British Summer Time (BST) - NOT amateur radio

Last night the UK clocks went forward an hour. This means BST is an hour ahead of GMT. Quite often at this time I forget!

6m QRP FT8 (Sunday)

My 2.5W FT8 to the V2000 vertical omni antenna was on until I QSYed to 630m WSPR.  Stations that spotted me were from across England. On RX, my best DX was a station in Germany.

Kings Lynn port - NOT amateur radio

As mentioned yesterday, Kings Lynn was one of the most important ports in England centuries ago when it was a Hanseatic League port.  

These days, it would appear to be mainly a few fishing boats.

8m dilemma

My TX permit runs out shortly, and I am undecided about a new one. 

From an experimental view point, I have already proved that 2.5W FT8 and a low dipole is enough to reach many parts of the planet when F2 is good. Just to experiment I have to pay £50 a year, which I find offensive and stupid. I blame OFCOM and the RSGB for this utter stupidity. There are many people who want to do genuine research at 8m!! Pay?? How daft when amateur radio is meant to be about self-training! 

My inclination is to operate on 40.680MHz WSPR under ISM regulations (10mW ERP and IR2030 compliance) which is totally free and open to all in the UK. This would be much harder, but radio science would benefit more. I suspect that much of Europe would be in range on the better days in the Es season. The main issue could be too few monitors. I suspect 10mW ERP 8m FT8 would be too low.

It would be good if others joined me by keeping to ISM rules (or similar) in your area of the world. In some countries I believe one can legally beacon below certain powers.  If enough people tried, the research would be more meaningful. Remember, operation under ISM rules is not amateur radio. Such use is essentially one way beaconing for propagation research.

It would be great to have a lot of QRPP 8m WSPR beacons operational.

Back to normal on 10m WSPR?

These last few days have resulted in some exceptional spots of my 500uW (0.5mW) 10m WSPR. Spots from the Canaries have been most days and I have been spotted in the USA by several stations in the last few days. Today, there are no spots at all, which I suspect is the norm. Perhaps I should try 10mW, which I suspect would be enough quite often.

UPDATE 2016z:   3 spots of my 500uW (0.5mW) by EA8BFK (2880km) today. I spoke too soon!

630m QRP WSPR (Sunday)

Rather earlier than usual, I have QSYed to 630m WSPR with my 10mW ERP. So far today (at 1455z) my QRP has been spotted by just one station G4FQI (128km).

UPDATE 2025z:  4 stations have spotted me.

English Lake District - NOT amateur radio

This part of England is probably one of the most beautiful. It has rolling hills and mountains and beautiful lakes. This photo was taken recently by a friend.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

With just 8 stations spotting me, 630m appears to be going "off the boil". Best was Norway, so it does not look like poor conditions.

Sunspots - Sunday March 31st

Solar flux is 140 and the SSN 60. A=5 and K=2.

Kings Lynn - NOT amateur radio

We recently visited here. It was once a Hanseatic League port and one of the most important ports in England . Although much of the town is nondescript, there are some fine buildings near the river.

630m QRP WSPR (Saturday)

 For about the last 30 minutes, I have been on 630m WSPR with my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. So far,  3 stations have spotted me.

6m QRP FT8 (Saturday)

Most of the day, my 2.5W 6m FT8 to the V2000 omni vertical antenna. 24 stations spotted including one in Denmark.

10m QRPP WSPR

All week I have been trying out (again) on 500uW 10m WSPR. Yet again, my 500uW 10m WSPR has been spotted in the USA again and I have lost count of the  number of spots by EA8BFK (2880km) in the Canary Is..

Sunspots - Saturday March 30th

 Solar flux is 167 and the sunspot number is 79. A=6 and K=1.

8m QRP FT8 (Friday)

My 2.5W and dipole have been on most of the day.  No spots of me although I did copy ZR1ADI (9777km) in Western Cape, South Africa.

500uW 10m WSPR (Friday)

Amazingly, EA8BFK (2880km) has spotted my extreme QRPP 6 times already!! I had to double check it really was 500uW (0.5mW). It definitely was!!

UPDATE 0917z:  11 spots already of my 500uW (0.5mW) by EA8BFK.  Amazing.

UPDATE 1630z:   27 spots of me today including 3 from the USA. Quite incredible for 500uW. Conditions must have been very good these last few days. The map (from WSPR Rocks by Phil VK7JJ) shows the 10m WSPR spots these last few days with 500uW (0.5mW).

