Gardening yesterday - NOT amateur radio

Although it was dull here yesterday, it was mostly dry. We used it as a chance to put some bedding plants in.  These are "Busy Lizzies" waiting to go in holes I prepared earlier. Hopefully frosts are behind us now.

We bought the plants from a garden centre in the village that we chanced upon on one of our "lockdown" walks last spring. We ordered some plants from there last year and were very impressed with the plants and service.

"That's a very good question" - NOT amateur radio

Have you noticed this reply when people don't know how to answer? It is a favourite with politicians, although they rarely answer the questions!! 

10m FT8 yesterday

All yesterday, when I was on TX, I was using 1W and sometimes 500mW to the tiny indoor loop antenna. 118 stations spotted me and I spotted 1072 stations. The map shows where I was spotted. 

This is the inferior 10m loop which is probably 6dB worse than my other loop but easier to tune. The loop I used was probably 10dB down on an external dipole. 

I could probably have had more spots, but I had to go to bed! 

Most of this was Es.

10 years ago on 137kHz

Ten years ago I was copied in Holland on 137kHz despite running just 50uW ERP. At 328km, this was my best DX. I think this was with my large outside loop. The morse in QRSS says XBM XBM XBM. 

Lonely tree - NOT amateur radio

This photo appeared on 365project yesterday. 

Pity I didn't take it! It was taken by someone called Jan. I was very impressed. 

365project is where you post a picture a day. It is totally free unless you want additional albums or privacy. I have done it for about 8 years.

See https://365project.org .

Sunspots - Saturday May 15th 2021

Solar flux is 71 and the SSN 24. A =4 and K=1.

Cycle 25 predictions

We are now on the up-slopes towards the solar peak of cycle 25. I have not seen very recent forecasts but this forecast suggested it looks as if it will be very similar to the last peak i.e. quite low.

See https://www.weather.gov/news/201509-solar-cycle .

10m FT8 QRP (Friday)

10m is wide open this morning with Es. I am told 6m is good too, It would not surprise me if Band 2 FM broadcast opens too. 2m? Probably too high.

I am on 10m FT8 RX at the moment after a brief period on QRP TX with 2.5W, then 1W, and the indoor tiny loop. 115 stations spotted on RX and 16 stations spotted me in my very brief TX period.

UPDATE 1028z:  255 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today and I have been spotted by 27 stations on TX, most with just 1W to the tiny indoor loop antenna. Probably going down to 500mW soon.

UPDATE 1055z: Now TXing with 500mW. 2 spots of my TX so far. 280 stations spotted so far on RX.

UPDATE 1222z:  338 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX. Even with just 500mW TX I have been spotted by 4 stations. 

UPDATE 1342z: 397 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX with just the indoor tiny loop today. Fantastic Es conditions. Just a handful in Asia and Africa (probably Es).

UPDATE 1439z:  517 stations spotted today on 10m FT8 RX with the tiny indoor loop. This is definitely the best day yet this Es season. One was W1JR (5267km). This latter one was probably Es.

Spots of my
1W (sometimes
500mW) 10m FT8
TX with the tiny
indoor loop

UPDATE 1520z: 568 stations so far spotted in 5 continents today on 10m FT8 RX with the tiny indoor loop on the shack windowsill and I have been spotted by 56 stations on TX. I have never used more than 1W and quite often 500mW today.

Stations spotted
today on 10m
FT8 RX

UPDATE 1840z:  887stations have been spotted today on 10m FT8 RX and 104 stations have spotted me on TX despite running 1W or less to the tiny indoor loop.

Felled tree - NOT amateur radio

 

This was seen at nearby Anglesey Abbey yesterday. The blue flowers are Forget Me Not.

More of where I come from in South Devon - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows where I come from in South Devon. 

My brother plays golf nearby. 

The South West Coastal Path runs through here.