 years my family has lived in the South Hams of Devon. We have probably lived hereabouts for thousands of years. At Bolt Tail is an Iron Age fort. It is humbling to think one of my ancestors may well have manned this thousands of years ago.

Museum duty - NOT amateur radio

Several times a year my wife and I volunteer to help at our excellent local museum. Usually we help in the tearoom or entry kiosk. There is free Wi-Fi so no-one can be bored. In both the kiosk and the tearoom there are items for sale. The photo shows some of these.

See http://burwellmuseum.org.uk/

New VHF and up only licence?

According to Southgate News the IARU is considering a new VHF and up only licence in the hope of encouraging activity. I guess many these days head to HF as contacts tend to be over longer distances. In the past quite some fun could be had on 144MHz and 432MHz. Often tropo was better on 432MHz.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/june/could-a-new-licence-counter-threats-at-vhf-and-above.htm#.XQd_SPZFy00

6m FT8 RX again

With 173 stations (mostly European) spotted by 0907z this looks promising on 6m. Best DX is again A45XR (5794km) in Oman. No Far East again today here.

Still using the V2000 vertical omni antenna fed with cheap CB coax.

UPDATE 1150z: 409 stations spotted this morning on 6m FT8 RX with best DX A41ZZ (5854km). 3 Gulf stations spotted this morning.

UPDATE 1313z: 473 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX including 4 stations from the Persian Gulf area. Nothing yet from the Americas or Caribbean areas.

Stations spotted on 6m 

FT8 RX here to 1548z

UPDATE 1746z: Now 553 stations spotted today on 6m FT8 RX, but nothing from "across the pond" today, well not yet at least.

UPDATE 1951z: Still nothing transatlantic on 6m here today.

Sunspots - Monday June 17th 2019

Solar flux is again 66 and the sunspot number still 0. A=4 and K=1. The pits!!

6m "super DX"

At this time of year, E layer propagation brings in some extraordinary 6m DX. This season, I have spotted Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and North America. As yet, I have still not spotted South America. At this time of year Japan is worked from Western Europe. In 2017 13 Japanese 6m stations were spotted on JT65. For the last couple of seasons I have stuck with FT8, but yet to spot any Japanese stations on 6m.

Rainbow gold - NOT amateur radio

Tradition has it that there is a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. This one was photographed late yesterday from our front garden.

Well, I certainly spotted no gold! Darn! If I had found it I could have easily bought that new radio.

Grimeton VLF CW transmission - June 30th

Southgate News reports on an upcoming 17.2kHz CW transmission from the Grimeton TX in Sweden using the callsign SAQ. On my wall I have a QSL card from them for a transmission many years ago. This very old VLF transmitter uses an alternator to generate the signal. It is now a world heritage site.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/june/saq-grimeton-transmission.htm#.XQYyyPZFy00

That geosynchronous amateur satellite

At the moment I only monitor narrowband activity on Oscar 100 via the web SDR at Goonhilly. I checked activity again just now and activity levels seem similar to a few weeks ago. I think new stations come, but also old stations go once the fun has worn off. Many have fun getting the microwave gear assembled and the dish(es) aligned and are less interested thereafter.

Trump tweeting again - NOT amateur radio

As far as USA politics are concerned, I have few problems with tweets about the USA. After all, he was elected as the US president. No doubt some in the USA think he is fine.

Where I have issues is meddling where he seems to know little. I would prefer it if he tweeted less and read more, but if tweet he must then tweet about US murder rates and gun crimes, not about the London major. Re-tweeting Katie Hopkins of all people!

Some compare the current US president with a certain mid-European leader in the 1930s. Outside of the USA he comes across as rather ill informed.

My personal views and others are, of course, entitled to theirs. He is such a genius.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-48651131

Sunspots - Sunday June 16th 2019

Solar flux is just 66 and the SSN still zero. A=4 and K=2.

The spotless period continues. I expect my favourite source of solar data will be changing its forecast next month.