UPDATE 2122z:   31 spots of my 500uW (0.5mW) today. I suspect conditions must have been exceptional.

Village cottage - NOT amateur radio

 

There is a mix of both old and new houses in our village.

Dramatic clouds- NOT amateur radio

As the rain came in earlier in the week, we were treated to some spectacular clouds in our close as the photo shows.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

Overnight my 10mW ERP 630m WSPR was spotted by 14 stations. Best DX spots were from Norway.

Sunspots- Friday March 29th

 Solar flux is 173 and the SSN 101. A=7 and K=1.

SPRAT article

It was very pleasing to see my short article about the use of the ISM bands for QRPP beaconing in the latest SPRAT. 

In the UK this means 10mW ERP on the HiFer and 8m ISM bands under IR2030 interface regulations.  No callsign is mandated and this is licence free. It is a good idea to use a callsign that WSPRnet can cope with if using WSPR. Likewise if using FT8, choose a callsign that PSKreporter can handle.

Certainly on the 8m ISM band 10mW ERP WSPR is enough to reach into much of Europe on Es. The same is probably true of the HiFer band too.

630m QRP WSPR

My 630m 10mW ERP WSPR was turned on at about 1911z this evening. So far, 4 stations have spotted me.

UPDATE 2035z:  12 stations have spotted me so far.

Old photos - NOT amateur radio

Recently, my nephew visited us. Here he is looking at some old photos of h is granddad in the RAF.

Walk - NOT amateur radio

 Yesterday we did a nice walk around the village and saw these flowers.

6m QRP FT8 (Thursday)

My 2.5W FT8 to the V2000 vertical omni antenna has been on most of the day. I shall QSY to 630m QRP WSPR later. So far, my signal has been spotted by 16 stations (all in England).

10m QRPP WSPR (Thursday)

Once again I am on 10m WSPR with just 500uW (0.5mW) and I have already had 6 spots from EA8BFK (2880km) and one from Greece (a new country with ultra QRPP).

These last few days have been good. I must try to correlate this with solar conditions. I would expect to see some sort of relationship. I would not have thought these last few days were exceptional. Good, yes, but not exceptional.

A reminder that my beacon is pre-programmed to report the power is 500mW even though it is just 500uW (0.5mW) during these tests. 

I continue to be amazed.

It will be interesting trying ultra QRPP during the Es season.

UPDATE 1245z:  Already 18 spots today. EA8BFK (2880km) has spotted me as strongly as -16dB S/N  when I was running just 500uW suggesting 16dB weaker still might have been copied. 

UPDATE 1730z:  22 spots of me today at 500uW including a new reporter in the USA, who received me strongly. Amazing!!  

Sunspots - Thursday March 28th

 Solar flux is 175 and the SSN 114. A=7 and K=2.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

 

My 10mW ERP WSPR has been on since about 2030z. 12 stations spotted me. No great DX.

Nesting time - NOT amateur radio

 

Swans have nested in this spot for many years. I hope they succeed in raising a brood.

8m QRP FT8 (Wednesday)

My 2.5W 8m FT8 to the dipole was turned on at about 1110z.  As usual, I am on 40.680MHz (DF about 1950Hz).  No spots yet.

QRP 6m FT8 (Wednesday)

My own 6m 2.5W FT8 to the vertical omni has been spotted by 10 stations. On RX (TEP?) my best DX is ZS6NJ (9115km).

10m QRPP again (Wednesday)

My 500uW WSPR has already been spotted in the Canary Is. by EA8BFK (2880km). I shall stick with 500uW (0.5mW) today, but yesterday was exceptional.

UPDATE 1116z:  EA8BFK (2880km) has spotted my 500uW (0.5mW) WSPR twice today already!

UPDATE 1707z: This afternoon, a station in the USA spotted me again when I was using just 500uW (0.5mW).

630m QRP WSPR overnight

A better overnight session with 18 stations spotting my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

Sunspots - Wednesday March 27th

 Solar flux is 178 and the SSN 149. A=11 and K=1.

630m QRP WSPR (Tuesday)

My 10mW ERP 630m WSPR is on. So far, 8 stations have spotted me. Yet again, the "antenna" is the earth-electrodes in the ground. At the moment the best DX is only EI.

