2m FT8 QRP (Friday)

About an hour ago I QSYed to 2m FT8 QRP using 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. It is now 2022z and so far tonight 19 stations have spotted me and 1 QSO.

UPDATE 2145z:  2 QSOs and 25 spots of my QRP TX this evening in 4 countries with the furthermost EI2FG (565km). 36 stations spotted on RX.

UPDATE 2240z:  43 stations spotted on RX and 25 stations have spotted my QRP on TX. QRT soon.

Covid 19 humour - NOT amateur radio

 Well, it made me giggle.

Anglesey Abbey earlier - NOT amateur radio

This morning, we went for a walk around Anglesey Abbey. The snowdrops are mostly gone and the daffodils are coming. They will be at their best in about 2 weeks. 

Earth-mode VLF blog

On my old website I have a blog about my experiments many years ago with VLF "earth-mode"  communications using 5W. 

As the page is very old, I cannot guarantee links work. The links on the left of that page are very old especially and should not be used as this was my old website that is not maintained.

Earth-mode is a form of VLF experimentation that does not need high power or big antennas. It is at the frontier and is open to all. 

My understanding is no licences are needed for this form of communications based on conversations with OFCOM many years ago. This is not a legal statement, just my interpretation. 

For radiated VLF communications I think those in the UK need an NoV, whereas in many countries below 8.3kHz is a free for all. As very special techniques are needed for amateur VLF radiated reception, I think the chances of being intercepted are very small.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp/Home/earthmode . 

17m FT8 QRP (Friday)

It is now 1012z. For about 40 minutes I have been on 17m FT8 with 2.5W to the tiny indoor loop. So far, 30 stations spotted on RX and nobody has spotted me on TX.

UPDATE 1042z:  56 stations spotted on RX including the first today from South America on 17m FT8.

UPDATE 1454z: 145 stations spotted here on RX and 3 stations have spotted me on QRP TX on 17m FT8.

UPDATE 1832z:  169 stations spotted on RX and 5 stations have spotted my QRP TX.

Brain fog - NOT amateur radio

In the last year we have heard a lot about "Long Covid" and brain fog.

I have a lot of sympathy for sufferers as I have had brain fog for 7.5 years following my stroke. Every day, along with the near constant tiredness and giddiness, I have brain fog. 

It is like doing things in a near constant state of exhaustion and drunkenness. Things mental and physical that would have been easy years ago are now hard. Doing any amateur radio design and building is now incredibly taxing.

My best description is like being drunk all the time: it is hard to do even the simplest task. With willpower jobs gets done, eventually. As an example, I am trying to find an intermittent fault on my son's electric lawnmower. I have had this all winter, but have not felt the energy to undo the screws and take a look.

I have great sympathy for anyone with a hidden disability. Outwardly we look fine to the world whereas inwardly it is a totally different story: we do all in our power to seem fine, but we struggle.

We do not like to moan, but it is very hard when others think you are fine.

Cowfield NOT amateur radio

This meadow is owned by the village. Years ago there were cows in here that we heard every summer morning. This an ancient meadow with Roman remains (there was a Roman villa here) and the remains of a castle going back to King Stephen nearly 1000 years ago.

Sunspots - Friday March 5th 2021

Solar flux is 81 and the SSN 32. A=11 and K=2.

2m FT8 QRP (Thursday)

At about 2030z I went on 2m FT8 QRP with 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. At 2037z I had been spotted by 9 stations already.

Elecraft K1

Many years ago I had an Elecraft K1 4 band CW transceiver. This was about 5W output. It was sold some time ago.  In its day, it was quite a good rig, but I think Elecraft has stopped doing them. Although simple, FT8 now does a better job for me.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/k1. As this page is very old, I cannot guarantee links work still.