Rape seed oil - NOT amateur radio

In recent days the fields of rape are coming in to flower. This is a fairly recent sight suggesting farmers are now planting this more. 

10m WSPR TX beacon

At about 0750z I hope to be on 10m WSPR TX with the W5OLF 500mW beacon. 

UPDATE 0755z:  Now on TX. No spots yet.

8m today

In about 5 minutes (it is now 0748z) I will be on 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8 TX. I hope to be on 8m FT8 RX after lunch on the same frequency. 

UPDATE 0758z: Now on 8m FT8 TX.  Just 2 local spots.

UPDATE 1537z: Until now, I have been on 8m FT8 RX all afternoon, but nothing spotted. Back on TX again, but only local spots.

UPDATE 1800z:  Just local spots of me.

UPDATE 1918z:  QRT on 8m.

London colour - NOT amateur radio

This photo shows a very colourful building near the Old Bailey in London. 

Sunspots - Friday April 8th 2022

 Solar flux is 111 and the SSN 61.  A=14 and K=1.

London icons - NOT amateur radio

Some may recognise this clock seen yesterday on our day tour of London escorted by our 14 year old grandson. 

Upcoming Rallies?

The following rallies were notified to me earlier. I have no idea if these are taking place or not, so suggest you check with the organisers to confirm before you travel.

April 9th (Saturday) - 36th QRP Convention, Digby Hall, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3AA.  Contact Rodney on 01935 825791.

April 10th (Sunday) - Lincoln Spring Rally, Market Rasen, Lincs, LN8 3HT.  Contact Steve 07777 699069

Who would have thought 2 years ago we'd still be thinking about Covid-19!

OFCOM has a new head of UK "airwaves" (sic)

Apparently we have a new head of the Spectrum Group at OFCOM. He is supposed to be very experienced. Let us hope he understands RF and not just how to manage.  

His name is Dan Lloyd. See the OFCOM website for details.

10m WSPR TX beacon using 500mW (Thursday)

 At the moment I am on 10m WSPR with the 500mW W5OLF WSPR beacon. It is now 0720z and so far today just local spots. 

UPDATE 0835z:  4 different stations have spotted me with the furthermost TA4/G8SCU (3010km).

UPDATE 1232z:   5 different stations have spotted me.

8m FT8 TX ( Thursday)

Since about 0645z I have been on 8m FT8 TX on 40.680 MHz USB dial. So far today just 2 local spots. Paul G9PUV has a much higher ERP than me. 

UPDATE 0839z:  Still just the 2 local spots of me. I have yet to be spotted at any distance on 8m.

UPDATE 1448z:   Now 8m FT8 RX only on 40.680 MHz, hoping to spot Paul G9PUV on the South Coast of the UK.