2m UKAC results published

The results for the first 2 months have been published. I am currently 60th out of 98 in the AL section. This is not bad considering my low power (5W), my omni antenna and usually being on for less than 40% of the time because of my poor voice. If I am at home, I try to go on most months.

Smartphone mod into a walkie talkie

Southgate News brought this to my attention. How to convert a smartphone into a walkie-talkie without internal mods. A neat idea. Maybe this could be done using an amateur handheld?

See https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/linc-the-smart-walkie-talkie-smartphone#/ .

House quiet again - NOT amateur radio

Over school half-term we have been very busy and had all the 4 grandchildren to stay. It is lovely to see them all, but I get very exhausted these days. This evening, the house is quiet again, just leaving the (clean) mess to tidy up. Tomorrow!

6m MSK144 today

Three countries spotted today so far (EI, G OZ) today on 6m MSK144. Next week, I might give 2m random MS a go (RX only).

QRP and QRP Club

The weekly update from Oleg:

Dear Club 72 members and friends,

Weekly QRP Rendez-Vous report (February 19, 2017)
Visitors  of  the  week:  R1CAF,  RA1M, RW3AA, EA5EQ, US5ERQ, UA1CEG,
UR7VT,  DK1HW,  OH6NPV,  US3EN,  RV3GM, EA2EFI, UR4MME, DH0DK, G3XJS,
SP3LRS,  OK2PDT,  SM5CZQ,  RV3DSA/0,  RU3NJC,  ON6KZ,  OM6TC, UA1AQC,
UR5EFD,  RD6MZ,  UA4NU,  R2FAE,  RX3DOR,  EA8/DK6XM/p, SV2BBK, R4YES,
EW7BW/1, UA0SBQ, F6EAZ, SA4BLM, UR0ET/p, R2AJA, R9WY, IK2RMZ, UW5EKR,
IZ0RQF, IT9IFI, 9H3FC, EA6BB
Congrats!
R2AJA and IZ0RQF became Honor Frequenters (regular visitors)
See full Visitors and Frequenters lists on the Club 72 web page.
Comments...

See full WQR Report on the Club 72 blog page (link from web site).
Thanks  ALL for activity and comments! See you on next QRP Rendez-Vous
round tables.

72! Oleg RV3GM / KH6OB "Mr. 72"

This is a periodic Newsletter of the Club 72. Don't reply to Newsletter address! Send any requests or news to mr72@club72.su please.

Stroke Update - NOT amateur radio

Sadly, no real improvement in the last year. I still feel very giddy when on my feet, tire easily, my voice is poor, and I stress more easily than before. Although I drive it is much harder than before my stroke. Overall, I have plateaued.

Life is hard, but could be worse.

My main problem is people think I am fine. Inside I feel very unwell, but outwardly I look well.

Sunspots and 10m - Sunday February 19th 2017

Solar flux is 76 today and sunspot number 13.  A=16 and K=2.

Maggie - NOT amateur radio

Maggie is a very old horse who lives in a field near our old home. Here she is being kissed by one of our granddaughters. Earlier, she gave Maggie some carrots, feeding her from her hands.

I am sure Maggie knows and loves young children, as much as they love her.

My main website

A reminder that my main website is at www.g3xbm.co.uk where, if you drill down, you will find details of my projects. There is also a YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/G3XBM. Hopefully, you will find something of interest. The blog gets updated most days whereas my main website and YouTube channels far less often.

PSK Reporter Maps back again

At the moment I am just on 6m MSK144 RX and no other bands. PSK Reporter Maps seems to be OK today. I have spotted OZ, HB9, G, GW and DL stations in the last 12 hours.

UPDATE 1035z: Now EI spotted.

UPDATE 1535z: It is surprising just how strong the MSK144 signals on 6m are. This suggests much weaker signals could be copied but the bursts, although short, are actually very strong.