Swallows - NOT amateur radio

The first swallows have arrived back in Devon from South Africa. The earliest I have seen them up here in East Anglia is on April 7th, but it is usually later in April.

I was hoping that I might hear a chiffchaff on our walk this morning but I was unlucky.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/swallow .

Spring - NOT amateur radio

This morning we went for a nice walk around the village. I was expecting this morning to be bright but chilly so I put a warm coat on. 

It was actually quite mild and no coat was needed. Today really felt like spring, after what has seemed a long, wet, dark winter

6m QRP FT8 (Tuesday)

 My 2.5W FT8  to the V2000 vertical omni antenna was turned on early this morning.

UPDATE 1555z: 16 stations have spotted me including IZ0GVZ (1357km).

10m 500uW WSPR beaconing

 As I was expecting today to be poor, I started beaconing at 500mW. Then I noticed that EA8FBK (2880km) was spotting me as strong as -2dB S/N, so I turned the beacon PA off at about 0945z and continued at just 500uW (0.5mW). At this tiny power he has spotted me twice by 1425z.

UPDATE 1920z:  EA8BFK has spotted me 21 times today when I was running just 500uW (0.5mW). It would seem EA8BFK is a single F2 hop, so he has the best chance. Please note that even though my WSPR beacon is pre-programmed to report 500mW as the power, it is actually 30dB lower (500uW) during these tests.

630m QRP WSPR getting worse

 Overnight I was spotted by just 8 stations which is the poorest this season. Not sure if this is conditions or whether increasing noise levels are making the detection of my 10mW ERP harder.

Sunspots - Tuesday March 26th

 Solar flux is 178 and the SSN 163. A=11 and K=2.

630m QRP WSPR (Monday)

My 10mW ERP WSPR from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground was turned on at about 2115z.  So far a few spots of me of which the best was by PA1LSB (326km). So far, no great DX.

Archetypal Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

This is a view beloved of visitors. It shows King's College Chapel from the lane in King's at springtime. 

We walk through here most Tuesdays. 

Daffodils were early.

6m QRP FT8 (Monday)

Today, I am on 6m QRP FT8 with 2.5W to the V2000 omni vertical antenna.

UPDATE 2122z:   21 stations have spotted me including a station in Norway and one in Germany. I am unsure of the propagation mode, as there was little propagation on 10m WSPR. Perhaps it was aircraft reflection?

QRO (well QRO for me!) 10m WSPR (Monday)

As conditions looked even more disturbed on HF, I decided to increase my power by 30dB on my 10m WSPR beacon. So, today I am trying with the PA on and 500mW for a change. 

UPDATE 1826z:  2 local stations spotted me.  Neither would have copied me at 500uW. There were just 2 DX stations.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

11 stations spotted my 10mW ERP overnight. No great DX but I think one was a new station in Germany.

Sunspots - Monday March 25th

Solar flux is 190 and the SSN 145. A=24 and K=2.

VLF RX loop

This was the RX VLF loop antenna I used for my earth-mode tests when I was fit. It was tuned to the RX frequency that was usually about 8-9kHz. The best orientation was with the loop  on the ground. The pre-amp in the blue box was tuned to the RX frequency.

As I recall, it was about 30 turns of 0.2mm PVC covered wire.

It is still in the back of the garage, I think. It is many years since I did any tests at VLF.

AA7EE

Dave is a real wizard at home construction.  The photo shows his version of GM3OXX's OXO QRP rig. 

It goes to show how neat "one off" constructions can be, even without a PCB. It is my view that PCBs are not needed for one off designs. 

Clearly this is different where many are to be made, such as for a club project. What is always a good idea is a solid ground plane with all RF constructions. Dave is a great fan of me squares. Stuck on a solid piece of PCB material a very neat construction is possible as Dave shows.

See https://aa7ee.wordpress.com/2024/03/22/the-gm3oxx-oxo-transmitter/.

See https://www.qrpme.com/?p=product&id=MES .

8m CEPT band?

Belgium and Eire have amateur allocations at 8m. Luxembourg may have one soon. South Africa has one.  I am unsure about Slovenia and Croatia.

In many countries we have the stupid situation where radio amateurs have to apply for, and pay, to do research and experimentation at 8m. 

The RSGB seems dead set against even a tiny allocation by NoV at 8m as does the FCC in the USA. 

