Valves

Facebook regularly shows memories of years past. One popped up yesterday showing a CW valve TX that G6ALB build some years ago.

He did not feel confident on the key, so I operated.

On 15m this little 400mW rig got a response to the very first CQ call from a W. We nearly all fell off our seats.

I have to confess that I have never built a valve rig. Andrew G6ALB keeps trying to persuade me.

Autumn - NOT amateur radio

Well, I am not sure where the time is going. Already we are getting strong winds and there is definitely a chill in the air as we enter autumn.

Leaves have started to gather on the lawns. Blink and the days will be getting lighter. In the meantime let us all enjoy the now. Every season brings its own beauty.

Sunspots - Monday October 2nd 2017

Solar flux is 84 today and the sunspot number 34. A=11 and K=4.

630m WSPR RX overnight

Not a bad night with 10 unique spots and best DX LA8AV (1035km).

QSYed to 630m WSPR RX

As of about 10 minutes ago I have gone QRT on 10m and 6m. I am now on 630m WSPR RX. It is quite early and no-one spotted as yet.

UPDATE 1956z: 4 spots so far with LA8AV (1035km) as the best DX so far tonight.

IARU Region 1 Conference

Southgate News reports on the IARU Region 1 Conference in Germany last month. Sadly, the link does not work, so I have added it here. A reminder that the next WRC meeting is in 2019, so lobby your national society now.

See https://www.iaru-r1.org/index.php/downloads/func-startdown/977/

Chesterfield - NOT amateur radio

On the train to Liverpool last week, we went through Chesterfield, Derbyshire with its crooked church spire. This is clearly visible from the train.  just on the south side of the station.

I think the timbers warped after it was erected.

It makes quite a talking point. I don't think any other UK church has such a spire.

10m WSPR TX (500mW) and 6m FT8 RX

Since before breakfast I have been on these bands/modes.

Nothing spotted yet on 6m, but I see my little 10m WSPR beacon (500mW) was copied by G4KPX (14km) and IU1DZZ (973km) earlier. This beacon is totally stand-alone (does not need a PC) and is smaller than a pack of cards. It has been copied on every continent including Antarctica and Australia. Amazing.

UPDATE 1050z: M0SSK (75km) was the first station spotted on 6m FT8 today.

UPDATE 1246z: G1IDZ (182km) was the second station spotted on 6m FT8 earlier today.

UPDATE 1628z: PA5WT (294km) is the best spot today on 6m FT8. No further 10m WSPR spots since early this morning.

Sunspots - Sunday October 1st 2017

Solar flux is 88 today and the sunspot number 39. A=16 and K=3.

630m WSPR RX overnight

Not a bad night with 7 unique stations spotted with best DX being LA8AV (1035km). DH5RAE (995km) was spotted for the first time this season, I think.