Botanic Garden - NOT amateur radio

Late last week, we visited the Orchid Festival at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden. There were lots of daffodils out. These are everywhere now, although just a few weeks ago most were still in bud.

See http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/Botanic/Home.aspx  .

10m FT8 RX

Since breakfast, I have been on 10m FT8 RX. Although I was not really expecting much, I have spotted a couple of stations already. Best DX so far is DG5HR (719km) near Lubeck.

UPDATE  1050z: PD1FER (322km) spotted. I suspect all spots so far have been by aircraft reflection. A few moments ago, I tried a brief CQ call, but my 2.5W was not spotted.

UPDATE 1134z: G0JSV (54km) spotted. G4GJR (73km) spotted. DK4RL (886km) spotted.

UPDATE 1415z: So far, 12 unique stations in 6 EU countries on 10m FT8 today.

UPDATE 1630z: Now 13 unique EUs in 7 countries.

SPAM

Earlier today, I noticed a spam posting in a post comment that "got through". It bore no relevance to the post, so was deleted as soon as it was spotted.

This is my policy. I welcome relevant comments, but spam will be deleted as soon as spotted. If you spot anything you believe is spam, just let me know, so I can take the steps necessary.

As a general policy never click a link you are not sure about. This is basic internet security. Although I do all in my power to prevent harm, I am not infallible. Caveat emptor.

Sunspots - Sunday March 11th 2018

Solar flux is 68 today and the sunspot number zero still. A=12 and K=2.

QRP HF

At one time the Yaesu FT817 led the way.

These days there are lots of good QRP rigs available such as the KX2 and KX3 and the uBITX kits, as well as many others. The FT818 really looks pathetic by comparison.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/ft817 . This page is mainly about the FT817, but it also looks at the FT818.

See also http://www.hfsignals.com/ .

Cambridge Posters - NOT amateur radio

All around the city you can see posters. These were in Bene't St. The yellow one is advertising my wife's concert on April 7th. In the background is Old School Lane, the site of the original Cavendish Laboratories, where many a Nobel Prize was won. The world famous Kings College Chapel is about 300m away.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bene%27t_Street .

2m FT8 RX (this is getting too easy!)

Yet again, I am monitoring 2m FT8 RX on 144.174MHz. 31 unique stations in 7 countries spotted so far today.  Best DX spotted is DK2DTF (644km).

UPDATE 1242z: 35 uniques in 7 countries so far today.

UPDATE 1526z: 42 uniques in 8 countries on 2m FT8 RX so far today. When I was briefly on TX (2.5W) this morning, 3 stations spotted me including GW6TEO (371km).

UPDATE 1604z: In the last 15 minutes I briefly transmitted with 2.5W to my big-wheel antenna. I got reports from as far away as Devon. In just the last 2 hours 22 uniques in 5 countries spotted.

Sunspots - Saturday March 10th 2018

Solar flux is 67 today and the sunspot number zero. A=12 and K=4.

MLS "something for the weekend" deals

Every weekend, MLS offers discounts. If you are intent on buying one of the items listed, it is worth checking these deals.

See https://www.hamradio.co.uk/ .

Useful Website

Steve, G1KQH has sent me a link, which has a lot of useful links.

See http://www.solorb.com/elect/