Much like 6m was in the 1980s, I hope that national authorities see sense and allow radio amateurs to apply for 8m permits. What would be good is if CEPT allowed national authorities to permit amateurs access.

I am pretty sure OFCOM in the UK is parroting the RSGB line. 

Personally, I think radio amateurs could really contribute to radio science at 8m. We are not asking for much. Even an allocation just 5kHz wide only, digital only, low power, limited times, by application only, would be a start.

8m dipole

For several years, I have used this wire dipole antenna on 8m. I was considering a vertical this Es season, but my problem is erection.

Despite the low height of the dipole, it seems to work pretty well with my 2.5W FT8 reaching all over Europe, South Africa, the Caribbean, USA, Canada and the Middle East, and the Canaries. 

I doubt a vertical would be much different.

Not my shack!

 

This photo was on a Facebook group earlier. As I am sure you are aware, this is not my shack!

As well as the modern rig in the centre, there are some nice vintage rigs.

QRSS (very slow beaconing)

This is something I have never tried and I have no idea how it compares with WSPR or FT8.  The advantage is the signal (often real QRPP) may be viewed as a trace on a screen. and no real special software is needed, although I expect QRSS enthusiasts have their favourites.

I guess even non-licenced people can try this on ISM bands if permitted.

See https://swharden.com/qrss/plus/ 

8m FT8 (Sunday)

My 8m FT8 2.5W is currently on 40.680MHz (DF about 1950Hz), although I am not hopeful as conditions seem disturbed.

UPDATE 1709z:  No spots.

500uW (0.5mW) 10m WSPR (Sunday)

My QRPP 10m WSPR signal is on again, but I am not really expecting spots as conditions seem disturbed today. You never know!

UPDATE 1712z:  No spots all day.

Migrant birds - NOT amateur radio

As we move into British Summer Time (BST) I look forward to the arrival of migrant birds from Africa. Sand Martins are already in Devon. 

Chiffchaff

I have yet to hear a chiffchaff. Some chiffchaffs winter here and some migrate.  

Swallows are usually seen here in early April, but there are far fewer of these birds these days. Swifts are still common locally, but these are normally seen mid May.

Rape

Although many don't like the smell, when the rape comes out fields are carpeted in yellow and spring is truly here along with the blossom on trees and bushes.

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/chiffchaff .

Sunspots - Sunday March 24th

 Solar flux is 209 and the SSN 146. A=36 and K=4. I think conditions are disturbed.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

 

Another disappointing session with 11 spots and no great DX.

Lucy Fraser MP - NOT amateur radio

This morning Lucy Fraser MP (Minister for Media, Culture and Sport and a member of the UK Cabinet) held an open meeting in our village. Although I have never voted Conservative in a UK General Election, I went along. She is our local MP.

She came across as a woman of honesty and integrity, but as she turned up 5 minutes late for her own meeting and gave typical answers when asked, she has not got my vote and may have lost a few others too. Overall it re-enforced my view that we are ruled by a bunch (mainly) of enthusiastic amateurs.

In view of recent threats to MPs, I was quite surprised just to be able to walk in.

'Our’ windmill next door - NOT amateur radio

This was ‘our’ windmill next door this afternoon in the spring sunshine.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

Another disappointing session. 11 stations spotted my 10mW ERP and no great DX.

8m FT8 (Saturday)

 No spots of me today on 40.680MHz FT8, although I did spot ZR1ADI (9777km) in Western Cape, South Africa on FT8. It looks like Bernard VA2CYX was struggling to be copied across the Atlantic. He is thinking of going to FT8. If I try FT8 with ISM rules (10mW ERP) it is doubtful I would be copied on 8m. WSPR would be better, but there are fewer monitors.

UPDATE 1650z:   The good news is S50B is back on 8m with a vertical Sirio antenna. Borut had suffered antenna damage earlier.

UPDATE 2300z: No further spots.

10m QRPP WSPR (Saturday)

My 500uW 10m WSPR is on again, but no spots.

UPDATE 1640z:  No spots. 

Rallies this weekend

 The following rallies are due this weekend:

   Sunday March 24th - Dover ARC. See https://darc.online/rally

   Sunday March 24th - Ripon Rally Great Ouseburn, York,YO26 9RL.   See https://radars-g4sim.club.

Sunspots - Saturday March 23rd

 Solar flux is 198 and the SSN 171. A=11 and K=4.

