Santa special - NOT amateur radio

 

In 2012 we went on a special train in Kent. This was steam hauled and all the little ones got presents.

Sunspots - Wednesday December 29th 2021

Solar flux is 121 and the SSN 107.  A=8 and K=2.

Christmas Decorations NOT amateur radio

Many years ago an old neighbour made us some Christmas figures. Every Christmas these come out. She was very talented, but sadly dead. 

10m WSPR TX beacon (Tuesday)

As my 10m antenna was available, I decided to go on 10m WSPR with 500mW from the W5OLF beacon. So far today the only spots of me are by local G4KPX (14km), but at least this proves I am getting out! 

UPDATE 0935z:  No further spots today.

6m FT8 QRP (Tuesday)

 After a brief TX period starting at 0840z, I am now on RX only. So far at 0901z, no spots.

UPDATE 0955z:  1 QSO with 2E0VDS (30km) and spotted by G0PQO (50km) on TX.  On RX, just 2 G spots.

UPDATE 2035z:  9 stations spotted. All G.

Sunspots - Tuesday December 28th 2021

 Solar flux is 124 and the SSN 85.A=10 and K=3.

FT8 RX in the last week

 Apparently, I have spotted 83 countries on FT8 in the last week. Although most of these will be on 10m, I have been on 160m, 80m, 40m, 30m ,17m, 15m, 6m and 2m as well. This mode certainly digs signals out of the noise.

I am on RX far more than TX these days.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Monday)

I am on 10m WSPR TX (500mW to the W5OLF beacon) as the 10m antenna is available. So far, no spots of me.

UPDATE 1554z: Just one spot of me, so far, by EA8BFK (2880km).

UPDATE 1645z:  2 unique stations spotting me. In addition to EA8BFK, I am again being spotted by G4KPX (14km). Richard is giving me a poorer S/N report. Nothing should have changed here, so I wonder if he has a higher noise floor perhaps due to Christmas lights?

6m FT8 QRP (Monday)

After a brief TX period, I am now RX only on 6m FT8 hoping to catch some winter Es. No spots given or received!

UPDATE 1558z: Just one spot of me from G0PQO (50km) , but nothing yet on 6m FT8 RX here.

Time - NOT amateur radio

Some time ago one of my wife's friends went into a care home. If you asked me, I would have said last summer. Apparently it was over a year ago! I was amazed.

It is as if my perception of time is different. Is this just me or is it common in old age?