2m activity contest (UKAC)

Every month the RSGB organises a 2m activity contest on Tuesday evenings. Last evening, I went on for far shorter than normal (because of the sibling reunion) with 5W and the big-wheel antenna.

Iceland - NOT amateur radio

 

10 years ago we went to Iceland for a holiday. We expected it to be barren, but it was green and beautiful with lots of wild lupins. This was the church at Vik. 

Sibling reunion - NOT amateur radio

Every year for 18 years bar two because of my stroke and Covid-19 we have had a sibling reunion with my wife's brothers and wives. We take it in turns to host. From next year we will meet in hotels as we are getting older! 

OFCOM updates

Every month, OFCOM updates its "Communications Monthly" which shows the statistics it holds. See the OFCOM website for the July edition.

Sunspots - Wednesday July 7th 2021

 Solar flux is 83 and the SSN 52. A=8 and K=1.

Out pedestrian portable

Before I had a stroke, I quite enjoyed operating pedestrian portable. That is with a rig with a whip antenna on the set, not out portable with large antennas such as SOTA or POTA operations.

When the weather is good (it is raining here at the moment!) it is great fun. Seaside operation with good take-offs can be surprisingly good. If you have high noise levels at home, you can choose quiet places.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/pedestrian-portable .

Wild flowers - NOT amateur radio

The ground next to the path near "our" windmill next door has been left so wild flowers can grow. It looks great.  

It was such a good idea. It encourages bees and looks good. I was amazed how quickly they grew.

10m WSPR TX (500mW)

 As the antenna was free, I decided to go on 10m WSPR TX again. Nobody has spotted me yet today.

UPDATE 1026z:  No spots yet today.

UPDATE 1152z:  So far today, spots from 2 stations with the furthermost EA8BFK (2880km).

6m FT8 today (Tuesday)

It is much quieter so far today. 

I have been on for about 30 minutes with 2.5W and the V2000, but only 3 stations spotted on RX and 4 stations spotting me on TX. 

Yesterday the FT8 slot at 50.313MHz was busy with plenty of Far East stations on 6m FT8.

UPDATE 0958z:  9 stations have spotted me on TX and I have spotted 12 stations on RX.

UPDATE 1155z:  18 stations have spotted me on TX and 22 stations spotted on RX. No super DX here today.

Homebrew 70cm antenna

This appeared as a FB memory today. It shows the antenna made from an old coat hanger for 70cm 8 years ago. The map shows the contacts with it. 

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/antennas/70cm-4el-yagi  .