Iceland - NOT amateur radio

We went to Iceland in 2011 and had a surprise. I was expecting a country that was rugged and barren. Instead it was green and beautiful. There were lupins all over the place. 

Sunspots - Thursday July 7th 2022

 Solar flux is 115 and the SSN 98.  A=5 and K=1.

8m experiment (Wednesday)

Because I was out most of the day, I was unable to be on 8m FT8 until quite late. In all, my QRP 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8 QRP was spotted by 5 stations this evening with the furthermost EA8BFK (2880km)t. S50B (1220km) and I exchanged reports and locations. Borut was probably stronger than I have ever got him.

10m QRP WSPR TX

Because I was out most of the day, my 500mW 10m WSPR beacon was only turned on late this afternoon. Despite this, 26 stations managed to spot me before I went QRT. In all, plenty of Es still about. 

Bury St Edmunds Abbey Gardens - NOT amateur radio

 

This morning in the Abbey Gardens. 

70cm 4 element yagi

One of my Facebook memories today was this photo of my 4 element yagi made from a metal coat hanger. It was used out portable in a contest. 

The mast was a PVC pipe trapped in the car door. 

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

Sunspots - Wednesday day July 6th 2022

Solar flux is 115 and the SSN 92. A=4 and K=1.

10m 500mW WSPR TX

My QRP beacon was turned on at 0909z and already there are 11 unique stations spotting me. A great day already.

UPDATE 1148z:  Already spotted by 28 stations on 10m WSPR today. Brilliant Es conditions.

UPDATE 1605z:  35 unique station spots of me today including 11 from John EI7GL.

8m experiment (Tuesday)

My QRP 8m FT8 TX was turned on at 0909z on 40.680 MHz USB dial. Already 2 spots from Iberia. There must Es about.

UPDATE 1144z:  Already spotted by 4 stations on 8m FT8 TX today with the furthermost EA8BFK (2880km) and I have spotted 3 stations on 8m FT8 RX in 3 countries.

UPDATE 1325z:   5 stations have spotted me today so far on 8m FT8. Very good. On RX, 4 stations spotted. 

UPDATE 1631z:  Now spotted by 6 stations today on 8m FT8 QRP TX. One of the best days on 8m FT8 TX. Rig currently off cooling.

UPDATE 2113z:  7 spots of me on 8m FT8 QRP TX. 

Sunspot peak better than expected?

The latest forecast I have seen is for the peak of solar cycle 25 to occur in November next year with a peak around 143, which is better than expected.

See http://www.solen.info/solar/.