Exciting Bumper New Solar Cycle

ICQPodcast Episode 332

In this episode, Martin M1MRB is joined by Chris Howard M0TCH, Martin Rothwell M0SGL, Ed Durrant DD5LP, Frank Howell K4FMH and Bill Barnes WC3B to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin M6BOY rounds up the news in brief and this episode’s feature is a discussion with Dr Scott McIntosh of the National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO, the USA regarding Exciting Bumper New Solar Cycle.

ICQ AMATEUR/HAM RADIO PODCAST DONORS

We would like to thank Richard Langmead (5B4AJG) along with our monthly and annual subscription donors for keeping the podcast advert free. To donate, please visit - http://www.icqpodcast.com/donate

News stories include: -

• Researchers Predict a Surge in Cosmic Rays
• Radio Hams Assist Teams on Ground with Contact Tracing
• International Air Ambulance Week 2020
• Hawaii Ham Radio exams in the USA during the pandemic
• German Radio Amateur Falsely Accused in Greece
• UK Ham Undertakes Lands End to John O Groats Solo Cycle
• ARRL Board Elects New CEO
• Findlay Radio Club Hamfest Cancelled
• FCC Proposes to Reinstate Amateur Radio Service Fees
  

The ICQPodcast can be downloaded from http://www.icqpodcast.com

 

Yawn. No sunspots again today...

 

This just in: New study shows likelihood of a permanent absence of any further significant sun spot activity, apparently due to a not well understood "latching" effect of being so low for so long.

 

Uh, link to this study?

 

Source: Me.

It was a joke. I'm just venting some frustration.

 

"Maunder-Deuce"
. Throw some wire up in the trees; 160 is the new 80

 

No sunspots? Love it...160, 80 and 40, my favorite DXing bands are better now. 20-15m DXing was quite boring, way too easy, no challenges.
160 and 80 DXing take some operating skill and CW proficiency, not just a fat wallet and a loud mouth. I wish old Sol a great long snooze and pleasant dreams.

 

Good one!

 

Yawn............
I won`t waste my time listening to this click bait podcast again.

 

What do you mean? This is one of my favorite podcasts. Every show features a good round-table discussion on a variety of topics by people who are experienced hams and come from a number of different walks in life. It is very down to earth and straight forward.

 

Have fun.

 

LOL

 

Have you seen all the other crap on here? I mean, without sounding like a donkey... Certain people are now being propped up by the "content creators", so the view count follows suit. All in the name of a few bucks. And the comments on these master-works are laughable, blind loyalty and genuine support!

Back to the sunspot argument. Maybe I'm not on the radio every day, but I've lived through the "dreadful" cycle 24 too, and operating QRP or mobile most of the time made it that much more difficult, not to mention the crappy dipole I had back at the shack... I can't recall myself complaining. It's still very easy to make FB contacts, even on 20 and 17m (my favorite bands).

I'm with you guys though. A few dark spots on the sun will certainly make things a tad easier for me, and my KX2 on the picnic table, as the summer fades...