Sunspots - Tuesday February 22nd 2022

 Solar flux is 98 and the SSN 48.  A=12 and K=4.

70cm Moxon antenna

Several years ago I had a problem: my rig covered 70cm SSB, but I had no antenna. I found a quick and easy solution in my wife's wardrobe. I think the whole antenna took about 30 minutes to make.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/antennas/70cm-moxon .

6m FT8 QRP (Monday)

At the moment I am on 6m FT8 (initially with 2.5W to the V2000 vertical omni).  I am currently RX only. No spots. 

UPDATE 1600z:  Just a single spot on RX GM4CXM (507km) which could have been a brief MS ping, Es or aircraft scatter.  -18dB S/N was not too strong.

UPDATE 1647z:  One QSO with M0MIZ (124km).

UPDATE 1958z:  QRT.

Solving the climate crisis? - NOT amateur radio

There is no doubt that in the coming years we will all be searching for answers to the climate emergency. Put simply, if we just carry on as we are, then all human life will go extinct.

But don't panic. 

On all things like fossil fuels, plastics and food supply, we may already have solutions. For fossil fuels we may be able to generate biofuels from algae. They may also provide alternatives to some of the materials used in plastics. We may also be able to add to cow's feed to dramatically reduce methane. We may well be able to synthesise proteins for food additives from algae. I quite expect there will be breakthroughs in battery technology in the next few years, so we can avoid lithium mining. I can also see solutions to renewable energy storage.

Basically we need to invest in solutions.

Cavendish, Suffolk, UK - NOT amateur radio

If things had gone to plan, my grandson was due to ring the bells here on Friday night. The rehearsal was cancelled due to the strong winds. 

He rang at nearby Clare yesterday and has rung bells in 4 towers this week. The photo is of Cavendish church.  

Pargeting (decorated plasterwork) is an East Anglian speciality. There are good examples in Cavendish and Clare.

Clare is a fine town with lots of old buildings.

See https://www.visit-clare.co.uk/. 

See also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pargeting .

10m QRP WSPR TX 500mW (Monday)

As the 10m antenna was free, I decided to go on 10m WSPR TX again with the W5OLF beacon. Local spots by G4KPX (14km), but nobody else yet. Perhaps Richard was away at the weekend?

UPDATE 1144z:  Still no DX spots of me.

UPDATE 1407z:  Just 93 spots of me by G4KPX (14km). No DX.

UPDATE 1725z:    W4WLO/B11 (7271km) just copied me.

UPDATE 1755z:   Now IW2NKE (1350km) spotting me.

UPDATE 2000z:   QRT.

70cm FT8 QRP (Monday)

After a brief period on 70cm FT8 TX with 2.5W to the 2m big-wheel omni, I am on RX. No spots, unsurprisingly. Still it was worth a try. I may try transmitting on 70cm FT8 again later today.

UPDATE 1324z:  Just before 1200z, I went on TX again. Still no spots on TX or RX. 

UPDATE 1345z:  Trying TX and RX with the vertical omni V2000.  Very strongly copied by G8CRB (14km). Thanks Steve!

Iris - NOT amateur radio

Winter can be very dark and long, so potted plants can brighten things up. 

Last week, my wife bought a couple of pots from a local shop. On had miniature daffodils and one iris. All the iris plants are now out and they look good on the kitchen windowsill.

Oscar 100 activity

Every few weeks I take a peek at the activity levels on this geosynchronous satellite. As far as I can tell, activity levels are broadly similar to a few weeks ago i.e. fairly quiet with plenty of space. My snapshot is not at all scientific! It is more of an impression.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

Sunspots - Monday February 21st 2022

Solar flux is 93 and the SSN 49. A=13 and K=1.