Sunspots - Saturday January 30th 2021

 Solar flux is 76 and the SSN 0. A=3 and K=1.

2m FT8 QRP (Friday)

At 1835z I QSYed to 2m FT8 QRP with 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. 7 G spots so far of my 2.5W QRP on TX. 4 spots in 3 countries so far on 2m FT8 RX with the furthermost being DL6YBF (410km).

UPDATE 2220z:  12 stations have spotted me on 2m FT8  TX. Now QRT.

481THz optical beacon

 

One of my Facebook memories today was this photo of my 481THz optical beacon. This was made in 2012 I think. 

I still have it and hope to use it again. It uses a K1EL keyer to produce either CW or QRSS. My first test is likely to be some sort of reflection test, possibly off trees.

It seems I like to experiment at the extreme ends of the spectrum, HI.  Either VLF (sub 9kHz) or optical comms (481THz)!

Winter walk - NOT amateur radio

Stirrings. 

On a winter walk, these aconites are coming into flower. There are a few daffodils on the way, but few out yet.

17m FT8 QRP (Friday)

It is now 1216z.  For a few minutes I have been on 17m FT8 QRP with the FT817ND (2.5W) and the tiny indoor loop. So far today I have spotted 10 stations on RX and 2 stations have spotted me on QRP TX in southern Spain. I am amazed that anyone spots me on 17m with such low power and such a tiny antenna!

Covid-19 injection - NOT amateur radio

We just went to a nearby town for our first AstraZeneca Covid-19 injection. They were very well organised with loads of people helping at every stage. The injection itself was totally painless. Within 3 weeks the immunity should build.

Another CDARC Zoom talk

The Cambridge radio club has another Zoom talk at 2000z tonight. These have all been excellent. 

Tonight's talk is on "Operating from South Atlantic Islands" by Martin G3ZAY.  I think he writes the HF column in RadCom, the RSGB magazine.

I have been pleasantly surprised how effective these talks are. We can all see each other and most sessions have at least as many people as a face-to-face meeting, with the added advantage that those people far away can still take part.

Some months ago we had a quiz with a club in N.Ireland and we have had members in Canada and Germany at times.

Details of CDARC are on the website.  See http://www.cdarc.org.uk/ .

8m band?

 Although 8m is allocated in EI and a very few other countries, some in other countries have asked for special permission to TX on this band. 

I have lost touch who has permission. This allocation between 10m and 6m would be especially useful for Es and MS.

It may be some years before this is more generally allocated (if ever), but I expect more keen amateurs will seek special permits to TX, maybe for a limited time, with limited power, on spot frequencies on a non-interference basis i.e. as long as you don't cause trouble, you can proceed.

Haircut time - NOT amateur radio

Yesterday, we had our silver birch tree trimmed. It was getting very tall. 

It should rapidly regrow, although we hope slowly! 

2m FT8 QRP (Thursday evening)

Stations spotting my 2m FT8
QRP Thursday evening

Last evening I was again on 2m FT8 with my 2.5W and big-wheel. 

9 stations in 5 countries spotted me and I had 1 QSO.  Yet again, I was copied in EI and GI.