Shetland - NOT amateur radio

Whilst most of the UK has been very hot and in drought, the Shetland Islands in the far north have had rain, winds and cold! This photo was on 365project recently.

30m FT8 QRP with the Miracle Whip

101 spots of me on 30m FT8 QRP despite the FT817ND and just the Miracle Whip on the shack windowsill.

Valve days....

This photo was taken about 12 years ago when we were experimenting with Sputnik valves. We made a 400mW CW transmitter (I think it was 15m) and worked the USA on a first CQ call. G4NUA is now a SK sadly.

Sunspots - Saturday August 13th 2022

 Solar flux is 120 and the SSN 97. A=7 and K=2.

Dry Ely - NOT amateur radio

Having lived hereabouts since 1970, I have never seen the grass at Ely Cathedral so dry. We need rain badly. 

EI7GL's blog

This blog was regularly updated and a useful source of information, but I cannot see any updates since May 22nd. I hope John is OK.

30m FT8 QRP with the indoor Miracle Whip.

As 8m was not good (or 10m WSPR), I have QSYed to 30m QRP FT8 with the indoor Miracle Whip. So far, at 1331z, 21 spots of me already! Surprisingly, just 2 stations spotted on RX. This suggests far more are on RX than TX or my RX is very deaf, which I do not think is the case. Just using the FT817ND.

UPDATE 1436z: 32 stations have spotted me (see map). If you have no decent antenna, the Miracle Whip seems to give results on QRP FT8 TX at least as low as 30m. This is with the MW on the shack windowsill indoors.

Cambridge Grand Arcade

This is a fairly new covered shopping area in Cambridge. It has probably been there far longer than I think!  Being covered, it stops you getting wet when it rains, although I am beginning to forget what rain is as we have had no decent rain here since March.

8m experiment (Friday)

Most seem to think that the reception of me by HC02 (1808km) in Portugal yesterday was either Es or MS. Later this morning I expect to be on 40.680 MHz USB dial QRP FT8 again. If I get any 8m reports that would be pleasing, although I have no great hopes.

UPDATE 0837z:   8m FT8 QRP TX gear turned on at 0834z.  Immediately spotted by Hugh HC02 (1808km). Thank you!

UPDATE 1241z:  No further spots today. Currently the gear is off, back on about 1330z.

UPDATE 1326z:  As I have had no further spots of me, I have QSYed to 30m with the Miracle Whip on the shack windowsill.

20m FT8 RX with the Miracle Whip indoors

Overnight, I was on 20m FT8 RX with the Miracle Whip on the shack windowsill. 130 stations spotted as the map shows.