Mending 472kHz transverter

Late last winter I think I managed to destroy the PA MOSFET in my 472kHz transverter. I must have had a very poor match for a very long time! Mending this is a job for the weeks ahead. In the past this has been mainly used for WSPR. 

Son and children - NOT amateur radio

The recent photo shows one of our sons with his children. 

Sunspots -Tuesday October 20th 2020

 Solar flux is 75 and the SSN 12.  A=6 and K=2.

Tuesday on 2m FT8 (2.5W and big-wheel omni antenna)

It is now 0750z.  About 10 minutes ago, the 2m FT8 gear was turned on. Already 4 stations have spotted me today.

Primroses - NOT amateur radio

About now we plant primroses to give us winter colour in the garden. These were bought from a nursery in the village. They look healthy. 

2m FT8 QRP - Monday

At 0822z, my 2m FT8 was turned on. Once again I am using 2.5W to the big-wheel omni antenna. 1 station in Germany spotted on RX and at 0950z, my signal had been spotted by 10 stations in 3 countries with the furthermost being G7RAU (461km) in Cornwall. No QSOs yet.

UPDATE 1250z:   12 stations have spotted me today.

Stations spotting
me to 1550z

UPDATE 1550z:   18 stations have spotted me today so far.

UPDATE 2145z: QRT. In all 25 stations spotted my 2m FT8 QRP. Furtermost was GI6ATZ. 

Lesotho - NOT amateur radio

Ten years ago we were in South Africa and went to Lesotho. It was an eye opener. 

Sunspots - Monday October 19th 2020.

 Solar flux is 76 and the SSN 28. A=3 and K=1

Dad's seat - NOT amateur radio

My dad died in 1987. In his last years he ran a job creation scheme for the National Trust and in his memory they erected 2 seats on Bolberry Down in South Devon. The photo shows my brother on one today before lunch. 

Front garden in autumn - NOT amateur radio

It seems the long summer days and warmth are over as we move into autumn. In the front garden, one of our rowan trees has lost lots of leaves and in the back garden the trees will soon be bare again.

Things seem to have suddenly changed.