Sunspots - Tuesday December 14th 2021

 Solar flux is 81 and the SSN 40.  A=6 and K=1.

Solid state batteries - NOT amateur radio

These are the "holy grail" of batteries promising higher capacity than LiIon batteries and faster charging times. However getting them into mass production has proved hard. 

It is rumoured that 2 Japanese manufacturers are close to mass production. If it happens, it could be transformational. Imagine an electric car with a huge range that could be charged whilst you drink a cup of coffee! If this really happens, it could signal the end to fossil fuelled cars. I certainly hope this happens.

Also, Lithium is not an endless resource.

15m FT8 RX with the active RX loop

For about an hour, I have been on 15m FT8 RX. So far (at 1010z) 54 stations spotted with the furthermost A41ZZ (5854km) in Oman. The antenna is again the indoor Wellgood active loop fixed to the shack window.

UPDATE 1145z:   123 stations spotted with the furthermost E25ETT (9673km) in the Far East.

UPDATE 1231z:   149 stations spotted with the furthermost CE2SV (11716km).

UPDATE 1545z:   259 stations spotted.

UPDATE 2150z:   QRT. 265 stations spotted today on 15m FT8 RX.

10m WSPR QRP TX

At the moment I am on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW. So far just local spots from G4KPX (14km).

UPDATE 1143z:  Still just spots from G4KPX.

UPDATE 2145z:   QRT now. Just 2 Gs spotted me all day.

Dwarfed - NOT amateur radio

The Shard in London is over 300m tall. In the foreground is what I think is Southwark Cathedral which is totally dwarfed. 

80m FT8 RX overnight

In all, 640 stations spotted on 80m FT8 RX overnight including several from the USA and Canada. 

Geminids meteor shower

Often meteor showers like the Geminids that peak this week result in some long pings with enhanced VHF conditions. FT4 could be worth a try. Pings can short, but signals strong. 

Old and new Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

Cambridge is a city of contrasts. 

The university has some buildings and traditions that stretch back centuries.  At the same time Cambridge has some of the most forward companies in the whole world. The photo shows some of the contrasts with electric scooters outside St John's College on Friday.

Sunspots - Monday December 13th 2021

Solar flux is 80 and the SSN 12. A=3 and K=3. 

80m FT8 RX (Sunday)

As 6m is quiet here today, I have QSYed to 80m FT8 RX with the indoor Wellgood active loop. So far,  80 stations spotted. The furthermost is UV3IK (2699km).

UPDATE 1937z:  267 stations spotted.

UPDATE 2130z:  474 stations spotted on 80m FT8 RX (see map).