630m QRP WSPR (Friday)

 My 10mW ERP 630m WSPR has been on of about 30 minutes. So far 5 stations have spotted me.

10m QRPP WSPR (Friday)

As I was spotted again yesterday with 500uW (0.5mW) WSPR, I am trying yet again today, although I am not too hopeful.

8m WSPR RX (Friday)

Once again, I am monitoring 8m WSPR hoping to spot the Canadian trying some tests. It is possible I may also copy some Irish and Belgian stations who were on 8m WSPR yesterday.

Brain functioning - NOT amateur radio

It is about 10.5 years since I had my stroke and these days I cannot tell what is as a result of this and what is just old age.

One thing I am aware of is what happens when I mishear words. Sometimes I think I hear something and my brain tries to make sense of it.

Another thing I am aware of is problems driving: everything seems to be much faster than it really is. I have experienced this for several years. Everything (to me) seems to be going about 20mph faster than it really is. Also when driving (or being driven) it is stressful as I am constantly on the lookout for hazards.

On an intellectual level, this is interesting. On a personal level it is hard.

Profits? - NOT amateur radio

Retailers are having a hard time. More of us are buying things online and we can expect our high streets to be very different in 10 years' time. 

This was at the entrance of a large food shop in Newmarket. I guess they are trying to get us to part with our money.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

Disappointing with just 11 spots of my 10mW ERP WSPR overnight. This is the poorest this season. Either people are trying something new, or conditions were poor. 

Sunspots - Friday March 22nd

 Solar flux is 127 and the SSN 141. A=27 and K=3.

More LF spectrum for amateur radio?

There is a very interesting piece on John EI7GL's blog about the demise of BBC Radio 4 on 198kHz long wave. 

Gradually, long wave AM broadcast stations are going. There are now very few radios covering LW broadcast bands. The present date for switch-off could be June 2025.

With so much LW spectrum becoming free, I wonder if amateur radio could get any?

2m UKAC (activity) contest in March

The results of this March contest have been released. 

In the low power section, I am about half way up the table. Only staying on for a fraction of the time because of my poor voice and omni antenna, this is quite pleasing. 

Not scientifically, my impression is there is reduced activity in this contest, whereas there seems to be increased activity in the FT8 activity test.

Near Salcombe - NOT amateur radio

Before I was 10, I lived in Salcombe, Devon. This is Starehole Bay, just south of the town.

Shetland Islands - NOT amateur radio

As you may recall, I enjoy 365project where people try to post a photo (totally for free) every day. One of my friends lives in the Shetland Is.. He often posts dramatic photos of landscapes as well as birds. This photo shows Lerwick, which is the capital of the Shetland Is. 

I have done 365project for over 10 years and it is great to look back!

630m QRP WSPR overnight

A disappointing period with just 13 spots of my 10mW ERP. Overall, I am very pleased with my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground that is almost invisible. As I have said before, neither my XYL or neighbours are even aware it is there! 

Just wish I could try it on 2200m.

My 10m 500uW (0.5mW) WSPR tests

My QRPP 10m WSPR tests continue today. At the moment, I seem to be spotted in the Canary Islands most days.

Continuing monitoring 8m WSPR

Today, I am continuing to monitor 40.680 MHz WSPR. My rig should be on during the daylight hours. Nothing at all was spotted on 8m WSPR yesterday. I am hoping to receive Bernard in Canada.

Sunspots - Thursday March 21st

 Solar flux is 176 and the SSN 120. A=4 and K=2.

630m QRP WSPR (Wednesday)

 Once again, I am on 630m WSPR with my 10mW ERP.   So far tonight I have been spotted by 5 stations with the furthermost just EI.

10m QRPP WSPR (Wednesday)

My 500uW (0.5mW) 10m WSPR beacon is on, but no spots.

UPDATE 1346z:   Much to my surprise, I was spotted at lunchtime again in the Canary Islands when I was running just 500uW (0.5mW). He must have a very quiet electrical environment.

630m WSPR overnight

 

In all, 16 stations spotted my 10mW ERP WSPR overnight withe the best LB1HI (1047km).

Lock-up - NOT amateur radio

Most villages had lock-ups where local villains could be locked-up. The one in the photo is at Swaffham Prior near Cambridge and also housed the local fire engine.

