Sunny walk - NOT amateur radio

This morning it was very cold and crisp with a stiff northerly breeze. 

We did a walk around the village. The boat in the photo was seen at one point. You can just see the 2 ducks.

Often on this walk we see Muntjac deer, but none today.

Croatian 60m 100mW beacon

This may be worth listening for.   9A5ADI/B is a beacon on 5288.8MHz sending 100mW CW from Croatia (JN95).

2m FT8 QRP overnight and daytime December 24th

By accident, I left my 2m FT8 QRP station running overnight. I meant to turn it off. No more spots since last night of my QRP signal.  Staying on overnight is not worth it.  When we go for a walk shortly, I shall be RX only on 2m FT8. As usual, still using 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna.

UPDATE 1520z:  Since before lunch I have been on TX as well as RX. So far today I have been spotted by 14 stations with the furthermost being a spot by DF0MU (475km). If you want DX at any time, try 2m FT8.  Interestingly, 13 stations in just 2 countries spotted on 2m FT8 RX. I get the impression more people are monitoring and not transmitting.

Birthday breakfast yesterday - NOT amateur radio

As reported, my birthday was yesterday. The photo shows me having breakfast yesterday.

It was a cooked breakfast with fruit.

Austria gets 60m and 630m

Southgate News reports that Austrian amateurs will have access to these bands.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2020/december/austria-receives-60m-and-630m-christmas-present.htm#.X-RRHNGTLrc

Sunspots - Thursday December 24th 2020

Solar flux is 86 and the SSN 27. A=12 and K=3.

2m FT8 QRP (Wednesday)

As 15m has been quiet for a while I QSYed to 2m FT8 QRP at 1800z using the usual 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna.  At the moment (1805z) 4 stations have spotted me on TX and I have spotted nobody yet on RX.

UPDATE 1945z: 7 stations in 2 countries have spotted my QRP on TX and I have spotted 3 stations in 2 countries on RX.

15m FT8

It is now 1005z and I have just turned on 15m FT8 RX. So far,  5 stations spotted on RX with the indoor loop and FT817ND.

UPDATE 1207z:  37 stations spotted so far with the furthermost 9K2OW (4639km) in Kuwait.

UPDATE 1352z: 76 stations in 5 continents spotted so far on 15m FT8 RX today. Furthermost is HC1DAZ (9256km) in South America.

UPDATE 1651z:  Now 136 stations spotted.

Birthday - NOT amateur radio

Today is my birthday. Unlike previous years, this will be very quiet. 

The photo shows me opening my present from our younger son.

Sunspots - Wednesday December 23rd 2020

 Solar flux is 86 and the SSN 11. A=12 and K=3.