Swifts in the UK - NOT amateur radio

These migratory birds breed here and then go to central Africa on migration. They only stop a few months, then they go. One day they are on the wing screaming in feeding parties. Then the skies fall silent until next spring. Most leave in August. Although numbers are lower, I cannot say I have noticed. There are far fewer swallows here.

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

Low sunspots

The less active side of the sun seems to be pointing our way, as the sunspot number has been low for several days. Hopefully, numbers will climb again in the days ahead. It is quite normal for sunspot numbers to vary.

10m WSPR

My feeling is that the Es season is drawing to a close, with no spots of my 500mW today, even though I have been on for over an hour. Yes, it is early, but usually a good Es day starts early.

Let's hope Jan was right in his comment yesterday that F2 conditions start to improve soon. It would be good to see more F2 spots in the 10m WSPR log.

UPDATE 1754z:   26 unique stations have spotted me today on 10m QRP WSPR TX.

UPDATE 2052z:   29 unique stations have spotted me today on 10m QRP WSPR TX.

8m experiment (Wednesday)

 Although I have been on for just over an hour on 40.680 MHz USB dial FT8, no reports of my QRP.

2m activity contest

5W pep QRP 2m SSB
contacts last evening

Last evening was the 2m monthly activity contest (UKAC) organised by the RSGB. As usual, I went on for about an hour with my QRP and the big-wheel omni antenna. 8 contacts were made, but with my poor voice it was hard work. 

I think tonight is the FT8 activity contest. I sometimes go on, but rarely submit results.

UPDATE 1301z: My VHF power max was set to 5W, so last night all my QSOs were with 5W pep, not 10W!!

Water lillies - NOT amateur radio

 

These, and the other flowers, were seen on our walk yesterday to Wicken Fen, UK.

Sunspots - Wednesday August 3rd 2022

Solar flux is 93 and the SSN 25. A=9 and K=3. 

Oil giant's profits - NOT amateur radio

The war in Ukraine has caused an undeniable rise in the costs of fuel and household gas. Only today one of the giants in the industry announced huge profits. 

Now I know some times things can be much harder, but most companies were not expecting these huge profits. This is at a time when millions of ordinary people are struggling to eat and keep warm.

My view is simple: this is obscene.

I am not a vocal politician, but this is asking for trouble. In many countries I think this could lead to revolt or even revolution.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-62382624 .

10m WSPR QRP TX (Tuesday)

It is now 1320z. There still seems to be plenty of Es about with 13 stations spotting my 500mW 10m WSPR today.

UPDATE 1522z: 18 unique stations have spotted my 500mW 10m WSPR today.

UPDATE 1748z:   23 spots of me today on 10m QRP WSPR.

8m experiment (Tuesday)

It is now 1314z and I have been on 8m FT8 QRP TX for about an hour. 2 spots  of me so far today.

UPDATE 1345z: 4 stations have spotted my 8m QRP FT8 today. Off whilst things cool.

UPDATE 1529z:  Back on QRP 8m FT8 TX again. In the last 24 hours I have received 8m SWL reports from 2 other countries as well.