Sunspots and 10m - Thurs Nov 26th 2015

Sunspot number has fallen a little to 58 (K=0) and solar flux is still decent at 108. Although this seems a poor guide to 10m WSPR conditions, the forecast for 10m propagation remains "poor".

Cambridge Parks - NOT amateur radio

Parker's Piece, Cambridge

Each Wednesday, I go into Cambridge for my "Life in the Universe" lectures as art of the U3AC programme.

Cambridge has several parks and, of course, the famous Backs (of the colleges) along the River Cam. This is the park that is behind Drummer Street bus station. Most trees are now bare.

Australia yet again on 10m WSPR

At 1048z my 500mW 10m WSPR was (yet again) spotted by VK2KRR (16789km) in Australia. This is getting so common now that I am losing count of the days when this has happened. Yet again 10m propagation is forecast to be "poor".  Don't believe all the experts say!

These DX spots  are becoming so common now that they almost become expected.

UPDATE 1817z:  I have now gone QRT on both 10m and 6m WSPR and started up on 630m WSPR. On 10m WSPR the first USA 10m spot today was at 1338z by KC1AWS (5308km). Also several spots today by FR1GZ (9724km). In all, quite a good day on 10m WSPR despite the forecast for 10m propagation of "poor".

Sunspots and 10m - Wed Nov 25th 2015

Solar flux is 112 and sunspot number 66. K=0. The forecast for 10m is "poor" which usually means (perversely!) that 10m WSPR will be quite good here.

UPDATE 1025z:  No 10m or 6m spots as yet. I went QRT on MF around 0800z.

IC7300 - not yet?

The IC7300 is being actively "pre-sold" with UK dealers asking people to part with £50 deposits to secure these transceivers when they become available. I don't think any have shipped yet and I suspect it will be late spring before they appear in the UK.

http://www.icomamerica.com/en/media_events/news/NewsArticle.aspx?id=201521

The price will drop once the dealers have creamed good profits from those who must have the rig at any price - the early adopters. Really I would like the 10W version which would be a class QRP rig. This would be even better than the IC703.

It is quite likely that the early sets will have some software or hardware issues which will be corrected on later models sold.

Of all the products around, it looks the most attractive and I like the SDR architecture. Let's hope the ball grid arrays are soldered well! From bitter experience I know this can be a nightmare tweeking the process.  I can wait.

ICOM America has more information on this transceiver.

Best DX on 472kHz this autumn

DL-SWL/1 (701km) has spotted my 5mW ERP on 472kHz WSPR this evening. This is the furthermost I have been spotted this autumn. The 472kHz WSPR station here will remain on this evening and overnight.

Best DX on RX remains DH5RAE (995km) this evening. EA5DOM does not appear to be on WSPR tonight, yet.

10m WSPR USA spots today

K9AN (6505km) is, so far, the first USA station to spot my 500mW 10m beacon today. First USA 10m WSPR spot was at 1318z. I am quite surprised that I don't have a log full of USA spots on 10m WSPR from the USA today. So far only K9AN and KK1D (5455km) have spotted me on 10m WSPR from the USA today.

UPDATE 1900z: I have now gone QRT on both 10m and 6m WSPR. I am QRV on 630m WSPR with the homemade transverter running 5mW ERP, listening 80% of the time for others. No RX preamp and using the earth-electrode "antenna". First station received was F6GEX (590km) in IN97 square at -27dB S/N. Next was DH5RAE (995km).

Stroke - NOT amateur radio

I am truly fed up with the after-effects of my stroke. Most of the time on my feet I am exhausted and giddy. My voice is still very poor. Nobody, and I mean nobody, seems to comprehend the hell I am living through. Outwardly I look "normal" and healthy. Inside is a different matter.

All I want is for things not to totally exhaust me and not to feel so wobbly. I feel so useless inside. Sitting down on the PC is fine, but the moment I try to do anything physical or mental I am soon "done in".

It seems a long time since I was my old self.

Made in China - NOT amateur radio

Today is my XYL's birthday and one of her presents was a Cath Kitson 3-tier cake stand for the table. Even this is marked "Made in China". Surely suppliers can source this from the UK? It is just 3 slabs of plates, a few screws and some wood.

In the end this "Made in China" rubbish has to end. The wealth of the UK depends, in the end, in adding value and making things. They must make huge profits on this stuff. A few pence more to source from the UK would mean a few pence less profit. So?

John Lewis - try harder!

It is very hard to find anything that is made anywhere in Europe or the USA these days.

Sepura - NOT amateur radio

Shares never fail to amuse me. I finished working for Sepura in 2008. Today they gave interim results for the last 6 months and these exceeded expectations. A betting man would expect their shares (SEPU) to rise. Oh no, they have fallen!!

Sepura is a FTSE listed company. They make profits every year. They recently bought their Spanish rival Teltronic. Sepura specialises in TETRA and DMR, mainly secure radios.

UPDATE 1745z:  Shares in Sepura ended the day down to 174.75, down 1.5% on the day.  Totally perverse!