Sunspots - Thursday March 25th 2021

Solar flux is 84 and the SSN 26.   A=10 and K=4.

472kHz WSPR RX

At 1844z, I QSYed to 472kHz (630m) WSPR RX. Once again, I am using the FT817ND and the earth-electrode "antenna" in the ground.

UPDATE 2211z:  G0MRF has been a huge signal this evening. Furthermost is LA8AV (1012km).

UPDATE 2300z:  QRT

17m FT8 QRP (Wednesday)

A few moments ago, I QSYed to 17m FT8 QRP with 2.5W and the tiny indoor loop. It is now 1111z. So far 6 stations have been spotted on RX with nobody yet spotting my QRP on TX.

UPDATE 1127z:  So far today, 15 stations spotted here on RX, and still nobody has spotted my QRP FT8 on TX.

UPDATE 1421z:  105 stations in 5 continents spotted on 17m FT8 RX today and nobody has spotted my QRP TX.

UPDATE 1806z:  139 stations spotted on RX. Nobody spotted me on TX.

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.