2m FT8

At about 0745z I started on 2m. After an unsuccessful call to a Dutch station and a brief period calling CQ (2.5W to the horizontal omni antenna) with 9 reports so far with my best being a spot by G4RRA (333km) in Devon, I have been RX only.

So far this evening, 20 stations spotted in 4 countries with best DX on 2m FT8 RX DL6YBF (471km).

Interesting that in just 45 minutes on 2m FT8 RX I have spotted more stations than all day on 10m FT8.

UPDATE 1955z: 21 stations spotted so far on 2m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2125z: 28 stations spotted so far on 2m FT8 RX this evening in just over 2 hours (see photo).

Anglesey Abbey - NOT amateur radio

We went for a walk here today, mainly to take some photos. Being the school holidays, it was very busy. If there were swallows about I thought I would see some at Anglesey Abbey, but we saw none.

Well trained? - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday I think I showed my son, who was staying with us for a few days, eating the breakfast he had cooked.  The photo shows him washing up afterwards.

It's usually my job, but he insisted I sat down. Usually at breakfast and just after I feel very giddy.

10m FT8 again

Yet again, I am on 10m FT8. At the moment, I am on RX only. So far this morning a couple of spots with best DX being DO9REF (526km). It is still very early.

UPDATE 1202z: Still no further 10m FT8 RX spots today.

UPDATE 1418z: Now 6 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today with best DX DJ1AA (660km).

UPDATE 1731z: Now 7 stations in 4 countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX  today. The distances make me think these may be aircraft reflections, although some might be Es.

Still waiting - NOT amateur radio

It is now April 17th and I have still not seen a swallow (migrant bird). There may have been a couple in the last few days flying over, but these were not definite identifications. Often, a few days after seeing the first I see plenty.

Sunspots - Wednesday April 17th 2019

Solar flux is 74 and the sunspot number 11. A=6and K=1.

Young me - NOT amateur radio

Today, I got sent a picture of me taken at school about 1965. In those days I had hair!

Oh to be that age again. I seem to have changed a lot since then. I think it was originally part of a school photo.

I seem to recall having the lapel badge as I was a librarian in the 5th year.

Notre Dame Paris - NOT amateur radio

The images of this world famous cathedral last night looked horrific and I was dreading seeing the photos this morning. Precious medieval ceilings and the spire have gone, but I was surprised just how much managed to survive. It will be rebuilt, although I may not be around to see it finished. Thick 850 year old walls stand some treatment!

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-47945465

Breakfast - NOT amateur radio

For the last few days we have had one of our sons and his family staying here. For that period he got breakfast. Normally, I do breakfasts. It was a real treat.

The photo shows him eating his breakfast today. They have now gone home.

10m FT8 again

Yet again I am on 10m FT8. An earlier CQ call (2.5W) got no spots, but I have spotted 6 stations so far with best DX IU0MBJ (1471km). I suspect this latter one is Es.

UPDATE 1226z: So far today 8 stations in 4 countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1820z: Now 10 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX.