Sunspots - Monday April 25th 2022

Solar flux is 159 and the SSN 112.  A=5 and K=1.

Lightning risks

The chances (in the UK) of being hit by a direct lightning strike are (thankfully) low, but not nil. Many years ago a work colleague in a very ordinary house was struck and he had a lot of damage.

More common issues are power surges of the mains supply when lightning and thunder are nearby.

Perhaps I am paranoid, but if there is a threat of lightning nearby I unplug PSUs from their sockets and disconnect all antennas. If a power surge is around my gear is not going to experience it!

Unless you have a very good grounding systems, it is very unlikely your gear will survive a direct hit.

Now, I am no expert on lightning protection, so please make your own judgements on this by reading expert opinion. DO NOT rely on me!!

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/other-amateur-radio/lightning-maps .

Audley End House - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows Audley End House not far from Cambridge. It is owned by English Heritage. 

The second photo shows the lake to the front of the house. 

Lavenham church - NOT amateur radio

 

Rich on the wool trade in the late Middle Ages, Lavenham has a fine church as shown in the photo.

8m FT8 experiments (Sunday)

Starting at 0841z, I was on TX for a period on 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8. Now I am RX only. No spots given or received.

UPDATE 2022z:   After I got home I went on 8m FT8 TX. My signal was copied in Southern Portugal for my best DX so far at 1808km. This is probably Es. Now QRT.

10m WSPR QRP TX (Sunday)

My gear, the 500mW  W5OLF TX beacon, was turned on about 0840z. So far, 3 spots from OE3XOE (1233km).

UPDATE 1737z:  8 unique stations have spotted me today.

More Lavenham - NOT amateur radio

The photo shows more of Lavenham yesterday. 

Sunspots - Sunday April 24th 2022

 Solar flux is 160 and the SSN 118.  A=12 and K=2. 

4 element Yagi for 70cms

Some years ago I was looking for an antenna for a 70cm contest to take out portable. It performed well with QRP SSB. Like similar antennas of mine, it was fabricated from an old metal coat hanger. It was a good match and used with my FT817. I still have this antenna in the back of the garage.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/antennas/70cm-4el-yagi .

Old England - NOT amateur radio

This is Dalham, not far from Newmarket. It is a real "chocolate box" village with loads of thatched cottages.