Sunspots - Saturday March 19th 2022

Solar flux is 98 and the SSN 27.  A=4 and K=0.

Yaesu FT-747

This was an HF 100W transceiver that dates from the early 1990s. I owned one for a few years, but never warmed to it. It had a metallised plastic case which was Yaesu's attempt to save money. It was sold a few years later, although I cannot remember to whom.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/commercial-rigs/yaesu-ft747 .

Looking back, it was one of the HF rigs I liked the least.

Wymondham - NOT amateur radio

Some of my wife's ancestors lived here in the 1800s before moving to industrial Sheffield - what a shock that must have been! We went there today by train. 

10m FT8 QRP (Friday)

Starting at about 0645z, I have been on 10m FT8 with 2.5W TX initially (no spots), but now RX only (just 1 G spotted). PSKreporter seems to be working at the moment.

UPDATE 0707z:  5 stations spotted with stations in the Far East coming through.

UPDATE 0758z: 40 stations spotted on 10m FT8 RX. 

UPDATE 2055z:  845 stations spotted.

Sunspots - Friday March 18th 2022

Solar flux is 103 and the SSN 53. A=6 and K=1.

First proper grass cut - NOT amateur radio

Although I cut our 2 lawns a few days ago with the blades set very high, today was the first proper cut this year.  Spring is here .... and the weekly cuts!  😒

After the heavy rain yesterday, today is sunny and mild.

DX maps

With PSKreporter not apparently working, I am looking for alternatives. At the minute, I am on DXmaps. I am still exploring and have not yet worked out how to search for FT8 stations and only on 10m.

See https://www.dxmaps.com/spots/mapg.php?Lan=E .

Fuel prices - NOT amateur radio

Certainly here in the UK fuel prices have rocketed. 

I guess this is due to the war in Ukraine.

This collage shows some of the local prices a few days ago.

8m TX permit - still waiting

OFCOM got their money last week. I am still waiting for the actual licence to come through. 

In the meantime, with a dummy load, I checked the widebanded FT817ND definitely produces output on 8m - it does, as I thought I had already checked. Early April was my start date.

If I don't hear before the weekend I may give them a gentle reminder!

160m FT8 RX overnight

Overnight I was on 160m FT8 RX with the untuned 10m antenna. Plenty of European stations spotted. I shall see if there were any from the USA if PSKreporter returns to normal later.

UPDATE 2040z:  Nothing from "across the pond" last night. 112 stations spotted.