Steam Locos - NOT amateur radio

This photo was taken 7 years ago at Minehead in Somerset. They have perhaps one of the very best collections of steam locos in the UK here.

472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP)

Boyed by the successes of previous nights, I expect to QSY to 472kHz WSPR shortly from 10m FT8 RX. I shall probably give 10m FT8 a bit longer, just in case these is a late opening to South America.  By 2005z I should be active on 472kHz WSPR. As on previous evenings I shall be using 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

End-fed longwire antennas

These end-fed antennas are quite popular, but a 9:1 transformer is usually needed to bring the impedance down to levels that a typical rig's ATU can match. Often less than 3:1 VSWR can be obtained on all HF bands with such a transformer, so a rig's internal ATU can usually bring this down to 1:1.

See https://pa3i.jouwweb.nl/antenne

Mildenhall Museum - NOT amateur radio

This is a small, local museum with free entry that is manned by volunteers.

For some reason our "London" grandchildren love going there. The photo shows one of our granddaughters there over the Easter weekend.

Return to 10m FT8

At about 0845z today I returned to 10m FT8. Initially, I am calling CQ (2.5W) although shortly I shall be RX only.

UPDATE 0923z: No spots of my CQ, but I have spotted 3 stations in eastern Europe, presumably by Es.

UPDATE 1206z: Now 7 stations in 5 countries spotted so far today on 10m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 1635z: Now 13 stations in 7 EU countries spotted on 10m FT8 RX today.

UPDATE 1822z: 15 stations in 8 EU countries spotted today on 10m FT8 RX. I shall probably stay on 10m FT8 for another hour, then QSY to 472kHz (630m) WSPR overnight.

The map shows the stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX to 1825z..

472kHz WSPR overnight

Although the real DX "season" on 472kHz is over, I remained on the band overnight using 10mW ERP from my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.  The activity on the band as seen here (on WSPR) is shown in the table.

Parkinson's hope? - NOT amateur radio

Parkinson's disease can be debilitating. New research has given some hope to sufferers.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-47803496

Tender moment - NOT amateur radio

This is a real Easter picture!

It shows one of my grandsons holding a lamb. I think you will agree that it is a very tender moment. You can almost sense the love and gentleness in his eyes.

Sunspots - Tuesday April 23rd 2019

Solar flux is 68 and the sunspot number 0.  A=4 and K=1.

472kHz WSPR (10mW ERP)

Although it is late in the season, I decided to try 472kHz WSPR with 10mW ERP from the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. As usual, I am on TX 20% and RX 80% of the time. So far, a couple of G spots received of my 10mW ERP. No spots of others yet.

UPDATE 2022z:  6 spots of my QRPP so far this evening with my best spot being by PA0O (440km). Only a couple of stations spotted here so far.