6m FT8 RX

Good 6m Es this morning with 130 stations spotted in the last 6 hours with the best DX on 6m FT8 RX being UN3GX (5522km) in Kazakhstan. It is only now 0826z.

UPDATE 0924z: Now 188 stations spotted this morning on 6m FT8 RX with best DX A45XR (5794km). Several stations are also being spotted that are not appearing on PSKreporter maps. This could be my internet connection or some other issue.

UPDATE 1457z: 347 stations spotted so far today on 6m FT8 RX. As yet, no super DX on 6m here today.

UPDATE 1733z: 386 stations spotted today so far on 6m FT8 RX. At the moment the Es seems to have dried up.

Rain! - NOT amateur radio

Don't let anyone tell you the UK weather is not changing. This June we have seen more rain in the last week than I can ever remember in June. Our best weather this year was in February! Crazy.

G4ILO referrals

Even though Julian Moss sadly died several years ago, I still get several visitors arriving here via his blog. This pleases me a lot.

See http://blog.g4ilo.com/

Poor propagation

Southgate News reports that we have been without sunspots now for a month.

See http://southgatearc.org/propagation/k7ra/index.htm#.XQU6mfZFy00

WRC 2023

The next WRC is later this year. One thing being discussed is a possible 50-54MHz amateur allocation in Region 1. At WRC 2023, France is expected to push for more aeronautical allocations around, or in, our 2m band.

See http://rsgb.org/main/files/2019/06/PTA19090R1-France_Proposal-on-non-safety-aeronautical-mobile-applications.pdf

Solar cycle 25 predictions

Already, I have mentioned the "expert predictions" for the next cycle. Based purely on my own views (often wrong!) I am beginning to side with the latest NOAA forecast which was published in April. This is forecasting a weak peak 2023-26 (similar to the last one) with the solar minimum between July 2019 and September 2020.

See https://earthsky.org/space/solar-cycle-25-likely-weak-according-to-predictions

Political leaders - NOT amateur radio

In the coming weeks, a few Conservative party members are voting to elect a new leader. As the ruling party, he will also be the new Prime Minister of the UK. On his shoulders will be the BREXIT negotiations.  People are banking on a strong leader who can negotiate strongly with the EU. Otherwise we crash out without agreement.

Politically, the UK is at a critical point.

New rig - still thinking

Even without cash discounts and with 100 euros cashback I can buy Yaesu rigs with the full 3 year warranty and VAT in Europe far cheaper than in the UK. The same price difference applies on other rigs too.

It begs the question why?

Cooked breakfast - NOT amateur radio

When away, I enjoy a cooked breakfast. This week, in Cheshire, was no exception. This was the breakfast at the Bear's Head in Brereton. Some will say it is unhealthy, but it fills you up for the day.

Life - NOT amateur radio

This is my "take" on things. Others may well see things differently.

At one time I had quite a strong Christian faith. These days I am far from certain about anything! Speaking purely for myself, I find all religions "too small" to encompass how I feel. All I am aware of is how little we know. Somehow, this particular human (i.e. me) finds the idea of non-existence hard to grasp. We remember nothing of before we were born, so why should we be bothered about what happens when we die? And yet.....

Perhaps we just cease to be. Perhaps somehow our consciousness lives on, however this world view seems odd when our cells cease to be.

The only thing we can say with any certainty is we just do not, and cannot, know. Any person who claims differently is telling him or her self delusions.

6m FT8

In the last 3 hours, 41 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX, many by Es. Best DX spotted on 6m FT8 RX was TA7OM (3092km).  My own CQ call earlier (2.5W)  was spotted by 7 G stations.

UPDATE 1106z: Now 130 stations in 19 countries spotted on 6m FT8 RX this morning as the map shows.

Stations spotted here on 6m 

FT8 RX to 1555z

UPDATE 1347z: Now 249 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX today with best DX spotted EK7DX (3590km).

UPDATE 1856z: Now 323 different stations spotted in the last day on 6m FT8 RX so far with best DX ZF1EJ (7761km) in the Cayman Is, Caribbean. Another good 6m day.  On a good Es day 6m can look like 20m.

