Better times? - NOT amateur radio

We live a few miles from Cambridge.  In normal times it is busy with university students and visitors from all over the world. The photo shows some of the bikes in normal times. Hopefully these days (after Covid-19) will return. 

When you can't have normal, you realise how important this was. We haven't been in to Cambridge since last summer! We used to go every week.

8m band permits?

We are about to enter the Es season in the Northern Hemisphere. Many are wondering about special permits for spot frequencies at 8m. There are a few countries with access but more would be good. 

17m FT8 QRP (Saturday)

At about 1000z, I turned on my 17m FT8 gear with 2.5W and the tiny indoor loop. It is 1016z and so far 5 stations have already spotted me on TX and I have spotted 34 stations already on 17m FT8 RX including South America - PY1KS (9366km). 

UPDATE 1024z: 50 stations spotted on RX.

UPDATE 1530z: 312 stations spotted on RX and 16 stations have spotted my QRP on TX.

Stations spotting
my QRP TX today

UPDATE 1650z: 345 stations spotted on RX and 17 stations have spotted my QRP on TX.

Stations spotted
on RX today

UPDATE 2139z: 369 stations spotted today on RX. 19 stations spotted my QRP FT8 today on TX. Now QRT.  I am totally amazed how many stations spotted my QRP today considering how tiny the indoor loop is. I have still to try thicker wire for the loop, which should improve results still further.

Quy - NOT amateur radio

One of our favourite places is the walk down to the lake at nearby Stow-cum-Quy. It is a delightful spot about 6 miles away be car.

Virtual expo

This weekend there is a virtual expo. There are lots of presentations that might be of interest to you.

See https://www.qsotodayhamexpo.com/

Optical communications

Many years ago I did some experiments with optical communications over the horizon (NLOS). See the photo. This appeared as a FB memory today. 

Sunspots - Saturday March 13th 2021

Solar flux is 77 and the SSN 15.  A=12 and K=4.

Smaller? - NOT amateur radio

Today we bought some compost from a local hardware store. 

My wife bought me a Mars chocolate bar. It says 51g. To me it seems far smaller than I remember. Is this the way they are charging us the same, but actually selling less? 

Pot of gold? - NOT amateur radio

This was the view down our close yesterday. No gold found!! 

Walkies - NOT amateur radio

This afternoon we did a walk around Anglesey Abbey. The daffodils will be at their best in about 1 - 2 weeks.

The photo shows one spot where they are out.