8m SSB QSO between South Africa and Europe

There was an 8m SSB QSO between ZS6WAB in South Africa and S50B in Europe this weekend. The South African was widely heard. He was also calling for 6m crossband QSOs.

Momentous times - NOT amateur radio

Just occasionally, we seem to live in very important times.

I hope, in the end, there is (soon) a peaceful resolution to the tragedy in Ukraine. Sadly, for the ordinary people, food and energy costs are bound to be higher. Inflation is bound to go up.

My personal feeling is we will avoid WW3, although this is the closest we have ever been in my view. 1962 was scary.

Hopefully, this will be a wake-up call for the world. There are some ruthless people about. Our food and energy sources cannot be taken for granted. There are some very kind people around.

London Crossrail - NOT amateur radio

For several years now they have been building a new railway line across London. It is called the Elizabeth Line, presumably after the queen. It is close to being opened. 

The first section will link Paddington and Liverpool Street mainline rail stations. The trains actually go much further although this is probably the bit I would use visiting my brother in Devon.

I am a bit surprised that this does not go to St Pancras (where the Eurostar trains terminate) or Kings Cross.

See https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/elizabeth-line .

10m FT8 RX

It is now 1000z. For about 10 minutes, I have been on 10m FT8 RX. So far, 8 stations have been spotted.

UPDATE 1212z:  148 stations spotted with the furthermost VK6AS (14459km).

UPDATE 1935z:   569 stations spotted. Both North and South America are coming through. Today has been excellent on 10m FT8. 

UPDATE 1955z:   570 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX today. 

UPDATE 2230z:  630 stations spotted. QRT soon.

Reach walk yesterday - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows some of the views on our walk yesterday around the village of Reach. 

Overnight on 160m FT8 RX

Yet again I was on 160m FT8 RX overnight. 283 stations were spotted. See map. As the night before, plenty of stations spotted in the USA.  Antenna was the 10m end fed untuned. 

9 years ago on 481THz

9 years ago I was busy with experiments on 481THz over the horizon. 

Sunspots - Sunday March 13th 2022

 Solar flux is 125 and the SSN 93. A=13 and K=1. 

The South Hams Coast - NOT amateur radio

Many years ago, I bought this book of paintings. It is a wonderful collection and ideally suited to a local who is living away and has done for years. I have lived away from the South Hams of Devon for far more years than I lived there, yet I still feel that pull.

It is still available on Amazon.uk.

160m FT8 RX

As it is now dark, I have QSYed to 160m FT8 RX with the 10m antenna untuned. So far, at 1835z, 16 stations spotted.

UPDATE 1920z:  58 stations spotted with the furthermost RV0AR (5577km).

UPDATE 2037z:  117 stations spotted.

UPDATE  2049z: 121 stations spotted including the first USA station - KD2UHD (5377km).