Ducks - NOT amateur radio

On a walk around the village yesterday we spotted these 2 ducks sleeping next to a car. I suspect they were just "chilling out" whilst they waited to be fed in someone's garden. Pretty sure these are semi-domesticated mallards. They certainly are a long way from wild mallards!

Sunspots - Sunday March 24th 2019

Solar flux is 79 today and the sunspot number 27. A=1 and K=0.

G3RJV (SK) - Mr QRP

Yesterday I received my Spring 2019 copy of SPRAT, the excellent GQRP quarterly magazine.

On the cover was a picture of G3RJV with fellow QRPers G3MFJ and G3VTT. This was taken in a care home and George G3RJV looked frail and thin, a shadow of his old self. The magazine was obviously prepared before he died.

G3RJV was an inspiration to me and many others. RIP George. We shall miss you, but carry on with QRP. You were a beacon to many of us.

472kHz WSPR

A few minutes ago I QSYed to 472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP, 20% TX, 80% RX). Even though the transverter crystal is still settling, I have already received a spot from G8LCO (58km).

Nest building time - NOT amateur radio

We get lots of pigeons these days. Earlier, I noticed a pair busy building a nest in our garden. This one is gathering twigs.

10m FT8 RX

Since 0837z, I have been on 10m FT8 RX.  No spots yet at 0941z.

UPDATE 1100z: Still no 10m spots today.

UPDATE 1403z: Just a couple of G spots so far today on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1618z: A disappointing day here so far with just 3 G spots all day. No DX and not even a European spotted. I must erect a better 10m antenna before the Es season, although the antenna I have would probably be fine for Es. If the minimum is really ending 10m could be quite a bit better by next spring.

Dad's benches - NOT amateur radio

My father died in 1987.

He retired from his job on the local water board in South Devon at 60 and then led a team of young people working for the National Trust mending the coastal footpaths. He loved his work and when he died the National Trust erected a couple of benches with plaques in his honour.

In WW2 he was a flight engineer in a Pathfinder squadron. Later I realised, too late, just how brave he must have been. He hated the war and the thought of killing innocent people. He rarely wanted to speak of those dark days. My biggest regret now is not being able to speak with him about how he felt.

Overnight on 160m FT8 RX

In a word "good".

21 North Americans spotted and 2 South Americans with HK3PJ (8482km) as best DX. In all, 515 stations spotted here on the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground in the last day on 160m FT8.

160m FT8 RX spots here in the last 24 hours

Sunspots - Saturday March 23rd 2019

Solar flux is 80, which is the highest it has been for ages and the SSN 27. A=1 and K=0

160m FT8 RX

For about 20 minutes I have been on 160m FT8 RX. Already, 90 stations spotted with best DX UB9XT (3147km).

UPDATE 2006z: Now 175 stations spotted with best DX 4F6FO (3964km).

UPDATE 2234z: Now 324 stations spotted this evening on 160m FT8 RX with the best DX spotted being R0SR (6425km) in Asiatic Russia.

160m FT8 RX this evening