Lyrid Meteor shower

Now and for the next few days were are experiencing the Lyrid meteor shower. Such showers often give rise to decent pings off the ionised trails, leading to short-lived, but strong, VHF signals. Things are often best in the early morning, but I am no expert.

See https://ei7gl.blogspot.com/ .

10m Tenner transceiver

With the Es season just starting in the Northern Hemisphere, perhaps now is the time to think about rigs. Some years ago I designed and built the Tenner which is a 500mW CW transceiver for 10m.

During the Es season, you should have no trouble at all working stations 1500km away with it. In the past, it has got far further!

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/hf-mf-and-lf/homebrew/10m-tenner-qrp-cw .

The Wren Library, Cambridge - NOT amateur radio

There are some world famous buildings in Cambridge, UK including this library, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, which houses some of the most valuable books in the whole world.

Our church at night - NOT amateur radio

 

Our church is illuminated at night, as the photo shows. It can be seen for miles around. It is a very fine old building.

10m QRP WSPR TX (Thursday)

Yet again, I am on 10m WSPR TX with 500mW from the W5OLF beacon. It is now 0815z and, so far, just 37 spots from local G4KPX (14km).

UPDATE 2122z:  QRT.  5 stations spotted me today.

Swans - NOT amateur radio

These swans are very determined. 

Until quite recently, builders were making a facility for National Grid (electricity) storage batteries within a few metres!  It is good to see them trying again rebuilding their nest.

8m experiments (Thursday)

For about 1 hour I have been on 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8. Sadly nobody spotted  me. It is 0800z and I am FT8 RX only on 8m. No RX spots. 

UPDATE 1205z:  EI9KP (649km) has again spotted me.

UPDATE 2120z:  QRT. No other spots, but I feel certain that I will reach Slovenia this Es season.

Sunspots - Thursday April 21st 2022

 Solar flux is 160 and the SSN 80. A=9 and K=3.

Punting on the Cam - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows punts on the River Cam in Cambridge outside King's College. Very relaxing too. 

10m WSPR QRP TX (Wednesday)

As my 10m antenna is available, I am on 10m QRP WSPR TX with 500mW from my W5OLF beacon. Just local spots so far by G4KPX (14km).

UPDATE 1611z:  Just 2 unique stations spotting me today with the furthemost TA4/G8SCU (3010km). I shall stop on for several hours in case things improve.

UPDATE 1800z:  QRT.