Sunspots - Monday December 20th 2021

 Solar flux is 115 and the SSN 109 (still pretty good for this time in the solar cycle).   A=12 and K=2.

2m FT8 (Sunday)

For the last few hours, I have been on 2m FT8. After a brief period on QRP TX (2.5W and being spotted by 22 stations, I have been RX only.  Once again my antenna is the big-wheel omni. So far (at 2211z) 92 stations spotted. Furthermost is DJ2QV (937km).

Yellow jackets - NOT amateur radio

As teenagers we had yellow jackets and were called "the sunshine twins".  

About a year ago we bought some again. 

It is very useful when we are out and apart - just look for the flash of yellow!

10m FT8 RX (Sunday)

It is now 0931z and I have been on for about 30 minutes.  So far, 51 stations have already been spotted with the furthermost VK6AS (14459km). 10m is definitely getting back to life. This is with a very low modest end-fed. 

Stations spotted
early this morning

With a beam up high you have probably got another 10dB, so many more stations can probably be copied, not that I am complaining!   

When 10m is good, you can copy and work the world with very little. FT8 must make this even more possible.

2m FT8 QRP overnight

Since early last evening I was on 2m FT8 RX. In all, 111 stations were spotted on RX with the big-wheel omni antenna.  The furthermost was DK1FG (815km) in Bavaria, Germany.

Sunspots - Sunday December 19th 2021

 Solar flux is 121 and the SSN 117.  A=4 and K=0. 

2m QRP FT8

At about 1815z, I QSYed to 2m FT8.  I was on TX (2.5W) for about 2 minutes and was spotted by 6 stations. On RX 13 stations spotted, but no "real DX" seen yet. At the moment, I am not seeing any stations at exceptional range. Still using the big-wheel omni antenna. No beams! 

UPDATE 1945z:  52 stations spotted.

UPDATE 2002z:  58 stations spotted with the furthermost F6APE (553km).

UPDATE 2310z: 81 stations spotted at bedtime. RX on overnight (I hope). Several German stations spotted. 

Primrose - NOT amateur radio

In autumn we replace our summer bedding plants with winter flowering primroses to brighten up the garden when it can be dull.  The one in the photo  has drops of rain on it.

Already some are coming out. All being well, they should look good soon. 

Simple regen RX

Many people like simple, but effective, receivers. This design is probably one of the simplest you could make. It works very well.  There are several examples of this, and others, on YouTube.

10m WSPR QRP TX

As FT8 does not appear to work with PSKreporter, I have gone instead on 10m WSPR TX with my W5OLF 500mW beacon. It is now 1315z and, so far, just spots by local G4KPX (14km).