Placemats - NOT amateur radio

Christmas 2017 I bought my wife some drinks mats showing the children and grandchildren. Last Christmas I bought some plate mats. She loves them. It proves that you don't have to spend a lot to make someone happy. 😊

10m FT8

Although I have been on 10m FT8 most of the daylight hours, it has been disappointing with just 3 stations spotted in 2 countries here so far. A CQ call (2.5W) earlier was spotted by no-one. After dark I think I'll QSY to 160m FT8.

UPDATE 1540z: EA7DT (1781km) now spotted.

Shack - April 2019

This is a view of the operating position in the G3XBM shack. As you can probably tell, I quite like QRP. Actually I like small things generally - small PCs, small houses, etc. Maybe I should operate with my hands tied behind my back!

Garden Room - NOT amateur radio

We are lucky to have 2 reception rooms. This room is very calming and a great place in which to just sit and read. We also use it as a dining room sometimes. The settee on the left also pulls out to make a double bed.

Amateur radio 71 years ago

Southgate News reports on an RSGB post on YouTube of a 1947 DF Hunt.

See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_LHb3wPAfE

Good night on 472kHz WSPR

For some unknown reason, last night was probably my best all season with 10 stations spotting my 10mW ERP including 2 Norwegians. I spotted 6 stations. I was quite surprised to see so many spotted me last night. The motto seems to be "don't give up too soon".

472kHz WSPR here overnight

Sunspots - Sunday April 7th 2019

Solar flux is 72 today and the SSN 0. A=7 and K=2.

472kHz WSPR

All evening I have been on 472kHz WSPR. At the moment as many stations are being copied here as are copying me, which is more typical of earlier in the season. Actually it is more usual for me to spot more stations than copy me.

Best DX here on RX currently is EA4GHB (1300km). I shall be on overnight again. Yet again I am using 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.  According to WSPRnet, there are only 2 UK stations on 472kHz TX, which is pathetic.

10m FT8

After (at last) spotting some "real" DX on 10m FT8 yesterday, I am again on 10m FT8 during the daylight hours. Initially I called CQ (2.5W), although I am now RX only. As yet, no spots given or received.

UPDATE 0916z: 2 G spots so far on 10m FT8 RX here. Best DX so far on 10m FT8 RX is G4HZW (212km).

UPDATE 1047z: Now an Italian and Sicilian spotted. Es? The map shows stations spotted on 10m FT8 in the last 24 hours.

UPDATE  1514z: With 21 stations in 7 EU countries I am wondering if we are seeing the real start of the Es season? Of course, it could be there are more stations active wanting to catch Es and these stations might be available outside the Es season if they were active.

472kHz last night

Again more stations spotted me than stations that I spotted. The best spot of my 10mW ERP was by DL0AO (865km). On RX LA8QV (1035km) was again the best spotted here.

Overnight on 472kHz WSPR here with

 the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.