Life goes on - NOT amateur radio

On our walk earlier we saw several buttercups in flower.

Walks - NOT amateur radio

Nearly every day in these strange days we try to do a walk. We have probably walked further than normal. Today we went on a walk of about 2 miles and saw very few people. We chose routes that avoided seeing many people.

10m WSPR TX

With my W5OLF 10m WSPR TX beacon and my tiny indoor loop, I am on 10m WSPR TX (500mW).  As yet, no spots received, although I am not too surprised. At least I can put out a signal on 10m.

It should be quite effective in the Es season, although this is a bit early. I am not sure how many people are still on 10m WSPR. When I tried WSPR on 80m I was quite surprised by the level of WSPR activity.

UPDATE 1503z:  Still no spots yet on 10m WSPR  TX .

UPDATE 1905z: Now QRT on 10m WSPR TX.  Still no spots all day.

2m FT8

Once again, I am on 2m FT8 (10W and the big-wheel omni). So far today (1145z) 20 stations in 3 countries have spotted me. Best is a spot again by GI6ATZ (479km). I am convinced this is some sort of scatter.

UPDATE 1225z:  22 spots of my 10W so far today.

UPDATE 1432z: Now spotted by 28 stations in 5 countries today.

Stations spotting me
on 2m FT8 today

UPDATE 2118z: 34 stations in 5 countries have spotted me today so far.

BBC weather forecasts - NOT amateur radio

From time to time, I have a moan about the BBC weather forecast. This morning,the BBC weather suggested a low chance of rain and light cloud and sun so we were going to do our health walk practising "social distancing". What did we get? Dark cloud, snow and rain! So we are still indoors.

As they say in the adverts, "if you want to know the weather in your area check the BBC weather app". Whatever the app says, probably the opposite applies!

Sunspots Sunday March 29th 2020

Solar flux is 69 and the sunspot number still 0. A=5 and K=0.

Daily walk - NOT amateur radio

In the current lock-down conditions,we are encouraged to do some exercise not too far from home. Of course, we are encouraged to follow "social distancing" and keep our distance from others.

So, we chose a 2.5 mile walk around the village keeping our distance from others and washing our hands on entry into the house. We avoided touching things. Strange times.

The photo shows some of the things on the walk.

Cheese scones - NOT amateur radio

In these strange lock-down times, I tried my hand at making some cheese scones this afternoon. This was a very simple recipe and my wife's verdict? Excellent. 

I have to admit they were better than I expected. More will have to be made!

2m FT8

My 2m FT8 is on TXing (10W to the big-wheel) every 15 seconds. Already 14 spots of me in 4 countries. My best spot is by EI3KD (583km).

UPDATE  1853z: In the last day 51 stations in 8 countries have spotted my 10W 2m FT8.

Stations spotting me in the
last day on 2m FT8 (10W)

UPDATE 2240z: Now spotted in 9 countries today.

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

Just now, I realised that I could use my 10m WSPR beacon on my tiny indoor loop continuously whilst going on 2m FT8 (10W) with another rig and the big-wheel. At this part of the solar cycle and outside of the main Es season, it would not surprise me to be copied by no-one! Still, it is ON and TXing. It changes frequency slightly every 2 minute cycle. I live in hope!

UPDATE 1900z:  No spots today. Now there's a surprise! I shall leave it on a little longer.

UPDATE 2005z: Now QRT on 10m WSPR.