Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 0. A=8 and K=2.
18 Feb 2021
17 Feb 2021
2m FT8 QRP (Wednesday)
At 1900z I QSYed to 2m FT8 using the usual 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. So far, 5 stations have spotted me and I have spotted nobody.
UPDATE 1930z: 7 stations have spotted me so far and the furthermost is GI6ATZ (479km) again. I have spotted 2 stations.
UPDATE 2312z: QRT.
Winter walk - NOT amateur radio
The snowdrops are great as are the aconites. Very few daffodils out.
Pancakes - NOT amateur radio
They were delicious. The daffodils were past their best and were thrown out tonight.
Burwell church - NOT amateur radio
We have a fine old church in our village. It is currently closed. Parts of it are 1000 years old. From the top of the tower the view is amazing. Years ago, I went regularly. My wife still attends, but not every week.
The video was made many years ago.
Antenna ideas
For many with small gardens or difficult neighbours, antennas can be a problem. The biggest antenna I have ever used is a CB halfwave. I have never used an HF beam. Despite this, I have worked QRP DXCC with 10W SSB. Most times I have used just a low wire dipole.
One "antenna" I have found useful is the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground. This has proved very effective on VLF, LF and MF. Only last evening I was copying Italy on it on 630m and the night before there were lots of stateside stations spotted on 160m FT8. An advantage is the XYL and neighbours do know even notice it is there at all!
Another possibility is to use the coax outer feeding maybe a VHF antenna via an ATU on the HF bands tuned against ground. Such antennas can be quite effective. OK against a beam on a tower this maybe an S-point or 2 down, but for the lack of neighbour hassle is a tall tower and big beam worth the fuss? This is a hobby after all. If you don't work DXCC entity 247 does it really matter? Get a life!!!
See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/antennas/earth-electrode-antennas .
Winter MF plans
Well, that was a non-happening!
One of my plans for now was an E-field probe in a tree for 137kHz and 472kHz RX. We had the tree lopped, but the E-field probe is not up. I replaced my earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground, but my 472kHz transverter does not work, so I am restricted to 472kHz RX only.
Maybe next winter, I shall have more luck!
10m FT8 QRP (Wednesday)
Since 0945z, I have been on 10m FT8 with 2.5W and the tiny indoor loop. No spots yet on RX or TX at 1047z.
UPDATE 1840z: No spots all day.
Trump friends - NOT amateur radio
Although ex-President Trump has gone from office, he still seems capable of turning on his (one time) friends. I am amazed that so many voted for him. To those of us outside the USA, he appears to hold grudges.
Transformation - NOT amateur radio
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