10m 200mW WSPR (Friday)

 My beacon was turned on at about 1520z.

UPDATE 1547z: Spotted by 4 stations.

10m 1W FT8 (Friday)

My gear was turned on mid-morning.

UPDATE 1234z:  49 stations have spotted me with the furthest a station in Columbia, South America.

UPDATE 1550z:  109 stations have spotted me.

Sunspots - Friday January 9th

 Solar flux is 140 and the SSN 95. A=14 and K=3.

Hunkering down

We have yet to feel the impact of Storm Goretti in this part of  the UK, but it is miserable - real January UK weather. Basically wet, dull and cold. Time to hunker in front of the fire.

10m 1W FT8 (Thursday)

My gear was turned on at about 0935z.

UPDATE 1413z:  202 spots of me so far. See map.

UPDATE 2200z: 297 stations have spotted me. Now QRT.

Last of the snow

On Tuesday night we had rain and almost all the snow went. 

There is just one very small patch left on Thursday morning outside the garage.

Sunspots - Thursday January 8th

 Solar flux is 135 and the SSN 118. A=4 and K=3.

6m 5W FT8 (Wednesday)

 My gear was turned on at 1111z.

UPDATE 1510z:  So far, spotted by 12 stations in 4 countries.

10m 500mW WSPR (Wednesday)

My beacon was turned on at 1110z.

UPDATE 1616z:  So far, spotted by 11 stations. See table.

6m 5W FT8 yesterday

Yesterday was good on 6m FT8, with lots of Europeans spotting my FT8. I am not sure of the propagation, but often there is a small peak in Es around now. Don't ask me why as I don't know! I use 5W to the V2000 vertical omni via CB coax.

Snowy garden

We have now had snow on the ground for several days, which is unusual. After overnight rain it's mostly gone.

2m operation

Last evening was the activity contest on 2m.  Having worked a couple of stations I stopped because of my poor voice and low ERP (10W pep to the big-wheel omni).

For a very short time I decided to switch to FT8. With just a few TX bursts I was copied internationally.  See map.

I think ERP helps on 2m SSB.

Sunspots - Wednesday January 7th

 Solar flux is 145 and the SSN 99. A=4 and K=1.

SOTA/POTA endfed tuner kit

Many people enjoy operating from mountain tops or parks. This EFHW tuner may be useful.

See https://www.qrpkits.com/efhw.html

It's no good - I know you've been here!

Unusually, we have had snow for a few days and a very cold start to the year. 

This bird was hunting for some food. 

I doubt it had ever seen snow before. 

These days it is unusual to get snow on the ground. In fact it is about 7 years since we had snow like this. Many winters pass without much snow at all.

10m 500mW WSPR (Tuesday)

My beacon was turned on at about 1005z.

UPDATE 1220z:  6 stations have spotted me. See map from WSPRRocks by Phil VK7JJ.

6m 5W FT8 (Tuesday)

 My gear was turned on at about 1005z.

UPDATE 1012z: So far, 4 English spots of  me.

Snowy close

This year has started cold but sunny. Yesterday we had our first snow.

This was the view from our lounge window.

Sunspots - Tuesday January 6th

 Solar flux is 154 and the SSN 91. A=14 and K=0.

The world of the bullies

It is clear now that the rules of international law have been replaced by the world of power and dominance.  

It is basically the rules of the jungle as those with power fight over resources. This is a major shift in the way the world operates.

If you are a minnow be prepared to be bullied by those with might. Sad.