VHF NFD results

The results of the RSGB organised VHF NFD have been published and I see that I was 38th in the AL (low power) section. I even downloaded a certificate! I only really came on to give a few points.

Sunspots - Tuesday August 4th 2020

Solar flux is 73 and the SSN 23.  A=16 and K=4.

House Martins - NOT amateur radio

A year ago we were in Brittany and saw these nests above the bakers shop.

Article in RadCom

The photo shows the August edition of RadCom which has an article of mine on QRP.

See https://rsgb.org/

OFCOM consultation

More news about the upcoming auction of UK spectrum for 5G. See the OFCOM website for more information.

10m WSPR beacon (500mW to indoor loop)

Since about 0530z, I have been running my little 10m WSPR beacon. Apart from a couple of early spots by local Richard G4KPX (14km), no spots. There is certainly no early Es evident here today on 10m.

UPDATE 0923z: No Es here yet today.

UPDATE 1822z:  Just G4KPX spots today and no Es here.

6m FT8

Just before breakfast, my 6m FT8 kit was turned on. As usual, I am running 10W to the V2000 vertical omni antenna.

So far, just a G and GW copied on 6m FT8 RX and not a single spot on TX. I re-did a time re-sync just in case the internet had gone off and I had lost timing. It can happen. Very quiet so far today. Just now I restarted the PC too and did another time re-sync.

UPDATE 0920z:   Just UK spots today so far on 6m FT8 TX.

UPDATE 1823z:  8 spots of me today. Some late evidence of Es in the last hour or so.

8m tests

John EI7GL has news on his blog of 8m tests using FT8 with stations in Europe.

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/2020/08/ft8-experiment-on-40-mhz-1st-to-15th.html

Where we used to live - NOT amateur radio

We moved to our present home seven years ago. Recently I came across this aerial photo which shows where our old house was built when it was still a field.

Behind us was Spring Close meadow which has the remains of a Roman villa as well as the remains of Burwell Castle from the time of King Stephen about 1000 years ago.

Sunspots - Monday August 3rd 2020

Solar flux is 73 and the SSN 22.  A=9 and K=4.