Sunspots - Saturday June 15th 2019

Another spotless day.

Solar flus is 68 and the SSN 0. A=10 and K=3. Unless things dramatically change, we are still on the downwards slope I think.

Gilbert and Sullivan

For those outside the UK, Gilbert and Sullivan created some famous comic operas in the late 19th century. A local village puts on a G&S production in a barn every year. It is invariably good. This year they did "The Grand Duke" a work I was not familiar with.

Oranges - NOT amateur radio

As some may recall, we went to Portugal last month. One of the joys was seeing oranges and lemons growing on trees. These, which may have been on before, were in Obidos.  As it has been raining in much of the UK for the last week, it helps to cheer us up!

Lime SDR and Oscar 100

Southgate News reports on the use of a Lime SDR as the basis for an Oscar 100 ground station.

See http://southgatearc.org/news/2019/june/limesdr-mini-satellite-ground-station.htm#.XQNaGPZFy00

Sunspots - Friday June 14th 2019

Solar flux is 69 and the sunspot number still zero. This is, I think, the longest spotless period this minimum. A=7 and K=1.

Good night on 6m FT8 RX

The last 24 hours were the best (for me) this season with lots of EU stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX by Es. As well as these, 2 Caribbean stations and 6 North Americans were logged on 6m FT8 RX with just the V2000 omni vertical (see map of stations logged on 6m FT8 RX in the last day). In all 246 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX in the last day.

UPDATE 0948z: 14 EU stations so far spotted on 6m FT8 RX in the last 3 hours, many Es.

UPDATE 1712z: 58 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX in the last 12 hours.

6m FT8 RX spots here overnight

Sibling reunion - NOT amateur radio

Another picture from our recent sibling reunion in Cheshire. This was a meal out in Knutsford. As mentioned yesterday, we have these get-togethers every year taking it in turns to act as hosts.

Rallies

Saturday 15 JUNE : ROCHDALE AND DISTRICT ARS SUMMER RALLY

Proceeds from this rally ensure the continued operation of DMR repeater GB7MR. St Vincent de Paul's, Caldershaw Road, off Edenfield Road (A680), Norden, Rochdale OL12 7QR. Doors open to the public at 10.15am with disabled visitors gaining access 15 minutes earlier. Admission is £2.50 with those under 12 years free. £5 per pitch (for traders with own tables) or £10 for a pitch with table provided. Refreshments available including bacon and sausage butties. Further details: Robert, M0NVQ m0nvq@outlook.com or 07778113333.


Sunday 16 JUNE : 16th WEST OF ENGLAND RADIO RALLY

Cheese & Grain venue, Market Yard, Bridge Street, Frome, Somerset BA11 1BE. Doors open 10am to 2pm. The event will feature inside & outside trade stands, RSGB book stall, cafe, disabled access & facilities, car parking. Further information from Shaun, G8VPG, on 01225 873 098, or email: rallymanager@westrally.org.uk www.westrally.org.uk.


Sunday 16 JUNE : SCOTTISH AMATEUR RADIO AND ELECTRONICS RALLY

INTU Braehead Centre, Glasgow. Doors open at 10 a.m. There are Traders, Radio Clubs and a Bring & Buy. Areas for clubs to operate from and talks and presentations will be running throughout the day. On-line exams are also available subject to prior notification. Refreshments and disabled facilities are available on-site. Contact info@asrarally.com or visit the website at www.asrarally.com. For more information call Tony Miles on 07702 134 188.

6m FT8 - Es!

Although I have only been on for about 20 minutes I am already getting Es reports from Portugal despite running 2.5W to an omni vertical antenna. On 6m FT8 RX 41 stations in 17 countries already logged from all across Europe. No "real DX" here though.

UPDATE 1227z:  137 stations already spotted on 6m FT8 RX including 2 Caribbean stations

UPDATE 1956z: Now 239 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX in the last 12 hours.

UPDATE 2147z: KD3CQ (5919km) in Maryland and VZ2ZM (4445km) in Price Edward Is. now coming through.