PSKreporter maps

This is a resource I find really useful.  Although I use it mostly with FT8, it supports many modes. 

My WSJT-X automatically uploads what I receive here. It means I can see (on another PC in the lounge or bed!) in graphical form the stations I am spotting. 

When on FT8 TX I can see which stations are spotting me.

See https://pskreporter.info/pskmap.html .

Unusual sunflower - NOT amateur radio

Earlier, Muntjac deer nibbled our sunflowers. They have grown again, but only just flowered. 

Among these is the unusual one shown in the photo, which was given by a friend.

All quiet - NOT amateur radio

Every month my brother does part of the bird count on the Kingsbridge Estuary in Devon. 

Today it was very quiet. 

10m FT8 RX (Sunday)

It is now 0820z and I have been on 10m FT8 RX for about 10 minutes. So far, 3 stations spotted with the furthermost IK8UKA (1649km).

UPDATE 0920z:  11 stations so far spotted on 10m FT8 RX today.

UPDATE 1038z:  28 stations spotted. 

UPDATE 1744z:  77 stations spotted. All in Europe so far. Furthermost is SV1EBV (2263km).

UPDATE 1826z:  92 stations spotted with the furthermost PY2XYZ (9585km) in Brazil.

Kitten sitting - NOT amateur radio

As my son is away this weekend, I am popping down to feed his playful kitten. The photo shows the kitten in the empty bath, which he jumped out of shortly afterwards. 

He is very lively!

ICOM IC-9700

 If I had money to burn, this is a VHF/UHF rig that I might consider. It covers 2m, 70cm and 23cm, all modes. It is an SDR transceiver. It is similar to the IC-7300 in ergonomics. I have an IC-705 that seems to do all I want.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/vhfuhf-commercial-rigs/ic-9700 .

Sunspots - Sunday Sept 19th 2021

Solar flux is 74 and the SSN 11.  A=11 and K=0.

Brighton collage - NOT amateur radio

For about a day now, we have been back home after a short break in Brighton travelling by train. The photo shows some of the scenes. We had a good break. 

Coronal mass ejection (CME)

 At the moment, we have a CME hitting the Earth. This looks minor.

Internet over free-space optical - NOT amateur radio

The BBC has an interesting piece about the use of free space optical communications to bridge the River Congo in Africa where optical fibre is impractical. This gives very high (not perfect) reliability and, in this case, is destined to carry internet traffic. Of course, this would not be suitable for places where fog is common, such as the bay area of San Francisco. 

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-58583600 .