EMF calculator (revised)

Southgate News reports that a new EMF calculator is now available from the RSGB.  If your EIRP is greater than 10W, you may have to use this.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2021/march/new-rsgb-emf-calculator-available.htm#.YFsX-yuTLrc .

Suez Canal blocked - NOT amateur radio

The BBC reports that a large container ship has run aground in strong winds and blocked the Suez Canal. This is vital artery for world trade. It is already caused major tailbacks. Imagine being in charge of steering this ship!

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-56505413 .

Spring - NOT amateur radio

Although we can definitely get bad weather still, it feels like a corner has been turned and spring has come as the photo shows. 

Daffodils are looking good in our village. 

The clocks change to British Summer Time (BST) this weekend. Next week it is lighter in the evenings and not dark until about 7.45pm local time. We change from "indoor mode" to "outdoor mode". Sadly, this means cutting the grass!

Overnight on 160m FT8

Stations spotted
last night on
160m FT8 RX 

Although I had another 160m FT8 QSO with 2.5W in the very early morning with a German, I was on 160m FT8 RX overnight. Again the antenna was the earth-electrode in the ground. 

272 stations spotted in 5 continents as the map shows. 

I was spotted by 47 stations across

Stations spotting
my 2.5W FT8
QRP last night 

Europe on QRP FT8 160m TX as the map shows. 

I remain amazed just how well this "antenna" works.  Considering nobody knows it is there, I cannot fault it.

UPDATE 1005z:  Back to daytime conditions! Nobody spotted in the last few hours.

Sunspots - Wednesday March 24th 2021

 Solar flux is 79 and the SSN 26.  A=11 and K=2.

Dad's seat - NOT amateur radio

When my dad first retired he got a job with the National Trust and was in charge of a team working on repairs to the coastal footpaths in South Devon. When he died they erected 2 seats on Bolberry Down in his memory. In the photo I am sitting on one of them some years ago. 

160m FT8 QRP (Tuesday)

At about 1330z I turned on my 160m FT8 QRP with 2.5W and the earth-electrode antenna in the ground. No spots yet. 

UPDATE 1708z:  Just 1 G - G3NSM (123km) has spotted my QRP TX and European DX is starting to come through on RX. So far, 7 stations spotted on RX.

More - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows what I think are storage batteries being erected near our electricity substation. 

Overnight on 160m FT8 QRP

Stations spotting my
160m FT8 2.5W

Once again I was on 160m FT8 with 2.5W and the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.  My signal was spotted by 32 stations with the furthermost being R7MA (2859km). The map shows where my 2.5W 160m FT8 was spotted last evening.

One QSO on 160m FT8 QRP with a German shortly before midnight. 

Just 268 stations spotted on 160m FT8 RX overnight in 5 continents. I do not use 160m often enough to know if this is conditions changing or just a bad night. 2 North Americans and 1 South American spotted.

UPDATE 1009z:  Back to daytime and just 1 G spotted!

Sunspots - Tuesday March 23rd 2021

 Solar flux is 80 and the SSN 23. A=8 and K=4.