Facebook memory - PW

7 years ago there was a review of mine in Practical Wireless. It was quite a surprise to see my bald head and garden on the cover!  Since then PW has changed owners.

See https://www.warnersgroup.co.uk/hobbies-crafts/practical-wireless/

Wicken windmill

The photo shows the windmill in Wicken village. We went for a walk around the village recently.

Sunspots - Sunday August 2nd 2020

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 22.  A=3 and K=1.

Busier Oscar 100

Just a few moments ago I took a peak at the narrowband section of Oscar 100, the geosynchronous satellite. Last time I looked it was exceptionally quiet. Today, at a weekend, there were 7 QSOs going on which is typical of the last year.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/

Patio rose - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows one of the roses on our patio earlier. My wife took the shot.

10m WSPR TX (500mW to the indoor loop)

The 10m WSPR beacon was turned on at about 0843z. So far, nobody has spotted me.

UPDATE 1149z: 4 stations have spotted me so far today as the table shows.

UPDATE 2007z:  5 stations spotted me today. Now QRT.

6m FT8 (10W and the V2000 vertical omni)

At about 0842z, I turned on the usual 6m FT8 gear. So far, at 0846z, just one G has spotted me.

UPDATE 0900z: Just 2 spots by Gs of me, with no signs yet of any Es. 1 G spotted on RX. No QSOs.

UPDATE 2007z :  QRT.

Short-term Aims? - NOT amateur radio

Perhaps this is a natural feature of old age? I seem to have aims that are more short-term these days. Perhaps I am more aware of the finality of life than I was and every day is a gift to be enjoyed. Life is never perfect or easy, but there is so much to be thankful for.

International Short Wave League (ISWL)

For two periods I was an ISWL member. When I first joined in the 1960s it was a thriving club. I rejoined many years later but then must have had far fewer members. These days it must be struggling unless it has had an influx of new members, that I doubt. In its day it served a real purpose.

Sunspots - Saturday August 1st 2020

Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 23.  A=4 and K=0. Past the minimum?