Oscar 100 update

Every few weeks, I check the occupancy of the narrowband transponder on this geosynchronous satellite by looking at the web SDR at Goonhilly in Cornwall. My most recent very unscientific look at this was earlier today and last night. My look suggested occupancy was no higher than a few weeks ago. In fact, if anything, occupancy seems lower than a few weeks ago!

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/

6m in Germany

Southgate News has a piece on 6m in Germany, which is moving to implement WRC allocations.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/may/enhanced-50-mhz-allocation-in-germany.htm#.XrP7SmjYq00

Rose in the garden last week - NOT amateur radio

This rose was in flower in the garden about a week ago.

If this has been posted before please accept my apologies, but it is a nice rose!

10m FT8

A short while ago (0540z) I turned on 10m FT8 with 2.5W to the tiny indoor loop antenna.

Yesterday I failed to get a single WSPR spot on the band, so it will be interesting to see how FT8 behaves.

UPDATE 1649z:  Disappointing so far. Just 5 fairly close EU stations spotted so far today with no spots of me.

UPDATE 1844z:  It was a long time coming, but I was spotted by 9A2WB (1429km). Only 5 spots on RX all day so far, mostly Gs.

UPDATE 1940z: 4 EU stations have now spotted me with strong signals typical of Es. Like buses, they all come at once! Probably worth another go tomorrow. Going QRT shortly.

Sunspots - Thursday May 7th 2020

Solar flux is 70 and the SSN 0. A=6 and K=1.

Another cancelled rally

The following rally has been cancelled. As usual, the background may make this hard to read. The summary is the Dartmoor Radio Club Rally has been cancelled.

8 MAY 2020 (Bank Holiday Friday) : CANCELLED

DARTMOOR RADIO CLUB RALLY. The Butchers Hall, Pannier Market, Tavistock PL19 0AL. Doors open at 10am. Admission is £2.50. There will be traders and a Bring & Buy. Refreshments will be available. Contact Roger, 2E0RPH on 0785 408 8882, or by email to 2e0rph@gmail.com.

A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/rallies/

OFCOM Updates

As usual, OFCOM has updated its Communications Monthly for May with the latest data. See the OFCOM website.

Walk - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows more of our walk this morning. Pleasant, sunny day.

Village walk - NOT amateur radio

We have just got back from a walk around the village. Plenty of swifts around. More cars than there were.

10m WSPR and 6m FT8

It dawned on me that I can be on 10m WSPR TX and 6m FT8 at the same time using my 10m WSPR TX beacon and the indoor loop whilst using the PC, FT991A and the V2000 vertical antenna on 6m.

UPDATE 0815z:  18 spots of me on 6m (10W to V2000), but nothing on 10m WSPR TX (0.5W to the indoor loop).

UPDATE 1100z:  Plenty of spots of my 10W on 6m FT8 but still nothing on 10m WSPR yet. Does this mean my antenna is inefficient or there are now far more people on 10m FT8? I suspect the latter.

UPDATE 1153z:  50 stations have spotted my 10W 6m FT8 so far. Nothing on 10m WSPR.

UPDATE 1320z:  Still no 10m WSPR spots, but 58 spots of my 10W 6m FT8. I actually am surprised not to get any 10m WSPR spots. I know many have moved to FT8, but I would have expected something.

UPDATE 0754z:  The whole day without any spots at all on 10m WSPR. Tomorrow I shall try 10m FT8 with 2.5W to the indoor loop for comparison.

• UPDATE 2030z:  QRT.