Sunspots - Monday May 16th 2022

Solar flux is 154 and the SSN 129.  A=12 and K=2.

10m QRP WSPR TX (500mW)

In all, 2 unique stations have spotted my QRP 10m WSPR beacon so far today.

UPDATE 2033z:    QRT.

8m experiment (Sunday)

Although I was on 8m FT8 TX and RX for about 40 minutes, no spots. The rig is now off, but I hope to be on again at about 1200z.

UPDATE 1326z: No spots all day. I think my experiment on 8m is drawing to a close. Most of Europe is in range via Es. What else can I learn? 

UPDATE 1855z:   EI9KP (649km) has again spotted me this afternoon. I have lost count how many times Phil has spotted me on 8m.

UPDATE 2030z:   QRT.

Dad's seat - NOT amateur radio

Sitting on my dad's seat on Bolberry Down in Devon in 2016. He worked for the National Trust with young people on a job creation scheme. 

BOF?

Yesterday, the June RadCom arrived. In it stated that I had been an RSGB member for 60 years!! That means I must officially be a "boring old fart" (BOF). 

Looking back, I just wonder where those years went.

I can honestly say that I enjoy amateur radio as much now as in 1962. Things have changed a lot over those years, but there are still challenges and ways to have fun.

Dayton Hamvention, Ohio, USA

This is May 20-22nd. It is the biggest ham gathering in the world.  I have never been. This year it is in person once again. Often major manufacturers announce new products here.

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2022/may/get-to-2022-dayton-hamvention.htm#.Yn_-7CHMLrc .

Sunspots - Sunday May 15th 2022

Solar flux is 153 and the SSN 105.  A=7 and K=4.

What is working DX?

"Each to their own", as they say. These days, the boundaries are blurred and it is a long time since working DX meant HF bands and QSB. An example is DMR which allows users to talk with others around the world on their VHF handhelds.

In the depths of the last sunspot minimum, many of us bought network radios that used the internet as the backbone. Mine looked and behaved just like a VHF handheld complete with antenna and PTT. With it, one could connect with repeaters on the far side of the planet.

I never enjoyed mine and prefer to work stations the "old" way. Now the sunspot numbers are climbing, this is more possible again.

Now, I am not saying one is any better than the other.  As they say, "each to their own". Ours is a hobby of self training. I am sure there is as much to learn from DMR and network radios as from working DX the "old" way!

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

Swifts - NOT amateur radio

A week ago I had seen no swifts. Now they are one of the commonest birds in the sky. I have also seen a couple of swallows, but no cuckoos heard. 

See https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/swift/ .

Quiet 10m day so far

 It is already 1545z and my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon has not been spotted at all despite being on all day. No Es apparent here. 

UPDATE 1835z: No spots today.