Wildlife in 2021 - NOT amateur radio

In recent years we have noticed that the weather in this part of the UK (east) is much wetter. This may be cyclic, but it is more probably the impact of climate change. Some birds are now common in the UK since their ranges have gone further northwards. Swallows were noticeable by how few there were last summer. We get far less snow than we once did. Frosts were very common. Now they are quite rare.

Overall, wildlife is suffering with some species being pushed out and going extinct. There are a few winners.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-59757497 .

10m FT8 RX (Monday)

Since just before breakfast I have been on 10m FT8 RX.  211 stations have been spotted with the furthermost VK5DOC (16208km) at 0940z.

UPDATE 0955z:  237 stations spotted.

UPDATE 1530z:  607 stations spotted so far on 10m FT8 RX.

Quy - NOT amateur radio

 

This fine house is about 10km from where we live. There are often some good birds here.

80m FT8 RX using the Wellgood active loop antenna

Overnight I was on 80m FT8 RX using the Wellgood active loop RX antenna on the shack window. In all 573 people we spotted including 2 in the USA. 

Ely Cathedral - NOT amateur radio

This is sometimes called "the ship of the fens" as it is often seen floating over the fens. There has been a church here for well over 1000 years. It is magnificent site both inside and out, especially the octagon tower.

Sunspots - Monday December 27th 2021

Solar flux is 125 and the SSN 95. A=3 and K=1. 

80m FT8 RX (Sunday)

As 10m is closing, I have QSYed down to 80m FT8 RX using the Wellgood active loop on the shack window. It has been on for about 10 minutes and, so far, 28 stations have been spotted. The furthermost is supposed to be in Iran, but I suspect this is a wrong QTH locator.

10m FT8 QRP (Sunday)

As 10m WSPR was good, I have changed modes to 10m FT8 mid afternoon. After initially being on TX with 2.5W (no spots suggesting I was being clobbered by a bigger co-channel signal), I am now RX only with 49 unique stations spotting me at 1455z. 

UPDATE 1615z:  134 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today.

6m FT8 (Sunday)

After a very brief time on TX early this morning (2.5W, no spots of me) I am RX only with the V2000 vertical omni antenna. So far, (at 1044z) 5 stations spotted on RX with the furthermost OZ1HFG (873km). Most spots are Gs so far.

I am hopeful of some mid-winter Es.

If it looks promising, I may try TX again later.

UPDATE 1447z:  5 unique stations spotted including OZ and HB9. These could be winter Es or aircraft reflection. Now QSYed to 10m FT8.

Salcombe - NOT amateur radio

This is Salcombe is where I spent much of my childhood. My brother still lives near there. Because of the pandemic I have not been back since 2019 and I miss it. Let's hope this year I get back!