XPost: rec.radio.amateur.moderated, uk.radio.amateur, free.uk.amateur-radio

Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog

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Lightning

Posted: 05 Jul 2021 04:36 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/07/lightning.html


Although we may experience a few showers, it is quite warm outside. The
thunder risk looks low with most storms over Denmark.
I think there is some link between thunder activity and Es, although I have
not studied it. I think it has something to do with sprites? There must be people who know far more than yours truly! If you know the link, please
leave a comment.
See https://www.lightningmaps.org/#m=oss;t=3;s=0;o=0;b=0.00;ts=0;y=38.0295;x=8.3248;z=4;d=2;dl=2;dc=0;

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10m WSPR TX (500mW)

Posted: 05 Jul 2021 09:40 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/07/10m-wspr-tx-500mw_5.html


At the moment I am on 10m WSPR TX and 6m FT8 RX.
The W5OLF beacon is totally self contained (no PC needed) and about the
size of a pack of cards. It is on 100%, but randomly changes frequency each slot. In the past it has been spotted in every continent with simple, wire antennas.
No spots yet at 1037z, although I have only just turned it on.
UPDATE 1137z: Just 4 WSPR 10m spots so far by F4CWN (969km).
UPDATE 1303z: 16 unique stations spotting me today.
UPDATE 1640z: 23 spots of me so far today.

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6m FT8 humming

Posted: 05 Jul 2021 09:44 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/07/6m-ft8-rx-humming.html


Quite a few stations are calling the Far East on 6m, suggesting there is propagation from Western Europe to the Far East on 6m. This regularly
happens at this time of year.
It seems linked to noctilucent clouds that form about now, although I am
not clear about the mechanism. It looks like E layer propagation, although
I think multi-hop Es idea is wrong in my view! There would have to be so
many hops and this makes this so improbable. It would not surprise me if we discovered some new E layer mechanism in the next few years.
There are quite a few incorrect myths about. Never believe all you are
told!! Look at facts and make up your own mind.
UPDATE 0908z: 149 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX including 2 in South Korea
and 1 in Japan, JA6SBW (9053km) being the furthermost. Although better
equipped stations have been spotting and working the Far East, this is the first time I have spotted Japan on 6m since 2017. This is my first time I
have spotted Japan on 6m FT8. I think my V2000 vertical omni needs signals
to be strong to copy them although at -15dB S/N this station was quite
strong here. On TX (2.5W) 37 spots, but no spots from the Far East unsurprisingly!
UPDATE 1112z: 50 spots of my 6m FT8 (2.5W) so far today.
UPDATE 1305z: 92 spots of me so far today on TX. 247 spots on RX plus
several QSOs.
UPDATE 1644z: 133 stations have spotted me so far today on TX. 330
stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX today.

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Sunspots - Monday July 5th 2021

Posted: 05 Jul 2021 12:19 AM PDT http://g3xbm-qrp.blogspot.com/2021/07/sunspots-monday-july-5th-2021.html


Solar flux is 91 and the SSN 60. A=3 and K=1.

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