Sunspots - Thursday July 29th 2021

 Solar flux is 79 and the SSN 0. A=13 and K=3.

Covid-19 England - NOT amateur radio

My dad, who died in 1987, had some colourful language. One phrase he used was "they could not organise a piss up in a brewery". He would probably have said this now over the pingdemic, which is seeing many key workers having to self isolate.

I am sure intentions are good, but like much English government policy in the last 18 months this seems reactive rather than proactive and made up on the go. 

10m WSPR TX beacon using 500mW (Wednesday)

Most of the morning I've been on 10m WSPR TX using 500mW. As of 1015z 6 stations have spotted me. 

UPDATE 1117z:   Still 6 unique stations have spotted me with the furthermost EA8BFK (2880km).

6m FT8 QRP

 After a very brief TX period (2.5W) I am on 6m FT8 RX only with the V2000 omni antenna. It is now 0812z and 3 stations spotted with the furthermost EA7L (1739km). Early Es which is promising. My brief TX period resulted in 5 UK spots.

UPDATE 1113z:  35 stations spotted on 6m FT8 RX.

10m WSPR yesterday

As we were out much of yesterday I was late on 10m WSPR TX. Nonetheless, there plenty of spots from South America. 10m WSPR never fails to amaze me. 

This is with the tiny self contained beacon (500mW) from Jay W5OLF. 

Me? - NOT amateur radio

 

Our son's kitten looking surprised. 

Sunspots - Wednesday July 28th 2021

 Solar flux is 80 and the SSN 25. A=6 and K=4.

10m WSPR TX beacon

It is now 1555z and I have been on 10m WSPR TX for about 30 minutes with my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon TX. Nobody has spotted me yet. 

UPDATE 1747z: 5 stations have spotted me with the furthermost FY5KE (7110m) in South America.

6m FT8

 Apart from a very brief period on TX with 2.5W and the V2000 vertical omni (spotted by 4 Gs) I have been on 6m FT8 RX. Very quiet with nobody spotted. I have not been on too long. 

Stroke and autistic brains?

In the last few years I have noticed some changes. I am unsure if this is just old age or an after-effect of my stroke some years ago.

When I drive (or am driven) I seem to go slower than before: 50mph feels like 70mph.  Also, I am constantly aware of potential issues and dangers. It is if my brain is all the time aware of potential dangers on the roads. I am totally unable to relax. In fact I hate being driven or driving these days. This seems similar to how autistic people must feel.

Any medics here have any views?