Storm risks

Maybe I am paranoid over the risk from nearby storms. Everything has been disconnected (PC, PSU, rigs, antennas) to avoid the risk of nearby voltage surges and strikes. If I miss something, does it matter? No.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/lightning-maps .

2m Es DX

Just before I disconnected everything because of the storm risk there was an Es opening on 2m FT8 with LZ2PI (2107km) in Bulgaria spotted on RX using the omni antenna.  At -12dB S/N this station was strong.

2m FT8 QRP

Mid afternoon I went on 2m FT8 QRP with 2.5W and the big-wheel omni.  12 stations spotted me on TX with the furthermost G4KUX (302km) and I spotted 15 stations on RX with the furthermost  DC0KK (589km). I have since gone QRT because of the storm risk. 

Sunspots - June 16th 2021

Solar flux is 76 and the SSN 11. A=17 and K=4.

Par EF-10/20/40

Last year, this developed a fault. 

I strung an end-fed wire using the Par transformer out of the shack window. The VSWR looked low, so I assume this Par transformer is fine. At some point I shall re-erect this tri-band antenna, but with new coax. Either there was moisture in the coax or the plug had failed.

In the past I have been spotted all over the planet with this antenna and 500mW WSPR on 10m. It is good for 35W, although my absolute maximum is 10W and often much lower. With WSPR and FT8 it is far lower.

6m FT8 RX (Tuesday)

It is now 0759z. A few minutes ago I turned on 6m FT8 RX using the FT817ND and the V2000 vertical omni. So far just G4IFX calling CQ DX, no doubt hoping for the Far East. 

Just now I realised I was looking at the 12 hour view on PSKreporter maps. I am now looking just at today. So far just 2 Gs spotted (0807z).

UPDATE 1112z: 18 stations spotted. No Es evident here.

UPDATE 1237z: 26 stations spotted including the furthermost HI3T (7001km) in the Caribbean. With no Es evident here, I am more convinced than ever that some of these long distance paths are not Es, but some other E layer propagation. I am sure with a better antenna, higher up, I would copy far more, especially as the V2000 being faulty.

Inland beauty - NOT amateur radio

Many years ago we drove from Banff to Jasper on the Icefields Parkway in western Canada. Even though it was June, there was plenty of snow still and the scenery was perhaps the best ever seen inland. 

6m FT8 RX yesterday (Monday)

Although fewer stations were spotted, there was DX from the Caribbean copied on the FT817ND and the V2000 omni antenna. In all, 293 stations spotted. Better equipped stations were working plenty across the Atlantic. 

12 year old grandson's art - NOT amateur radio

This still life painting was done by our 12 year old grandson. He is very talented. 

Sunspots - Tuesday June 15th 2021

 Solar flux is 77 and the SSN 11. A=4 and K=2.