8m WSPR RX (Wednesday)

As a Canadian is doing some transatlantic 8m WSPR tests, I shall be on 40.680MHz WSPR RX for the next few days during the daytime.

UPDATE 1614z:  No spots. I notice there are no other WSPR 8m spots.

UPDATE 1652z: I am wondering about the next Es season on 8m. I was considering using 10mW ERP under ISM rules. FT8 might be a better mode, but is less sensitive. On the other hand the TX burst is only 15 seconds whereas WSPR needs almost 120 seconds, so FT8 would be better on short openings. Operating under ISM rules (certainly in the UK)  implies 10mW ERP and meeting IR2030, but is open to all without the need for a TX permit to beacon WSPR or FT8. I would expect 8m FT8 would be much harder than WSPR, but there might be more monitors? Last Es season I was running 2.5W, so I would be far weaker.  The difference is 24dB, so most of the time I would be far too weak to copy on FT8. Perhaps some local FT8 tests at 10mW ERP are called for?

Sunspots - Wednesday March 20th

 Solar flux is 169 and the SSN 123.  A=9 and K=1.

630m QRP WSPR (Tuesday)

So far, my 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground has been spotted by 10 stations with the furthermost EI0CF (602km).

Faroe Islands - NOT amateur radio

These islands are between The Shetland Is and Iceland. They are very remote. A friend on 365project recently posted this photo. 

Red legged partridge - NOT amateur radio

We used to see a lot of these in our garden, but it is a while since I have seen one. 

They can be very tame.

6m QRP FT8

This morning, I am again on 6m FT8 with my 2.5W to the vertical V2000  omni antenna, Mostly UK with some Scandinavian spots on 6m FT8 yesterday.

UPDATE 1646z: 12 spots of me (see map), all in England. 7 stations spotted here (England and Wales).

630m QRP WSPR overnight

 

Either conditions were poor or people are QSYing as only 13 spots of my 10mW ERP WSPR overnight.

10m QRPP WSPR

My WSPR beacon without the PA is on again with 500uW on 10m. Once again, I was spotted in the Canary Islands yesterday. 

My article on these 500uW (0.5mW) tests was in the April 2024 RadCom by the RSGB.

At 500uW (0.5mW) is far harder at the RX end than with 500mW (30dB weaker). I was surprised to get spots at all as many people have a high local noise levels which masks weak signals.

UPDATE 1644z:  No spots.

Sunspots - Tuesday March 19th

 Solar flux is 177 and the SSN 127.  A=6 and K=2.

Swaffham Prior - NOT amateur radio

This sleepy village near Cambridge has two windmills and two churches (in the same churchyard!) as well as some fine old buildings.

630m QRP WSPR overnight

14 stations spotted me overnight. Furthermost was Norway.

Cheerfulness - NOT amateur radio

 

These are on our patio. They smell great, but I notice one flower that should not be there!

Sunspots- Monday March 18th

Solar flux is 151 and the SSN 86. A=2 and K= 0.

630m QRP WSPR (Sunday)

 At about 1906z I QSYed to 630m WSPR with my 10mW ERP. I had been on 8m FT8.

Return to 8m QRP FT8

At the moment, I am on 8m QRP FT8. The antenna appears to be a bit too long and probably needs cutting a bit. I have put on a new PL259 plug.

UPDATE 1730z:   No spots.

EI7GL's blog

John's blog is always interesting. I note he has a fascinating report of a 23cm QSO in Australia by lightning scatter. The blog is always worth a read.

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/

Walk yesterday - NOT amateur radio

 

This is a collage of our walk around the village of Reach, near Cambridge, yesterday.

10m QRPP WSPR (Sunday)

My 500uW 10m WSPR is on again.

UPDATE 1050z:  Yet again my 500uW (0.5mW) WSPR has been spotted in the Canary Is.. A reminder that even though my beacon is pre-programmed to report 0.5W it is actually 0.5mW (30dB less) with the PA off in these tests. The station(s) at the RX end must have low noise floors!

UPDATE 1122z:  He has spotted me again. Now 2 spots of me today with 500uW (0.5mW) 10m WSPR. I guess this must be single hop F2.

UPDATE 1153z: The photos show Peter's site and antenna in the Canary Islands and my beacon which is about the size of a pack of cards and needs no PC.

UPDATE  1520z: For a third time today he has spotted my 500uW QRPP!