20 Jul 2021

10m WSPR

Been on 10m WSPR TX (500mW) since 0752z. Nobody has spotted me yet.

UPDATE 1014z:  Still nobody has spotted me yet. 

UPDATE 1119z:  2 spots of my QRP so far today. At least this beacon can just quietly run in the background.

6m FT8 yesterday

503 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX yesterday. This was a good Es day on 6m FT8 RX. 

Oh to be young! - NOT amateur radio

My grandson surfing. He has good balance, unlike his grandfather! 

He looks a natural.

I was like that, but it was a very long time ago!

6m Europe to Australia (again)

According to John's blog, there was another Europe to Australia opening on 6m. The furthermost was over 17000km, which is quite mind blowing on a VHF band. This is not a pirate as multiple stations were involved. Amazing!  This seems extremely unlikely to be multi-hop Es. I am sure we have lots to learn still!

Also on the blog is a report of the South African 8m beacon being copied in SE England.

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/ .

Gatekeeper butterfly - NOT amateur radio

Butterflies are in decline, so we have been asked to do a survey to work out how many there are.

See https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/about .

Sunspots - Tuesday July 20th 2021

Solar flux is 83 and the SSN 45.  A=7 and K=3.

19 Jul 2021

OFCOM statement

OFCOM has committed to make innovation the heart of UK wireless future. 

I hope this means access to more spectrum for serious radio amateurs interested in real radio science. See the OFCOM website. 

Would not access to some spectrum on a shared, non interference, basis be a good idea?

Switzerland - NOT amateur radio

This, I think, is Lake Geneva. It was posted by a friend on 365project earlier. They have had quite heavy rain there in the last few days.

10m WSPR TX

I keep forgetting that when I am on 6m FT8, I can go on 10m WSPR TX as this uses a different antenna. As of 1014z, I am on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW, 100%, but randomised frequencies. 

So far, spotted by HB9TMC at -7dB S/N (strong). This was at 1026z.

UPDATE 1613z:  33 stations have spotted me today so far (see table).  A pretty good day.  Es has been good today.

UPDATE 1925z: Now 37 stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR with the furthermost spots (5) by FY5KE (7110km) in South America.

6m FT8 RX

Since about 0845z, I have been on 6m FT8 RX. It is now 1004z. So far 103 stations spotted on RX. 

UPDATE 1030z:  So far this morning, 116 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX with the V2000 vertical omni antenna. Good Es.

UPDATE 1326z:  So far today, 167 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX. Most are by Es.

UPDATE 1915z: 479 stations so far spotted on 6m FT8 RX today with the V2000 omni. Nothing transatlantic here.