Solar flux is 87 and the SSN 33. A=5 and K=1 .
4 Sept 2021
3 Sept 2021
160m FT8 RX with the Wellgood active loop
For the first time, I tested the Wellgood active loop antenna briefly on 160m FT8 RX. This is a clone of the Wellbrook RX active antenna. I was only on for about 2 minutes, but spotted 8 stations from across Europe with a 1m diameter wire attached to the shack window indoors. Noise level seems low.
Scottish golf course near Aberdeen - NOT amateur radio
This photo was recently posted on 365project by a friend who lives in Shetland where it can be very windy. It is of a golf course near Aberdeen on the Scottish mainland.
"You'll be old yourself some day" - NOT amateur radio
My mother-in-law said this about 50 years ago. At the time life seemed to be endless. Now I am 72.
As Michael Portillo (he was a famous UK politician who now is a well known UK TV personality) said, when you are old every year is a year nearer your end, or similar words. Certainly, I am far more conscious of being old. I get tired more easily and I can no longer do many of the things I took for granted all those years ago.
Things that seemed important at 22 no longer are at 72.
10m FT8 QRP (Friday)
After a couple of nights in Lincoln, I am now back home. Briefly I was on 2.5W TX and was spotted by 3 stations with the furthermost EA1FIR (1263km). On 10m FT8 RX just 2 stations so far. Currently RX only at 1400z.
UPDATE 1456z: 4 stations so far spotted on 10m FT8 RX.
UPDATE 1922z: QRT now. In all, 8 stations spotted. Pretty poor really.
Rally news
The GQRP convention is again an online event on September 4th and the Telford Hamfest is September 5th. As far as I know this is still on although always check with organisers first to make sure before setting out.