22 Jul 2017
Grandchildren coming later, so less amateur radio
Our "London" grandchildren arrive after lunch. It means that amateur radio takes a back seat for a few days, although I can still go on 10m WSPR and 6m JT65 RX or beacon mode. My usual Monday night sked on 2m FM is out as one of them sleeps in the bedroom near my shack.
Sunspots - Saturday July 22nd 2017
Solar flux is 69 today and the sunspot number still zero. A=14 and K=2. Luckily there is good Es in Europe.
6m JT65
As it was busy with Es from all across Europe, I decided to stay RX only on 6m JT65 for now. Already I have spotted stations from all over Europe by Es. At the moment, this is the best day this year for 6m Es. At the moment I have not spotted any stations beyond Europe on 6m.
UPDATE 0924z: XT3TCD (4423km) in West Africa has been spotted. This station has been spotted by others so is not a false decode. Of course, it could be a pirate! It is possible by Es.
UPDATE 0924z: XT3TCD (4423km) in West Africa has been spotted. This station has been spotted by others so is not a false decode. Of course, it could be a pirate! It is possible by Es.
10m WSPR TX - early Es
As usual , I turned on my 10m WSPR beacon (500mW) just before breakfast. It is now only 0845z and already I have had 10 unique reports, mostly Es. This is very early.
UPDATE 1108z: The photo shows the spots received for my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon so far today.
UPDATE 1357z: Been spotted again by SP9LJE (1261km). On all his reports (not others) the drift is bad. I presume this must be his end.
UPDATE 1108z: The photo shows the spots received for my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon so far today.
UPDATE 1357z: Been spotted again by SP9LJE (1261km). On all his reports (not others) the drift is bad. I presume this must be his end.
21 Jul 2017
Blackberries - NOT amateur radio
No, not the personal organisers, I'm talking about fruit.
There is a wild blackberry bush just outside our garden. When they come to stay these next few days, our "London" grandchildren will really enjoy picking the ripe ones and eating them. These are wild fruits and they taste delicious.
"Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness" - well almost!
"Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness" - well almost!
Swifts - NOT amateur radio
This morning I saw no swifts. Usually in August you just realise they are not there any more. Screaming swifts in the skies are part of a UK summer. It saddens me when they go, but they will be back next year.
See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bird-and-wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/s/swift/
UPDATE 1530z: Spotted a few swifts lunchtime.
See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bird-and-wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/s/swift/
UPDATE 1530z: Spotted a few swifts lunchtime.
Rally on Sunday
23 JULY 2017 : FINNINGLEY AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY RALLY
The Hurst Communications Centre, Belton Road, Sandtoft, Doncaster DN8 5SX. Doors open 10:30am. Free parking. Massive indoor /outdoor trader's area. Hot food and drinks all day. Major traders and club stalls - microwave components to QRP kits. All on one level. Admission £3. Contact Kevin G3AAF Mob: 07831 614640 - email Kevin@avery03.fsnet.co.uk
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/
The Hurst Communications Centre, Belton Road, Sandtoft, Doncaster DN8 5SX. Doors open 10:30am. Free parking. Massive indoor /outdoor trader's area. Hot food and drinks all day. Major traders and club stalls - microwave components to QRP kits. All on one level. Admission £3. Contact Kevin G3AAF Mob: 07831 614640 - email Kevin@avery03.fsnet.co.uk
A list of rallies can be found at http://rsgb.org/main/news/
10m WSPR TX
Although I am beaconing (500mW) TX on 10m WSPR, nothing reported today so far.
UPDATE 1130z: No spots still.
UPDATE 1838z: Well it was a long time coming but SP9LJE (1261km) has spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon a few times this evening.
UPDATE 1130z: No spots still.
UPDATE 1838z: Well it was a long time coming but SP9LJE (1261km) has spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon a few times this evening.
6m JT65 RX
I stayed on 6m JT65 overnight. In the last 12 hours just Gs and near continent, possibly by aircraft reflection or tropo. No Es seen here yet on 6m.
UPDATE 0930z: Another station in Puerto Rico was spotted here late last evening. WP4G (6800km) was spotted on 6m JT65. So, a couple of Caribbean stations spotted.
UPDATE 1112z: I keep getting what I assume are false decodes which appear as a station in Algeria in the middle of the Sahara Desert! As he was spotted by no-one else, I am ignoring these.
UPDATE 1840z: As it seemed very quiet I went on 6m JT65 TX (1W ERP) and was spotted in Southern Europe. There is (at last) some Es on 6m here.
UPDATE 0930z: Another station in Puerto Rico was spotted here late last evening. WP4G (6800km) was spotted on 6m JT65. So, a couple of Caribbean stations spotted.
UPDATE 1112z: I keep getting what I assume are false decodes which appear as a station in Algeria in the middle of the Sahara Desert! As he was spotted by no-one else, I am ignoring these.
UPDATE 1840z: As it seemed very quiet I went on 6m JT65 TX (1W ERP) and was spotted in Southern Europe. There is (at last) some Es on 6m here.
Stroke update - NOT amateur radio
Some are interested to know how I am progressing since my stroke in September 2013.
Well, things are much the same: I still feel very tired (no, exhausted) after quite brief physical or mental exertion - normally this is after about 15-20 minutes. My voice is poor.
I am able to drive, but I estimate it is now about 5 times harder. I also drive slower as 50mph seems like 70 mph. It is as if my brain takes longer to process things. Also, subtitles seem to change too fast and I find it hard to keep up.
Although most foods are fine, I take an age with drinks, especially tea and coffee. For some reason cold drinks are easier.
Daft things are I find spelling harder, my writing is poor now and I feel tired much of the time. I think I get more anxious too.
Outwardly, I look "well". Others do not realise that life is a real struggle most of the time.
Overall, I find it hard to see improvements now. In most ways I feel like I did a year ago.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/stroke
Well, things are much the same: I still feel very tired (no, exhausted) after quite brief physical or mental exertion - normally this is after about 15-20 minutes. My voice is poor.
I am able to drive, but I estimate it is now about 5 times harder. I also drive slower as 50mph seems like 70 mph. It is as if my brain takes longer to process things. Also, subtitles seem to change too fast and I find it hard to keep up.
Although most foods are fine, I take an age with drinks, especially tea and coffee. For some reason cold drinks are easier.
Daft things are I find spelling harder, my writing is poor now and I feel tired much of the time. I think I get more anxious too.
Outwardly, I look "well". Others do not realise that life is a real struggle most of the time.
Overall, I find it hard to see improvements now. In most ways I feel like I did a year ago.
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/stroke
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