Church path - NOT amateur radio

We have 5 paths up to the church. This is one of them. I see that I am on the photo too! Only just noticed. 

Windmill 2018 - NOT amateur radio

This photo was taken in 2018. It shows the windmill next door in July at 10.10pm. The evenings have already started to get darker.

Lightning danger

Ever since a friend's very ordinary house was struck by lightning many years ago, I have taken no chances. If a storm is nearby, I disconnect everything. If a storm is near you may want to check the lightning maps.

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

70cm activity contest tonight

The 70cm activity contest (UKAC) organised by the RSGB starts at 1900z this evening. I shall be on using the 2m big-wheel omni and 10W SSB. I usually stay on for less than 1 hour. Activity levels are usually good. Even with this poor set-up, I usually manage over 100km. Great fun.

Sunspots - Tuesday July 13th 2021

 Solar flux is 72 and the SSN 22. A=7 and K=2.

Pye PF8

Many years ago I had the privilege of working on the design of the Pye PF8. My bits were mainly the TX audio and the skeleton antenna. The PF8 is rare now. Some were converted to 70cms use. I created a webpage with some useful links.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/vhfuhf-commercial-rigs/pye-pf8

2m FT8

At the moment I am on 2m FT8 with 2.5W and the big-wheel omni antenna. 7 stations have spotted me so far this evening.

UPDATE 2020z:  11 stations spotted me this evening. Now RX only. Furthermost with 2.5W TX to the big-wheel was GI4NSA (491km).

UPDATE 2050z:  8 stations spotted on RX including G5ART (132km). I was not aware G5*** calls were now being issued.

Finiteness - NOT amateur radio

Today, my son and 2 of our grandchildren from Kent visited the place where I grew up, Salcombe in Devon, UK. My father and his father lived there over 100 years ago. It was almost like handing over a baton. 

It is now their turn to enjoy it, not mine.

6m FT8 (Monday)

 Apart from a very brief TX period at 2.5W, I am on 6m FT8 RX with the V2000 vertical omni antenna. Even my brief TX period was spotted by 2 Gs and I have spotted 3 stations on RX. It is now only 0655z.

UPDATE 0710z:  7 spots already on 6m FT8 RX today.

UPDATE 1015z: 73 stations spotted on RX with the furthermost HZ1SK (4759km).

10m WSPR TX

As my 10m antenna is not being used, I am again on 10m WSPR TX (500mW). This W5OLF 10m WSPR beacon is on 100% TX, but randomises the TX frequency for every transmission. This ensures you are not always underneath a strong carrier. I have had this for many years and it has been faultless. It is tiny and totally self contained with no PC needed. Apart from initially syncing the clock, nothing is needed. Truly wonderful.

UPDATE 0700z: 3 spots from Germany already. These were by DC7TO (888km).

UPDATE 1035z:  18 stations have spotted me so far. All are in Europe. Nothing from South America yet.

UPDATE 1314z:  No further spots. Odd.